American Bandstand?

There is a small stage in front of Alexandria City Hall, on market square.  

Market in Winter

Some vendors, the flower guy, the egg man, are here year around.  Other vendor are more prominent in winter offering coffee and hot food on a cold Saturday morning in January. 

Public Market

The Alexandria Farmers Market claims to be one of the oldest continuously operated public markets in America.  On King Street, every Saturday morning.  

Alexandria Federal Court House

The tall building in the middle of the picture is the Federal Court House in Alexandria, as seen from the Yellow Metro Line between Eisenhower Ave and King Street. 

King Street Metro Station

The parking, bus stops and kiss and ride area at the King Street Metro station are being rebuilt. 

King Street Trolly

Alexandria runs a free Trolly bus on King Street. It is about a mile from the Metro Station to the River.  A nice walk, sometimes and easy and free ride. 

Water Front

150 years ago, the Alexandria River Front would have been home to fish coming in, tobacco and grain going out. Alexandria was a major industrial port.  Today the river front is rather upscale 

Winter Boats

A lot of boats are pulled out of the river for the winter, but some stay in year around.  Sooner or later the river will ice over for a short period of time. In the meantime, deck the decks and enjoy the winter. 

Waterfront

The Potomac River and railroads are the prime reasons that Alexandria grew to be the city it is, in the location it is in.  For a couple of centuries it was a rough and tumble shipping port. Most of the boat traffic today is pleasure craft, the trains pass through just west of the Metro station. 

Chadwicks Restaurant

Chadwicks is a fixture on Strand Street, a very short street a block from the water, just south of King Street.  Creative modern food, and drink in a comfortable casual setting.  In mild weather the half dozen sidewalk tables usually have a waiting lift. 

Think of the Hands That Have Touched

This stair post on King Street 

Old Dominion Boat Club

For over 130 years, the Old Dominion Boat Club was at the end if King Street.  In an effort to reduce periodic flooding, the City negotiated a buyout, building the club a new facility, just south of King Street, with new docks soon to come.  

Show Me A Sign

On King Street Near the river 

Bubble Wrap

A new Park is being constructed at the end of King Street, on the site previous occupied by the Old Dominion Boat Club.  These metal swings were still wrapped in bubble wrap when I visited recently - they look much safer this way. 

History

This marker is next to the Visitors Center on King Street. 

The Heart of Alexandria

King Street, is really the heart of the old town of Alexandria, running from the river back to the George Washington Masonic Memorial King Street is historically the business center of Alexandria.  Today King Street is lined with shops, restaurants and bars and has a lively street life.  

South Washington Street

I liked the color of this sign on Washington Street south of King Street about a mile.

Snow Day

The first significant snow of the winter

Follow the Red Brick Road

Old town has a few cobblestone streets left, and lots and lots of brick sidewalks. 

Foggy Morning in Alexandria

There is a small park south and east of the Huntington Metro Station, kind of interesting in the park.  The small wooded areas are home to a surprising array of wildlife - this one is home to deer and fox.  

Night Landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Alexandria is just south of Washington DC, National Airport (DCA) is on the Potomac River between the two.  If you are landing to the south, and sitting in the left side of the plane, you get a spectacular view of DC, the Washington Monument, the circle of light in front of the White House, the dome of the Capital. 

Looking North

The culmination of the tour of the Masonic memorial, is an observation deck near the top.  This is the view looking north, the red brick buildings and the water tower in the center of the picture are at the Braddock Road Metro Station.  At the top are the Potomac and SE DC across the river.  

Theater

The George Washington Masonic Memorial has a nice museum, a modest reception or exhibit space and this small theater.  A very neat space. 

Inside the George Washington Masonic Memorial

The Museum inside the George Washington Masonic Memorial is worth the visit. 

Home

The flight path for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport follows the Potomac River, passing Alexandria.  This is the interchange of US-1 and I-495, just south of Old Town Alexandria.  Bottom left is the Belle Haven Country Club, when I was house shopping the REALOR simply said, if you have to ask how much it costs to join, you can't afford it. Home for me, is in one of the high rise condo buildings in this picture.  

BBQ

Myron Mixon's Pitmaster Barbeque on Lee Street a couple of blocks north of King Street offers award winning smoked meats in a casual dining venue. 

Sunrise over the Potomac

This was taken from at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, just north of Old Town, looking east over the river.  The brightly lit building across the river on the right is the MGM Casino and Hotel at National Harbor.  

VRE

The Virginia Railway Express, or VRE trains stop at King Street in Alexandria.  These provide commuter connections from the far suburbs into Washington, DC.  I rarely ride the VRE, but if Metrorail is out of service, VRE will get me into the city for work. 

Winter Sunrise

This was taken from the platform at the Huntington Metrorail station, looking north at the area now known as Carlysle. The tip of the George Washington Masonic Memorial peaks out, the farthest right building is the US patent and trademark office. 

Woodrow Wilson Bridge

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge carries I-495 - I-95 across the Potomac River from Alexandria to Prince George's County, Maryland.  The bridge has a drawbridge section near the Virginia side allowing large or tall ships to pass.   

From Across the River

This photo was taken from National Harbor across the river.  The white buildings in the foreground are the lighthouse at Jones Point, now a National Park. I sometimes refer to Jones Point Park as the Troll Park because parts of it are located under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (I-495.)   Jones point was filled with shipyards through World War II, Liberty Ships (cargo ships) were built there.  The George Washington Masonic Memorial rises on the right.  

Welcome to Alexandria Virginia

Alexandria, Virginia is located at the crossroads of early history of the United States, a port city on the Potomac River about half way between the United States Capital and George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Alexandria has charm and rich history.  

Alexandria has been my home since early 2010, I live on a hilltop that was surveyed by George Washington, and was home to Union Artillery and a powder magazine during the Civil War.  

Please enjoy, I read all comments, but seldom respond to them.