Places to Go - Alexandria's Old Town Waterfront & The Torpedo Factory (Alexandria, VA)

Okay, so before I even start this post, I just wanted to say THANKS SO MUCH to everyone who nominated me as one of Babble's Top 50 Mom Blogs. I feel sort of like I did in high school when against all odds I actually hit the volleyball. And, if you haven't voted, I just want to say that I'm a really nice person who loves positive feedback - the link is here, all you have to do is click the "like" button and I could be famous forever. PLEASE!! (thank god, I'm not a politician, I would be awful). Thanks again!



A few weeks ago, after I picked the girls up from preschool we drove to the Alexandria waterfront and enjoyed a picnic lunch in Founders Park (Union St. and Queen St.). The girls love watching the boats and ducks. Plus on weekday afternoons, the waterfront is empty, we ran into a few dog walkers and that's about it. The park has lots of grass to play and run (though no playground) and a huge anchor to climb (see second pic from top). There's also a food court right around the corner. If you feel like extending the adventure into late afternoon, you can always take the water taxi over to National Harbor (click here to see my post on the ferry).

We also spent some time wandering around the Torpedo Factory. F loves this place, she calls it the "kid art museum", which I find odd in that there really isn't much geared directly at children. But she enjoys peaking in the studio windows and commenting on the paintings and sculptures (I'm always a little weary of entering the studios with the kids, T and pottery don't mix well). And I always like to see the changing exhibits in the Target Gallery and Art League Gallery.

All in all a nice afternoon. And we didn't spend a cent. Though I was tempted to buy a $900 painting.



If you're wondering "why is F wearing that silly visor on an overcast fall day with the cutest dress in the world?" Then you've read my mind.