Alexandria, VA - 238 miles from NYC
The city of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia, close to the counties of Arlington and Fairfax. It is situated 6 miles (10 km) south of Washington, D.C., on the Potomac River (which is crossed at the Maryland state line). In order to protect the region against Susquehannock (Susquehanna) Indian raids, a fort was constructed there in 1676. The area was populated in the late 1600s, and Belhaven, a settlement, was established there in 1731. Belhaven eventually developed into a significant maritime hub after English and Scottish businessmen built a tobacco warehouse there. It was founded in 1749, dubbed John Alexander after the person who had initially received the land grant, and constituted as a town in 1779.
This small city has a romantic vibe because of its cobblestone streets, sidewalk cafes, and generally dreamy attitude. For unusual shopping at (mainly) independent stores, stroll along King Street, the main thoroughfare in Alexandria's Old Town. Then treat your eyes to the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which has six galleries and 82 open-access artist studios.
- Necessary pit stop: The Coffee Station in Garnet Valley, PA serves up diner-food delights in an unpretentious setting: There’s often live music and a mug full of Trivial Pursuit cards on each table.
