Tracing the Footsteps of George Washington: Visit Alexandria, Virginia and Mount Vernon

Alexandria, Virginia is a colonial city with a strong mix of old and new. The newness of Alexandria is evident in new office construction and highway improvements in the Eisenhower Avenue corridor. The old, of course, is Old Town Alexandria. Old Town has over 2000 buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Let's highlight some of those attractions.

Alexandria boasts one of the oldest pharmacies in the country, the Apothecary located at South Fairfax Street. Now a museum, the pharmacy opened its doors as a family business back in 1792 and even served the needs of George Washington. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Head north on Fairfax and you can tour Carlyle House, a striking example of Georgian Palladian architecture of the 1700s (the only one, in fact) and home to one of Alexandria's founding fathers, Scottish merchant John Carlyle. This house is likewise listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a treasure trove of period furniture.

In the vicinity of Fairfax Street you'll find the pulse of Old Town, which is King Street. King Street is an eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants from every corner of the globe, together with high fashion, chain stores, art shops and antiques. You'll also find the marina district on Cameron Street, off the northern end of King Street. The marina is a nice area to stroll through and take in the range of pleasure boats moored in the area.

If you'd like to sail yourself, then consider a narrated river boat cruise down the Potomac River to George Washington's famous homestead, Mount Vernon. The sail takes fifty minutes, and tickets can be purchased from Potomac River Boat Company, located on The Strand.