4 Secret Fishing Spots To Check out Near Alexandria, Virginia

If you're trying to find an activity that the entire family will enjoy, you should consider a visit to one of the Alexandria, Virginia, area's excellent museums. Whether you're interested in science, art, or history, you're sure to find a trip to the museum to be an enriching experience. Here are three museums in Alexandria worth checking out. Lee-Fendall House In 1784, Philip R. Fendall bought a plot of land from his relative, Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee, a leader in the Revolutionary War, ninth governor of Virginia, and father of Robert E. Lee. Fendall oversaw the construction of a mansion that would be home to members of the Lee family until 1903. more That year, the house was purchased by Robert Downham, a prominent saloon owner. The Downham family lived in the mansion until Prohibition shut down their business interests. The mansion's final resident was John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America. When Lewis passed away in 1969, the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation purchased the house and surrounding gardens and turned it into a museum. Today visitors can tour the Lee-Fendall House and experience what life was like in Northern Virginia from 1784 to 1969. As you appreciate the mansion's stunning architecture and decor, you'll also learn about the complicated and often controversial people who called it home. The museum also hosts workshops and educational lectures. Torpedo Factory Art Center Part museum, part studio, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a fantastic destination for anyone interested in Alexandria's local arts scene. The center serves as a workspace for 82 working artists specializing in painting, ceramics, photography, and other forms of fine art. Many artists open up their studios to the public, allowing visitors to observe the creative process and ask questions. Inside the center's many galleries, you can find pieces for sale. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is also home to the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Here, you can view many of the artifacts discovered in archaeological digs around the city. For those wishing to create their own works of art, the center offers classes both in-studio and online. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum provides visitors an interesting glimpse of Northern Virginian history through the lens of medicine. Before it became a museum, the building served as a working apothecary from 1792 to 1933. After the passing of the apothecary's final owner, the building and its contents were purchased by the Landmarks Society of Alexandria and the American Pharmaceutical Association. The museum's extensive collection includes medical equipment and herbal remedies, as well as several hand-blown glass vials and bottles. If you take a glimpse at the prescription books and invoices on display, you'll recognize the names of customers like Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee. At the museum shop, you can find books about medical history, herbal teas, and unique gifts. As you can see, there are some fascinating museums in the Alexandria area. No matter which one you visit, you're sure to enjoy learning about the culture and history of Northern Virginia. Image via Pixabay.com

Alexandria, Virginia, residents who want to drive cars with jaw-dropping style deserve to make their automotive dreams come true. The feeling of pride that comes from driving a truly show-stopping car, bestowed with iconic lines and plenty of raw power, is such a rush. While these cars aren't for the meek or tame, they offer the thrills and adrenaline that bolder car fans simply can't resist. more 2020 Dodge Charger Going for good looks and high performance doesn't mean sacrificing practicality. When you treat yourself to a 2020 Dodge Charger, you'll enjoy the best of both worlds. You'll love this car's muscular appearance, as well as the rumble of the base trim's 3.6-liter V-6 engine, which provides 292 horsepower. You'll also appreciate the fact that it provides true four-door sedan comfort. This rear-wheel-drive beast has retro design elements that are so much fun, as well as cutting-edge infotainment that makes it very easy to enjoy the ride. Tantalizing new colors are available for this year, so have fun choosing between sinamon, hellraisin, and frostbite. Four trims are available. The base trim is the SXT. The next bump up is the G/T. The third trim is the R/T. The highest trim is the Scat Pack, which delivers 495 horsepower via its 6.4-liter V-8 motor. Drive it if you dare. 2020 Chrysler 300 If you want a luxurious, full-sized sedan with a dramatic grille that stops the traffic, be sure to consider the 2020 Chrysler 300. This bold and beautiful car comes in four trims, which are Touring, Touring L, 300 S, and Limited. The base trim, Touring, features a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 292 horsepower. The motor is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This model seats five in an upscale cabin and will tow 1000 pounds. The premium trim, Limited, has extra bells and whistles that you'll appreciate, such as a driver's seat with power recline, leather seats, and genuine wood and leather steering wheel. 2020 Dodge Challenger The brashest performance will be at your fingertips when you become a 2020 Dodge Challenger owner. This powerful vehicle will be one that you're so proud to show off. Choose your preferred trim to get the personalized style and high-octane excitement that you want. The base trim is SXT. Next up is the GT, followed by the RT. The highest trim is the RT Scat Pack. The base model comes with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that provides 305 horsepower. This motor is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This entry-level Challenger has cloth seats, LED daytime running lights, and automatic air conditioning. At the top of the pile is the RT Scat Pack, with its 6.4-liter V-8 engine. This motor delivers 485 horsepower. This top-tier trim has plenty of fun extras, including satellite radio. optional sun/moon roof, climate control, and optional leather seats. If you're ready to turn heads, don't wait another minute to take one of these legendary cars for a test drive. These striking vehicles will never fade into the background.

If your road trip takes you through Alexandria, Virginia, or the surrounding area, there are several unique and memorable locations that you should visit. Take a look at the ones we list below. They're more than worth a bit of a detour. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial This memorial was built by the Freemasons in honor of the first President of the United States: George Washington. Sitting at the top of a hill overlooking Old Town Alexandria, it is both a memorial and a functioning Masonic lodge and meeting space. The structure itself is 333 feet tall and built to resemble a wonder of the ancient world: The Great Lighthouse of Alexandria. It holds nine floors in total and contains a collection of George Washington's possessions. The George Washington Museum, the memorial library, a replica of The Ark of the Covenant, a replica of the crypt beneath the Temple of Solomon, and a replica of King Solomon's Throne Room can all be found within its walls. more The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum This museum was originally a functioning apothecary, founded in 1792 by Edward Stabler, which operated until 1933. Its closing coincided with the advent of synthetic drug companies and the institution of federal food and drug regulations. The apothecary reopened as a museum in 1937, offering visitors a glimpse into the medical past of the United States. The instruments and drugs displayed are as they were when the apothecary closed. Purchases by Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee are viewable on the company ledgers. The medicine of the time was produced in an upstairs workshop and lab. On top of medicines, the apothecary supplied surgical and dental instruments, farm and garden equipment, cigars, varnish, paint, soap, perfume, artist's supplies, brushes, and combs, among other things. The Grave of the Female Stranger If a mystery is more your style, stop by The Grave of the Female Stranger. According to legend, she arrived in Alexandria by ship in 1816 with her lover. They rented a room at Gadsby's Tavern on North Royal Street. While there, she fell ill, and her love called for a doctor to care for her on the condition that the doctor asked nothing about who they were or where they came from. The doctor was unable to diagnose her, and she died on October 14, 1816. Her love borrowed money to bury her but was unable to repay the debt, and so forged a note from The Bank of England. She rests to this day in a grave at St. Paul's Episcopal Church within the town cemetery. Gadsby's Tavern Built in 1785, this colonial tavern was host to some of the most famous figures in American history. These included Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and John Adams, among others. The tavern also played host to more mysterious and poverty-stricken figures, like the woman now entombed in The Grave of the Female Stranger. The tavern changed form and name repeatedly over the decades but now stands as a replica of what it was during the colonial era. It houses Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant, which serves meals inspired by the tavern's colonial past. Whether you favor history, medicine, mystery, or colonial cuisine, Alexandria, Virginia has destinations that are sure to captivate your imagination. Image via Flickr by Jim Larrison. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original