Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alexandria
The charming colonial village of Alexandria is just 5 miles and 250 years away from
Washington. Once a salty port town, Alexandria - known as 'Old Town' to locals - is
today a posh collection of red-brick colonial homes, cobblestone streets, flickering gas
lamps and a waterfront promenade. King St is packed with boutiques, outdoor cafes, and
neighborhood bars and restaurants.
Sights
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
MONUMENT, LOOKOUT
(
www.gwmemorial.org
; 101 Callahan Dr at King St; adult/child $8/free; 9am-4pm Mon-Sat,
noon-4pm Sun; King St)
Alexandria's most prominent landmark features a fine view from
its 333ft tower, where you can see the Capitol, Mount Vernon and the Potomac River. It is
modeled after Egypt's Lighthouse of Alexandria and honors the first president (who was
initiated into the shadowy Masons in Fredericksburg in 1752 and later became Worshipful
Master of Alexandria Lodge No 22). The only way up is via a guided tour; they depart at
10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3pm (on Sunday the first one is at 12:30pm).
Gadsby's Tavern Museum
MUSEUM
(
www.gadsbystavern.org
; 134 N Royal St; adult/child $5/2; 10am-5pm Tue-Sat, 1-5pm Sun & Mon;
King St then trolley)
Once a real tavern (operated by John Gadsby from 1796 to 1808),
this building now houses a museum demonstrating the prominent role of the tavern in Al-
exandria during the 18th century. As the center of local political, business and social life,
the tavern was frequented by anybody who was anybody, including George Washington,
Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. The rooms are restored to their 18th-cen-
tury appearance, and the tavern occasionally still hosts pricey balls. Guided tours take
place at quarter to and quarter past the hour.
Torpedo Factory Art Center
ARTS CENTER
(
www.torpedofactory.org
;
105 N Union St; 10am-6pm, to 7pm Thu; King St then trolley)
What do you do with a former munitions dump and arms factory? How about turning it
into one of the best art spaces in the region? Three floors of artists studios and free cre-
ativity are on offer in Old Town Alexandria, as well as the opportunity to buy paintings,
sculptures, glassworks, textiles and jewelry direct from their creators. The Torpedo Fact-
