Photo Historic Travels

Category: History

Places that focus on history.

Virginia’s River Realm: Exploring The Best Northern Neck Towns
Several years ago, I discovered the Virginia’s River Realm tourism website while waiting for my car inspection. While I visited several of the towns before, I wanted to fully immerse myself in the region. This blog post discusses the charming towns of Irvington, Kilmarnock, and White Stone on the Northern Neck. The towns of the lower Northern Neck serve as the second of a three-part series about the River Realm. Please read my previous post about Warsaw/Tappahannock and look forward for the final post about the towns of the Middle Peninsula.

4–6 minutes
River Realm

Before discussing the towns of White Stone, Kilmarnock, and Irvington themselves, let me briefly summarize the River Realm region from my previous post. Virginia’s River Realm refers to a collection of towns surrounding the Rappahannock River, split between the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula. The primary attraction of the River Realm relates to the region’s long history on the water, but the area also has a boutique element. However, I focus on the vibes of the region’s small towns, alongside the museums and historical sites.

White Stone

As the first town on the Northern Neck, visitors might pass by White Stone on the way to Irvington, Kilmarnock, and Reedsville. White Stone itself is rather tiny, perhaps the smallest downtown I went to on the Northern Neck. But the town is still worth a stop to check out the charming stores.

Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock has perhaps the biggest downtown on the Northern Neck. Although three different websites ranked Kilmarnock as one of Virginia’s best small towns, I personally think a nearby town deserves that honor. Still, Kilmarnock is worth a stop, as it has the most in terms of amenities. Unfortunately, it rained during my time there, so I was limited to what could be shot under awnings. For a look at Kilmarnock on a sunny day, check my old video here.

A Defunct Soda Brand I Never Got To Try

For dessert I stopped at Front Porch Coffee House. The restaurant must have once been a house because there are multiple rooms and an upstairs. I recommend having your drink in the sun room with its many comfortable chairs. Or, you could go outside to see the many statues and the Kugel Ball.

Irvington

I decided to save the best for last. Irvington is the town I recommend the most in the River Realm. Not only is it the most charming town on the Northern Neck, it also has the most to do in terms of attractions.

Yes, That Is A Toothbrush Shaped Column

For lunch I ate at The Local, a small coffee shop that serves breakfast and lunch. Besides coffee, the restaurant also serves sandwiches and smoothies. I enjoyed the panini that I had.

Best Things To Do In Irvington

The Steamboat Era Museum is located in downtown Irvington. The Museum tells the story of the steamboats that sailed the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors can step inside the pilot house of the steamship Potomac, which is the largest remaining piece of a Chesapeake Bay steamboat. The Museum had an exhibit dedicated to the many small amusement parks and resorts along the Chesapeake Bay in the late 19th and early 20th century. What surprised me the most was that several of the resorts were built for African-Americans in the middle of the Jim Crow South. Check the Museum often because some things I remember from my last visit of the Museum were no longer there. Museum open on Friday, Saturday, and Monday.

Model Of Early Amusement Park

Just outside of Irvington is the Historic Christ Church & Museum, which tells the history of this historic church. Robert King Carter built the Church on his private lands. I learned during the tour that Anglican worship during the Colonial Era focused more on sermons rather than rituals, thus the builders focused more on perfect acoustics than actually seeing the priest. The Church spent the 19th Century under neglect and decay. Through the course of the 20th Century the Church got restored and still functions as a place of worship today. Much of the original structure survived, including the high-backed pews. Museum open May-October on Thursdays through Mondays, April and November on Friday through Sunday, and closed between December and March.

The Tides Inn is the premier hotel on the River Realm, and perhaps the entire Tidewater region. Although I’ve never stayed there, my brief visit of the grounds many years left me wanting more. Enjoy these pictures from my visit there in 2021.

Conclusion

White Stone, Kilmarnock, and Irvington are close to one another and could easily be visited in a single day. I would recommend stopping at White Stone first, then Irvington to visit the museums, and finally ending the day in Kilmarnock for the food and shopping opportunities. Overall, the lower Northern Neck is definitely worth a visit.

For more travel suggestions, you could continue the Northern Neck to Warsaw or Colonial Beach. Conversely, you could cross the bridge to visit the River Realm towns on the Middle Peninsula. For further adventures, you could visit the Hampton Roads area, especially Yorktown and Williamsburg. Or, depending on the time of year, go up to Reedsville and take the ferry to Tangier Island.

For a more detailed look at Irvington, Kilmarnock, and White Stone, please watch the companion YouTube video below.
September 27, 2026
Virginia’s River Realm: Exploring Beautiful Warsaw and Tappahannock
Several years ago, I discovered the Virginia’s River Realm tourism website while waiting for my car inspection. While I visited several of the town before, I wanted to fully immerse myself in the region. I decided to dedicate several free days to completely explore the River Realm. I’ve decided to start my three-part series on the River Realm with Warsaw and Tappahannock. Be on the lookout for future blog posts about towns of the lower Northern Neck and the towns of the Middle Peninsula.

3–5 minutes
Virginia’s River Realm

Before delving into Warsaw and Tappahannock, I should explain what the River Realm is. Virginia’s River Realm refers to a collection of towns surrounding the Rappahannock River. The Rappahannock divides the region between the Northern Neck Peninsula and the Middle Peninsula. The River Realms appears to be a relatively recent invention, as the area used to only be referred to as the Northern Neck.

The primary attractions of the River Realm relate to the region’s long history on the water. Many towns offer the opportunity to charter or rent a boat. Furthermore, the region offers boating excursions lead by watermen, who make their living fishing, crabbing, and oystering. The region also has a boutique element, with plenty of B&B, seafood restaurants, and chic stores.

I focused on different things during my time in the River Realm. The following blog posts are dedicated to the vibes of the small towns themselves, as well as discovering the museums and historical sites in the region. Think of my three blog posts as a different look at the region. It would have been fun to go on the water with watermen, but I didn’t have enough time to schedule a tour. And personally, I’m disgusted by seafood.

Warsaw

Warsaw is located on the Northern Neck Peninsula, which is the uppermost peninsula in Virginia’s Tidewater region. The River Realm website does not include Warsaw, but it’s close to the other towns on the Northern Neck. Warsaw’s downtown, while charming, is very small, a trend I noticed when exploring the towns of the River Realm.

For lunch I ate at Egg-Spresso Cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch. I had the French Dip, which was served on a croissant. The restaurant closes at 3:00 P.M.

Tappahannock

Tappahannock, included as part of the River Realm, is located on the Middle Peninsula, and a short 10-minute drive from Warsaw. Queen Street and Prince Street are the two streets of note in Tappahannock. Queen Street is the street that leads to the bridge connecting the two Peninsulas. In contrast, Prince Street serves as Tappahannock’s main thoroughfare and is the most scenic street.

For dessert I ate at Matinee Ice Cream, which has a colorful carnival theme. The restaurant primarily serves ice cream, but it also sells hot dogs and nachos. Matinee Ice Cream is a theoretically a 10-minute walk from downtown, but consider driving instead.

Menokin

Near Warsaw is Menokin, the ruins of an old plantation home. The goal of the Menokin Foundation to stabilize the remaining portions of the house while ultimately enclosing the missing portions of the house with glass. The tour guide gives you a hard hat so visitors can actually go inside the ruins.

Now for the history of Menokin, another home of the Lee Family. Francis Lightfoot Lee built Menokin upon his marriage to Rebecca Tayloe. Menokin was built on the dower lands of the Tayloe’s, so when Francis and Rebecca died without children the house returned to the Tayloe family. Several different families lived at Menokin up until the 1930’s. By the 1970s, the once grand mansion laid in ruins. People of the surrounding community scavenged the ruins for parts; many pieces of the house have been returned. One interesting fact I learned while on the tour is that many Africans oftentimes smuggled seeds with them on the slave ships, bring African crops to the new world.

Remembrance Structure Honoring The Lives of the Enslaved Community At Menokin

Conclusion

I combined both Warsaw and Tappahannock because both towns are close to each other. By contrast, both towns are further away from the other towns in their respective peninsulas. If I had to choose one as a favorite, I would pick Warsaw due to Menokin. Nevertheless, both towns are worth stopping at to experience small town charms.

For more adventures, choose to explore the other towns in the River Realm region. But for other trip ideas, I recommend visiting Colonial Beach, with the historic homes in Westmoreland County. For more distant destinations, the closest major city to both towns is Fredericksburg, while Richmond is an about an hour away from Tappahannock. Finally, you could drive south to the Hampton Roads area, in particular Yorktown and Williamsburg.

Below is the companion video about Warsaw, Tappahannock, and Menokin. This video offers viewers more glimpses at each place, so please watch if that would interest you.
September 20, 2026
Visiting Hopewell VA and Beautiful Henricus Historical Park
Many people might be familiar with Jamestown Settlement, the first permanent English settlement in the New World. But few might be familiar with the second permanent English settlement, Henricus. Although Henricus only lasted a short time, it still provided many historical firsts to what would become the United States. I also went to see Weston Manor and the Hopewell Riverwalk in nearby Hopewell. Keep reading to learn about other places to visit in the greater area to maximize your time.

3–5 minutes
Henricus Historical Park

Sir Thomas Dale founded Henricus in 1611 alongside 300 settlers for the purpose of finding a less swampy settlement. The settlement lasted a short time due primarily to tobacco, which caused the population to spread out. What remained of Henricus burned down during the second Anglo-Powhatan War in 1622.

Several important things happened during Henricus’ brief time. The minister of the church Alexander Whitaker educated Pocahontas to read & write in English, as well as oversaw her religious education. The first hospital and college in British North America were founded in Henricus, but the college was never completed.

Don’t Let The Picture Fool You, It Was Incredibly Dark Inside

Long after the settlers abandoned Henricus, the site still played an important role in American history. During the Civil War, Union troops under General Benjamin Butler dug a canal on the land to contain Confederate Land Batteries. The channel was completed after the war, turning part of the land into an island. Henricus Historical Park now serves as an open-air history museum, with costumed interpreters and demonstrations.

Right next door to Henricus Historical Park is the Dutch Gap Conservation Area. Dutch Gap consists of one long trail going around a lagoon. I recommend the Conservation Area only if you want to experience the great outdoors, otherwise there’s nothing particularly noteworthy about the place.

Before you go: Henricus Historical Park is only opened from Thursday through Sunday from 10-4. Admission is Free.

Hopewell, Virginia

A 23-minute drive from Henricus Historical Park is Hopewell, a small city on the James River. Hopewell does not have the best reputation, and at first glance there’s nothing spectacular about the city. But look a little deeper and you’ll find some hidden gems.

Located in Hopewell City Park is the Riverwalk, which reminded me of the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk but with city views. It’s a lovely place to stroll, but keep in mind there’s barely any shade on the Riverwalk. Also in Hopewell is the Old City Point Waterfront Park, but I was unable to make it there.

Further away from the downtown is Weston Manor, an old plantation home. The house was originally built by William Gilliam, who we know little about because of multiple courthouse fires. During the Civil War, a different family rented the property, and a daughter of the family later published her Civil War diary. The post-Civil War owner originated from Ireland; he intended on entering the priesthood, but on the ship heading to America he saw a beautiful woman. One interesting thing about the house is that it has the second oldest dumbwaiter in America, which still survives. My tour guide gave the offer to touch the replica mattress in order to feel what they were like back in the day. Weston Manor opened every day except Monday; on Sunday the house is only open in the afternoon.

For lunch I ate at the City Point Ice Cream and Burgers. It serves basic hamburgers, but the main attraction are the crazy shakes. Located on the small downtown street.

Conclusion

Overall, I enjoyed my time visiting the under-the-radar Henricus Historical Park and Hopewell Virginia. Visiting both the Historical Park and the attractions of Hopewell make for a fun day out. For further adventures, you could visit nearby Chester/Chesterfield, Petersburg or Richmond, all around a 30-minute drive from Hopewell. Or you could head the opposite direction to Charles City County to visit the historic plantations of Shirley, Berkeley, and Sherwood Forest. And if you wanted to see more colonial history, Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement are both about 75-minutes away.

Here is the companion YouTube video about Henricus Historical Park and the things to do in Hopewell. Please let me know if you enjoyed the video or not.
September 13, 2026
Best Things to Do In and Near Colonial Beach
Originally, I went to the Northern Neck peninsula in the Tidewater region of Virginia to see three historic sites; my plans did not include visiting Colonial Beach. However, I had to pivot topics because I severely underestimated how much time I would need to visit all three historic houses. Instead, this blog post talks about my opinion of Colonial Beach and what to do in the greater Westmoreland County area. Keep reading to watch my YouTube video about Colonial Beach and the nearby historic homes.

4–6 minutes
Colonial Beach

Despite living in Virginia for most of my life, I knew little about Colonial Beach except that it retained much of its historical nature. Colonial Beach consists of three parts. The first part is the beach, which resembles a miniature Virginia Beach minus the skyscrapers. The second part is the unimpressive main street called Washington Avenue literally a block away from the beach. The quiet and peaceful beach cottages make up the third part of Colonial Beach. The highlight of this area is seeing the (privately-owned) Alexander Graham Bell summer house.

Alexander Graham Bell Summer Home

For dining in the Westmoreland County, your only two options are eating in Colonial Beach or Montross, the county seat. If you do eat in Colonial Beach, plan for an earlier dinner, as many of the places that weren’t already closed by 6:00 close between 8:00 and 9:00. I picked Orchid Thai Cuisine because it was the first place from my quick perusal of Google Maps to still be open when I arrived at 5:30. Orchid Thai Cuisine was pretty popular and served good Thai food.

Historic Homes in Westmoreland County

The James Monroe Birthplace & Boyhood Home

The James Monroe Birthplace & Boyhood Home is a replica of the long-gone original home. The tour guide described the reconstructed house as being 95% accurate. Originally, the front door would have faced Monroe Creek, but the replica house’s front door faces the road. I learned that the Monroe’s were a middle-class family, and would not have entertained much. Nevertheless, James Monroe’s father had some political clout as he signed the Leedstown Resolutions alongside the Washingtons and Lees. There is also a park and trail associated with the site, but I could not explore it because I needed to head to the next historic house.

Before you go: The James Monroe Birthplace and Boyhood Home house itself is only open on weekends between April and October. The accompanying park is open all year-round during daylight hours.

Stratford Hall Historic Preserve

Stratford Hall is the third place I’ve been to associated with the Lee family this year after the Lee-Fendall House and Sully Historic Site. As fitting of the Lee’s status, Stratford Hall is a grand mansion with luxurious interiors. It’s also an odd structure because while it appears to be a two-story house, the second floor is actually the first floor, and the first floor is actually an above-ground basement. Stratford Hall was the highlight of this trip.

While at Stratford Hall, I learned some interesting things. First, the Lees were so rich that they were one of the few places in the colonies that served chocolate. Despite being the elite of Virginia society and having hundreds of enslaved workers, the Lee children were still expected to do chores to run the plantation. I also learned that plantation overseers were usually under contract for a year, and that there was frequent turnover. One interesting human touch is that Robert E. Lee would dig up prehistoric sharks’ teeth from the nearby beach as a child.

Before you go: Stratford Hall only does audio tours, but you have five options with different focuses. I did the basic information one, which gives a comprehensive overview of the house and the people who lived and worked there. I suppose you could spend the day going through all five audio tours. The only downside is they did not perfectly explain where I was to go next. There were several times where I would be listening to the tour in the wrong room. On a different topic, there are some cabins for rent on the property.

Other Places in Westmoreland County

The most famous historic house in Westmoreland County is the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. I went there as a little kid and remember it fondly, but perhaps I should make another visit sometime soon. Westmoreland State Park is for nature-lovers and located next to Stratford Hall. Menokin, while in Richmond County, is close enough that you could visit on the same day. However, this is the place I ended up missing, so either plan better or make it a separate trip.

Conclusion

Overall, I would recommend Colonial Beach only if you just want to spend a day on the beach. Those who hate the beach or want a place with more pizazz could probably skip Colonial Beach itself. Colonial Beach could also be used as a stopping ground to explore the Northern Neck area. Stratford Hall is a must-see destination, while the James Monroe Birthplace and Boyhood Home is for presidential homes completionists like myself. You could also use Westmoreland County to explore nearby Fredericksburg or go further down in the Northern Neck to see the River Realm area, such as Warsaw & Tappahannock.

Below is the companion YouTube video about exploring Colonial Beach and museums of Westmoreland County. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe for more.
August 30, 2026
Best Historical Things To Do in New Bern
New Bern was founded in 1710, making it the second oldest city in North Carolina. Thus, New Bern has many historical things to do and see. This blog post about visiting New Bern completes the first bucket list item from my About page. Keep reading to watch the accompanying YouTube video.

3–4 minutes
Downtown New Bern

After finishing the attractions listed below, I walked around New Bern’s charming downtown. The mascot of the city is the bear as bern is the old Germanic word for bear. As such, there are many fiberglass sculptures of bears throughout the city with all sorts of crazy designs. New Bern has pockets of green space throughout the downtown which adds a nice balance to the historic buildings. New Bern proved to be teeming with activity and life on a Friday night, most notably with a Footloose on the Neuse concert.

First the historic downtown…

Now the parks/nature…

And finally two of the bear sculptures…

Tryon Palace

My main reason for putting New Bern on my bucket list was to see Tryon Palace, and it did not disappoint. The Palace was built by and named after William Tryon, the Royal Governor of North Carolina. William Tryon turned New Bern from a small town to the capital of North Carolina in the early 1770s. Tryon Palace’s heyday only lasted a short time, as the town lost its status as a capital city in the early 1790s. In 1798, Tryon Palace burned down, and for many years the plot of land was subdivided into housing. Nevertheless, the foundations survived the fire, and after a complete reconstruction of the building and grounds, Tryon Places opened to the public in 1959.

A few steps away from Tryon Palace is the North Carolina History Center, which oftentimes felt more like a general history of the 19th century rather than a specific history of coastal North Carolina. However, I did learn that there were several failed attempts by the Spanish to colonize North Carolina. I also learned that turpentine comes from a tree. One unique exhibit was on the history of Pepsi, which is not something one normally finds in a local history museum. Which leads me to…

Birthplace of Pepsi Cola

The Birthplace of Pepsi Cola is nothing like the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, or even the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco as my sister described it. Instead, it’s a gift shop and soda fountain that offers a couple of Pepsi products and popcorn. Unless you’re a big Pepsi fanatic, I only recommend coming here to grab a snack and beat the heat.

Conclusion

Overall, I enjoyed my time in New Bern, even if did not become one of my favorite small towns. I think one day is enough to explore all New Bern has to offer. However, you could use New Bern as a launching point to explore more of North Carolina, such as the Croatan National Forest located next door. For other away trips, I recommend visiting Edenton, Manteo, and the Outer Banks. And if you want to see Virginia’s colonial capital, Williamsburg is a nearly 4-hour drive away.

Below is my companion video about exploring New Bern and Tryon Palace. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe.

Restaurants

There are quite a few restaurants in downtown New Bern. However, if you wanted to eat somewhere close to Tryon Palace, I suggest Savage’s Wood Burning Pizza, which is a six-minute walk to the North Carolina History Center. The restaurant not only serves pizza, but also pasta and subs.
August 23, 2026
How To Maximize Your Time In Chantilly Virginia
At first glance, Chantilly VA might be written off as one of the many boring residential cities in the Northern Virginia (NOVA) area. However, there are several attractions here that make Chantilly worth a second look. Chantilly also makes a convenient starting point to explore cities such as Alexandria, Leesburg/Waterford, or even Washington D.C.

3–5 minutes
Sully Historic Site

Sully Historic Site, an old plantation house, was built by Richard Bland Lee, the younger brother of Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee and uncle to Robert E. Lee. Richard Bland Lee was a prominent politician in the Early Republic, so his brother Theoderick often ran the day-to-day operations. Richard Bland Lee fell into debt and eventually sold the house to a relative of his.

Sully had left the Lee Family ownership by the time of the Civil War. The new owners of the house supported the Union; when the War began, the men of the family fled to nearby Alexandria to avoid capture. At some point, J.E.B. Stuart used the house as headquarters. When he and his troops departed, he placed wounded Union prisoners under the owners’ care.

Sully went through a series of owners throughout the years. In 1958, the Federal Aviation Administration bought the house in order to knock it down for the new Dulles Airport. After some protest, legislation was passed to save some of the property from demolition.

Here are some interesting things I learned at Sully Historic Site. I learned that the people who worked at the laundry rendered beef and pork fat, rather than the kitchen staff. In one of the rooms, the Museum commissioned a portrait of one of the enslaved workers using the description of him from his fugitive slave ad.

Keep in mind that Sully Historic Site is only open from Thursdays through Sundays. The grounds are open from 11-4 and the tours are at 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Other Things To Do in Chantilly

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center-This Museum serves as an annex to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C., housing many unique planes such as the Space Shuttle Discovery, the Enola Gay, and the Gemini VII Space Capsule. If you are big on planes this is a must visit, but if you’re not it can be very Dulles.

Ox Hill Battlefield Park-I went to this historic park on a previous trip to NOVA. This Park preserves some of the land where the Battle of Chantilly was fought; while small, there are some signs informing visitors about the history of that Battle.

Parks- There are several small nature parks located in and around Chantilly. Full disclosure I have not been to any of them, but from pictures they look like nice urban oases. In order of closest to furthest from Sully Historic Site: Frying Pan Farm Park, Flatlick Stream Valley Park, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, & Club Run Stream Valley Park.

Manassas National Battlefield Park-A bit further away from Chantilly is Manassas and the Manassas National Battlefield Park. This historic park commemorates the two Battle of Bull Runs, otherwise known as the Battles of Manassas. As shown in a video from my old channel, the town of Manassas is also worth a visit.

Conclusion

I hope this blog post allows people to give Chantilly a second chance. I enjoyed visiting Sully Historic Site and would have loved to spend more time exploring the other things to do in Chantilly. Chantilly also makes a great starting point for exploring the greater NOVA area. So next time one is looking for a fun day out, consider Chantilly.

Below is my companion YouTube video specifically about visiting Sully Historic Site. Please like and subscribe if you enjoyed, or offer suggestions on how I can improve.

Restaurants

There are many restaurants in Chantilly. I went to the Dolan Uyghur Restaurant on my Chantilly trip. Uyghur cuisine is a mix of Chinese and Middle Eastern flavors. I recommend the Royal Laghman noodles and the Big Plate Chicken. For dessert, check out the nearby Rice Culture, which serves taiyaki and unique soft serve flavors.

If you want more dining options, try some restaurants in the greater NOVA area, such as those listed on my Alexandria blog post. In order from closest to furthest from Sully Historic Site are: Malaysian Kopitiam, Swadi Pakistani Kitchen, Marufuji Japanese Market, Hawk & Griffin, Fettoosh, and El Pike Bolivian Restobar.
August 16, 2026
One More Thing to Do in Alexandria
Several blog posts ago I mentioned that I did not complete everything there is to do in Alexandria. Recently, I returned to the Northern Virginia (NOVA) area to visit The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. This article serves a companion pieces to my Alexandria blog post. Keep reading till the end to watch my YouTube video about the Masonic Memorial.

3–5 minutes
The Masonic Memorial Tour

The guided tour goes through some of the rooms of the massive obelisk. The tour begins in the Grand Hall, a massive room with 40-foot columns, two massive murals of George Washington in patriotic scenes, and a giant statue of George Washington at the far end of the Hall. Our tour guide then directed visitors to the Replica Lodge Room, which replicates Alexandria’s original Masonic meeting room. Here I learned the origins of Freemasonry, which begin in the 1600s. The term originates from the mason guilds that would grant the honorary position of “free mason” to prominent men of the community.

The tour makes its way up the building, stopping at two exhibit rooms. The first room talks about all the different Freemason orders. It turns out that there are many different orders including the Shriners. The next room is a two-story room with one floor devoted to the life of George Washington and the other floor talking about the history of the building. Before reaching the observation deck, you stop at the Knight Templar Chapel, the only order of Freemasonry where you must be a Christian.

Then visitors are sent to the observation deck mentioned below. Finally, the tour goes all the way down to the first floor, where you are greeted with a gift shop. The gift shop lacked much of interest, but it’s funny that a secret organization has a gift shop. Besides the gift shop, one can glance inside a giant banquet room and look at a small exhibit about historic Masonic buildings.

The Observation Deck

The observation deck is 300 feet above the ground floor, as well as being on top of a hill. There are panoramic views of Alexandria and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, the D.C. area is too far away to get great shots, and the modern office buildings completely swamp views of historic downtown Alexandria. Still, I highly recommend The George Washington Masonic Masonic Memorial just for the observation deck.

Interesting Facts About The Building

Here are some facts about the building. First the entire building stands 333 feet tall. President Calvin Coolidge (not a Freemason) laid the building’s cornerstone in 1923. However, construction took so long that the interiors were not completed until the 1970s.

The elevators that visitors go on to tour the building are worth a mention. As the building narrows as it gets to the top, the elevators go up in a 7.5-degree angle. The strangely shaped elevators are as a mix between a rounded square and a triangle and missing a corner. The tour guide revealed this was a purely ascetic choice, as the architect wanted to incorporate Art Deco into an otherwise Greco-Roman building.

How You Visit The Masonic Memorial

Here are some practical tips on visiting The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. The Memorial is open from Thursdays-Mondays, with guided tours at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30, p.m., 2:00 p.m., & 3:30 p.m. that last about an hour. You may take pictures inside the building, but no use of flash photography. You cannot film inside the building, but they were fine with me filming on the observation deck provided I did not record anyone.

Conclusion

I did not know that the Masonic Memorial was open to the public as a museum until recently. I enjoyed learning about the Freemasons at the Masonic Memorial as it’s a world I know nothing about. The observation deck also makes the Masonic Memorial a unique must-see destination.

Here is my companion YouTube video about The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. This is the first time I’ve tried color grading one of my videos, so let me know if you like it or not.

Restaurants

This Is The Chantilly Location

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is about 13 minutes away from Old Town Alexandria with its many attractions and restaurants; I recommend Mia’s Italian Kitchen on King Street. I also recommend Dolan Uyghur Restaurant for Uyghur cuisine (a mix of Chinese and Middle Eastern flavors); the closest location is 17 minutes away in Arlington. Read the restaurants recommendations linked above if you want more dining options that are further away.
August 9, 2026
How to Maximize Your Trip to Winchester Virginia
4–6 minutes

On my final full day in Northern Virginia, I actually left the NOVA area to travel to Winchester VA. Although Winchester is not considered part of NOVA, it is relatively nearby as the town was an hour away from my hotel. It was a beautiful drive to Winchester as the landscape changed from flat, urbanized land to rural mountains. This is part three of my NOVA trip, following Alexandria and Leesburg/Waterford and finishing with Chantilly.
Old Town Winchester

Winchester is the most unique small town I’ve been to because the main thoroughfare has no road going through it. Instead, Old Town Winchester is an entirely pedestrian friendly walking mall that retains the original buildings. It was nice to film a charming small town without having cars and trucks constantly driving by. The rest of Downtown Winchester is more conventional with roads, but it still retains its historic nature.

This Building Served As Headquarters For A Union General

There are plenty of restaurants in Winchester. I went to Benny Meloto’s Pizza which if I’m being honest was not that great of a pizza. However, it was cheap, quick, and filling (since a single slice can fit on two paper plates), so it’s an option for those who want to maximize their time in Winchester.

Places to See in Winchester

Located in the heart of Old Town Winchester is The Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum, located in what was the third courthouse of Frederick County. The downstairs section talks about the courthouse’s history while the upstairs exhibit talks about the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley. The design of the second courthouse was so controversial that part of the county broke apart and formed its own county. The Judge presiding over the John Brown trial was came from this court. Winchester changed hands 72 times during the Civil War, the most of any place in America. Graffiti from both Confederate and Union troops remains visible today. The building remained a courthouse until 1984.

Near Old Town Winchester is the George Washington Office Museum, which delves into George Washington’s early years as a surveyor, as well as recounts Winchester’s early years. I did not know that George Washington became a burgess (member of the legislative body) for Frederick County in 1758. After George Washington left, a family lived in the office until 1908 when the city bought the property.

Also near Old Town Winchester is the Handley Regional Library. This grandiose building is still a working library, but they offer tours twice a month. Look up to marvel at the stained-glass dome.

A bit further away is the Stonewall Jackson Headquarters. Jackson originally headquartered at a hotel, but moved to this building when invited by Lewis T. Moore, the second owner of the house. The two men originally met during John Brown’s trial and execution. The tour guide recounted how the women of Winchester hated the Union so much that they grabbed guns and shot at Union troops. The actress Mary Tyler Moore is a descendant of Lewis T. Moore. Also, the visitor entrance seen above was not the original entrance to the house.

A 15-minute walk from Old Town Winchester is the Patsy Cline Historic House and Patsy Cline Memorial Park. While I did not go to the Museum, I highly recommend visiting the Park to appreciate the unique landscaping. I recommend walking to both places, since they are located in an old suburb with minimal parking.

A several minutes’ drive from downtown Winchester is the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. This museum is a bit odd, since it is a mix of a history and art museum, with displays of quilts and miniature houses. I noticed that the Shenandoah Valley history section had several historic kitchens on display. The Museum is built around the Glen Burnie estate, which remained in the family’s hands throughout the years; the last owner of the house was gay, which probably the first time I’ve ever been to a museum with some LGBT history.

The Glen Burnie Mansion, Which The Museum Was Built Around

About a 24-minute drive away from downtown Winchester is the Long Branch Historic House & Farm. The original builder of the mansion died in the War of 1812, and thus never lived in the house. After the Civil War, the widowed wife of the new owner lost the house, but ended up buying back the house and land in auction. The last private owner of the house owned successful racehorses, and modified the mansion to what it is today.

Conclusion

Those looking for a charming small town with plenty to do should look no further than Winchester, VA. You should spend at least two days exploring Winchester and the surrounding area, because I did not visit the Patsy Cline Historic House, Abram’s Delight, or explore the nearby Sky Meadows State Park. Winchester is definitely worth a stop if one is in the Washington D.C./NOVA area, and is close to both Harpers Ferry or Shenandoah National Park.

Some important information: The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is closed on Monday, while the Patsy Cline Historic House is closed on Tuesday. When arriving at Long Branch Historic House & Farm, ignore what Waze says and turn right to the north entrance. Once you arrive, the visitor entrance is neither the front or back door, but in a small wing to the left (in orientation of the picture above). Once you arrive, let someone know that you’re a visitor and you would like a tour of the house, as they may be in the back.

Below is my companion YouTube video entitled Best Things to Do in Winchester Virginia. Please subscribe if you liked the video.
August 2, 2026
Discovering Beautiful Leesburg and Waterford
3–5 minutes

The first thing that comes when thinking of Northern Virginia (NOVA) are major cities and endless suburban sprawl. However, at the furthest corner of NOVA are two small towns, Leesburg & Waterford, which retain their picturesque historic charms yet remain under the radar. These two towns are about 11 minutes apart, making them a perfect destination to spend a day or two. This blog post about Leesburg and Waterford is the second of a four-part series on my recent trip exploring NOVA following Alexandria and followed by Winchester and Chantilly.
Exploring Downtown Leesburg

After finishing the museums listed below, I walked around Leesburg’s charming downtown. Unlike other small towns, Leesburg’s commercial district surrounds a block rather than stretching out on the main street. A few blocks away is Market Station, a collection of shops and restaurants surrounding an old historic mill.

First Downtown Leesburg…

Now Market Station…

While I never got the opportunity to eat in Leesburg, I did make a fun stop at a store. Sunflower Shack sells old fashioned sweet treats and home decor items. Although I could not buy any chocolates because it was such a hot day, I did buy four sodas. The sales clerk kindly wrapped up the sodas when I told them I was from out of town; the sodas managed to survive the trip home in perfect condition.

Museums of Leesburg

Oatlands Historic House and Gardens was built by George Carter, the son of Robert Carter III, whose house I saw in Williamsburg. George Carter fought his father’s decision to manumit (legally free) his slaves. The tour heavily focus on the lives of the enslaved people and what happened to them after emancipation. The tours also talked about the Eustis family, the second family who lived in the house. Oatlands also has a beautiful walled garden just steps from the mansion.

Dodona Manor was built in 1803, but is most associated with George C. Marshall, whose second wife bought the house in 1941. The second wife had a brief career as a Shakespearean actress in Britain, but her Kentucky accent held her back. The tour guide noted the modesty of George C. Marshall as his bedroom was small and spartan. One interesting thing on display was a television set, which is not something one normally finds in a historic house.

Exploring Waterford

On the final day of the trip, I decided to make a detour to visit Waterford, which I only discovered from watching this video last year. Waterford turned out to be a unique experience because (minus all the passing cars) the town completely retains its colonial look. Waterford’s main street is incredibly tiny and, with the exception the mill, church, post office, and corner store, has only houses rather than the standard storefronts. Waterford’s history is also interesting because it was founded by Quakers. Why Waterford remains under the radar is a complete mystery to me.

The Old Mill Dating From the Early 19th Century

Rusted Water Wheel, Now Detached From the Mill

Beginning of Trail Leading to Catocin Creek

Conclusion

Overall, I highly recommend visiting Leesburg and Waterford as a day trip, or perhaps a two-day trip as I did not include Morven Park, which is another place I highly recommend. One could spend several hours wandering through both Oatlands and Morven Park’s gardens. The two small towns are conveniently located a little over an hour away from Washington D.C., as well as being relatively near Harpers Ferry and Antietam National Battlefield.

Here are some helpful tips. While Oatlands grounds are open every day, guided tours of the house are only available from Thursdays through Sundays at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. Oatlands is not located in Leesburg, instead being 14-minute drive away. George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor located several blocks away from downtown Leesburg, and is only open on Friday through Sunday. Keep in mind that the entrance to Dodona Manor is on Edwards Ferry Road, not E Market Street; also, they have a tiny parking lot, so those with time and the ability to walk could park downtown and take an 11-minute walk to the house. Waterford is most known for the Waterford Fair, which happens in early October.

Below is my companion YouTube video about Leesburg and Waterford. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe.

Restaurants in the Greater NOVA Area

There are plenty places to eat in Leesburg (not so much Waterford), either in the downtown area, Market Station, or the strip malls at the edge of town. If you want more dining options, try some restaurants in the greater NOVA area, such as those listed on my Alexandria blog post. In order from closest to furthest to Leesburg: Swadi Pakistani Kitchen, Rice Culture (Chantilly location), Malaysian Kopitiam, Marufuji Japanese Market, Hawk & Griffin, Fettosh, and El Pike Bolivian Restobar. There are also two Roy Rogers fast food restaurants located within Leesburg.
July 27, 2026
Best Things to Do in Alexandria
I always wanted to see Alexandria and experience the beautiful historic old town. The hour-long glimpse of Alexandria I got several years before only served to whet my appetite for more. Finally, I got extra days off work, so I decided to explore more of what Travel & Leisure calls one of the best cities in the U.S. This blog post about Alexandria is the first of a four-part series of my recent trip exploring Northern Virginia (NOVA), followed by Leesburg/Waterford and Winchester and ending with Chantilly.

5–8 minutes
Exploring Historic Alexandria District

After arriving in downtown Alexandria, I first had lunch at Mia’s Italian Kitchen. The restaurant is located in the pedestrian friendly section of King Street. The restaurant is three stories tall, but I forgot to see the second and third floor. I had the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, which was perhaps my favorite meal of the trip. There are plenty of other restaurants nearby is you want a different option.

Historic Alexandria is definitely a must-see destination. There is so much to do and see within downtown Alexandria, as well as admire the old buildings. Some roads were made out of cobblestone, which added to the ambience of Alexandria’s historic nature. There were also several small parks located on the waterfront conveniently located near downtown.

First the Architecture and History…

Ruins of Ice Well That Could Store Up To 62 Tons of Ice For Local Tavern

Now the Nature…

Museums of Alexandria

Historic Huntley was built in 1824 as a summer home of the original owner. Today the interior of the house is non furnished, and one side of the building has it so visitors can see the brickwork and roof of the house. Something unusual is that the outhouse and slave quarters were brick structures, as those structures were usually made out of wood.

The founding father Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee originally purchased the lot the Lee-Fendall House is located on, but his father-in-law Philip Fendell first lived in the house. Many members of the Lee family lived in the house throughout the years, but not Robert E. Lee. Later on, John L. Lewis, the president of the United Mine Workers Union lived here.

It is believed that the Carlyle House inspired both Mount Vernon and George Mason’s Gunston Hall. General Edward Braddock stayed here before the French and Indian War started and was a terrible house-guest. The front stone work is a replica of the original stone, while the other three sides have the original stone walls covered in stucco.

I recommend getting a guided tour of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum because I decided to do the self-guided tour and did not really find much interesting about it. The tours fill up fast so either arrive early or expect to kill time before the tour begins. On Saturdays during the summer the museum stays open till 7:00. As for the history of the building, the Apothecary opened in 1792 and stayed a family business until 1933.

Torpedo Factory Art Center

Located on the waterfront is the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Thirty different artists have their own gallery where they display their artwork. It is fun place go window shopping and sightseeing even if (like me) you’re not interested in contemporary art.

Located within the Art Center is the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. While there, I learned that Alexandria’s waterfront has been expanded over the years; in fact, the land the Torpedo Factory is own was not around in 1748. I also learned that several ships were found buried under Alexandria’s waterfront.

Conclusion

Overall, I highly recommend Alexandria as a day trip, or perhaps spend several days because I did not have time to visit The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, or even know about River Farm until my Historic Huntley tour guide mentioned it. If you are visiting Washington D.C, definitely schedule a day to visit Alexandria. Or, you could do what I did and make Alexandria a launching point to explore the NOVA area, such as Woodbridge.

Here are some helpful tips. Historic Huntley is only open on Saturdays with tours at 10:30 and 12:00 between April and October. Historic Huntley is not located within downtown Alexandria, instead being about a 20-minute drive away. The other three museums are located within historic Alexandria, and the Carlyle House and Apothecary Museums are two blocks down from the Torpedo Factory Art Center. The Lee-Fendall House is a 15-minute walk from the Art center, and it’s a pleasant walk through quaint neighborhoods.

Below is my companion YouTube video about Alexandria. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe.

Restaurants in the Greater NOVA Area

For those wanting to travel through the Greater NOVA area, there are so many restaurants serving different all different kinds of cuisines. Listed below are the restaurants I went to on this trip in the order of closest to furthest from Alexandria.

El Pike Bolivian Restobar serves (as you can probably guess) Bolivian food. I had the Falso Conejo, which is a saucy steak dish. It was conveniently opened late because when I arrived at NOVA, many of the restaurants I wanted to go to were already about to close for the night. Located in Arlington.

Fettoosh serves Moroccan Food. Moroccan food is similar to other Middle Eastern Cuisine, but there are some unique dishes like Chicken Tagine, which I ate. The parking lot is very small, so I parked at the grocery store across the street. Located in Arlington.

This is the Chantilly Location

Rice Culture serves taiyaki (fish shaped Japanese pancake with filling inside) as well as soft serve ice cream. I couldn’t decide between getting a taiyaki or a pandan flavored something so I combined the two–Pandan does not have much of a taste. There are two locations, the closest one to Alexandria is located in Vienna.

Hawk & Griffin serves traditional British Pub food and goes all out on the pub theming. I went there to have Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was so good I didn’t mind the fruit in the pudding. I was the only person there not watching the World Cup. Located in Vienna.

Marufuji Japanese Market has everything that one would need to make Japanese food. The place is definitely a must see even if you’re on vacation and really can’t buy much. I bought several ramens that I have never seen before. Located in Vienna.

Malaysian Kopitiam serves (once again) Malaysian food, which I would describe as being a mix between Chinese, Indian, and Thai cuisine. I had the Nyonya Chicken, which was like Sweet and Sour Chicken but spicier. Located in Centreville.

Swadi Pakistani Kitchen serves food from Pakistan, which is similar to Indian food but with beef dishes. I had the Nihari, which is a curry with slow-cooked beef. The person who took my order actually recognized me from the nearby Dunkin Donuts I went to that morning. Located in Sterling.

Roy Rogers restaurants are the local fast-food chain of the greater DC area. I had breakfast there, but they are known for their roast beef sandwiches and “fixin’s” bar. It was not an outstanding breakfast, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Located all over NOVA.
July 19, 2026