Alexandria Travel Guide (Alexandria, Virginia)

The sheer amount of well-preserved eighteenth- and nineteenth-century architecture lining King Street, which extends a good half-mile up from the Potomac, and its cross streets, makes ALEXANDRIA a must, especially for those who are staying in Washington DC but do not have time to venture further afield in Virginia. Originally an important colonial trading post and a busy port named after the pioneer John Alexander, the town was actually ceded to the newly created nation's capital in 1801 until it was returned to Virginia in 1847. When the Civil War broke out, it was occupied by Union forces and was the only place in the South to remain so for the duration of the war, which must have been a sore point for Robert E. Lee, whose boyhood home was here. In earlier days, George Washington had also maintained close ties with Alexandria, owning property here and attending gatherings at the famous Gadsby's Tavern , 134 N Royal St, now a museum (AprilSept TuesSat 10am5pm, Sun 15pm; OctMarch TuesSat 11am4pm, Sun 14pm; $4). Among other meticulously restored buildings open to the public are Carlyle House , 121 N Fairfax St, a 1752 manor house that was home to five royal governors (TuesSat 10am5pm, Sun noon5pm; $4) and Lee-Fendall House , 614 Oronoco St (TuesSat 10am4pm, Sun 14pm; $4), which belonged to the Lee family and contains many of their possessions. Down on the waterfront the Alexandria Archaeology Museum at 105 N Union St (TuesFri 10am3pm, Sat 10am5pm, Sun 15pm; free) displays various aspects of the town's history. The small, rectangular Georgian Christ Church at 118 N Washington St was built in 1773 and often counted Washington himself among its worshippers. Further along King Street towards the newer part of town stands the huge obelisk of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial , which is visible for miles around.