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The reinterpreted chart depicts the city’s underground transportation system, dedicating each of its stations to famous women who lived in the area—among them Audre Lorde, Sylvia Rivera, Gloria Steinem, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Experience an eclectic mix of cultures in Minnesota—from Native American landmarks to Scandi chic design stores.

With a bumper crop of hotel openings, star-fueled West End plays, and a Christian Dior show at the V+A, London’s spring season is in full bloom.

Forget the super bloom. All of this season’s most exciting openings are centered around the city’s growing Arts District downtown.

The message from the cradle of ancient civilization is: Go now, before the masses return.

A Guide to the Istanbul Biennial’s Most Unusual Installations

Overview

Overview

The Grounds café—run out of a former pie factory in the warehouse district of Alexandria—makes coffee, juices, smoothies, baked goods, and rustic breakfast and lunch dishes with equal care. Order a flat white (a cross between a cappuccino and a latte) or a piccolo (a mini latte)—there’s also a coffee tasting board and a deconstructed iced coffee—to pair with your seasonal porridge or Big Brekkie (spicy chorizo and serrano ham with braised white beans, smoked peppers, halloumi, avocado, poached eggs, and thick slabs of house-baked toast). After brekkie, peek into the roastery and Potting Shed restaurant next door, and admire the enchanting garden and event space, complete with a coffee cart, barbecue joint, plant stall, and petting zoo.

Alexandria has been around since before the founding of our country and has always been home to a number of taverns. However, during Prohibition, Alexandria was also home to something else: a speakeasy. In the decades since alcohol started flowing freely again, Alexandria once again finds itself playing host to an underground drinking establishment. There’s no sign for PX—you’ll know it by the blue light that shines next to a black door. There’s no web address for PX—you have to access their website through another restaurant’s website (hint: it’s the fish and chips place located right next door!). There’s also no line for PX—a reservation is an absolute must, they’ll check you out through the little peephole in the heavy, iron door. Once you’re permitted inside, dressed to impress of course, be prepared for a life-changing cocktail experience. Mixologist Todd Thrasher (a good friend of Alexandria celebrity chef Cathal Armstrong) mixes up some of the most inventive, tastiest drinks in the entire DC area. Plan on spending a few hours enjoying a cocktail or two and some snacks. PX is ideal for a small group of friends toasting a special occasion or a couple looking for a quiet table to whisper over.

A focus on seasonal, farm to table offerings with a modern twist makes Vermilion one of the jewels of Alexandria’s dining scene. The cozy ruby hued booths downstairs are perfect for a romantic date night while the casually modern space upstairs is great for groups. Start your night with a expertly crafted cocktail from the bar and go for the four course tasting menu which highlights the chef’s favorite dishes that evening. Vermilion is a presidential favorite as well having hosted President and Mrs. Obama for a romantic Valentine’s Day meal.

Hotel Monaco is charming, boutique hotel nestled in the heart of historic Old Town on a lively block of King Street, walking distance to the waterfronts and lots of shopping and restaurants. A sumptuous lobby greets guests with rich decor of peacock blue walls, crimson accents and cozy seating nooks. Rooms are colorful, comfortable an roomy. As with most Kimpton hotels, this one has excellent service and personal perks such as complimentary morning coffee and tea service, free afternoon wine receptions, courtesy shuttle service to Reagan National Airport, Dive-in movie nights by the pool, and umbrellas for use on rainy days. This is also one of the few pet-friendly hotels in the area and dog owners can bring their pets to Yappy Hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Guests can mingle with Alexandria locals and enjoy drinks with their canine companions on Jackson 20’s patio. TIP: Joining the Kimpton’s free InTouch loyalty program will get you complementary wi-fi access and $10 in credit to raid the mini bar GET THERE: 12 blocks from King Street metro (blue & yellow lines), free King Street trolley between station and hotel, a courtesy hotel shuttle service to Reagan National Airport

Fleurir is a charming chocolate boutique that produces and sells exquisite chocolate bonbons and treats. Chocolatier Robert Ludlow creates innovative flavors out of quality ingredients that include lavender shiraz, peanut butter banana, and lemon honey. My favorite is the classic salted caramel. Apparently the New York Times agrees—in February 2013, it named Fleurir’s the best creamy and classic caramel in a nation-wide taste test. Fleurir has a storefront and kitchen in Old Town, Alexandria.

For fans of plantation tours, this one in Louisiana brings the story of the Baillio family to life, with a tour of their historic home, built in 1796. Stroll from room to room and learn about how the family lived, and explore the grounds to see what went into maintaining the home and property. The house even hosts occasional dinners in the open-hearth kitchen building, so keep an eye on the calendar.

Daingerfield Island is a pleasant spot off George Washington Parkway where visitors can picnic and watch boats and wind surfers float down the Potomac. The name is misleading—the facility is not an island, but rather a peninsula covered with park space and a premiere marina that houses small racing sailboats. Sailing classes are available to children and adults sailing during the summer and experienced sailors can rent boats by the hours. Landlubbers may prefer to rent cruiser bicycles. After building an appetite, grab a bite from Indigo Landing Restaurant or the more casual snack bar while admiring the waterfront.