10 Best Things to Do In Alexandria, Virginia takes a look at one of Virginia’s most historical important cities. It is one of so many wonderful cities in the great state of Virginia such as Roanoke, Chesapeake, Richmond, Arlington and Virginia Beach. This great city is located along the Potomac River, south of Washington D.C. There are well-preserved buildings that have been there for decades in this great city of Alexandria. Currently, the city of Alexandria is home to museums, nature parks, art centers, and gardens. As per the census of 2019, the population of Alexandria is estimated to be 157,613. Its area codes are 703 and 571.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Alexandria, Virginia.
# 10 – Fort Hunt Park
This park is a popular weekend destination for both the locals and visitors. The amazing park is located a few miles from Mount Vernon George Washington’s historic home, and it sprawls across Virginia hills. Initially, this park used to be George Washington farmland, and then it became a war fort during the Spanish-American war. During World War 2, Fort Hunt Park was used as a secret intelligence facility. Inside this park, there are mature trees with various species of plants. Additionally, there are many wild animals that are found in this park. This park is suitable for birthdays, family getaways, anniversaries for couples, and vocational deals, among other things.
# 9 – Torpedo Factory Art Center
This facility served as a torpedo factory during both the first and the second World Wars. This art center address is 105 N Union St, Alexandria, and it is a three-story art center. The art center features 82 artists’ studios, two workshop spaces, and seven galleries, plus the Alexandria Archeology Museum. Additionally, there are art classes where artists create and exhibit their work in this art center. Painters, sculptors, glassmakers, photographers, printers, and jewelry makers are found in this art center. Special events such as live music and new exhibit openings take place in Torpedo Factory Art Center.
# 8 – Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is located at 105-107 South Fairfax Street. This museum is where George and Martha Washington’s and General Robert E. Lee used to get headache remedies and cures for the common cold back then. On display in this museum, there is a note written by Martha Washington. Inside this museum, there is a collection of old medical equipment, herbal remedies, hand-blown glass containers, books of recipes and formulas, plus old journals and ledges. Harry Potter fans will get a chance to find the real, honest-to-goodness dragons’ blood upstairs. Harry Potter-related events take place in this museum too. Last, there are artifacts on display in this museum upstairs.
# 7 – River Farm
River Farm was bought by George Washington in 1760. Currently, this farm belongs to the American Horticultural Society and serves as its headquarters. This farm features 25 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens and lawns. Additionally, this river farm features lovely meadow, orchards, pond, colorful thematic flower gardens, and several old, spectacular specimen trees. This farm located at 7931 East Boulevard Drive is perfect for weekend picnics, wedding photos, bird-watching, and paintings.
# 6 – Athenaeum
Athenaeum has been in place since the 1850s. This beautiful building was built in the Greek Revival Style hence making it an example of classical revival architecture. Initially, this building used to serve as a bank frequented by General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. Additionally, the building used to serve as Union Army headquarters. Currently, Athenaeum is home to fine arts, and it hosts seven exhibitions yearly. Events such as music and dance performances, poetry readings, lectures, and other events take place in Athenaeum. Various education programs, dance, yoga, and ballet classes are also organized in Athenaeum.
# 5 – Green Spring Gardens
Green Spring Gardens is an ideal place to visit in order to cool off and relax. The beautiful gardens feature a wooded valley by the stream and various ponds. Additionally, there are native plants and flowers. Visiting the garden if you are an avid gardener will give you a chance to learn new things about gardening and seek inspiration for spring planting. Inside this garden, there is the ornate historic house built by John Moss in 1784.
It is located at 4603 Green Spring Road.
# 4 – Alexandria Black History Museum
This is a perfect place to get information about the end of slavery in the Alexandria community. The building used to serve as the only library for African-Americans living in Alexandria. There are collections of photographs and documents about African American history in Alexandria. Further, inside this building, there is a permanent exhibition called ‘The Securing the Blessing of Liberty’ that illustrates the end of slavery in the Alexandrian community.
# 3 – Old Town Farmers’ Market
Old Town Farmers’ Market is over 260 years old. This is the best place to visit when you want to understand Alexandria’s culture and interact with the locals. The market opens every Saturday throughout the year. Stuffs like fruits, vegetables, bread, cheeses, meats, and other foodstuffs are sold in the Old town farmers market.
# 2 – Dora Kelley Nature Park
Dora Kelley Nature Park is a nature sanctuary that covers over 50 acres. The park is a birding spot. Several species of birds nest in Dora Kelley Nature Park. Some bird species found in this park are tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, belted kingfisher, and several woodpeckers. Additionally, raptors like bald eagles, cooper hawks, and barred owls are also found in this nature park. Wild turkeys are also found in this nature park, but they are rarely spotted. Further, the nature park biking and hiking trails making ideal for biking and hiking activities. Inside this vast 50-acre park, there are various frogs, toads, salamanders, and turtles. A great diversity of summer, spring, and fall native wildflowers are also found in Dora Kelley Nature Park. Some native wildflowers include orchids, trillium, and Dutchman breeches, among other species.
# 1 – Mount Vernon
This is a must-visit place whether you are staying or visiting Alexandria. Mount Vernon used to be George Washington’s home. This is where he spent most of his life, and it is his final resting place. A visit to Mount Vernon gives a fresh perspective on the United States’ first president, George Washington. There are historical documents and belongings of some historical figures that visited this place then. Additionally, over 700 original artifacts from the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Ford Orientation Center are found in this place. Possessions of George Washington, such as his dentures and distillery, are among the other things found in Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon is located at 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway.
Feature Photo at the top of the page – Photo: Mount_Vernon,_Virginia.jpg: David Samuelderivative work: SilkTork, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
