Alexandria Vacations, Alexandria Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Alexandria Vacation Guide

Alexandria, Virginia, is an independent city of Virginia. (Not in any county.) The city was founded in the mid-18th century as a tobacco, cotton, and trading seaport on the Potomac River. For a period of time, the city was a part of the District of Columbia, until returned to Virginia in 1846. During the Civil war, Alexandria was occupied by Federal forces as part of the defenses of Washington, DC. Today's Alexandria is a integral part of the Northern Virginia and Washington metropolitan region. Alexandria is a convenient base for the traveler visiting Washington, DC, and has historical sites of its own to see.

Famous residents have included George Washington and Robert E. Lee, who grew up in the city. Old Town, the city's historic core, preserves Colonial and Federal townhouses and many historic buildings and museums. There are also shops, restaurants and an active nightlife to be found along Old Town's brick streets. The Potomac river taxi also docks here and will take you to either Georgetown, DC or Mount Vernon, VA.