Stroll Museums and Galleries at these 3 Interesting Destinations in Alexandria

Are you looking for something different to do for a weekend or a rainy day? Check out these exciting destinations in Alexandria. You’ll find lots of opportunities to learn and enjoy yourself.

Gadsby’s Tavern

If you enjoy learning about a different side of history, consider visiting the Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. You can get a sense of what life was like in America’s infant years. You can tour two buildings during your visit — the tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. Hours for both properties vary depending on what time of year you want to visit.  Discounted admission is available for AAA members and those who eat at Gadsby’s.

Guided and self-guided tours are available. During the tours, you’ll see a variety of exhibits designed to show Colonial life. You may also get the chance to watch dancing from that time period.

Torpedo Factory

The Torpedo Factory does not explore the history of the weapon. Instead, it’s an art center located on North Union Street in Alexandria. It’s the largest public art studio in the country. This creative space is free to visit and open daily. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Thursday, when you may visit until 9 p.m. The artists that regularly use the building have their own studio hours.

During your visit, you have the chance to interact with over 100 artists. If you would like to learn about the art made in the building, explore the class offerings. The Art League School hosts a variety of classes and workshops for artists of all ages and ability levels.

Before you leave the building, don’t forget to visit the Alexandria Archeology Museum. It’s open Tuesday through Sunday on the third floor of the Torpedo Factory.  You can watch archeologists cleaning and working with new artifacts. You can also find out more of Alexandria’s history with a visit to the Lee Street exhibit.

The National Inventors Hall of Fame

Have you ever wondered about the history of some of your favorite products? Do you wish you knew who invented a product? Find that information and more when you visit the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Admission is free. The museum is located in the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the Madison Building. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

During your visit to the museum, you can explore a variety of special exhibits. You can also see the wall of inductees in the Gallery of Icons. Beyond actual inventions, you can explore some examples of intellectual property. A variety of kiosks help explain the stories of items and their inventors. If you have a child who is interested in STEM, check into the museum’s various educational programs. They are designed for students starting in first grade.

Don’t forget to bring your friends or family with you as you explore these locations.  The exhibits can help strike up a variety of interesting conversations.

Image via Pixabay

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