Alexandria is a charming colonial-era city on the Potomac River, just across from Washington, D.C. Its well-preserved Old Town, with brick row houses, cobblestone streets, and a lively waterfront, makes it an easy and rewarding day trip from the capital — or a pleasant base in its own right. George Washington worshipped at Christ Church here, and the city's African American heritage is explored at the Alexandria Black History Museum.
The George Washington Mount Vernon Estate, 15 miles down the river, is open every day of the year. The estate includes the mansion, slave quarters, a working eighteenth-century farm, and fine views of the Potomac.