Alexandria was named after John Alexander, a merchant who purchased the land in 1669. Established in 1749, Alexandria was a thriving city when Washington, DC, was still a dismal swamp. Today Alexandria is a city with a vibrant culture that blends its historic past with contemporary tastes. If you are looking for things to do in Washington and plan on driving to Mt. Vernon, you will pass right through Alexandria.

A stop in Old Town, which is roughly halfway between the Nation’s Capital and Mt. Vernon, is well worth the effort. Two small museums offer visitors interested in colonial history a lens through which to see the past as it was really lived. The Gadsby Tavern Museum and the Apothecary Museum take visitors back into Alexandria’s rich history.

Gadsby’s Tavern – Washington Ate Here (but Usually Slept at Mt. Vernon)

Would you like to eat in the actual tavern that served George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, Tom Jefferson, and James Madison? Step into Gadsby’s Tavern, the oldest Alexandria restaurant, and stroll back into America's colonial history. Gadsbsy’s Tavern, named after its owner John Gadsby, was like the tony restaurants in nearby Washington that host the power elite for lunches laced with political chatter and deals. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Gadsby’s was the place where political and business leaders went to be entertained and conduct their affairs.

• Texas Tour Wine

• The Highlands Of Scotland Tourist Board

• Britain Tourist Information

• Billy Currington Tour Dates

• Eek A Mouse Tour