I started writing this column last May when gas prices spiked at over $4.00 a gallon.  Fundamentally I think it was a good thing.  It forced us to change our gluttonous habits and that started with letting the car sit while we began to take public transportation, walk or bike to our destinations.  Gas prices in Europe have been over $6.00 for years and their habits had to change for the better.  High gas mileage cars and motor scooters are the norm and the “Smart” car was everywhere five years ago.  These changes are just now happening here in our country.  Well, gas prices are back down to pre “day trip” columns, and in some locales the price is as low as $1.74 a gallon.  If we learned our lesson, hopefully we won’t drive as much as we used to, however day trips are still essential.
Since May my Fiat and I have taken you to small towns like Culpeper, Solomons, Middleburg, and St. Mary’s County.  This month I am going to let the Fiat rest and invite everyone to come to Old Town, Alexandria.
In 1669, Scottish merchant John Alexander bought a piece of land along the Potomac River from a Welsh ship captain.  In 1748 a youthful George Washington surveyed the land and in 1749 the Virginia Colonial Government granted permission to establish a town called Alexandria.  The Scottish roots of Alexandria are celebrated throughout the year and are capped off with the Annual Scottish Christmas Walk the first Saturday of December.  This December 6th, grab your kilt and come enjoy the day.  Scottish Terriers will be on parade, a wisp of heather will be found in caps, and bagpipes can be heard throughout the city.  At the end of the parade the massed pipe bands are always a treat as they get your feet tapping and your heart beating to their rhythmic beat.  At the end of the parade it is a great time to retreat to either Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub or O’Connell’s Restaurant and Bar for the best in libations and food… after all, it is a Guinness kind of day!
Continuing along our timeline, in 1785, what is now Gadsby’s Tavern was constructed.  Today, Gadsby’s is a popular destination with locals and tourists alike.  The tavern is like it was in George Washington’s time, the food traditional and the employees dress in period clothing.  Also in this year Philip Richard Fendall built his house on Oronoco Street on land purchased from his cousin, Revolutionary War hero, Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee.  Today the Fendall House remains as a museum and the Light Horse Restaurant has just opened at 715 King Street.  Owned and operated by local individuals who have worked their way up in the restaurant business, the Light Horse promises to be a fine addition to the other restaurants in Alexandria.
If your appetite calls for a more European style of dining, across the street is Las Tapas Restaurant and down the street toward the water is La Tasca; both offer a tasty array of tapas, congenial atmosphere, and a great time.  If you stay too long at any of these establishments and need flowers to take home, stop in at Flowers Unique, Becca or Scott will get what you need to smooth over any situation.
For those of you who like to bike, hike or in-line skate, Alexandria has a well-maintained bike trail that runs from Mount Vernon, through Old Town, and along the Potomac toward Washington, D.C.  If you need to fuel yourself up for the ride or drive to Mount Vernon, stop in at either Southside 815 or Faccia Luna in the 800 block of South Washington street for pizza, pasta or just good ole American cuisine, guaranteed to fill you up.
The waterfront is the most popular destination in Alexandria.  Here you will find shops, galleries and restaurants.  Also along the waterfront is the Torpedo Factory.  In 1919 the Naval Torpedo Station opened to build and repair this new type of weapon.  Although part of the factory was torn down many years ago to build condos and town homes, what remains is home to the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Journey through three floors of open studios and galleries to observe artists and buy original artwork.  This world-renowned art center is open to the public and admission is free.
In 1946 the City of Alexandria created the nation’s third regulated historic district to preserve and protect the appearance of its historic downtown area, now known as “Old Town.” At the foot of King Street along Union Street there are a number of parking garages, as there are throughout the city.  Park in a garage, don’t worry about a ticket, and enjoy the day.
Along Union Street you will find more shops and restaurants.  Around the corner on the Strand is Chadwick’s, a casual American restaurant and bar offering everything that we grew up with, great food, fun and friends.  Located on the water is the dinner cruise ship Nina’s Dandy.  The Dandy cruises up the Potomac River towards the Capitol while you wine, dine and dance.  Located on Union Street is the Christmas Attic, the perfect store for this time of year and Union Street Public House offering a number of beers on tap and excellent food ranging from salads to steaks to seafood.  Around the corner in the 100 block of King Street is a dining and shoppers delight.  From Jake’s of Old Town understating that “Life is Good” to the Silver Parrot with glistening jewelry, you can find what you are looking for in this block.  Across the street from the a-fore mentioned O’Connell’s is the world famous Fish Market Restaurant.  One of the earliest and most popular restaurants in Alexandria, the Fish Market has been serving up seafood at a reasonable price for over 30 years. In the middle of the block sits the icon of Old Town, Landini Brothers Restaurant.  Landini’s has been setting the standard for food, drink and clientele for over 30 years.  Whether you are in the mood for classic Tuscan cuisine, a delicious steak, or a cocktail with friends, this is the place to be, especially if you want to enjoy a cigar.  Located next to Landini’s is the Wharf Restaurant serving some of the tastiest seafood dishes to be found anywhere.
In the next block and on the corner you will find Burke & Herbert Bank and Trust, one of the safest banks in the country as featured on Good Morning America.  In the middle of the block on Fairfax Street is the Nugget, a jewelry store literally busting at the seams with gifts for the holidays.
On the other side of the Torpedo Factory is the city dock, the Food Court and the Chart House Restaurant.  Alongside the Chart House is the docking area for the Water Taxi that will take you across the river to National Harbor, a new development with restaurants, shops, and hotels. 
Although Old Town stretches some 20 blocks from the Potomac River to the King Street Metro stop, getting from one end to the other is easy with the new trolley system.  With 4 trolleys in service, there is transportation from one end of town to the other every 15 minutes.  The good news is that the trolley will stop and discharge and accept riders every two blocks or whenever you want to get off, and getting off the trolley is the first step to the rest of the great shops and restaurants in Old Town, Alexandria.
In the 1100 block of King Street you will find Imagine Artwear, a one-of-a-kind ladies apparel shop that has been the hallmark clothier of Old Town for over 20 years.  Down in the 500 block of King Street is Kings Jewelry offering the best in diamonds, gifts and a complete selection of watches including Rolex.  If you are looking for a new hair style or stylist check out Bazzak, Bangs and Burns, Glynn Jones Salon or Sugar House Day Spa for the best in hair coloring, styling and spa treatments.
Fine dining establishments in Old Town include the established Restaurant Eve, the new Bookbinders, and the classic and Old Town tradition, Geranios.  Off of the beaten track and trolley route you can find Trattoria da Franco featuring authentic Roman cuisine and on the other side of town is Overwood’s, a wood-fired American kitchen, and King Street Blues for real comfort food.
There is a lot to discover in Old Town, Alexandria, certainly more than I have space for here.  You can google Old Town, Alexandria and find wonderful web sites to prepare you for the adventure, but once here in town be sure to pick up the recent copy of the Old Town Crier or visit us at www.oldtowncrier.com to find the best in dining, shopping, antiquing or anything else you may be looking for… they are all in the Crier.
Next month I will make sure the heater works on the Fiat and find a place to “day trip.”  Come along for the ride, it may be winter, but it is always warn inside.  If it snows, no worries, the Fiat has positive traction.  Have a great 2009 “day tripping” throughout our region.

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