Page 162 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

160  EX CURSIONS BEY OND W ASHINGT ON , DC

1 Old Town Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria has kept a special historical flavor, dating
back to its incorporation in 1749. It is still a busy seaport and
offers many historic sights, as well as shops selling everything
from antique hat racks to handcrafted pottery. Restaurants
are abundant, art thrives here, and the socializing goes on day
and night, in and around Market Square.

Exploring Alexandria P Stabler-Leadbeater
Alexandria’s tree-lined streets Apothecary Museum
are filled with elegant, historic 105 S Fairfax St. Tel (703) 746-3852.
buildings and make for a Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm Interior of the Old Presbyterian
plea sant stroll (see pp152–3). Tue–Sat, 1–5pm Mon, Sun; Meeting House
Alternatively, a boat tour offers Nov–Mar: 11am–4pm Wed–Sat,
an attractive prospect as does 1–4pm Sun. Closed Jan 1, P Old Presbyterian
a leisurely lunch on the patio Thanksgiving, Dec 25. & 8 = Meeting House
overlooking the waterfront. ∑ apothecarymuseum.org 323 S Fairfax St. Tel (703) 549-6670.
Nearby Founder’s Park is the Established in 1792, this family Open 8:15am–4:15pm Mon–Fri. 8
perfect place to bask on apothecary was in business for 7 ∑ opmh.org
the grass by the river. 141 years, until 1933. It is now a Memorial services for George
museum, and the shop’s Washington were held in this
mahogany drawers still meeting house, founded in
contain the potions 1772. In the churchyard are
noted on their labels. buried Dr. John Craig, a close
Jars containing herbal friend of Washington, merchant
remedies line the shelves. John Carlyle, the Reverend Muir,
Huge mortars and pestles who officiated at Washington’s
and a collection of glass funeral, and the American
baby bottles are among Revolution’s unknown soldier.
8,000 original objects.
George Washington was P Boyhood Home
a patron, as was Robert E. of Robert E. Lee
Lee, who bought the 607 Oronoco St.
paint for his Arlington Unfortunately, the boyhood
Facade of the elegant Carlyle House house here. home of Robert E. Lee is currently
a private residence and not open
P Carlyle House E Gadsby’s Tavern Museum to the public. General Lee lived
121 N Fairfax St. Tel (703) 549-2997. 134 N Royal St. Tel (703) 746-4242. in this 1795 Federal town house
Open 10am–4pm Tue–Sat, noon–4pm Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, from the age of 11 until he went
Sun; Last tour at 4pm. Closed Jan 1, 1–5pm Sun, Mon; Nov–Mar: to West Point Military Academy.
Thanksgiving, Dec 25. & 8 7 (call 11am–4pm Wed–Sat, 1–4pm Sun. The drawing room was the
in advance.) = ∑ novaparks.com/ Closed Federal hols. & 8 = 0 setting for the marriage of
parks/carlyle-house-historic-park ∑ alexandriava.gov/gadsbystavern Mary Lee Fitzhugh to Martha
This elegant Georgian Palladian Dating from 1770, this tavern Washington’s grandson, George
mansion was built by wealthy and the adjoining hotel, owned Washington Parke Custis.
Scottish merchant John Carlyle by John Gadsby, were the
in 1753. The house fell into Waldorf-Astoria of their day.
disrepair in the 19th century Now completely restored,
but was bought in 1970 by they evoke the atmosphere
the Northern Virginia Regional of a hostelry in this busy port.
Park Authority; it has since You can see the dining room
been beautifully restored. A with buffet and gaming tables,
guided tour provides fascinating the bedrooms where travelers
details about 18th-century daily reserved not the room but a
life. One room, known as the space in a bed, and the private
“architecture room,” has been dining room for the wealthy. The
deliberately left unfinished to hotel’s ballroom, where George
show the original construction and Martha Washington were
of the house. The back garden fêted on his last birthday in 1799,
is planted with 18th-century can be rented out. This is also a
plant species. working restaurant. Bedroom of Robert E. Lee

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