When I was 23, I drove from Asheville to Washington, DC alone. I was single and really wanted to see my sister. With a limited budget, I couldn’t fly at the time so I hopped in my car and drove north. That’s the way we are in my family. We need a lot of quality time together to function well, so over the past 15 years, there’s been a lot of traveling back and forth. With all those years of memories, I’ve grown very attached to DC and the surrounding cities. My sister has lived in Arlington, VA, downtown DC, Silver Springs, MD and currently lives Alexandria, VA. She and her husband just bought a house in Great Falls, about 25 miles from the city. We’re in town right now for my niece’s second birthday party. I realized last night this is probably our last visit while they’re living in Alexandria. I’ve grown very fond of Old Town, especially the waterfront.
When most people think of traveling to the Washington, DC, they think of visiting the Smithsonian museums, photographing the monuments and touring the White House. And while everyone should experience these classic DC landmarks, there’s much more to do in this area than the touristy stuff. Because my sister’s family has lived in Old Town Alexandria for four years, we’ve developed a fondness and attachment to this beautiful part of Northern Virginia.
Often times, we don’t even venture into DC. Kids and adults love Old Town and the waterfront, so why get mixed up in the crazy crowds when we’re completely content right here? For several summers in a row when Case was a baby, just my mom, Brooks and I would fly up and keep my older niece for a week while my sister and brother-in-law worked, so a lot of my memories include my late mother which adds an additional layer of sentimentally. For those of you planning a trip this way, you must include Old Town in your agenda. Below are some of our favorite activities.
Eating ice cream on the waterfront.
Dining at waterfront restaurants.
Watching planes take off from Regan National.
Exploring the Torpedo Factory.
Riding the trolley around King St.
Playing at waterfront parks.
Riding the water taxis on the Potomac.
Old Town Alexandria is truly a gem of a place and a national treasure. If you’re in the area, you’ve got to experience it for yourself. Even when my sis moves to High Falls, I have a feeling we’ll be driving over to enjoy some of our favorite waterfront activities.