Featured Image above : The Old Town district of Alexandria, Virginia Photo by Ben Schumin on March 8, 2003.
(Used via creativecommons.org/licenses,by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons)
What is it that makes Alexandria, Va.. an irresistible tourist attraction?
The splendor of the downtown; the beauty of its landscape with Nature and modernity blending seamlessly; preservation of architecture and historicity, diversity, cuisine, arts and culture or a lively yet soothing ambience of life just across the Potomac River from the nation’s bustling capital?
Or simply all of the above?
That for the residents of the Old Town, it may be difficult to prefer any one of these outstanding reasons making Alexandria a place to be, makes perfect sense.
Even Liveablity.com, that recently ranked Alexandria Va. the best downtown in America, counts a load of factors that make Alexandria Va. a nationwide choice.
“By any measurement, downtown Alexandria, Va.. is loaded. Loaded with restaurants. Loaded with cultural venues and entertainment options. Loaded with historical architecture, picture perfect views and people.
“Old Town, the historic heart of downtown Alexandria, swells with tourists, shoppers and art-lovers by day, while filling up with beer- and music-lovers who shuffle down brick-lined streets towards bars and pubs in the evening hours. Restaurants in Alexandria are themselves worth flying across the country to try and draw thousands of food connoisseurs from the Washington D.C. area. Residents here take full advantage of their city’s thriving food scene, eating out nearly twice as much as the average American. It all adds up to put Alexandria at the top of our Top 10 Best Downtowns 2016.”
An early Cherry Blossom in Alexandria
Photo: Views and News
Lately, Alexandria has been catching media attention thanks to PBS series Mercy Street, a drama set in the 19th century Civil War environment.
It is for the fourth time that Livability.com has found Old Town as “one of the most vibrant, unique and livable” downtowns in the country.
“Low vacancy rates show that Old Town is a sought-after location, and people living in Alexandria typically spend more time visiting the downtown area to shop, eat and hang out than they do in other cities,” the website says.
“Old Town offers the sophistication you’d expect in a much larger city while presenting cozy comforts, such as the water bowls for dogs, set out on the sidewalks by local shop owners. Among the top things to do in Alexandria are strolling along the Potomac River, admiring the pieces being made at the Torpedo Factory Art Center and touring museums on Market Square.”
Additionally, as the website notes, residents find it easy to reach parks and recreational areas in Alexandria.
So, what is going to be your next great moment in Alexandria this already warming spring?
I am planning to invite my friends to one of the beautifully located restaurants on the King Street. But that savory fiesta will just be another excuse to absorb a glimpse or two of the downtown’s cobblestone–strewn streets. My camera will also be curious to capture some Cherry blossoming moments – a celebration of the National Festival that lends an aura of mystique to the region between the middle of March and April.
