A Really Cool Afternoon at Old Town Alexandria

On Sunday, March 29th, two other WAIPers and I ventured down to Old Town Alexandria to spend the afternoon sight-seeing and shopping (our favorite D.C. pastimes). With beautiful weather and essentially no homework due the following week, we were able to spend about five hours in Old Town, which mostly involved walking down the narrow sidewalks and checking out the scenic little boutique shops along King Street.

Once we reached the waterfront, we were met by the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former torpedo munitions plant that now houses hundreds of artists and their studios. The facility is stunning; walking through and viewing the three levels of small professional studios—and the artwork they host—could easily consume an entire afternoon.

After leaving the art center, we walked on the boat docks and observed the many critters around us. The sun shone brightly off the water and radiantly reflected off of all the parked boats and the other dock-walkers. Heading back, we took a pit stop at Asian Bistro, which possibly had the best miso soup and vegetable fried rice I have ever eaten in my life.

Once we came closer to the King Street metro stop, signaling the end of our time at Old Town, we decided to take another moment to check out the iconic George Washington Masonic National Memorial. The building stands tall and proud on the west side of town, and is often open to visitors. We, however, just walked up and around the outside, taking many opportunities to reflect on the day—and our time in D.C. in its entirety—amid the cool, crisp breeze. The striking architecture was set against a pale, yet colorful, sunset, making it the perfect end to a relaxing and much-needed afternoon trip with some great friends.

 Jessica Dillow