Official Visitors Guide
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OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE 2015 EDITION Minutes from Washington, D.C., yet a world away. #ExtraordinaryALX ALXVG_141200_Cover.indd 1 11/19/14 2:03:11 PM ALXVG_141200_CoverAds.indd 2 11/12/14 12:50:56 PM ALXVG_141200_masthead.indd 1 11/12/14 12:33:58 PM 2 VisitAlexandriaVA.com ALXVG_141200_masthead.indd 2 11/17/14 10:35:27 AM ALXVG_141200_masthead.indd 3 11/12/14 12:34:20 PM ALXVG_141200_masthead.indd 4 11/17/14 1:56:26 PM Visit Alexandria 625 N. Washington Street, Suite 400 Alexandria, VA 22314 PHONE: 703/652-5369 ALEXANDRIA VISITORS CENTER: 703/746-3301 EMAIL: [email protected] ONLINE: VisitAlexandriaVA.com PRESIDENT & CEO Patricia R. Washington EDITORIAL TEAM Kelsey Michael, Molly Morris, Claire Mouledoux, Meredith Sasser, Patricia R. Washington EDITORIAL PHOTOS Lafayette Barnes, Steve Brooke, James Cullum, Cameron Davidson, M. Donahue, Ben Fink, Sarah Hauser, Rusty Kennedy, Jessica Kiser, Eric Kvalsvik, Jenny Markley, Cade Martin, Mount Vernon, Richard Nowitz, Potomac Riverboat Co., Carol Pratt, Ruth Reeder, Meredith Sasser, Tisara Photography MANAGING EDITOR FOR MVP Brooke Sabin ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jean Lawlor Cohen CONTRIBUTING WRITER Kerri Pinchuk PUBLISHER Rebecca Velinsky-Weiner GROUP PUBLISHER/REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Rick Mollineaux BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR Rithie Washington CIRCULATION MANAGER Lisa Fabis Morris Visitor Publications PRESIDENT Donna Kessler CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER Haines Wilkerson DESIGN DIRECTOR Jane Frey DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Kris Miller PRODUCTION MANAGER Cher Wheeler SENIOR DESIGN LEAD Heather Gu n GRAPHIC DESIGNER Logan Eason RETOUCH SPECIALIST Erik Lewis MORRIS VISITOR PUBLICATIONS 1720 Eye Street NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20006 Phone: 202/463-4550 Fax: 202/463-4553 Published by the Visitor Publications division of Morris Communications Company, LLC. 725 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901 CHAIRMAN & CEO William S. Morris III PRESIDENT William S. Morris IV VisitAlexandriaVA.com 5 ALXVG_141200_masthead.indd 5 11/21/14 11:33:59 AM OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE TO ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 9 Welcome Sharing our assets—a message from the mayor on behalf of all who live and work here 10 Extraordinary Alexandria Contents Building on 300 years of history, a vibrant, growing, ever-evolving waterfront destination 15 Calendar of Events Celebrating year-round—from birthday fetes for the nation and fi rst president to festive parades 16 Exploring Alexandria Tracing the past and the present on a walking tour through 18th-century Old Town 17 Attractions Discovering every chapter of American history at storied sites, in museums and on tours 25 Recreation Taking in stunning views and varied locales on foot, by bicycle and aboard a boat 27 Arts & Culture Tapping into the city’s creative spirit at studios, galleries, shops, theaters and night spots 29 Accommodations Finding a home away from home at one of the many boutique hotels or well-known chains 37 Shopping Perusing wares from local artisans, global designers and world markets 49 Dining Feasting on award-winning cuisine, from seafood classics to imaginative new tastes 62 More Information Getting to and around the city, only fi ve miles from DC, by Metro, trolley, bike and water taxi 6 VisitAlexandriaVA.com ALXVG_141200_toc.indd 6 11/20/14 3:09:10 PM VisitAlexandriaVA.com 7 ALXVG_141200_toc.indd 7 11/12/14 4:05:42 PM COVER STORY Inspired by the authentic spirit of Old Town Alexandria, the 2015 Visitors Guide cover, by DC-area photographer Cade Martin, evokes the rejuvenated, carefree feeling What moves you in visitors experience in a city known for its uncontrived character. As a dancer leaps atop red brick, Alexandria jazz musician Vaughn Ambrose plays his saxophone, ALEXANDRIA? and Cool Luke, beloved pet of Your Dog’s Best Friends With a bustling culture and thriving energy, Alexandria is always in motion. owner Paul Haire, chases bubbles along the street. We at Visit Alexandria are here to help you explore the extraordinary and What will move you in Alexandria? find out what moves you. From gallery exhibits to festivals and events, historic sites to the latest culinary hotspot, we want you to experience it all. Here’s how you can connect with us and get started: GETTING HERE Alexandria may 1. VisitAlexandriaVA.com seem a world away, Events and seasonal essentials plus shopping and dining guides but it’s remarkably accessible. Minutes from Reagan 2. Alexandria Visitors Center, 221 King Street, 703/746-3301 National Airport, Maps, tickets and tips on happenings around Alexandria the city claims an Amtrak station, Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com four Metrorail stops 3. Extra Alex blog, and water taxi service from National Harbor and A behind-the-scenes look at what’s trending in the city Georgetown. Major roads and bike paths lead to the city, where 16 Capital Bikeshare stations 4. Social Media provide shiny red cycles for renting. The free Photos and videos, or if you just want to chat: (and low-emission) King Street Trolley runs day Tag your posts with and night, making 20 stops along the main drag. /VisitAlexandriaVA @AlexandriaVA #ExtraordinaryALX @VisitAlexVA /VisitAlexandria 8 VisitAlexandriaVA.com ALXVG_141200_welcome.indd 8 11/19/14 4:21:34 PM OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE TO ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA AlexandriaWELCOME TO ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US WHO LIVE AND WORK HERE, As an avid traveler myself, I know how thrilling it is we’re honored to have you as our guest, and I look to experience new places and other cultures, and how forward to sharing our extraordinary town with you. it energizes us when we return home. In recent years, Today’s visitors fi nd the same spirit of hospitality I have been fortunate to visit Alexandria’s four sister that welcomed the country’s founding fathers centuries cities overseas and have returned home with a new ago. Whether cobblestoned or boutique-laden, our appreciation for our city’s vast treasures. And based warm, walkable city streets invite you to explore, try upon growing interest in Alexandria both nationwide on and taste the familiar and the unfamiliar. and abroad, it would seem the word is getting out. Alexandria is a place where unique history, ambiance, Alexandria is now on the lips of travelers everywhere people and 18th-century architecture seamlessly who recognize our city, just fi ve miles from the nation’s interweave with vibrant shops, award-winning capital, as something extraordinary and sustainable. restaurants and dynamic arts to create a thriving No matter the extent cultural center. Here, artists create masterpieces in a of my travels, I’m always former World War II munitions factory (the Torpedo excited to return to this Factory Art Center), and entrepreneurs open boutiques city. So with doors open in districts ranging from eclectic Del Ray to bustling and stories to share, all King Street. Maybe that’s why the National Science of us in Alexandria look Foundation—a focal point of American progress—chose forward to welcoming you. to locate here. In Alexandria, innovation and creativity burst from every crevice. Always in forward motion, Alexandria has continued developing since its beginnings in 1749. This year along the waterfront, visitors can look Mayor William D. “Bill” Euille forward to new restaurant Blackwall Hitch as well as the beginning stages of a public park and boutique waterfront hotel overlooking the Potomac River, revitalizing and reenergizing what has historically ALXVG_121200_WelcomeSpread.indd 9 11/29/12 12:29:57 PM been a thriving seaport. VisitAlexandriaVA.com 9 ALXVG_141200_welcome.indd 9 11/19/14 12:46:05 PM xtraordinary EALEXANDRIA A DESIRABLE ADDRESS FOR D.C. INFLUENCERS AND A TOP GETAWAY FOR VISITORS, THIS WATERFRONT CITY OFFERS COSMOPOLITAN ARTS, CULTURE, SHOPPING AND DINING IN AN ENCHANTING HISTORIC SETTING. Just fi ve miles from the nation’s capital, Alexandria bustles with life, as locals and travelers wander streets lined with romantic sidewalk cafes, stylish boutiques, historic sites and treasure-fi lled galleries. Walkable and welcoming, the compact city is also easily navigable by bike or the free King Street Trolley. Explore fi ve distinct zones, each with its own style and character, but all packed with enticing destinations. ALXVG_141200_f-extraAlex.indd 10 11/19/14 12:58:41 PM OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE TO ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA ARTISANAL KING STREET out King Street’s culinary scene with an expansive ALEXANDRIA Alexandria has been a shopping destination since menu and a market stocked with imported FOR A TRUE TASTE OF the 1700s, when the port city served as the region’s gourmet groceries. THE CITY, DON’T MISS commercial hub. And the King Street corridor, with THESE ONE-OF-A-KIND its free trolley and seasonal markets, festivals and OFF KING STREET LOCAL FAVORITES. fairs, is still home to “some of the best stores and On side streets, historic sites convey stories of Misha’s galleries in the [D.C.] region” (Wall Street Journal). Alexandria’s past, from colonial times through Home decor shops forego cookie-cutter design the Civil War. Carlyle House was the mansion of and instead showcase the city’s long tradition a city co-founder before it became a British army of craftsmanship. See why The Washington Post headquarters, and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum was a named Old Town a home design destination: The favorite haunt of the nation’s founding fathers. From Hour Cocktail Collection stocks cool, vintage 1796 until 1933, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Misha’s Coffeehouse and Roaster barware; Red Barn Mercantile holds antique Museum was a family business serving customers In a cozy atmosphere, sip textiles, picture frames and furnishings; and Ten like Martha Washington, and today it retains more small-batch co ee—roasted Thousand Villages gives Alexandria its name as than 8,000 early medical care items. daily—and nibble on pastries and other goodies from a Fair Trade Town with responsibly sourced gifts Fans of performing arts fl ock to MetroStage local bakeries.