Alexandria is located in the state of Virginia and has a lot of culture to offer as well as great sights and interesting destinations. So if you’re planning a trip to Alexandria (Virginia), you’ve come to the right place!
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Vacation in Alexandria (Virginia)
If you’re looking for a vacation where you can explore American history, architecture, and culture, Alexandria, Virginia is the perfect destination. Located just outside of Washington, D.C., Alexandria is a beautiful city with a rich colonial past. Here are just a few of the many sights and activities that you can enjoy while on vacation in Alexandria.
Old Town Alexandria
Old Town is the historic core of Alexandria and is filled with 18th and 19thcentury architecture. Stroll down King Street, the main thoroughfare, and window shop at the many boutiques and restaurants. Don’t forget to pop into one of the many cafes or ice cream shops for a refreshing treat.
If you want to learn more about the history of Old Town, take a tour with Alexandria Colonial Tours. This 90minute walking tour covers over 400 years of history and includes more than 30 stops. You’ll learn about the founding of Alexandria, important figures such as George Washington and Robert E. Lee, and the role that Alexandria played during the Civil War.
If you’re traveling with kids, be sure to visit the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Kids will love learning about the city’s history through handson activities, and the museum offers familyfriendly tours of its archaeological site.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Just a short drive from Alexandria is George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Virginia, and it’s easy to see why. The estate includes a mansion, museum, exhibits, and beautifully landscaped grounds. You can even take a boat ride on the Potomac River.
If you want to learn even more about George Washington, visit his home at Mount Vernon. This is where he lived for more than 40 years, and it’s been restored to look just as it did when he lived there. You can take a selfguided tour of the mansion or grounds, or join a guided tour.
The Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island is a park located in the Potomac River. It’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some time in nature. The island has miles of hiking and biking trails, and it’s a popular spot for birdwatching.
If you want to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt, the island also has a memorial dedicated to him. The memorial includes a giant statue of Roosevelt, as well as quotes and information about his life and achievements.
These are just a few of the many things that you can do on vacation in Alexandria, Virginia. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and convenient location, Alexandria is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or longer vacation.
Sights in Alexandria (Virginia)
We didn’t want to leave! We had the best time in Old Town Alexandria visiting all the shops and restaurants. The City of Alexandria is rich in history dating back to the 18th century. George Washington and Robert E. Lee both called Alexandria home. Today, Alexandria is known for its boutique shopping, fantastic restaurants, and lively nightlife. If you’re looking for a charming place to spend a weekend, look no further than Alexandria!
wanderer 10/23/2020
We visited Alexandria for a long weekend and we loved it! The city has a rich history dating back to the 18th century when both George Washington and Robert E. Lee called it home. These days, Alexandria is well known for its fabulous shopping, great restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. We had such a good time strolling around Old Town, popping in and out of the cute shops, and enjoying the delicious food. We can’t wait to go back!
History of Alexandria (Virginia)
Alexandria is an independent city in the United States Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 139,966, and in 2016, the estimated population was 155,810. Located along the western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately 7 miles (11 km) south of downtown Washington, D.C.
Founded in 1749, Alexandria was the leading city of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia during the first half of the 19th century, when it was both a port city and the center of the flourmilling trade. Nicknamed the “Buckhead of America” during this period, the city was home to numerous wealthy merchants, planters, and shippers. Alexandria’s lively cultural scene and numerous historic sites attract more than 4 million visitors each year.
The city is also noted for its large number of inventors and innovators who worked in a wide variety of fields and made significant contributions to the nation’s economy and defense. Among these are Robert Fulton, whose steamboat designs helped usher in the era of transportation; Joseph Henry, whose work laid the foundations for the science of electromagnetism; and John Carlyle, one of the principal proponents of the American canalbuilding program.
The town of Alexandria was founded in July 1749 by three English gentlemen of noble descent who obtained a land grant from King George II of England. The grant encompassed all of presentday Arlington County and the city of Alexandria. The purpose of the grant was to establish a settlement on the Potomac River that would serve as a port city and commercial center for the colony of Virginia.
The three founders, John Alexander, Philip Ludwell III, and George Mercer, named the new town after Alexander the Great. Alexander, because he envisioned the town as a great commercial emporium rivaling Athens or Alexandria in Egypt; Ludwell, because he was the primary financial backer of the venture; and Mercer, because he owned the land on which the town was built.
The town was laid out on a grid plan with wide streets and ample green space. The streets were named after the saints of the Anglican Church, and the town’s four quadrants were named after the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The original town was divided into 44 halfacre lots, which were leased to settlers. The first lease was issued on July 17, 1749, and by 1752 there were 22 families living in the town.
The town rapidly grew and prospered. It became a leading port city and the center of the flourmilling trade. By 1755, Alexandria had a population of 1,300 and was the secondlargest city in Virginia.
In 1791, the District of Columbia was created from parts of Maryland and Virginia, and Alexandria was included in the new federal territory. In 1801, the city was officially designated as the new nation’s capital, but due to a lack of funding and political infighting, the federal government only occupied a small portion of the city. In 1846, Congress returned the federal government to Washington, D.C., and Alexandria once again became a Virginia city.
During the Civil War, Alexandria was occupied by Union troops and served as a base of operations for the U.S. Sanitary Commission, an organization that provided medical care for Union soldiers. After the war, Alexandria became home to a number of freed slaves and became known as a “contraband camp.”
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Alexandria evolved into a streetcar suburb of Washington, D.C. The city’s trolley system was replaced by buses in the 1920s, and in 1934 the last streetcar ran.
Today, Alexandria is a vibrant, thriving city with a rich history and a bright future.
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