I visited a historic city 30 minutes outside Washington, DC. I think it's one of the most charming destinations in the US.
I visited Alexandria, Virginia, which is about 30 minutes outside Washington, DC.
Tatyana Gann; Ceri Breeze/Shutterstock
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Business Insider
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Tatyana Gann
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During a trip to Washington DC, I visited Alexandria, Virginia. This small, historic city is full of great shops, restaurants, and architecture.
- During a trip to Washington, DC, I spent time in Alexandria, Virginia.
- I quickly fell in love with the charming city and its historic roots.
- From cute shops and restaurants to a buzzy waterfront area, I found so much to do.
Traveling to Washington, DC, had been on my bucket list for a few years, so when my friend who lives there invited me to visit, I immediately started planning my trip.
While looking online for fun things to do nearby, I came across Alexandria, Virginia — a charming city just 30 minutes from the heart of DC.
Located on the Potomac River, this historic city seemed like the perfect place to stop for lunch on my way to the nation's capital. However, my visit turned out to be the highlight of my trip to DC.
I love how Alexandria blends the past and present
Alexandria is full of 18th- and 19th-century buildings.
Tatyana Gann
One of my favorite things about Alexandria is that the city really seems to do a good job preserving its history while creating new, modern spaces.
For example, the city's Old Town — one of the nation's oldest historic districts — is home to modern restaurants and boutiques that are tucked into centuries-old buildings.
After enjoying a delicious lunch at an Italian restaurant, I explored the shops on King Street, stopping at retailers selling things like jewelry, clothing, home decor, and more.
King Street is full of great local shops.
Tatyana Gann
Another great example of this is the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which was used as a torpedo plant during World War II and now houses several art galleries.
During my trip, I especially loved strolling along Captain's Row, which is Alexandria's oldest cobblestone street. Many of the houses here were built in the 1700s, and admiring the architecture gave me a reason to slow down and really take in the history.
The waterfront was the perfect place for people watching
I loved taking in views of the Potomac River.
bluestork/Shutterstock
Another area of Alexandria that really stood out to me was the waterfront, which offered great views of the boats on the Potomac River.
This section of the city felt particularly electric, and I enjoyed people watching on a busy Friday afternoon. Locals and tourists alike seemed to enjoy chatting on benches, walking along the water, and enjoying cocktails at the many restaurants.
I also enjoyed exploring the farmers market
The Old Town farmers market was a great place to do some shopping.
Tatyana Gann
Every Saturday, the city hosts a farmers market in Old Town. It's known as one of the oldest continuously operated farmers markets in the country, and George Washington even sent his produce to be sold there.
In addition to learning about the market's historic roots, visiting was a great way to get a feel for life in the city.
Tables overflowed with produce, artisan breads, cheeses, handmade jewelry, and colorful flowers. While there, I purchased a bar of handcrafted soap, which smelled great.
Overall, visiting Alexandria was a true highlight of my trip to DC
Even after an incredible trip to DC, where I visited places like the White House and the Smithsonian Institution, my time in Alexandria was the highlight of my stay.
From the centuries-old rowhouses to the lively waterfront, I truly felt at home in this historic city, and I'm already hoping to return as soon as I can.
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