3 Best Places To See in Alexandria, VA

“Green Spring Gardens is an 18th-century historic plantation house, "Green Spring," which is the heart of a national historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The garden features a valley of a woodland stream with ponds, a naturalistic native plant garden, more than 20 themed demonstration gardens, a greenhouse, a plant shop, two gift shops, a historic home, and a library of horticulture books. The gardens and educational programs focus on practical landscaping and gardening techniques appropriate for the Washington metropolitan area. The garden serves as a museum, a national historic site, and an outdoor classroom. With the use of horticulture, instruction, and care, the garden aims to introduce the local population to cultural and natural resources.”

“Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum was a family business that was founded in 1792 and operated in this location from 1805 until 1933. A Quaker family owned it for several generations. The museum is one of the oldest continually operating companies that integrate retail and wholesale operations and manufacturing. Patrons included George and Martha Washington. Over 15,000 objects remain as part of the museum's collection, everything from herbs to bottles. The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum has an extensive collection of hand-blown glass, herbal plants, and medicinal supplies. The museum also possesses an amazing collection of historical documents, including notebooks, formula and prescription books, ledgers, orders, and invoices. A National Historic Landmark, the museum is. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum offers free admission for all visitors.”

“Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site offers exhibits on Civil War topics, education and interpretive programs, tours, lectures and video series, bus tours, and living history activities throughout the year. The Museum and Historic Site also depict Alexandria, Virginia, as an occupied city, as well as the city's significance as a junction for the Union Army, life inside the Defenses of Washington, and the common lives of Civil War troops and residents. Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site provides visitors with an excellent understanding of Civil War-era military engineering. Visitors can gain a thorough understanding of military engineering from the Civil War by visiting the old fort. The Northwest Bastion has been restored and rebuilt to its original state, and about 90% of the fort's earthwork walls have survived.”