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The 2018 Charger SRT's sporty elements are perfect complements to its sophisticated curves, finely crafted details, and plenty of modern muses without going overboard. Now that we've got you interested, let's move our focus to the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat from the SRT lineup for 2018. Plenty of Sporty Appeal The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat know how to catch your eye on the road. They both feature 20-inch gloss-black performance wheels and Pirelli all-season performance tires. However, you can upgrade to 20-inch Brass Monkey SRT forged wheels and P Zero summer tires if you'd like. Other stylish accents include a sleek black grille, exclusive SRT trim badging, and an optional power sunroof. Performance Like Never Before These models are anything but lacking when it comes to speed and acceleration. The Charger SRT 392 packs a HEMI V-8 engine under the hood that's capable of producing 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The SRT Hellcat opts for an exclusive 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V-8 that grounds out an astounding 707 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. A TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission and engine cooler round out this impressive list of hardware. Want optimal stopping power on the road? You'll get it with a set of Brembo six-piston, high-performance front brakes, a hydraulic assist brake booster, and red brake calipers. Three-mode adaptive damping is also included, along with a Bilstein high-performance suspension with the SRT 392 and three-mode competitive suspension with the SRT Hellcat. Both set the stage for excellent handling and stability. An Interior That Embodies Luxury The leather trim inside the SRT 392 and Hellcat feels smooth to the touch, while the optional red seat belts add even more style to your package. But what makes the SRT a cozy vehicle? For one, it seats up to five passengers and accommodates more than 55 inches of hip and shoulder room. Second, you get standard front heated/ventilated seats with lumbar support and dual-zone climate control with air filtration. Third, a variety of multimedia systems are included to turn any road trip into a success. Charge up your devices with 12-volt power outlets, enjoy hands-free calling via Bluetooth, and easily access your home with a universal garage door opener. Other cool features include a Uconnect 8.4-inch infotainment system with smartphone integration and GPS navigation and an optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with subwoofer and amplifier for clear, quality sound. Safety to Keep Your Mind at Ease The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat may be flashy, but they're also as well-built and reliable as any family vehicle on the market. For example, standard safety features include advanced SRT multi-stage airbags for front-passenger protection, three-point safety belts, and up to 60 months/60,000 miles of roadside assistance. Add the Technology Group package to your SRT for extras such as lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control with stop, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. If you're currently searching for an ultra-sporty and powerful ride, the Dodge Charger SRT lineup has plenty of exciting things in store for 2018. Image via Flickr by v8social / Under use by CC BY 2.0

Alexandria, Virginia is a city full of culture, history, and entertainment. There's something to do around every corner, but maybe you hesitate to take part in what Alexandria has to offer because you're worried about spending money. Fortunately, there are plenty of free things to do in Alexandria. Here are just a few. Mount Vernon Trail Location: Between Theodore Roosevelt Island and Mount Vernon. Park at sites along the trail. Time: Open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. What to Do: The Mount Vernon Trail winds along the Potomac River all the way from George Washington's estate in Alexandria to Washington D.C. Take a Saturday afternoon to walk, bike, or jog along this trail and enjoy its beautiful scenery. King Street Location: Runs from the Potomac, up through Old Town Alexandria, and northwest toward the 395. Time: Always open. What to Do: King Street is one of Alexandria's most popular historic landmarks. Take a walk through Old Town Alexandria and check out the many shops, independently-owned boutiques, parks, and more. For a quick way down King Street, take the free King Street Trolley. Free Outdoor Movies Location: Mount Vernon Rec Center Fields. Time: Third Saturday of May, June, July, and August. Arrive around 7 p.m. Movies will begin at dusk. What to Do: Who can complain about seeing a movie for free? Enjoy a comfortable evening under the stars with some of your favorite movies at Cinema Del Ray. Winkler Botanical Preserve Location: 5400 Roanoke Avenue. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day. What to Do: The Winkler Botanical Preserve may be just down the street, but hiking through it will feel like you've escaped to a vacation destination. Enjoy the gorgeous views and try to identify the many rare species of plants and wildlife along the trails. Torpedo Factory Art Center Location: 105 North Union Street. Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Thursday, when the Center is open until 9 p.m. What to Do: Praised as one of America's top art centers, Torpedo Factor Art Center offers plenty of free fun to fill an afternoon. Come visit over 80 open artist studios and seven art galleries, one of which, the Target Gallery, features rotating exhibitions of national and international art. Del Ray Music Festival Location: Del Ray Neighborhood. Time: July 14, 2018, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. What to Do: Come to the eleventh annual Del Ray Music Festival, a celebration of all the local talent that Alexandria has to offer. The Festival features musicians performing along Mount Vernon Avenue with food and beer gardens. Alexandria Birthday Celebration Location: Oronoco Bay Park. Time: July 7, 2018, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. What to Do: The Alexandria Birthday Celebration recognizes the birth of our nation as well as the birth of the city. Come enjoy free cake, a fireworks show, and live music entertainment. Alexandria has something for everyone. Grab your family and friends, and see everything that Alexandria has to offer! Image via Flickr by m01229 /Under use by CC BY 2.0

You've seen the badge on the back of Jeeps everywhere, but what does it mean for a Jeep to be Trail Rated? That silver emblem guarantees that a Jeep vehicle can conquer dangerous terrains. Here's what makes a Jeep Trail Rated. What Does It Mean for a Jeep to Be Trail Rated? When Trail Rated Jeeps were first introduced in 2004, they changed the way consumers bought vehicles. Now drivers could own a vehicle that was built for both the road and off-road adventures. The Trail Rated badge has become a trusted indicator of a vehicle's durability and adaptability to any circumstance. In order for a Jeep to become Trail Rated, the Jeep must pass strict specifications regarding vehicle traction, maneuverability, ground clearance, water fording, and off-road articulation. Those specifications allow a Jeep to overcome bad weather, challenging terrain, and other obstacles without hindering the driving experience. The current Jeeps to have passed these tests are the Wrangler, Compass, Renegade, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. What Earns a Jeep its Trail Rating? In order to become a Trail Rated vehicle, a Jeep must meet certain standards in a variety of tests. Many of these tests take place in the icy, rocky terrain of Northern Michigan while others require the Jeep to traverse the boulders of the Rubicon trail. While on these trails, a Jeep's performance is tested on the following areas. Water Fording You wouldn't dare take most vehicles through a body of water that would reach up past the chassis, but a Trail Rated Jeep is designed to take on such an environment. When a Jeep enters a high level of water, it seals off electrical connections and body openings. Air intakes are also positioned higher up on a Trail Rated Jeep to avoid being flooded. Maneuverability When driving off-road or in dangerous road conditions, every movement of the tires matters. Jeep takes this into account when their vehicles become Trail Rated. Your Jeep must be able to respond quickly enough to avoid obstacles without losing traction. That means these Jeeps have precise steering and wheelbases optimized for handling narrow trails and dangerous situations without putting you in danger. Articulation Whether on the road or off, a Trail Rated Jeep must be able to remain stable. When a Jeep is articulate, that means the vehicle has a flexible suspension that can handle potholes and sharp dips in the road or trail. It also means that a Jeep can remain stable when one or more tires are hanging in the air. Ground Clearance While out on the trail, the last thing you need is for a log or rock to damage the under-body of your vehicle. Fortunately, a Trail Rated Jeep provides the ground clearance necessary to avoid such obstacles. Following the tests that allow a Jeep to become Trail Rated, these vehicles are guaranteed to be fun, flexible, and fortified. They're designed to keep you safe without sacrificing performance. To see for yourself what a Trail Rated Jeep can do, come visit us at Ourisman CDJR. Image via Flickr by Larry Lamsa / under use by CC BY 2.0

The food scene in Old Town Alexandria is consistently praised by magazines and websites as one of the best in the Washington D.C. area. Only minutes from downtown D.C., Old Town Alexandria offers top-class dining options to suit every taste. Blackwall Hitch For a taste of the nearby Chesapeake Bay, head to Blackwall Hitch on Cameron Street. They focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients to create their menu each week. Start your meal with their exquisite Maryland crab soup or try their freshly shucked oysters. They also have fire-roasted flatbread that pairs perfectly with their crab dip or baked Brie. Blackwall Hitch isn't just focused on locally sourced food, the drinks menu is also packed with regional wines, beers, and spirits. Choose from their signature cocktail menu for something unique like Salted Melontini made with Deep Eddy Vodka, Watermelon Pucker, fresh basil, lime and orange juices, and simple syrup. It's a great place for an after-work drink or a nice date night. It's not too stuffy, but it's also not an ultra-casual dining option. Mains cost $20-30 with the catch of the day and seafood-heavy dishes leaning on the more expensive end of the spectrum. During the week they're open from 11 a.m. until midnight. On Fridays and Saturdays, they're open until 2 a.m., and on Sundays, they close at 10 p.m. Brabo Brabo is the place to be if you want to experience European fine-dining in Old Town Alexandria. The restaurant is located on King Street and also offers a more casual dining option next door at their Tasting Room. But it's at the Brasserie where you'll find a blend of French cooking styles and local Virginia ingredients. Start with a Charcuterie board of international cheeses, pate, and chorizo, along with locally made bread and condiments. The roasted pork chop and braised pork belly is one of the most popular dishes on the menu if you don't want to choose from their extensive steak menu. There are also weekly plates which are chosen by the chef and use ingredients that are in peak season. Main dishes cost $25-40. If you have a starter, a main, and a drink or two, you're looking at spending about $80 per person for a meal packed with flavor and style. Brabo is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the week. They stay open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and are open for brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bastille Bastille is another fantastic restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. Head here for lunch or dinner to enjoy classic French dishes such as escargot or steak with a bearnaise sauce. They also offer a set menu for dinner during the week, which is great value at $39 for three courses or $49 for four courses. This doesn't include a drink. Bastille is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. On Sundays they are open for brunch from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., then they reopen from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. They are closed on Mondays. Next time you're in Old Town Alexandria, try out one of these top restaurants. Image via Flickr by Ron Cogswell / under use by CC BY 2.0