The Historical Charm of Alexandria Virginia
A mere ten miles separates the political juggernaut of Washington DC and the picturesque historical town of Alexandria Virginia. If you are visiting DC, it’s certainly worth organizing a day trip out to Alexandria to bask in the exquisitely-preserved 18th and 19th century architecture and learn about the history of some of the unique buildings.
Waterfront/Old Town
A scenic way to get to Alexandria is by taking a water taxi from the Georgetown or the Wharf and in retrospect, we should have done that instead of taking an Uber. The water taxis do sell out especially on the weekends so it is best to book your tickets online.
Waterfront Park is right by Old Town and has a beautiful view of the Potomac River. There is a free trolley ride that goes along Old Town from Alexandria City Hall/Market Square to King Street – Old Town Monorail Station. Old Town is also entirely walkable so you can choose to stroll down and visit more than 200 boutiques and independent restaurants along the way.
My friends and I stumbled upon this restaurant while strolling down King Street in Old Town. We had no idea the restaurant is a beloved local institution and that it’s highly rated across all the dining guides. They had a menu posted out front and we were attracted to their line up of Creole and Cajun dishes.
As we entered the restaurant, we were taken by the classic and yet modern interior, and the friendly servers who sat us even though we didn’t have a reservation. We ordered incredibly fresh local oysters to share, and jambalaya, crawfish and shrimp etouffee, and seafood gumbo as mains. The dishes were all incredibly delicious (especially the jambalaya), prices were really reasonable, and their service was impeccable! Definitely make The Warehouse your dining destination in Alexandria!
Address: 214 King Street
(703) 683-6868
A minute walk away from The Warehouse is a charming store selling all kinds of spices and seasonings, and loose-leaf teas from around the world. They hand-mix their seasonings daily and have knowledgeable staff to guide you on how to use the spices. It’s also a perfect place to shop for gifts and souvenirs for foodie friends.
Address: 320 King Street, Suite 112
Hollensbury Spite House
The historic Hollensbury Spite House is the narrowest house in the United States at seven feet wide and 25 feet deep. It’s painted a gorgeous shade of blue so you can’t miss it!
In 1830, John Hollensbury, a local brickmaker and city councilmember, owned the two adjacent houses and was frustrated with horse-drawn wagons and noisy loiterers using his alley. Too keep them away, he built the tiny house to block the space. It has since been renovated and modernized over the years to become an actual place of residence. It’s now owned by a family who paid $135,000 for the 325 square feet house.
Address: 523 Queen Street
Captain’s Row
There are only two streets lined with cobblestones in Alexandria, one is at the 600 block of Princess Street and the other is at Captain’s Row. Built in the late 1700s, the original houses on the south side of the block were built by Col. George Gilpin, a friend of George Washington, and the houses on the north side were built by sea captain John Harper.
The area was aptly named Captain’s Row because it was home to sea captains during the time Alexandria was a major commercial port. In 1795, the road was paved with multi-colored oval stones that originated from the Potomac River, creating the gorgeous path we see today.
Address: 100 block of Prince street