Alexandria, Virginia

I’ve been to the US Capitol a few times and, during one visit, we carved out an afternoon for lunch and a walk around Old Town Alexandria. I loved the architecture, and so I was delighted to stay in Old Town during a recent visit to National Harbor, Maryland.

Living on Canada’s west coast, it takes hours to reach our neighbouring province by car. So, it’s great to wrap your head around the concept that you can travel from Virginia to Maryland or DC in less time than it takes to make your way from Vancouver’s west side to the neighbouring City of Burnaby.

Alexandria is only 11 km / seven miles south of Washingington, DC and (depending on traffic) barely a 10- or 15-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Once there, the city is pedestrian friendly. Feel like exploring? The region’s Metro system can whisk you from Virginia to sightseeing or business in DC, and there’s also a reasonably priced water taxi/ferry service if you’d like to make your way from Old Town Alexandria to National Harbor or Mount Vernon.

My 2016 stay at Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco; click here for first impressions and here for the full story