# South Alexandria

South Alexandria is an area of southeastern Fairfax County, Virginia. Despite the name, it is not part of the City of Alexandria; it is a colloquial name used by locals because the area has an Alexandria mailing address.

## Understand

South Alexandria includes communities such as Huntington, Hybla Valley, Fort Hunt, and Mount Vernon. While mostly known for the commercial corridor along U.S. Route 1 leading south from DC, the area has some hidden gems.

## Get in

South Alexandria is very car-centric, and it is easiest to drive. The 38.7941-77.07531 Huntington Metro station is the current end of the Yellow Line and is just south of the Alexandria border. The rest of South Alexandria is accessible by bus.

## See

* 38.7602-77.09561 Huntley Meadows Park. An oasis of wilderness in the middle of suburban sprawl, notable for the amount and variety of wildlife that congregates there. Features a large beaver lake with a boardwalk constructed across it. Popular with bird-watchers. (updated Jul 2019)
* 38.7678-77.04862 Dyke Marsh. One of the largest remaining pieces of freshwater tidal wetlands left in the DC area, accessible by a short hiking trail (updated Jul 2019)
* 38.7656-77.09473 Historic Huntley. Saturday 10AM–4PM, May–October. A 19th-century plantation house (updated Jul 2019)
* 38.7424-77.04464 River Farm. A historic mansion that is headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. The grounds are open to the public, and there is a garden shop. (updated Jul 2019)
* 38.7147-77.05315 Fort Hunt Park, 8999 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria, (On George Washington Memorial Parkway about 3½ miles north of the estate), ☏ +1 202 439-7325. sunrise to sunset. Popular with joggers and picnickers, the park holds defensive batteries from the former army installation, the exterior of which can be explored. free.
* 38.707778-77.0861116 Mount Vernon. George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens; has its own article
* 38.716667-77.1361117 Woodlawn Manor. (updated Jul 2019)

## Do

* Mount Vernon Trail. 18-mile paved multi-use trail that stretches from George Washington's Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island. Popular for biking and running along the river. (updated Feb 2024)

## Buy

There are several large shopping centers with big box stores along U.S. Route 1. The largest of these are Beacon Center and Mount Vernon Plaza.

## Eat

* Taj Of India, 6027 Richmond Hwy. (updated Feb 2024)

## Sleep

There is a large cluster of reasonably priced motels/hotels on Hwy 1 starting about half a mile south of Interstate 95/495. Take the Ft. Belvoir exit to get to them. This cluster of motels/hotels have the added advantage of being within walking distance of the Huntington Metro, though getting to or from it may require a map, assistance from a metro/hotel employee, or a shuttle service. Motel/Hotel options in this area range from cheap, old, local roadside inns to much newer chain hotels like a Red Roof Inn or a Holiday Inn Express. Prices in the area will likely run about half what more posh accommodations on King Street in Old Town would.
* Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Belvoir Alexandria South, 8843 Richmond Highway, ☏ +1 703 619-7026. Rooms and suites with work desk, free internet, flat screen TV. Guests have access to free parking, free hot breakfast, indoor pool and fitness center.

## Go next

* Alexandria
* Springfield
* Lorton