Whether it’s taking a jaunt on a Potomac River cruise, exploring the plantation homes of some of the nation’s most famous forefathers, reliving the drama of an occupied city during the Civil War, or poking around in an 18th century apothecary where George and Martha Washington got their cold remedies, the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association is encouraging locals and people around the region to explore their American heritage on the Fun Side of the Potomac!
The ACVA has launched a variety of tourism programs that will take visitors through the summer and into the fall on the Fun Side.
“We want folks in Alexandria and the surrounding Greater Washington area to know about the many interesting tourism opportunities that are available for their guests—and for themselves, as local tourists,” said Jo Anne Mitchell, president & CEO of the ACVA.
To get the word out around the Greater Washington area the ACVA has placed diorama ads at several downtown Metrorail stops. To reach both local visitors and travelers from the Mid-Atlantic region, there will be newspaper ads in The Gazette Packet, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and a number of travel magazines.
THE SUMMER programs simplify exploring some of the most popular attractions and activities: The Liberty Pass, which is new in 2003, includes a Potomac Riverboat cruise to Georgetown and back, a ride on the L’il Red Trolley Tour of Washington, D.C., as well as admission to Carlyle House Historic Park, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, at the discounted cost of $38 for adults and $20 for children 11-17.
The Very Important Patriot Pass combines admission to four Alexandria historic sites (adding the Lee-Fendall House to the mix), a guided walking tour of Old Town, and a Potomac Riverboat cruise at the discounted cost of $28 for adults and $16 for children 11-17.
The Key Pass to the Historic Estates of Virginia incorporates visits to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, Gunston Hall Plantation, and Woodlawn for the discounted cost of $21 for adults and $11 for children 6 -17.
ALL PASSES ARE discounted from the regular admission prices and are available at the Ramsay House Visitors Center, 221 King Street. The Liberty Pass is also available at the Potomac Riverboat Company ticket booth at Washington Harbour. Information about the passes is available by calling 800-388-9119 or visiting www.FunSide.com www.funside.com/> .
With the ACVA’s new guide Occupied City: A Portrait of Civil War Alexandria, on sale at the Ramsay House Visitors Center, the Lyceum, Fort Ward, Carlyle House, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, and the Alexandria Library, local buffs can share their passion for Civil War history with friends and family or rediscover this untold story of Alexandria themselves.
JUST AROUND the corner, Alexandria’s Fall for the Arts season opens with the Alexandria Festival of the Arts, September 13-14. “The Alexandria Festival of the Arts weekend is a perfect time to host out-of-town guests,” ACVA’s Mitchell said.
“With King Street closed from Union Street to St. Asaph Street, Old Town will resemble a canopied outdoor art gallery with the artwork of more that 150 juried artists from around the country. Alexandria’s galleries, restaurants, retail shops and hotels will offer special promotions and some businesses will host performing artists on-site.”