Alexandria Area Walking & Hiking Group

Visit the Pride of Baltimore II from Jones Point Park

Sun, May 3 · 1:00 PM EDT

Jones Point Park, 1 Jones Pt, Alexandria, VA, US

The schooner "Pride of Baltimore II" is coming to Old Town Alexandria this weekend! Let's park at Jones Point Park and walk up to the City Marina for a free deck tour!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the old ship's rudder under Wilson Bridge we'll walk upstream about 2 miles along the Potomac shoreline to the City Marina, arriving about 2:00 PM.
• Tickets aren't needed for the free deck tour of the schooner.
• After the deck tour we will return to Jones Point Park along Union and Lee streets; about 1.2 miles.
• Total distance is a little over 3 miles and the surface is flat and mostly paved. Assuming the deck tour takes half an hour, we should be finished not later than 3:00 pm.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/243e8yff

❷ How to get there: The park entrance is at the south end of South Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria. From Highway 1 (either direction), take Franklin Street east to Royal Street, turn right and drive south 3 blocks until the street ends in front of Wilson Bridge. The park entrance is on your left. The street address is 1 Jones Point Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314.

❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes (flat, rubber-soled shoes are preferred aboard the boat).

❹ Weather: The forecast is mostly sunny and a high of 65F, with WNW winds at 11-12 mph. No rain in the forecast. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/yck2442z

❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❻ Administrative stuff:

• There are restrooms at Jones Point Park, the Torpedo Factory, the Ramsay Visitor Center, and at commercial establishments along our way.
• Parking at Jones Point Park is free and there is room for around 100 cars. DO NOT park along S Royal St at the entrance to the park! You may be towed!!

❼ Notes:

• Jones Point Park, Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA 23242. http://tinyurl.com/pbyq733
• Pride of Baltimore II 2026 Sailing Schedule, https://pride2.org/come-aboard/

HT to Abby M. for the event photo!

Brookside Gardens

Sat, May 9 · 10:00 AM EDT

Brookside Botanical Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, US

Let’s enjoy a walk in beautiful Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Park!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the parking lot of Brookside Gardens, we'll walk east into the gardens and spend around 45 minutes of pleasant wandering through the garden paths and fountains. Departing the gardens, we'll pick up the pace and enjoy a walk through the woodland paths of Wheaton Regional Park.
• The walk is a modified loop of about 4.6 miles. The surface is mostly paved, with some gravel and dirt paths here and there, and only slight changes in elevation. We should be finished in around two hours. This is an easy hike.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/4x4jy79p

❷ How to get there: From the I-495 beltway north of Washington DC between I-270 and I-95 (either direction), take exit 31A to follow MD-97/Georgia Ave toward Silver Spring/Wheaton. Follow signs for MD-97 N/Georgia Ave and drive north about 3.2 miles. Turn right onto Randolph Road, and take the second right onto Glenallan Avenue. Brookside Gardens will be on your right at Heurich Road. (Follow signs to the Visitor Center.) See https://goo.gl/maps/WHERgb5tyJ12

NB: Be on the lookout for speed cameras, especially along Randolph Road!

❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes. Sorry, only service animals are allowed in Brookside Gardens, so your furry friend must stay home. A light jacket and sunscreen are recommended. It's early, but insect repellent may be handy.

❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 66F, with a 20-24% chance of showers. Winds 4-6 mph from the WSW. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/yaewwwbt

❺ Advisories:

• As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
• Please review Brookside Garden's Etiquette page for a list of do's and don'ts: https://tinyurl.com/2cjht3h6

❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, the Conservatory, the Nature Center, and just north of the carousel in Wheaton Regional Park.

❼ Notes:

• Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902. http://tinyurl.com/gqxstyb

H/T to Abby for the event photo!

Old Town Alexandria + Festival of Speed & Style

Sun, May 17 · 10:00 AM EDT

Capital Bikeshare Station, 1864 Diagonal Rd, Alexandria, va, US

Let's enjoy a walk in Old Town and check out the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style!

❶ What we'll do:

• Starting from the Capital Bikeshare Station on Diagonal Road, we'll walk through Old Town Alexandria, ending up in the Market Square area to check out the cars displayed along 200-500 King Street.
• The walk is 4.75 miles and should take about 2 hours. The surface is paved throughout, with inclines here and there and steps in places. This is an easy walk.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/nufwbhph

❷ How to get there:

• Metro: King Street Station is on the Blue and Yellow Lines.
• Driving: From I-395, take VA-7 / King Street east about 2.8 miles. Take the first right after passing under the railroad (Daingerfield Street), and an immediate right onto Diagonal Road. From US-1 / Richmond Highway, follow King Street west 0.5 miles, take a sharp left onto Daingerfield, and the first right onto Diagonal Road. There is free parallel parking in the area, especially along streets a block north of King Street and beyond, and west of the tracks along Commonwealth and adjoining streets.

❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes. You can bring your furry friend (leashes, please), but the car show discourages them because of loud noises.

❹ Weather: It's too early to see the forecast! Updates: https://tinyurl.com/yc4vjjnm

❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms at commercial establishments near our meetup point, at the Torpedo Factory, and at the Ramsey House (Alexandria Visitor Center).

❼ Notes:

• Old Town Festival of Speed & Style: https://festivalofspeedandstyle.com/home
• Old Town Festival of Speed & Style at VisitAlexandria.com: https://visitalexandria.com/events/old-town-festival-of-speed-style/