by Leigh Goessl

Created on: July 01, 2009

Downtown Alexandria, VA always has something going on and summertime is a fantastic time to spend a day, evening or a week exploring this quaint and happening city. Alexandria rests along the Potomac River across the way from Washington D.C. and is a terrific destination to visit.

Old Town Alexandria is where most of the action's at and visitors taking a stroll along the streets can typically find lots of things to do. Old Town is a popular section of town for both locals and tourists as there are lots of museums, restaurants, ice cream shops, street shows, historical landmarks, live music and all sorts of other exciting activity typically buzzing.

There are also many structured summer events going on in Alexandria. Here's a few of the annual summer events to consider during a visit to Alexandria, or even the Washington D.C. area, for fun things to do:

*Summer Events

Many of the museums, such as Gadsby's Tavern and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, offer free tours for Dad on Father's Day. These tours are pretty interesting and a must-see if you're a history buff, or have an interest in America's colonial beginnings.

The Firehouse Museum offers special tours which make Dad an honorary fire chief for a day. Kids and Dads will be given a certificate and get to engage in other special activities.

The Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site is one of the best preserved forts in the U.S. from the Civil War era. Summertime at Fort Ward brings Civil War reenactments and tours led by soldiers. Additionally you can tour the museum to see their extensive exhibits and collections. If you want to see the current schedule of events you can visit the Fort Ward website to find out what's going on at Fort Ward.

The Friendship Firehouse Festival hosts an annual birthday bash which is great fun for the whole family. The Friendship Firehouse Company was established in 1774 and its birthday is celebrated every first Saturday in August. The annual festival is a good time full of fun, history and celebration.

Each first Saturday in August brings the Carlyle Housewarming. During this event visitors can watch period era interpreters recall the 1753 moving in day of John Carlyle and family to their new elaborate mansion; on this day John and Sarah Carlyle's son, William, arrived. Afterwards there is music and refreshments to celebrate.

Every year the Alexandria Festival of The Arts happens in September. Stroll down King Street and marvel over the paintings, sculptures, jewelry,

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