Better late than never, I always say. August 2009, I went to my brother's wedding. I took the time to take pictures of Old Town, Alexandria. This is where I was born and grew up until I left home at 18. When I took these pictures, I didn't know that I would need a picture of Hotel Monaco. All of the pictures up to the picture of the hotel, were taken by me personally. Please drop me a comment if you decide to use them and link back to my website.
I am standing right in front of City Hall, looking out to the street. Hotel Monaco is across the street, 1/2 block to the right. I've spent so much time here, I can't begin to tally it up. Every Saturday there is a farmer's market. My mom sold baked goods here for 17 yrs. Me and my younger brother spent a lot of time here helping my mom. I never appreciated getting up and out the house by 6am on a Saturday morning.
This is still in the area with City Hall. There were benches in the little wooded areas.
This is facing City Hall. I ran across pictures of me and my girlfriends posing on this ledge. I had on a light blue and tan sleeveless ski jacket. We thought we were doing something.
Right beyond City Hall the streets are lined with cute specialty shops.
More shops.
When you reach the end of the shops, you are at the water.
There is a beautiful pier with a restaurant.
You can take a boat tour if you like.
In this picture, off in the distance, almost halfway in the middle, but a little to the left, you can see The Capitol in Washington, DC. Look just to the left of the boat sail. I should have added an arrow. I may do that later.
I was happy to see some of the same stores I grew up visiting, still in business, over 30 yrs later.
It is a kid's clothing and accessory store.
Hotel Monaco is located 1/2 block from City Hall and minutes from the Mount Vernon Trail. There is a fantastic 18.5-mile trail from Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, to Theodore Roosevelt Island in the Potomac River near the Lincoln Memorial. I took a bike ride all the way to Mount Vernon once. Boy did my behind hurt. I was not a great bike rider at the time. You doll guests can have lunch on the wharf amid the 18th-century homes and shops occupied ever since the city was a tobacco and shipping port. I hope Rod and Danielle find time to get out of the hotel and spend a little time on the water. Living in Morristown (which isn't terribly far from here), none of my doll families ever take the time to spend time here. They get bogged down and tend to spend time in their own town.
This photo of Monaco Alexandria, a Kimpton Hotel is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Map to the hotel
Unique things to note about the Hotel if your doll guests are staying.
Can you believe they have Happy Hour for our canine friends? I'm not sure if any guests traveled with their furry friends. But if you did and you are planning to stay at the Hotel, your furry friends will be in good hands.
Hi Vanessa. I too am from the DMV. Love your pictures of Old Town. City Hall and the waterfront are such beautiful areas. Thanks for representing your old stomping grounds.
ReplyDeleteAll the pictures are great, your town looks so beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't Old Town beautiful? On weekends, I love to go shopping there!
ReplyDeleteZDollCloset - Small world. I've met quite a few people from the area here on the blog. That is the part about home that I miss the most. Water like that is hard to come by in GA.
ReplyDeleteRossetti - It is a beautiful place! I feel blessed to have grown up there.
Verona - That's right you are there. I tend to forget everyone who said they were there. Old Town is such a peaceful, relaxing place. I never tired of going there.
Hello from Spain: I just saw the pictures of your city and is a beautiful city. I love the dock area. The shopping area is also very beautiful. Rod and Danielle sure they enjoy your city. What beautiful memories you remember to bring your children in the market ... Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteMarta - Thanks for enjoying my city. I didn't bring my children to the market. I don't have any. My mother used to bring me and my brothers to the market.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place!! Thank you for the info Vanessa :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Love it! Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteD7ana under cover here: Oh, what a pretty town. I don't want it to get out that I am praising any city but Philly hence my "under cover status."
ReplyDeleteSsshush. I didn't say it was possibly prettier than Philadelphia Proper. (No place is prettier than East Philly though; that's home of the dolls and action figures ;-D).
Thanks for sharing, Vanessa!
Why Not is a cute name for a store. I'll have to keep that in mind for a blog title. Alexandria is pretty. I've only ever road through on the train and there wasn't anything to look at.
ReplyDeleteKenya - Old Town is my favorite litte area in Alexandria. I really miss the water.
DeleteOh, yes, those are lovely photos. The water looks so clear. Thanks for sharing the (new-to-me) views.
ReplyDeleteD7ana - It's a great place to get away and think. I spent many days just sitting on the huge lawn areas on the other sides of the pier.
DeleteWhat a beautiful town. I like the idea of a doggie happy hour too. Isn't it funny how you can live near or in a beautiful area and you don't go out and appreciate it?
ReplyDeleteCarrickters - I was so surprised to see the doggie happy hour. It is a shame that we live in areas and travel outside the areas to sightsee instead of seeing all that is available right around us. I have the same issue here in Atlanta. I keep saying I am going on vacation right here and do the whole tour.
DeleteFabulous shots! Almost like being there!
ReplyDeleteMatty - Thanks! You know there are many days I wish I could transport myself there and reminisce.
DeleteThanks for the tour of Old Town Alexandria. I grew up on the Maryland side of D.C. We almost never came over to Alexandria and I don't remember seeing anything as beautiful as the scenes you show when we did. What a lovely setting for the wedding!
ReplyDeletelimbe dolls - Old Town is one of the main attractions for Alexandria. Starting at the Masonic Temple, which is near the King Street subway station, there are probably 10 - 15 long city blocks of little unique shops and restaurants until you get down to the water. It's amazing how much we used to walk in those days.
DeleteI love Old Town, but don't get to go as often as I'd like to. I always say I want to try things out there, but never make it due to school and whatnot. Kimpton Hotels are the best! I've never stayed in one but attended some events at the one in DC and they are fun and full of style. Nice pics- you may have given me some ideas on what to do after school ends.
ReplyDeleteLise620 - Life often gets in the way of us following through on the fun stuff. Before you know it, the time has passed and you are still wondering what happened. I lived there my whole life, and I have yet to visit the Washington Monument. I've done all the other museums, but I kept saying.... one day. That day still hasn't come. Hotel Monaco is such a modern looking place. Looking at the outside of the building you would never imagine the inside is so colorful and modern. Hope you get a chance to visit OT more. Thanks for commenting.
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