Alexandria VA Information
There is so much to see and do in the Alexandria area that you can’t see it all in just one visit. A well-rounded trip should include exploring Old Town Alexandria and some other activities too! Here are some tips to help you get around the popular attractions and some suggestions of fun and more relaxing things to do in the region.
Old Town Alexandria - http://visitalexandriava.com/attractions-activites/
Old Town Alexandria is a quaint historic town just on the other side of the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Dating back to 1749, Alexandria’s riverfront was an important colonial port during the colonial, revolutionary and Civil War periods. Today Old Town Alexandria is a revitalized waterfront with cobblestone streets, colonial houses and churches, museums, shops and restaurants.
You can take the metro and get off at the King Street stop and walk about 10 blocks to the east. If you’d rather save your feet for your sightseeing tour, take a DASH bus for a dollar. To drive to Old Town, take the George Washington Memorial Parkway to East King Street. There are parking meters on the street and plenty of parking garages in the area. This is a busy tourist area, so start out early and plan to spend several hours exploring, shopping and enjoying a meal.
The Lyceum - http://oha.alexandriava.gov/lyceum/
The Alexandria Lyceum serves as the city’s history museum providing exhibitions, lectures, concerts, and special programs. The museum displays more than 1,500 objects that tell the story of Alexandria, Virginia from its founding in 1749 through the present day. The collection includes furniture, textiles, ceramics, silver, glass, tools, art, photographs, newspapers, toys and more.
The Lyceum is a Greek Revival building that was constructed in 1839 and was an important center of Alexandria’s cultural life until the Civil War. Since that time, the building has been used as a Civil War hospital, a private home, an office building and the nation's first Bicentennial Center. An interpretive display located on the first floor of the museum tells the history of the building.
George Washington Masonic Memorial - www.gwmemorial.org
The George Washington Masonic Memorial honors America’s most famous Mason, George Washington. The memorial is located a mile from the Potomac River and overlooks the nation’s capital. It was completed in 1932 and stands 333-feet tall. Free tours of the Memorial are offered daily to the public, excluding major holidays.
Landmark Mall - www.landmarkmall.com
Shop for the latest fashions at Landmark Mall in Alexandria. The shopping center features over 120 nationally-recognized stores such as Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft. Restaurants and entertainment for children like Kiddie Rides keep the whole family entertained. Landmark Mall is open daily.
Springfield Mall - www.springfieldmall.com
Springfield Mall is one of the biggest shopping centers in the Alexandria and the Washington, D.C. areas. Hundreds of stores, an AMC movie theater, restaurants and entertainment are all conveniently located in this hip center of town.
Torpedo Factory Art Center - www.torpedofactory.org
The Torpedo Factory Art Center is one of the largest visual arts centers in the U.S., consisting of three floors with 84 working studios, 5 galleries, 2 workshops, the Art League School and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. This popular attraction in Old Town Alexandria is a great place to find unique gifts and decorative items for your home.
