It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Alexandria, Virginia.
While you're here, we hope you will take time to enjoy Alexandria, the "Fun Side of the Potomac." Whether you are drawn to our history, the arts, antiques, fine dining, or exciting shopping, Alexandria offers something for everyone.
Alexandria has a rich and compelling history. George Washington and George Mason served as two of the City's first Trustees, when the City was founded in 1749. Thomas Jefferson held one of his first presidential inaugural celebrations here in 1801. Alexandria was home to Robert E. Lee until 1825, when he was appointed to West Point. In 1939, Dr. Samuel Tucker organized the country's very first civil rights sit-in at the Alexandria library.
A visit to the Ramsay House Visitors Center in Old Town (at the corner of King and Fairfax Streets) will provide you with a wealth of information about Alexandria's historical attractions including the Lyceum, Alexandria's history museum, the Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Christ Church (attended by George Washington), the historic and beautiful Carlyle House, all of which are within walking distance of the visitors center.
Also in Old Town, in several blocks surrounding the visitors center, are hundreds of shops and restaurants offering wares from around the world and cuisine from all-American burgers and barbecue, to sophisticated French fare, to exotic Indian, Thai and Lebanese specialties.
Just two blocks from the visitors center, on the Potomac River, is the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which takes its name from its origin as a munitions factory. Created as a partnership among the City, private developers and the non-profit arts community, it is now considered the oldest and most successful public visual art center in the United States. More than 80 working artists have their studios at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, where visitors are welcome to watch the creative process and chat with the artists.
Alexandria offers the charm of a small town with the amenities and conveniences of one of the fastest growing and most prosperous regions in the country. Money Magazine and CNN recently ranked Alexandria as the fourth best place to live on the East Coast. The Ladies Home Journal ranked Alexandria as the "Best City for Women" while Art & Antiques magazine called it "Virginia's Art and Antique Miracle Mile." Now it's your opportunity to see why Alexandria receives so many accolades!
On behalf of the Alexandria City Council, welcome to Alexandria.
Sincerely,
William D. "Bill" Euille
Mayor