A Wonderful Day in Alexandria !

We just got home from a WONDERFUL "mother - daughter" day in Alexandria, VA. Shayna and I decided to do some more "history hands on learning" (as she puts it) and we chose to go to "Old Town Alexandria" which neither of us have ever visited.

We had "our game plan" before leaving but found parking right in front of the Visitor's Center so we decided to stop in for some "ideas/advice" we might not know !

So, we began our day going to The George Washington Masonic National Memorial. Neither of us knew what to expect but we were plesantly surprised. We began in the lobby that had an amazing 17 foot bronze statue of George Washington. We arrived just in time for the 11 am tour. The first stop on the tour was about George Washington and his life including his service as a Mason. Shayna loved learning more about George Washington. Our favorite exhibit on that floor was a trunk that George Washington used on the Revolutionary War battlefields. It made it very "real" to us. The next three stops on the tour were about the Freemasons. I learned an incredible amount !

Then, we went back to Fairfax Street & King Street where a store called "The House in the Country" has a scavenger hunt for kids you can buy for $4.00. I thought this would be perfect as we walked the city to different sites to keep Shayna entertained ! It proved to be better than imagined !

Next stop while doing the walking scavenget hunt was the Torpedo Factory Art Center (which Shayna had little patience for today as she was focused on history). On the third floor of the Torpedo Factory is the Alexandria Archaeology Center. I am not sure what I pictured, but I was a bit disappointed here. Shayna did have fun "masking tape" together some china to understand what archeologists. I was under the impression that there was a "mini dig" there. However, there was not. Also the archeologist on duty today was not "child friendly" and basically sat there and ate her lunch ! Oh well - you win some - you lose some !

Walking to our next stop we found a few GREAT stores ! Shayna and I explored the "Discovery Store" and "Why Not?". Yes, there is a store called "Why Not?" !!! Shayna bought some books and I bought her a few strategy games for camp care packages ! I even got Shayna to agree for me to sneak for 5 minutes (no more than 5 minutes, mom) into a shoe store (she knows we are in trouble when I go into a shoe store !)

We left there continuing our scavenger hunt towards Wise's Tavern where George Washington was called "Mr. President" publically for the first time on April 16, 1789. Then we continued to Gadsby's Tavern Musuem. We took the 30 minute tour here. Our guide was amazing and we had a personal tour (how much better does that get !). The coolest thing was seeing the "Ice Well" they used ! They literally cut up ice from the Potomac River and brought it to the well to use. Amazing ! The tavern (which is still in use !) is absolutely beautiful (make note - take husband for dinner there !).

Our final stop on our day was Christ Church built in 1773. Shayna sat in the pew of George Washington and Robert E. Lee ! We also found the grave of a 152 year old lady ! Seriously - that is what the headstone said !

When walking back to the car, Shayna said today was offically the "best mother daughter" day ! I had to agree - it was amazing !