Guidebook for Alexandria
Food Scene
ONE BLOCK from our house and across the street from the Huntington METRO (upper level, North Kings Hwy) is a five-star French bakery with freshly-baked pastries daily. The chef makes the most amazingly delicious pastries I have ever had -- the croissants, danishes, cakes, cookies -- are all melt in your mouth delicious. And, the coffee, especially the latte, is a creamy mocha delight. The atmosphere and design are beautiful and minimalist, with mocha and white colors, small and delicate crystal chandeliers, and lots of windows and natural light.
11 locals recommend
Voilà Pastry & Café
5908 N Kings HwyONE BLOCK from our house and across the street from the Huntington METRO (upper level, North Kings Hwy) is a five-star French bakery with freshly-baked pastries daily. The chef makes the most amazingly delicious pastries I have ever had -- the croissants, danishes, cakes, cookies -- are all melt in your mouth delicious. And, the coffee, especially the latte, is a creamy mocha delight. The atmosphere and design are beautiful and minimalist, with mocha and white colors, small and delicate crystal chandeliers, and lots of windows and natural light.
ONE BLOCK from our house and across the street from Huntington Metro (upper level, North Kings Hwy) is Bob and Edith's -- the popular, much-loved 24-hour local diner! Everyone in Northern, Virginia loves B&E's! (There are two other locations -- in Arlington and in Springfield, but ours is brand new)!
63 locals recommend
Bob & Edith's Diner
2310 Columbia PikeONE BLOCK from our house and across the street from Huntington Metro (upper level, North Kings Hwy) is Bob and Edith's -- the popular, much-loved 24-hour local diner! Everyone in Northern, Virginia loves B&E's! (There are two other locations -- in Arlington and in Springfield, but ours is brand new)!
Drinks & Nightlife
State is a recently remodeled, well-designed, beautiful, comfortable, and smallish venue that hosts great bands -- both up and coming new artists and iconic greats. You have a choice of positioning yourself up front standing/dancing in the large dance floor OR positioning yourself seated at tables in the levels and balcony. Check who's playing when you're in town.
21 locals recommend
The State Theatre
220 N Washington StState is a recently remodeled, well-designed, beautiful, comfortable, and smallish venue that hosts great bands -- both up and coming new artists and iconic greats. You have a choice of positioning yourself up front standing/dancing in the large dance floor OR positioning yourself seated at tables in the levels and balcony. Check who's playing when you're in town.
Iconic music venue that has brought the best of the best artists and bands to DC from all genres -- rock, punk, rap, reggae, metal, hip hop, soul, power pop, folk, blues, techno, and so on... 9:30 is THE DC venue. If you love to see bands and you're in DC, check 9:30 in advance and see who's playing. The last two times I went to 9:30, I saw the Slicky Boys, a local DC punk band that DC natives love, and before that, it was Blondie on her last tour.
455 locals recommend
9:30
815 V St NWIconic music venue that has brought the best of the best artists and bands to DC from all genres -- rock, punk, rap, reggae, metal, hip hop, soul, power pop, folk, blues, techno, and so on... 9:30 is THE DC venue. If you love to see bands and you're in DC, check 9:30 in advance and see who's playing. The last two times I went to 9:30, I saw the Slicky Boys, a local DC punk band that DC natives love, and before that, it was Blondie on her last tour.
Up and coming artists play here. Black Cat is great at picking winners. If you want to catch bands who are on their way and see them up close in a small venue before they hit it big, try the Black Cat. Not every band makes it, but every band that plays here has the chops. If you like a great live show, and a wild venue, try Black Cat. Beware, there might be slam dancing, depending on the band. ;)
136 locals recommend
Black Cat
1811 14th St NWUp and coming artists play here. Black Cat is great at picking winners. If you want to catch bands who are on their way and see them up close in a small venue before they hit it big, try the Black Cat. Not every band makes it, but every band that plays here has the chops. If you like a great live show, and a wild venue, try Black Cat. Beware, there might be slam dancing, depending on the band. ;)
Iota is a great restaurant, a cool music venue, and it's located in the Arlington hot spot neighborhood of Clarendon -- with the highest concentration of single adults in the Washington DC region. By day, Clarendon has lots of shops and by night, Clarendon is a single adult party town. The streets swarm with young people. There are many outdoor eateries, places to go, people roaming around. The streets feel like a party, like Georgetown used to be. And, Iota is a great destination in Clarendon, because of the good good food and great music. You might hear a solo acoustic show of popular 90s rock songs from Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze (Goodbye Girl, Muscles From a Shell, Tempted...)
12 locals recommend
IOTA
2832 Wilson BoulevardIota is a great restaurant, a cool music venue, and it's located in the Arlington hot spot neighborhood of Clarendon -- with the highest concentration of single adults in the Washington DC region. By day, Clarendon has lots of shops and by night, Clarendon is a single adult party town. The streets swarm with young people. There are many outdoor eateries, places to go, people roaming around. The streets feel like a party, like Georgetown used to be. And, Iota is a great destination in Clarendon, because of the good good food and great music. You might hear a solo acoustic show of popular 90s rock songs from Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze (Goodbye Girl, Muscles From a Shell, Tempted...)
Parks & Nature
Rock Creek park is simply stunning! It's larger than NY Central park, and is PACKED with amazing activities. The nature center is only one of the many centers and activities at Rock Creek.
59 locals recommend
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
5200 Glover Rd NWRock Creek park is simply stunning! It's larger than NY Central park, and is PACKED with amazing activities. The nature center is only one of the many centers and activities at Rock Creek.
Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion DrWow! the VIEWS!
Fort Hunt Park
8999 Fort Hunt RoadLocal, historical, beautiful
This beautiful, large, and lush park is in my neighborhood -- only two blocks from my house. The park has large, grassy, open spaces and hills, a playground, basketball court, sports field, outdoor picnic areas and covered picnic pavilion. Our neighbors fill this park with groups playing soccer, having picnics, romping with kids and dogs. It's lovely and so close!
Jefferson Manor Park
This beautiful, large, and lush park is in my neighborhood -- only two blocks from my house. The park has large, grassy, open spaces and hills, a playground, basketball court, sports field, outdoor picnic areas and covered picnic pavilion. Our neighbors fill this park with groups playing soccer, having picnics, romping with kids and dogs. It's lovely and so close!
The Boulevard is a park on the Potomac River in Alexandria. The BIKE PATH (that passes through this park) takes you on a beautiful ride that follows the Potomac River and the GW Parkway, from the Mount Vernon estate (George Washington's home) in Alexandria to Washington DC.
The Boulevard is a wonderful place for a picnic on the river, or a great place to start your bike trek. You can go south to visit historic Mount Vernon, or north through Old Town and into DC, stopping at a variety of interesting places with beautiful views along the way.
Boulevard View
Boulevard ViewThe Boulevard is a park on the Potomac River in Alexandria. The BIKE PATH (that passes through this park) takes you on a beautiful ride that follows the Potomac River and the GW Parkway, from the Mount Vernon estate (George Washington's home) in Alexandria to Washington DC.
The Boulevard is a wonderful place for a picnic on the river, or a great place to start your bike trek. You can go south to visit historic Mount Vernon, or north through Old Town and into DC, stopping at a variety of interesting places with beautiful views along the way.
If you love the mountains, Washington, DC is only an hour and 20 minutes from Virginia's stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. DC natives frequently take day trips to Blue Ridge, entering the park and driving the spectacular Skyline Drive, stopping at overlooks for breathtaking views and having lunch at Big Meadow Lodge with mountain views as far as you can see. Or, if you hike, you can select a trail from the brochure (available online and at the park entrance). You can hike by waterfalls, take steep or easy paths, etc. I recommend Stoney Man -- it takes you to the second highest peak in Blue Ridge and gives you two options for paths -- a steap, short climb, or an easy, longer hike.
160 locals recommend
Shenandoah National Park, Front Royal Entrance Station
17157 Skyline DrIf you love the mountains, Washington, DC is only an hour and 20 minutes from Virginia's stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. DC natives frequently take day trips to Blue Ridge, entering the park and driving the spectacular Skyline Drive, stopping at overlooks for breathtaking views and having lunch at Big Meadow Lodge with mountain views as far as you can see. Or, if you hike, you can select a trail from the brochure (available online and at the park entrance). You can hike by waterfalls, take steep or easy paths, etc. I recommend Stoney Man -- it takes you to the second highest peak in Blue Ridge and gives you two options for paths -- a steap, short climb, or an easy, longer hike.
Getting Around
Huntington station
2501 Huntington AveTWO BLOCKS from my house
Less than one mile from Huntington Metro, less than two miles from my house
62 locals recommend
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
801 N St Asaph StLess than one mile from Huntington Metro, less than two miles from my house
Entertainment & Activities
It's a water park less than 5 miles from my house. On a hot summer day, pack a bathing suit when you go sight seeing, and stop at the water park to cool off on your way home.
9 locals recommend
Cameron Run Regional Park
4001 Eisenhower AveIt's a water park less than 5 miles from my house. On a hot summer day, pack a bathing suit when you go sight seeing, and stop at the water park to cool off on your way home.
The ferris wheel at night, high-end shops and outlet shopping, restaurants, the brand new MGM casino, outdoor walks along the harbor with views of the Potomac, picnics -- what can't you do at National harbor?
28 locals recommend
The Capital Wheel
141 American WayThe ferris wheel at night, high-end shops and outlet shopping, restaurants, the brand new MGM casino, outdoor walks along the harbor with views of the Potomac, picnics -- what can't you do at National harbor?
Brand new casino at National Harbor. If you don't like gambling, National Harbor has high-end and outlet shopping, restaurants, the Capital Ferris Wheel, the Gaylord resort, outdoor places to walk along the harbor and picnic, boating, and many other activities.
359 locals recommend
MGM National Harbor
101 MGM National AveBrand new casino at National Harbor. If you don't like gambling, National Harbor has high-end and outlet shopping, restaurants, the Capital Ferris Wheel, the Gaylord resort, outdoor places to walk along the harbor and picnic, boating, and many other activities.
Sightseeing
National Cathedral is a gorgeous and historic, landmark church, still active, with beautiful architecture, stunning grounds, and spectacular gardens -- one of the most scenic places to picnic in Washington, DC. Located in DC's wonderful Woodley Park, you can spend a whole day exploring this treasure of a neighborhood. Visit the National Zoo in the morning, stroll the scenic streets and shops, pick up some cheese and sandwich fixings at a market, and have a late afternoon lunch at the National Cathedral gardens.
226 locals recommend
Washington National Cathedral
National Cathedral is a gorgeous and historic, landmark church, still active, with beautiful architecture, stunning grounds, and spectacular gardens -- one of the most scenic places to picnic in Washington, DC. Located in DC's wonderful Woodley Park, you can spend a whole day exploring this treasure of a neighborhood. Visit the National Zoo in the morning, stroll the scenic streets and shops, pick up some cheese and sandwich fixings at a market, and have a late afternoon lunch at the National Cathedral gardens.
The Awakening sculpture is WEIRDLY spooky but also cool, once you get used to looking at a GIANT man struggling out of the earth! And, kids (or the kid in YOU) might want to climb on him and take pictures. It's WEIRD. If National Harbor appeals to you for any reason -- the casino, the shopping, the harbor... then go find The Awakening and snap a selfie.
11 locals recommend
The Awakening
153 National PlazaThe Awakening sculpture is WEIRDLY spooky but also cool, once you get used to looking at a GIANT man struggling out of the earth! And, kids (or the kid in YOU) might want to climb on him and take pictures. It's WEIRD. If National Harbor appeals to you for any reason -- the casino, the shopping, the harbor... then go find The Awakening and snap a selfie.
Shopping
Eastern Market is so cool that it got it's own dedicated metro stop. The market is a wonderfully large, diverse, and long-standing group of local artisans that have made Eastern Market thrive. Surrounding the market is a vibrant community -- residential, shops, and restaurants -- another great DC neighborhood!
699 locals recommend
Eastern Market
225 7th St SEEastern Market is so cool that it got it's own dedicated metro stop. The market is a wonderfully large, diverse, and long-standing group of local artisans that have made Eastern Market thrive. Surrounding the market is a vibrant community -- residential, shops, and restaurants -- another great DC neighborhood!