Travel With Terri
Old Town Alexandria …A Destination Worth Discovering
By Terri Farris, Photos by Gregory Holder
Situated along the banks of the Potomac River just 10 miles from downtown Washington DC, there is no question Alexandria, Virginia is a perfect lodging alternative for your visit to the nation’s capital. However, as one of the most picturesque historic destinations on the east coast, Old Town Alexandria is much more than an alternative lodging option…it’s a destination worth discovering! Strolling down Alexandria’s tree lined cobblestone streets you will discover a community filled with history, art galleries, boutiques and numerous restaurants.
For a glimpse of 18th century Alexandria visit the unique Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. Edward Stabler opened a drug business in 1792 in Alexandria whose customers included George and Martha Washington, James Monroe and Robert E. Lee. When the shop closed in 1933 during the Depression, the doors were simply locked and the contents remained in tact. The building re-opened as a museum in 1939. The museum has a collection of over 8,000 objects including hand-blown medicine bottles with gold-leaf labels, pill rollers, drug mills and mortars and pestles. Mid-19th century show-globes are still located in the shop windows. On the second floor of the museum (formerly the supply room) medicinal herbs dating back generations remain in their original wooden drawers along with the paper labels used for packaging. The museum also has a collection of account books and ledgers including a request sent from Mount Vernon in 1802 stating “Mrs. Washington desires Mr. Stabler to send by the bearer a quart bottle of his best Castor Oil and the bill for it.” A prominent member of the Quaker community, Mr. Stabler was also an avid abolitionist who used his personal resources to purchase slaves for the sole purpose of granting their freedom! http://www.apothecarymuseum.org/
Alexandria’s art scene is uniquely displayed at the Torpedo Factory Art Center on the waterfront where you can observe more than 160 artists producing their work on three floors of open studios and galleries. Art created here includes painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking and sculpture. Visitors are invited to observe the artistic process, ask questions and purchase original artwork. The center was aptly named the Torpedo Factory Art Center because the building served as a fully operational torpedo factory during World War II! www.torpedofactory.org
Just outside the Torpedo Factory Art Center lies Alexandria’s waterfront where you can board a riverboat cruise to enjoy sightseeing from the unique vantage point of the Potomac River. The Potomac Riverboat Company offers several sightseeing cruise options including their very popular Monument Tour. This narrated cruise lasts approximately 45 minutes each way and highlights historic landmarks, buildings and the beautiful national monuments. Passengers can purchase one-way or round-trip tickets. With a round-trip ticket you can stopover in Georgetown for additional exploring, shopping, dining or cultural events and return to Alexandria on a later cruise. www.potomacriverboatco.com
King Street is the center of Old Town Alexandria and here you will find numerous dining options from casual pubs and cafes to fine dining. Hard Times Café (www.hardtimes.com) located at 1404 King Street offers a chili sampler featuring tastings of Texas, Cincinnati and vegetarian chili…all three are delicious! They also have a large section of micro-brewed beers. The Flying Fish (www.flyingfishdc.com) located at 815A King Street is a wonderful choice for fine dining with an extensive menu of sushi and seafood. This restaurant presents a “Restaurant as Art” concept with dining surfaces and murals painted by local artists. Stay after dinner and enjoy karaoke in their Speakeasy Room!
The Sugar Cube owned by sisters, Kim and Alyssa Theodore, is the place to go to satisfy your sweet tooth. Opened in 2006, The Sugar Cube, represents the culmination of each sister’s journey toward embracing their passion for sweets. Quality is evident throughout the shop which offers several collections of confections including Classic Chocolates, Panned Chocolates, Truffles and a collection of Sugar Free Chocolates sweetened with Maltitol, a naturally derived sugar. Confections in The Sugar Cube are often products from local chocolatiers. Tastings are offered regularly as part of Kim and Alyssa’s commitment to promoting local merchants. www.SugarCubeSweets.com
An excellent lodging option for your visit is the Hilton Alexandria Old Town located at 1767 King Street. This luxury hotel offers all the modern conveniences and amenities along with Colonial charm! Located just steps from the King Street Metro and the Alexandria Amtrak Station, it allows guests easy access to downtown Washington DC, Regan National Airport and all surrounding areas. The King Street Trolley – a free trolley service for the Old Town Alexandria area – boards just outside the hotel and travels the length of King Street to the waterfront. www.AlexandriaHilton.com
Go to www.visitalexandriava.com for more information and soon you will be strolling the cobblestone streets of beautiful Old Town Alexandria…a destination worth discovering!
Terri Farris is a freelance writer who enjoys traveling. You can see more of her writing on her blog at www.terrifarris.blog-spot.com or contact her at [email protected].