Alexandria is a Great City for Retirees
On our journeys south each winter, we usually make a stop somewhere in Virginia. Depending on our route, we either come down Route 81 and stop in Staunton or come down 95 and stop in Alexandria. Each little city has it own charm but, with its proximity to Washington, Alexandria is a great city for retirees. The Metro is right there on King Street and in about thirty minutes you can be just about anywhere in the Nation’s Capital which is one of my favorite places in the world. Although it can be very cold in the winter and almost suffocating in the summer, the fall and spring are the times to go and when you go at a relaxed pace the city is very manageable even for those who are physically challenged.
I never get tired of the area, and you can go back again and again and never see everything that there is to see. The Smithsonian Institute is one of the most amazing museums in the world and entrance to every building is free. The exhibits are constantly changing and whether you go to the Museum of History and Technology, Natural History or the Air and Space Museum, count on spending a full day. But, of course, there’s more to the Institute. The National Portrait Gallery and the African American History Museum plus the National Zoo are extremely popular but there are, in fact, 21 museums plus the Zoo that make up the Smithsonian and the variety of things you can see are absolutely incredible. From the top hat Lincoln wore to Ford’s Theater to the desk that the Declaration of Independence was written on, history is on full display, and it is one of the great resources in our country. While the city is jammed with school tours, there is also a fair number of senior citizens walking around and taking in the sights not only at the Smithsonian but throughout the entire city as well. Taken in small bites, this city can provide years of sightseeing, touring and cultural enrichment for anyone in the area. Keep in mind that galleries in the Smithsonian have been digitized for viewing by anyone online so, if you’re not able to come in person, consider visiting online. But, if at all possible, make this area a destination for one of your vacations in retirement. There is no shortage of hotels in the capital but, as I wrote when I began this article, Alexandria is a great city for retirees. And not just for the Smithsonian or anything else in Washington.
Alexandria is a great city for retirees with excellent restaurants, culture and transportation.
Old Town Alexandria is one of the most charming cities in our country and very accommodating for seniors and other tourists. The Old Town Trolley goes up and down King Street from the Metro down to wharf at the Potomac. There are dozens of excellent restaurants for any price range and cuisine you can think of and the shopping in the small little shops will keep you occupied for hours. The pace can be as slow as you would like, and you can hop on and off the free trolley all day long. Alexandria is a great city for retirees who want a more relaxed pace and are able to take their time to enjoy all the city and the area has to offer. We look for excuses to come here and have even made a weekend of it despite the six-hour drive for us. A play at Ford’s Theater is enough to get us to come down and their annual performance of A Christmas Carol always guarantees a great evening. We could take Amtrak right into Alexandria or fly into Reagan National Airport which is just a couple stops away on the Metro but, so far, the drive is very manageable especially if you travel on a Sunday. The fewer number of trucks on the road makes the trip much more pleasant.
Alexandria is a great city for retirees for the great transportation centers in the area. You can get here very easily by train or by air and the Metro is one of the great railways in our country (in our opinion) especially if you avoid the rush hours. If you travel by car, make sure you stop in at Mount Vernon. It’s a magnificent estate right on the Potomac River and you can fully understand how much George Washington loved being home and looked forward to his retirement after eight years as the General who won the Revolution and then eight years as our President. The museum and the home are meant to be savored for a whole day. The restaurant and shops will provide breaks during your visit but, if you want to see it all, make sure you plan to spend an entire day. You will come away with a renewed respect for our history and our first President before you drive the eight miles back to Alexandria to reflect on your day at one of the wonderful restaurants that can be found almost everywhere in this wonderful little city that we always look forward to visiting in our journey south each winter.
Alexandria is a great city for retirees or even those who are still hard at work in their careers. There is so much to enjoy in this area, and the transportation system is excellent. When we were researching where we would retire to, this city was near the top of my list. The steamy summers and our ultimate desire to live in the mountains overruled our consideration of this wonderful area but that might not be the same for you. We love the Hudson Valley which became our retirement home but love our trips to places like Alexandria. The bottom line is that we live in a beautiful country and it’s nice to have choices like this. We love coming to this area and highly recommend it to anyone who has a love for history and quaint little cities. Put it on your list of travel destinations and see if you agree. It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!
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