Winter in Old Town North

Yes, it is winter. It can be cold, and there may be precipitation. Overall our winters are mild and there is plenty to do in Old Town North.

First, walking the Mount Vernon Trail is always pleasant. It changes from season to season but even in winter there is a lot to see...geese feeding on the soccer fields, ice formations on the edge of the Potomac River, joggers and dogwalkers, sometimes a heron, and the changing shape of the vegetation.

For a more urban walk, try Montgomery Street, where there are several restaurants and shops. If you are there on a Thursday afternoon, you will find the Farmers Market in operation by the Montgomery Park tennis courts. Stop by the new St. Elmo's for some coffee, or try the beautiful ice cream concoctions at Magnolia Bakery. A larger meal can be had at Sisters Thai, Thanida Thai, Hank & Mitzi's, Oak Steakhouse, TJ Stones, Haute Dogs, and Wooboi Hot Chicken. Or walk south along the river to connect with Founders Park and King Street in Old Town.

If you are athletic, the tennis courts are usable much of the winter, and there are numerous fitness facilities -- Crossfit, Karate, River's Edge Yoga, Sport & Health to name a few. The Wheel Nuts bike shop has quite a following and is well-placed for those who want to ride toward DC or Mt. Vernon.

When art is your motivation, check out some amazing arts installations: in front the 525 Montgomery Street is a multi-color column by renowned artist Tom Fruen, depicting the Alexandria Canal; the Harris Teeter grocery store's wall features a three-panel metal work showing elements from Alexandria's history; the Promenade Fantastique at Canal Center is a fanciful arrangement of eyes, lips, fragments of marble, and fountains. On the wall along the power plant is a long mural. On Washington Street at Wythe Street, see the mural on the southwest corner. More art is on its way through the Old Town North Alliance collaboration with the City of Alexandria's Office of the Arts.

If you are looking for views, Canal Center is the place to be. From the walkway by the river, one can see the Capitol and Washington Monument. From Cafe 44 on the fourth floor of 44 Canal Center, see the southward flow of the Potomac River and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge's arches. If you know anyone in Alexandria House, ask them to take you to the top floor "View" room for a spectacular panorama of National Airport and Washington to the north, and Alexandria from the river to the Masonic Temple to the south.

There's much more, saved for a future column.