A recent report put out by Time’s Money Magazine ranked the city of Alexandria as the No. 1 domestic travel destination in 2018.
The DMV is typically a place that draws visitors who want to see the Washington Monument, Capitol building, and the White House, as well as the many Smithsonian and independent museums housed in the area. Most visitors and tourists, however, generally spend most, if not all, of their travel time exploring the District while only a few historic places such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon mansion and the Iwo Jima Memorial are the only major tourist attractions outside of the city. However, according to Money Magazine, the adjacent city and town of Alexandria is the best place to visit -- not only in the Mid-Atlantic region, but in the entire USA. [caption id="attachment_7014" align="aligncenter" width="337"]
Courtesy Visit Alexandria[/caption]
Some travelers may be wondering, “What is it that makes Alexandria the best place to visit?” Most folks have heard of the town and know that it has historical roots that date back to the days of colonization (which alone makes it a place worth visiting), however, why should vacationers put it ahead of places like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, and Philadelphia?
As cost is a factor for 99 percent of people planning a vacation, Money based its top 10 list on VALUE. The rankings list identified the 10 best places based on data from dozens of different sources which reflected customer satisfaction, yearly trends, and cost. Money Magazine analyzed one popular destination of every state and used overall cost as the heaviest factor while also taking into consideration the amenities of each destination (i.e. museums, parks, campgrounds, historic landmarks, beaches, restaurants, bars, hotels, campgrounds), the climates of the destinations, walkability, and crime rates.
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Courtesy Visit Alexandria[/caption]
Money Magazine identified Alexandria’s charm -- cobblestone streets, red brick homes, and the waterfront promenade -- as something that makes tourists feel like they are in another world, with the atmosphere and ambiance of a vacation getaway destination. The town’s proximity to downtown Washington, D.C., and local landmarks is also a big plus. Those who elect to stay in Alexandria rather than downtown D.C. actually spend nearly half as much on lodging as visitors who stay in the crowded and noise-polluted sections of the city. Alexandria also gained points for the accessibility to Virginia’s wine country, as well as shopping and plentiful dining options within the town.
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Money Magazine’s top 10 list only included two major cities, Chicago and Philadelphia, while more isolated places such as Glen Arbor, MI, Stateline, NV, and Harper’s Ferry, WV, were generally determined to be the best places to visit. Money Magazine also published an international destinations list. Click here to view both.
