The Marketing Team had a blast exploring Old Town Alexandria Virginia and National Harbor Maryland for our second Fun Friday on June 10, 2016. Old Town Alexandria is a historic town on the Potomac River, located just six miles south of Washington, DC. Alexandria’s riverfront was an important port in both the Revolutionary and Civil War periods. Today, its waterfront has been revitalized and is a wonderful tourist destination of restaurants, shops, museums and lively nightlife.
We started our day at the fountain at Market Square by Alexandria City Hall and made our way across the street to the Alexandria Visitors Center. This is the oldest part of the city that was originally founded in 1749. We visited the historic sites of the Carlyle House and Gadsby’s Tavern where George Washington and the first five American presidents were once frequent visitors during colonial times.
Just two blocks south from the Visitor’s Center is the Alexandria Waterfront. We went into the Torpedo Factory Art Center where local artists have private studios to display and sell their arts and crafts. Then we stopped at Blackwall Hitch restaurant for lunch on their scenic waterfront outdoor patio. We enjoyed some cool summer drinks, their French Fly Flight appetizer and selections of fire-roasted flatbreads.
After lunch we boarded the Potomac Riverboat Company’s Water Taxi and headed over to National Harbor Maryland to see the Gaylord Conference Center and the sites of National Harbor. National Harbor is another prime tourist des
tination that has many hotels, restaurants and shopping opportunities. There are also many family-friendly activities, including riding the Capitol Wheel, the Carousel, kayak and pedal boat rentals and the beach park playground with the famous “The Awakening” sculpture.
We boarded the Water taxi for our return trip back to Old Town Alexandria and explored the streets and shops there. We walked into Kilwin’s just as they were making fresh caramel apples! and left with ice cream cones and smiles on our faces. It was a sweet way to end our day!