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Attractions / Things To Do Alexandria Colonial Ghost Tours, Alexandria: 703-548-0100 Admission Charged Experience the excitement of an actual Ghost Tour. Explore Old Town's streets and back alleys. Tours usually run Wednesday to Sunday nights but call for schedule and reservations Old Town Horse and Carriage Tours, Alexandria: 703-765-8976 Admission Charged Why not travel around the town as George Washington did. Call a day in advance for reservations Potomac Riverboat Company, Alexandria: City dock behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. 703-548-9000 Admission Charged The "Alexandria Seaport Tour" will give you a fish's-eye view of Old Town, but the "Washington Monuments Tour" is a better choice since it goes upriver for super views of the capital city. The cruises run from Tuesday to Sunday from June through September, weekends during May and October. The schedules change seasonally, so check at the dockside booth or call for information and reservations. Adams Center for the History of Otolaryngology, Alexandria: One Prince St., 703-836-4444 Admission Charged Dedicated to the history of treating the ear, nose & throat, this unusual museum includes a display of hearing aids, surgical instruments and rare books. Open Mon-Fri 9-5. Alexandria African American Heritage Park, Alexandria: Holland Lane, between Duke St. & Eisenhower Ave., 703/838-4356 Admission Charged "Truths that Rise from the Roots Remembered" is the name of the bronze tree sculpture that honors the contributions of African Americans to the growth of Alexandria. Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Alexandria: 105 N. Union St., Third Floor, 703-838-4399 Admission Charged Step right into the museum's laboratory where archaeologists reconstruct Alexandria's history, fragment by fragment. Open Tues-Fri 10-3; Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5. Alexandria Black History Museum, Alexandria: 902 Wythe St., 703-838-4356 Admission Charged Originally the segregated library for Alexandria's African American residents, the Center documents the local and national history, culture and contributions of Black America. Open Tues-Sat 10-4. Alexandria National Cemetery, Alexandria: Wilkes and Payne Streets Admission Free One of the 12 sites established and dedicated by President Lincoln in 1862 to serve as military burial grounds. The cemetery contains some 3,500 graves of Civil War soldiers, including U.S. Colored Troops and four men who lost their lives chasing Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Alexandria Seaport Foundation's Seaport Center, Alexandria: South of Founders Park, 703-/549-7078 Admission Charged The floating Center houses a community boat-building program. The Foundation offers educational tours aboard the Potomac dory boat; and rowing and sailing programs. Open Mon-Fri 9-5. Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, Alexandria: Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site 4301 W. Braddock Rd., 703-/838-4848 Admission Charged The museum, patterned after a Union headquarters building, houses a fine Civil War collection and exhibits. The Fort's Northwest Bastion has been completely restored. Open Tues-Sat 9-5; Sun 12-5. Park: Open daily 9-Sunset. Friendship Firehouse, Alexandria: 107 S. Alfred St., 703-838-3891 Admission Charged Established in 1774, the Friendship Fire Company was the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855 and now houses historic firefighting equipment and exhibit. Open Fri-Sat 10-4; Sun 1-4. George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria: 101 Callahan Dr., 703-/683-2007 Admission for Tour Patterned after a lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt, the Memorial displays a magnificent 17-ft. bronze statue of George Washington and an outstanding collection of Washington artifacts. Open daily 9-5 (last tour 4). The Lyceum- Alexandria's History Museum, Alexandria: 201 S. Washington St., 703-/838-4994 Admission Charged The 1839 Greek Revival building serves as the city's history museum featuring prints, documents, photographs, ceramics, silver, furniture & Civil War artifacts. Open Mon-Sat 10-5; Sun 1-5. Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House, Alexandria: (Located at Woodlawn) 9000 Richmond Hwy., 703-780-4000 Admission Charged Built in 1940 of cypress, brick and glass, the "Usonian" house exhibits many of the significant contributions that Wright made to contemporary architecture. Open daily Mar-Dec 10-5 (last tour 4:30). Closed Jan & Feb. Ramsay House Visitors Center, Alexandria: 221 King St., 703-/838-4200 Admission Free Named for William Ramsay, Scottish merchant and city founder. Stop by for sightseeing brochures, maps, etc. Open daily 9-5. I (Handicap assistance is available at the lower King St. entrance). River Farm, Alexandria: (American Horticultural Society) 7931 E. Boulevard Dr., 703-/768-5700 Admission Charged Originally part of the estate of George Washington, the farm features 25 acres of lawns, gardens, meadows and woods on the Potomac River. Open Mon-Fri 8:30-5; Apr-Oct: Sat 9-1. Carlyle House Historic Park, Alexandria: 121 N. Fairfax St., 703-/549-2997 Admission Charged A Georgian Palladian manor house built in 1752 by Scottish merchant and city founder John Carlyle. Here, five royal governors and General Braddock met to discuss funding of the French and Indian War. Open Tues-Sat 10-4:30; Sun 12-4:30 (tours on the hour and half hour, last tour 4:30; Nov-Mar last tour 4). Christ Church, Alexandria: 118 N. Washington St., 703-/549-1450 Admission Free, Contributions accepted This beautiful English country-style church was built between 1767-1773 and was attended by George Washington & Robert E. Lee. Open Mon-Sat 9-5; Sun 9-4. Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Alexandria: 134 N. Royal St., 703-/838-4242 Admission Charged Consists of two buildings, the 1785 Georgian tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. The Tavern has been authentically restored to its 18th-century appearance. Notable guests included George Washington & Thomas Jefferson. Call for seasonal hours. George Washington's Gristmill, Alexandria: Route 235, three miles from Mount Vernon Estate, 703-780-2000 Admission Charged See the entire process of how wheat was produced in the 18th century at this authentic water-powered mill, and learn how Washington was one of the most innovative farmers of his time. Open daily Apr-Oct 10-5. Gunston Hall Plantation, Alexandria: 10709 Gunston Rd., Mason Neck, VA, 703-/550-9220 Admission Charged The 1755 Georgian-style mansion was the home of George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and a framer of the Constitution. Open daily 9:30-5. Closed major holidays. Lee-Fendall House, Alexandria: 614 Oronoco St., 703-548-1789 Admission Charged From 1785-1903, the house served as the home to 37 members of the Lee family. John L. Lewis, a powerful and controversial labor leader, lived in the house from 1937-1969. Guided by its 1852 inventory, the house is interpreted as a Lee home of the 1850-1870 period. Open Tues-Sat 10-4; Sun 1-4 (tours on the hour; last tour 3) Mount Vernon- George Washington's Estate & Gardens, Alexandria: 3200 George Washington Memorial Pkwy., 703-780-2000 Admission Charged The beautiful estate of the nation's first president includes the mansion, outbuildings, a Pioneer Farmer site and gardens. Open daily, call for hours of operation. Old Presbyterian Meeting House, Alexandria: 321 S. Fairfax St., 703-549-6670 Admission Free Built in 1774, the church was the site of memorial services for George Washington. A memorial to an unknown soldier of the American Revolution can be visited in the churchyard. Open Mon-Fri 9-4. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, Alexandria: 105-107 S. Fairfax St., 703-836-3713 Admission Charged Opened in 1792 by young Quaker pharmacist Edward Stabler, the family business operated for 141 years. Over 8,000 early medical care items are still in place. Patrons included George & Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee. Open Mon-Sat 10-4; Sun 1-5. Woodlawn, Alexandria: 9000 Richmond Hwy., 703-/780-4000 Admission Charged George Washington gave the estate to his adopted granddaughter and his nephew as a wedding gift. Dr. William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol, was then commissioned to design the Georgian mansion. Open daily Mar-Dec 10-5 (last tour 4:30). Closed Jan & Feb. Arlington House, Alexandria: 703-557-0613 Admission Free Commanding a gorgeous view of Washington, D.C., from atop the ridge above the Kennedy graves, the Greek Revival Arlington House was built by George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington by her first marriage, after his daughter married a young Virginian named Robert E. Lee. The Lees had lived in the mansion for 30 years when General Lee received word in April 1861 of the dissolution of the Union and Virginia's secession. Restored to its pre-Civil War appearance and furnished with original pieces (as much as possible) and replicas, it has served as a memorial to Robert E. Lee since 1955, when its official name was changed to "Custis-Lee Mansion." A small Robert E. Lee Museum adjoins. There's a self-guided tour, with volunteers on hand to give an introductory talk, hand out brochures, and answer questions. The mansion is open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm; the museum from 8am to 4:30pm. Both are closed Christmas and New Year's Day. Tomb of the Unknowns, Alexandria: Beyond the mansion, America's most distinguished honor guard slowly marches before the Tomb of the Unknowns, a tribute to all members of the armed forces who have given their lives for their country in war. The 50-ton white-marble tomb rests above the remains of unidentified combatants slain during World War I. Unknowns from World War II and the Korean War are in the crypts on the plaza in front of it. There's also a crypt for an unknown killed in the Vietnam War, but modern forensic science is so sophisticated that the serviceman originally buried there with much ceremony was later identified as a U.S. Air Force pilot. His body was moved to another grave. Plan your visit to coincide with the changing of the guard ceremony -- an impressive ritual of rifle maneuvers, heel clicking, and military salutes. It takes place daily every half-hour April through September, every hour on the hour the rest of the year. Memorial Amphitheater, Alexandria: Adjoining the Tomb is the Greek Revival outdoor Memorial Amphitheater, used for holiday services, particularly on Memorial Day when the sitting president or vice president attends. U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, Alexandria: 703-289-2500 On the northern periphery of Arlington National Cemetery, just off Va. 110 about 1 1/2 miles north of the Kennedy graves, stands the famous U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial. The statue of Marines raising the American flag over Iwo Jima in February 1945 symbolizes the nation's esteem for the honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps. Netherlands Carillon, Alexandria: 703-607-8052 Va. 110 at Memorial Circle Admission Free Adjacent to the Iwo Jima statue is the Netherlands Carillon, a gift from the people of Holland, with 50 bells, each carrying an emblem signifying a segment of Dutch society. Visitors are permitted into the tower after the carillonneur performs, to enjoy spectacular views of Washington. Open Apr-Sept daily 8am-7pm; Oct-Mar daily 8am-5pm. International Spy Museum, Alexandria: 800 F St., NW, Washington, D.C 202-EYE-SPY-U Admission Charged Explore the secret history of history and discover the fascinating true stories of spies from Biblical times through today. Learn their true motivations uncover their tradecraft and discover their fates through film, interactive displays and state-of-the-art exhibits. Open Apr-Oct 10-8; Nov-Mar 10-6 Marian Koshland Science Museum, Alexandria: Sixth & E Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. 202-334-1201 Admission Charged State-of-the-art exhibits bring to life studies conducted by the National Academies. Includes a look at climate change related to global warming and DNA sequencing in criminal forensics. Open daily 10-6 except Tuesday. |
