Alexandria
What do you do with a former munitions dump and arms factory? How about turning it into one of the best art spaces in the region? Three floors of artist studios and galleries are on offer in Old Town Alexandria, as well as the opportunity to buy paintings, sculptures, glass works, textiles and jewelry direct from their creators 鈥 all 165 of them.
Take the trolley from King St station.
7.16 MILES
One of America's most visited historic sites, Mount Vernon was the beloved home of George and Martha Washington.
5.82 MILES
The legendary exhibits at the National Air and Space Museum include the Wright brothers' flyer, Chuck Yeager's Bell X-1, Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St鈥
6.03 MILES
Two buildings. Hundreds of masterpieces. Infinite enjoyment. It's easy to spend a full day at the National Gallery of Art, which showcases a whole range鈥
5.83 MILES
Anchoring the National Mall's west end is the hallowed shrine to Abraham Lincoln, who gazes across the Reflecting Pool beneath his neoclassical, Doric鈥
National Museum of African American History & Culture
5.94 MILES
Located in Washington, DC, the sensational National Museum of African American History & Culture is devoted exclusively to the documentation of African鈥
6.07 MILES
Since 1800, this is where the legislative branch of American government (ie Congress) has met to write the country's laws.
6.38 MILES
Play image association with the words 鈥淲ashington, DC,鈥 and chances are the first thing that comes to mind is the White House. The president鈥檚 pad is鈥
5.61 MILES
Sprawling across hills above the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for America鈥檚 most revered鈥
1. Alexandria Archaeology Museum
0.01 MILES
Alexandria is known for its landmark archaeological protection code 鈥 one of the first in the US 鈥 which encourages local archaeologists and developers to鈥
0.14 MILES
If you have time for just one historic house tour in Alexandria, make it this one. The house dates from 1753 when merchant and city founder, John Carlyle,鈥
3. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
0.19 MILES
In 1792 Edward Stabler opened up his apothecary (pharmacy) 鈥 a family business that would operate until 1933, when the Depression forced its doors to鈥
0.22 MILES
Once a real tavern (operated by John Gadsby from 1796 to 1808), this building now houses a museum demonstrating the prominent role of the tavern in鈥
0.43 MILES
Built in 1773, this brown-brick Georgian-style church has welcomed worshipers from George Washington to Robert E Lee. The cemetery contains the mass grave鈥
6. Lyceum: Alexandria's History Museum
0.45 MILES
For a quick primer on Alexandria鈥檚 history, stop by this small city museum in a beautiful Greek Revival building dating from 1839. A somewhat dusty array鈥
0.47 MILES
Between 1785 and 1903, generations of the famous Lee family lived in this architecturally impressive house. Guided tours (on the hour) show the restored鈥
8. Friendship Firehouse Museum
0.54 MILES
This 1855 Italianate firehouse displays historic firefighting gear 鈥 a great draw for kids. Local legend has it that George Washington helped found this鈥