Alexandria Waterfront
Oronoco Bay Park is a 4.5 acre Alexandria City park is located on the Potomac River at 701 North Lee Street. It has many entry points, the most obvious are at either the Madison or Pendleton Streets entries or from the Wythe Street Plaza. The plaza entry is approximately in the center of the park and there is also a sidewalk entry with trees and turf area between the Sheet Metal Workers of America building and the United Way building.
The park was once known as "Texaco Bay" and before that it was owned by Standard Oil Company which was owned by John D. Rockefeller. However, the City acquired the property (and changed to Oronoco Bay Park) in the early 1980's. Historically, the Alexandria area was inhabited by Indians when Captain John Smith sailed up the Potomac in the mid 17th Century.
The park host several festivals and events including the annual "Red Cross Waterfront Festival"---the largest Red Cross fund raiser in the United States. Private concerns may reserve and rent the park for their events as well.
This park is part of the linear park system along the Potomac. People can walk, jog or bike along the river path and enjoy the many sitting and picnic areas. There are wooden sun decks out into the river and a wooden boardwalk path that connects the path to the point where the bay and river meet near the Rowing Facility building.
Torpedo Factory
The Torpedo Factory is a beautiful art center with six galleries, over eighty artist studios, two work shops, and the Alexandria Archeology Museum. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is located on three floors for your viewing pleasure and is one of the largest art center in the entire United States.
All this is located on the Potomac water front which is a prime location for any important cultural center. With over one hundred-sixty artists producing original works, there are many opportunities to buy one of a kind high quality works from all types of mediums including paintings, print making, jewelry, ceramics, stained glass, sculpture, and photography.
The six galleries which all are welcome to view are, Scope Gallery (ceramics), The Art League Gallery, The Target Gallery, Enamelists Gallery, Multiple Exposures Gallery (photographs), and Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery.
If the mood strikes you and you would like to contribute your own artistic skills there is also classes at the Art League School. The classes can be taken for those who are over five years old, and students must be at least eighteen to enroll in the adult program.
The Archeology Museum offers a wide variety of activities such as family dig days, biking and walking tours.
Whichever you are into, paintings, sculptures, or archeology, The Torpedo Factory will have what you are looking for. It is a wonderful place for people of all ages to enjoy.
The Torpedo Factory is at the heart of Old Town Alexandria located in the midst of the Northern Virginia's most sought after real estate. Residences here have access to the Torpedo Factory and many shops and restaurants, as well as attractions such as the Lyceum. All this is connected via the King St. Trolley to the Washington Metro system.
- Torpedo Factory Condominiums --- condos at the heart of Old Town
- About Torpedo Factory Condos --- Torpedo Factory condos are near the Potomac waterfront in Alexandria VA
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
Commander James S. Ward, well known as a scholar and an authority on tactics and gunnery, was the first Union naval officer mortally wounded after the outbreak of the Civil War. Ward well known because, among other accomplishments, he was instrumental in establishing the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Union commanders understood that a Confederate blockade of the Potomac was a serious threat to the main supply line for Washington, D.C. As a result, a flotilla of seven navy vessels under the command of James Ward were dispatched to protect the waterway for shipping. In the earliest days of the war, that flotilla was involved in an action to support the strategic redeployment of a small Federal force at Mathias Point. During this action a Confederate sniper shot Ward and he died shortly thereafter.
One of these forts was named after Commander Ward, and today Fort Ward is the best preserved of this fort system. During the war, Fort Ward was the fifth largest fort defending the Capitol and thus deterred Confederate forces who never attacked its earthen walls. The Union Army abandoned the Fort in December 1865, and shortly thereafter, any salvageable materials were sold at auction.
The land is now owned by the City of Alexandria. During the time of the war, the fort was a dusty (at times muddy) place, stripped of vegetation and armed with cannons. Today, it is a manicured oasis of greenery in the city of Alexandria.
On the grounds of old Fort Ward, Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site serves as a park, educational center and cultural remembrance for those who served here. The museum has exhibits on general Civil War topics as well as interpretive programs specific to Fort Ward and Alexandria during the Union occupation. Fort Ward can be entered at 4301 West Braddock in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Fort is located relatively close to Inova Alexandria Hospital and Episcopal High School. The surrounding area is a mixture of very high end housing, middle class housing and is located not far from Skyline and the condos near I-395.
Huntley Meadows Park
Huntley Meadows Park, located in the Fairfax County's Hybla Valley south of Alexandria, is an oasis of wildlife in Fairfax County's urban setting. Huntley Meadows is home to beavers, dragonflies, and 200 species of birds. The park occupies more than 1400 square acres of well preserved, natural forests.
Huntley Meadows Park provides its visitors the opportunity to appreciate the pure beauty of what nature has to offer. From a Hickory Horn Devil to a Yellow-Legged Meadowhawk, there are an abundance of interesting creatures right here. A one-half mile board walk which journey's its way through the wetlands. The boardwalk leads to a hidden observation platform to view the wildlife. This is a great place to hike or bike trail. There is a two mile interpretive trail system enhance your park experience!
The land was owned by George Mason IV who's house, Historic Huntley Est. 1825, is now apart of the National Register of Historic Places, Virginia's Landmarks Register, and Fairfax County Historic House Inventory.
Huntley Meadows lies in a wet lowland which provides cleanliness to polluted waters and maintains control of floods and storms. On May 30, 2007 a series of meetings began taking place in order to find better long term solutions in preserving the wetlands. Friends and neighbors of the park are invited to to join the next meeting which takes place on August 23rd, 2008, 5pm - 7pm.
Educational programs are also provided by Huntley Meadows from preschool to self-guided visits. Volunteers are always needed and welcome to join the Friends of Huntley Meadows by helping to preserve the park. Four-hundred citizens are involved but more are also invited.
Hours:
- July 1st -September 1st
- Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
- Closed Tuesday, Sundays and Holidays.
- Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
- September 2nd- October 31st
- Everyday 9am- 5pm
- Closed Tuesdays, Noon-5pm for Holidays
- Everyday 9am- 5pm
- November 1st - December 31st
- Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
- Closed on Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years
- Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
Huntley Meadows Park & Visitor Center
3701 Lockheed Blvd.,
Alexandria
703-768-2525