From its earliest beginnings, the story of Alexandria has been woven with the history of the United States. Nestled in the shadow of the nation’s capitol, the city boasts a unique slice of American history, beautifully preserved for those to live, work and visit today.

“People like the historic ambience of walking down the streets and knowing that George Washington walked here and Robert E. Lee walked here,” said Jo Anne Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association. “The city has done a marvelous job of preserving older buildings, so you get that whole feel of what the city might have been like.”

In its early days, Alexandria gained importance as a prosperous shipping port for tobacco, wheat, flour, grain and produce. The city quickly built up around the port, and many of the handsome brick homes and buildings from this period still line the streets of Alexandria. More than 70 architectural styles, including Colonial, Federal and Victorian, make up the landscape of Alexandria. A stroll through Old Town, the city’s most well-known neighborhood, reveals many of the original building elements — fire insurance plaques, bootscrapes, busybodies (three-mirror contraptions that enabled residents to discreetly see who was at their front door), carriage steps and pineapples. A peek down an alley reveals a cobblestone street that hints at the tunnels below the paved roads. Many of the quirky “spite houses” — vintage homes rumored to have been squeezed by their owners into narrow space between existing buildings to “spite” their neighbors or to prevent early-day sailors visiting the port city from using the empty lots as noisy passageways — still stand.

Beautiful Captain’s Row on Prince Street is a stunning collection of Federal-style houses built by various sea captains and the Harper family, whose patriarch gave the houses to his many daughters’ husbands in place of a dowry. The one-time homes of several of George Washington’s acquaintances, including two of his physicians, are also on Prince Street. Rebuilt after a fire, a re-creation of George Washington’s Alexandria townhome stands at its original location at 508 Cameron St.

Although Washington was buried from the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, our nation’s first president attended church at Christ Church. His family’s box pew is still marked and reserved for church visitors attending Sunday morning services. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, an Alexandria native, also attended Christ Church, and his family’s pew is marked as well.

The beautiful Carlyle House, built in 1753, is a stone mansion originally owned by businessman John Carlyle. Open to the public, the Carlyle House and its gardens offer a revealing look into the 18th century life of a wealthy Virginia family. Social life in 18th century Alexandria centered on Gadsby’s Tavern, which houses a museum and restaurant today.

Although its storied past is a considerable aspect of Alexandria’s appeal, the city isn’t just a living museum. In the past decade or so, it has successfully incorporated modern retailers and businesses, including national brands and independent boutiques, into its economy. Eclectic clothing shops, art galleries, home design stores, restaurants and major retailers, such as Banana Republic and Nine West, line King Street, the main artery through Old Town.

Stephanie Landrum, acting executive director of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, said the city’s extensive selection of commercial space, from brand-new office spaces to renovated historical buildings to traditional shopping malls, has spurred substantial growth and economic success in Alexandria.

“We have a little bit of everything, which … makes it easy to recruit and attract new retailers and office users because we have something for everybody,” she said.

Tourism is a top industry for the city with about 2 million visitors each year generating nearly $560 million in revenue. Alexandria also has the fourth largest U.S. concentration of associations and non-profit agencies, behind only New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. This standing is quite impressive considering that Alexandria has a population of about 140,000. More than 430 associations are headquartered in Alexandria, including the American Diabetes Association, Boat Owners Association of the United States and the Military Officers Association of America.

Just six miles from the District of Columbia, federal government offices also make up a significant segment of Alexandria’s economy. The United States Patent and Trademark Office and several commands of the Department of Defense have offices within city limits. The presence of so many government agencies has spawned a number of companies that serve these agencies, such as intellectual property law firms. As the city looks toward the future, the AEDP has been recruiting technology firms to locate in Alexandria.

“We have found that technology companies that focus on Web design and graphic design and some of the more art-related fields have liked the character of Alexandria,” Landrum said. “There seems to be almost a cluster of them here. Our company has been actively recruiting new companies that fit those criteria.”

Perhaps the creative arm of technology businesses has found success in Alexandria due to its flourishing arts community. Known as Virginia’s “art and antique miracle mile,” creative types have found a thriving and welcoming arts community along the Potomac. Mitchell credits the Torpedo Factory Art Center with fostering an artists’ haven in Alexandria. Founded in 1974 by local artists and the city, the art center is housed in a renovated torpedo factory that was built during World War I and used through the end of World War II. The facility has 84 artists’ studios, several galleries and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Throughout the year, the city plays host to festivals and art shows that attract visitors and artists from around the country.

Just as Alexandria has inspired thousands of artists, its charming streets and revered past continue to coax the imaginations of all its visitors. One can’t help but smile when sitting in George Washington’s pew at Christ Church and thinking of the many generations that have left their mark on this little town across the Potomac from our nations capital.

LODGING

MORRISON HOUSE

This posh boutique hotel in the heart of Old Town celebrates early American style with its Federal period reproductions. It has 45 guestrooms with a bevy of amenities including complimentary high-speed Internet, cordless telephones, fitness videos, shoeshine service and Gilchrist and Soames bath products. $$$$
MORRISON HOUSE
116 S. Alfred
tel 703 838 8000, fax 703 684 6283
www.morrisonhouse.com

HILTON ALEXANDRIA MARK CENTER

Located in the West End, the Hilton Alexandria sits amid a 43-acre botanical preserve. Just minutes from Washington, D.C., and Old Town, this luxury hotel is a convenient yet tranquil lodging choice. $$$$
HILTON ALEXANDRIA MARK CENTER
5000 Seminary Road
tel 703 845 1010, fax 703 820 6425
www.alexandria.hilton.com

SHERATON SUITES ALEXANDRIA

This luxury property has 247 two-room suites that make any stay in Alexandria comfortable. The Sheraton offers its customers quick access to the waterfront, Old Town and Ronald Reagan National Airport. $$$$
SHERATON SUITES ALEXANDRIA
801 N. Saint Asaph St.
tel 703 836 4700, fax 703 548 4514
www.sheraton.com/suitesalexandria

DINING

MAJESTIC CAFE

The Majestic Cafe serves a delicious array of Southern fusion cuisine. The restaurant’s art deco facade hails from the original eatery when the first owner moved to the King Street location in 1949. The interior is sleek and simple with period photography and an original terrazzo floor. $$
MAJESTIC CAFE
911 King St.
tel 703 837 9117, fax 703 548 6681
www.majesticcafe.com

100 KING RESTAURANT

This elegant restaurant is only steps from the Torpedo Factory Art Center and the waterfront. It specializes in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. The restaurant is located in the renovated historic Corn Exchange building at the bottom of King Street. $$-$$$
100 KING RESTAURANT
100 King St.
tel 703 299 0076, fax 703 299 0077
www.100king.com

UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE

An Alexandria institution, the Union Street Public House boasts an old-world ambience. Gas lamps flicker against its 200-year-old brick facade located in the city’s Old Town district between the shops of King Street and historic Captain’s Row. The menu focuses on classic American cuisine. $$$
UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE
121 S. Union St.
tel 703 548 1785, fax 703 548 0705
www.usphalexandria.com

Worth Noting

Parking can be a hassle for those who aren’t familiar with Alexandria. Out-of-towners can pick up a free 24-hour parking pass at the Ramsay House Visitors Center, 221 King St., which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The passes allow visitors to park at any two-hour meter in the city. You’ll need to provide your license plate number. The visitor center also provides guides and informational brochures about the city and its attractions.

DIVERSIONS

More than 165 artists including sculptors, painters and photographers create and display their wares at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N. Union, tel 703 838 4565, www.torpedofactory.org). The Art Center also houses an art school and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum (tel 703 838 4399, www.alexandriaarchaeology.org) where visitors explore the history of Alexandria and the techniques used to unearth its hidden treasures. Archaeologists and volunteers are available to share stories and answer questions about their work. Alexandria is best explored on foot. Alexandria Colonial Tours (tel 703 519 1937, www.alexcolonialtours.com) provides guided tours throughout Old Town, hitting the major sites, such as the Carlyle House, the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, Gadsby’s Tavern and Christ Church.

INFO TO GO

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is just 10 minutes from Alexandria. Taxi fare to downtown Alexandria costs between $7 and $10. Both Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) are about 40 minutes from the city. Taxi fare from either airport to the city costs around $55. Most major U.S. airlines and several international carriers serve all three airports. Amtrak serves Alexandria at Union Station at 110 Callahan Drive. The Virginia Railway Express and the Metrorail serve Alexandria as well. The Metro offers quick and easy access to the greater Washington metropolitan area. For more information, visit the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association at www.funside.com.

At Home With Alexandria Mayor William D. ‘Bill’ Euille
A lifelong citizen of Alexandria, Mayor Euille made city history in 2003 when he became the first African-American elected mayor. He was re-elected to the office in 2006. Prior to this position, Euille served on the city council of Alexandria.

Global Traveler: Describe the spirit of Alexandria — what makes it unique?
Bill Euille: Alexandria has historical significance.We have a waterfront located right here on the Potomac River. The people are very friendly and genuine. The city’s ambience and our locality to the nation’s capital (are also assets.)

GT: What makes Alexandria a good city for doing business?
BE: We have a well-educated workforce. I believe we’re second or third in the nation in terms of residents having advanced college degrees. In addition to that, we have an outstanding, high quality of life.We’re a very safe community, and we have accessible transportation routes.

GT: Tell us about the economic development in Alexandria?
BE: I have recently appointed an economic development sustainability workgroup comprised of some very outstanding citizens and leaders in our community to take a look at where we are and where we need to be and how we are going to get there in terms of further expanding our economic development opportunities and growing our revenue base so that we can reduce our reliance on real estate and personal property taxes. Hopefully, what they’ll come up with is that we need to continue the way we’re doing business perhaps with a slight paradigm shift that we need to be attracting an array of different types of businesses to the city — national brand retailers to be based and located not just in shopping malls on the periphery of the city, but in the heart of the downtown, the Old Town district. We need to build, because we are the second densest city in the state of Virginia, and I believe we’re listed as the ninth densest city in the nation. Our total land area base is less than 16 square miles. The opportunity to further grow and expand is limited, so we can’t grow and expand outward.We have to go upward. Another focus of this committee is looking at the opportunities to build taller buildings, provide some additional density, and that density would help to meet our ever-growing need for a workforce and affordable housing.

GT: The city has earned a reputation as an arts destination. Why is Alexandria such a booming market for arts and antiques?

BE: We do it on a smaller scale as opposed to a larger scale. Some of the major cities have these very beautifully designed mega museums.We don’t have that luxury, so what we offer are the small boutique shops and galleries.We afford the opportunity for our local artists to expose their work, and we promote them. When folks find and feel that they want to meet with success in being an artist or becoming an artist, Alexandria affords them the opportunity to come here and do just that. We have many jewels here in addition to our arts groups and organizations and galleries. We have a symphony orchestra.We have venues for performing arts.We’re very proud of these things, and I’d like to see us take more advantage in terms of promoting them, not only on a local basis, but also on both a regional and national basis, which we’ve done with our citywide annual arts festival.

GT: What’s next for Alexandria?
BE: We’re going to see Alexandria continue to be competitive — in terms of population.We’re going to see a growing and enhanced skyline, but we’re going to balance that with preserving and maintaining our historical significance.We’re going to become a transit-oriented community. That’s really what we’re working toward; to encourage not only our local citizens and residents but to encourage folks who live throughout the region — to leave their cars at home and delve into both the local and regional transportation alternatives open to them — to bike and walk our safe streets and neighborhoods and enjoy being a part of the city.