Have a Hot Time in Virginia's 'Old Town' Tonight

Visitors flock to Washington, D.C., for its history, its splendid monuments and its palpable sense of power. Despite its charms, Washington can be pricey and, in an election year, intense and self-absorbed.

Sometimes enjoying the capital city is best done at a slight distance.

That's what my wife and I did on a recent visit, when we settled into Alexandria, Va., a 10-minute drive across the Potomac from the District. This gracious river city provides easy access to Washington. But more than that, Alexandria -- especially its historic Old Town -- is an attraction in its own right.

If Alexandria lacks Washington's aura of power, it nearly matches the nation's capital city for historical depth. Old Town is rich in red-brick 18th century rowhouse buildings, many of them finely restored and most within walking distance of one another. It has strong Colonial, Revolutionary War and Civil War associations. And the city's compact, walkable core is festooned with shops, lively cafes, pubs and restaurants serving up a wide range of international cuisine.

We wanted to be enveloped -- literally -- by the past, so we booked ourselves into Morrison House, a well-appointed, 45-room boutique hotel installed in a renovated heritage building by hotel operator Kimpton Group. It proved to be a good choice. Rich period furnishings, big, high postered beds and ornamental fireplaces in guest rooms, the fine-dining Grille Restaurant and a prime location are all attractive lures.

Practically everything is within a 20-minute walk of Morrison House's location on South Alfred Street, just off King Street, Old Town's main shopping and dining artery. Strolling along King Street, with its cobblestones, gaslights and stolid brick, it's not hard to envision city life as it was 200 years ago.