Old Town, Alexandria

Parent Cafe
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<p>My D and I will be spending much of the day in Old Town, Alexandria, and were wondering what there was to see there. Ironically, D works there, as the US Patent and Trade Mark Office is located in Old Town, but she really doesn’t get the opportunity to see much of it. We plan on touring The Torpedo Factory (an artists’ coop studio and gallery space—something I’ve been wanting to see for years), and we plan on eating lunch there. Mostly, we’ll be keeping to King Street this time.</p>

<p>Is anyone familiar with Old Town? Can you suggest restaurants, galleries, shopping we might want to take in while there? Help would be much appreciated:).</p>

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<p>I’d love to go back to the Fish Market. [The</a> Fish Market - Old Town Alexandria, Virginia](<a href=“http://www.fishmarketva.com/]The”>http://www.fishmarketva.com/) for lunch or dinner.</p>

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<p>Gadsby’s Tavern is a fun place to eat - more for the history than the food. From its website: “Gadsby’s Tavern consists of two buildings, a (circa) 1785 tavern & the 1792 City Hotel. Named after Englishman John Gadsby, an entrepreneur who leased the buildings & operated them as tavern keeper from 1796’s til 1808, the tavern & hotel were the center of Alexandria’s economic, political, & social life in the late-18th and early-19th centuries.”</p>

<p>Old Town is a wonderful place; I think that just wandering the streets is the best part!</p>

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<p>I agree with just walking a bit. You will stumble onto cute little shops and restaurants. I must say I’m not a big fan of Gadsby’s–yes very historic but the food is pretty bad. If you’re going to be there for dinner and want to splurge, consider Restaurant Eve. It’s very highly rated. </p>

<p>Washingtonian Magazine has some good info ([Best</a> of Old Town, Alexandria (washingtonian.com)](<a href=“http://www.washingtonian.com/packages/oldtown/index.html]Best”>http://www.washingtonian.com/packages/oldtown/index.html)).</p>

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<p>Hard Times Cafe on King St. is great!</p>

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<p>You could eat at the Chart House which is right on the water front, so you have a great view. It’s right next door to the Torpedo Factory too (public parking garage is across the street from Torpedo Factory if you can’t find street parking). There is also a great frozen custard shop on King just a block away :). I agree with others, just walking up and down king street is relaxing and lovely.</p>

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<p>For moderate prices I second the Hard Times Cafe. Four different styles of chili! Our family liked the Austin Grill further down King Street, also moderately priced.</p>

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<p>I agree that the food at Gadsby’s Tavern is mediocore. And, I have heard that the Fish Mazrket has gone downhill. I have eaten at the Majestic Cafe and it is pretty good, as is Vermillion (both on the DC top 100 list)</p>