Virginia and Washington DC 🇺🇸

I was fortunate to find myself in Alexandria on a work trip – a charming little town in the State of Virginia. As soon as I stepped off the plane at Dulles Airport and caught a taxi cross-state, I forgot about the long day I’d spent sat on a plane and immediately began to feel comfortable and relaxed. That’s the laid-back charm of Sweet Virginia for you!

Historic Old Town Alexandria is a quiet, quaint, colonial village with brick-lined streets and cobbled alleys – the type of old-fashioned charisma that can often lack in Central America.

Alexandria was named after the family of John Alexander, a Virginia planter who in 1669 acquired the tract on which the town began. By 1732, the site was known as Hunting Creek Warehouse, before becoming Alexandria in 1749 – when it became a recognised major 18th century port with its own militia. In the 19th century, it became part of the District of Columbia and was occupied by Federal troops during the Civil War. By the 20th century, it had become known as a major railroad centre. Today, Alexandria remains the third historic district in the USA to protect its amazing 18th and 19th century buildings. George Washington was known to have frequented Alexandria, too!

Despite being a mere 5 miles from DC, Alexandria has no skyscrapers, no underground, no smoke, no smog – just the satisfying sense that you are somewhere safe and peaceful. The houses and boutique shops are all individual and unique – not one of them the same. The tree-lined streets bore a gorgeous shade of damson reds and dusky oranges – a real plus to travelling to Virginia in the autumn.

The sense of a tight community neighbourhood was felt everywhere. The shops were scattered with leaflets advertising local events and every third person you came across was out walking their dog. Indeed, the dogs are some of the luckiest in America, with shops dedicated to selling fancy biscuits, ice cream and yoghurts for peckish pooches.

It wasn’t just the dogs who got tasty treats; I found some amazing eateries during my stay, including Sinclair’s Oyster Bar and a funky burger joint called King Street Blues, with crazy papier-mâché characters adorning every wall! My favourite restaurant, however, had to be Gadsby’s Tavern, where I met with colleagues (new friends) and took our seats in a dimly lit dining room. Once a real tavern, operated by John Gadsby himself, today it is an atmospheric restaurant which keeps its 18th century appearance fully in tact. Gadsby’s Tavern is one of the buildings that has been designated one of the registered national historic landmarks.

The prices may be a little more than you’d ordinarily want to pay, but it’s worth it to enjoy the theatre and laugh the night away with nightly entertainment from ‘Gadsby’ himself! Oh – and the French onion soup was up there with the best! Go here if you’re in town, as you won’t be disappointed. The wine is good, too, which is hardly surprising given Virginia is the fifth-biggest wine producing region in the USA.

It doesn’t take too long to walk the length of King Street to the waterfront promenade. If you continue to the bottom, you’ll reach National Harbor, a lively little setting on the banks of the Potomac River, overlooking Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon, just south of DC. You could take a trip across to Mount Vernon (sadly no crossings when I was there) – or, like me, you could just grab some nachos, a cherry cola and ‘boat watch’ the day away.

Tip: If still operating, a free street trolley takes you between the metro station on King Street and the waterfront….which will save tired legs!

I stayed at the wonderful Hotel Monaco in the centre of Alexandria town – a brightly coloured, art-deco boutique hotel with comfortable rooms, friendly staff, ‘wine o’clock’ every afternoon at 5pm and the fanciest bathrobes I’ve ever had the privilege to wear (zebra stripes are so chic!). If you’re looking to stay overnight – or longer – in Alexandria, I really couldn’t recommend Hotel Monaco more highly!

After 5 nights in Alexandria, it’s an easy decision to say I’ll be returning again someday. It’s easily one of the lesser visited tourist spots in the US, but that’s what makes it so special.

Washington DC

DC – District of Columbia – is such an easy commute from Old Town Alexandria, either by car, rail or taxi. As I mentioned before, it’s a mere 5 miles away. I was lucky enough to get a day trip in whilst in the vicinity. Naturally, it wasn’t possible to see all that the Capital offered in just a day, but I had a good go (with the help of a ‘hop on, hop off’ bus)!

Despite the crisp, early November day, the skies were blue and it was perfect for having a gentle meander around the sites of the city, including the Washington Monument – the tallest building in the district (as pictured below).

One thing that jumps out instantly is how fast-paced life in DC is! It’s a little like New York in that respect. The cost of living in DC is amongst the highest in the USA (again, like New York), attracting business folk and lots of wealth. Away from the hustle and bustle, Washington DC is also home to lovely tree-lined neighbourhoods and a slower pace of life away from the high rises and suits.

Of course, one of the sights I had to see was The White House. Unfortunately I didn’t spot Barack Obama (this was 2014) given the rather inconvenient temporary conservatory!

DC is also home to the Headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). My colleague and I had been told that we simply had to visit the ‘International Spy Museum’. We found this just off Independence Avenue, right next to a multitude of gift shops selling anything and everything ‘FBI’. Inside the museum we found artifacts dedicated to the thrilling mysteries of espionage. If you want to escape into the enticing world of James Bond for an hour or two, for a small sum per person, this is the place you want to be! Don’t forget to stop in at the gift shop and pick up your own ‘Truth Serum Decanter’ or ‘How To Be A Spy Idiots Guide’! Essential reading.

A whistle stop tour perhaps, but my day in DC was a tick off my (long) bucket list and a place where I’d recommended anyone to go and see.

Have you been to Alexandria or DC? If so, share your own tips below 👇🏻