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Embrace Italian Desserts at Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato

December 15, 2015 by

If you love Italian pastas and pizzas, you haven’t even experienced all of this delicious cuisine’s decadent offerings. Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato offers a less common taste of Italian dining in the form of authentic gelato, a cold dessert similar to ice cream that is made with a creamier consistency and unique, dense flavors.

This Alexandria dessert shop is hip and relaxed, with chalkboard menus displaying the day’s current flavors and a stainless steel gelato counter imported from Italy for the freshest, most authentic taste possible. The gelato itself comes in flavors like coconut, dulce de leche, merlot and apple cinnamon, and there is also a small selection of sorbettos for dairy-free guests.

If you’re planning a party or ordering for a group, Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato also makes its gelatos in the form of cakes that are even more decadent and delicious.

Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato
111 S. Payne Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 349-1001
www.crgelato.com
www.yelp.com/biz/casa-rosada-artisan-gelato-alexandria-2

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Radiance Yoga Studio Proves That Yoga Can Bump Up the Heart Rate

November 4, 2015 by

Regardless of the type of workout you're craving, you'll be able to find it at Radiance Yoga Studio. If you've always considered yoga a passive activity, it's time to reshape your thinking. This yoga studio offers a variety of athletic modalities that will get your heart pumping and blood flowing almost as much as a run on the treadmill.

Check out a Kundalini yoga class if you're looking for a challenging sweat session. Also known as the "yoga of awareness," Kundalini incorporates quick-moving, rhythmic movements designed to not only strengthen the core, but also make the entire body more flexible. Yin yoga, on the other hand, fortifies the joints and connective tissues by holding asanas for longer than usual (about 5 minutes each). Radiance also offers standard Flow classes, not to mention restorative and prenatal yoga for those seeking a slower practice.

Radiance Yoga Studio
701 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 535-8282
radiance-yoga.net
www.yelp.com/biz/radiance-yoga-studio-alexandria

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Oxon Hill Farm: Take a Visit to a Working Farm (and Even Milk a Cow!)

September 23, 2015 by

If you want to get out of the city and back to nature, do it on a working farm minutes away from Alexandria at Oxon Hill Farm. The rangers of Oxon Cove Park run the farm, and they’re very knowledgeable about all of the animals and machinery located on the grounds. You’ll often see area students on field trips to learn about the inner workings of the farm, but no matter your age, you can soak up a bit of background information about the history of the area.

Stroll through the grounds and check out the chickens, goats, pigs, and horses, then if you’re feeling particularly brave, go inside the barn and learn how to milk one of the friendly dairy cows. Finish off your visit with a hayride and a visit to the bookstore!

Oxon Hill Farm
6411 Oxon Hill Road
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
(301) 839-1177
www.nps.gov/oxhi
www.facebook.com/OxonHillFarm

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Scoop Up Something Sweet at Pop’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Co.

August 18, 2015 by

Located in Old Town Alexandria, Pop’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Co. is — just like its name implies — an old-fashioned ice cream shop that has a whole lot of retro flair in both its decor and its ice cream choices. The shop itself is located in a red brick building with a vintage-style sign, and once you step inside, you’ll find a charming red tin ceiling, black and white checkered floors, and a wide selection of ice creams within the long, glass display cases.

Fill a cup or a made-from-scratch waffle cone with scoops of chocolate chip cookie dough, coffee, or red velvet, then enjoy your treat while sitting at one of the charming antique tables inside. Or if you prefer, nibble your cone as you stroll along the charming streets of Old Town Alexandria!

Pop’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Co. is open noon to 10 p.m. daily.

Pop’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Co.
109 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 518-5374
www.yelp.com/biz/pops-old-fashioned-ice-cream-alexandria

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Go on an Outdoor Adventure at the Dora Kelley Nature Park

July 7, 2015 by

Explore an array of distinct habitats at Dora Kelly Nature Park, a 50-acre space that's home to an eclectic population of wildlife. Oak and hickory trees grow thick in the forest, which is interwoven with meandering streams and waterlogged patches of marshland. Each of the habitats plays host to its own critters, and previous guests say it's not unusual to spot turtles.

At the designated Nature Center, which was opened in 1978, visitors learn more about the ecology of their community via exhibits that delve deep into the past of the park and the humans who once lived on its grounds. The Nature Center and park are the culmination of namesake Dora Kelley's dream that the woodlands surrounding Alexandria would outlive her and many generations to come. Her wish came true in the early '70s, and when she passed away in 2001, the community activist left a legacy behind in the form of the park.

Dora Kelley Nature Park
5750 Sanger Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22311
(703) 746-5559
alexandriava.gov/recreation/info/default.aspx?id=12284#Dora_Kelly
www.yelp.com/biz/dora-kelley-nature-park-alexandria

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The George Washington Masonic National Memorial: Study Up on a National Icon

June 16, 2015 by

The society of the Freemasons has long been shrouded in mystery, despite its relatively innocuous origins as a guild for stonemasons in 16th- and 17th-century Europe. Some of the nation's greatest leaders have counted themselves among this exclusive group, and U.S. icon George Washington was one of them.

As an homage to his contributions as pioneer, army commander, and the nation's first president, members of the freemasons who came after him erected The George Washington National Memorial in Alexandria. The striking building would fit right in among the monuments in Washington, D.C., with its large turret rising from a stone building, complete with massive columns lined up out front. Inside, you'll find a museum dedicated to the man for which the monument is named. The exhibits run down his many accomplishments as politician and soldier alike, and there's even a large sculpted likeness of Washington within the memorial's walls.

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
101 Callahan Drive
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 683-2007
gwmemorial.org
www.yelp.com/biz/the-george-washington-masonic-national-memorial-alexandria

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Explore Art and Archaeology at the Torpedo Factory Art Center

May 19, 2015 by

Roughly half a million people check out the Torpedo Factory Art Center every single year. Since it first opened in 1974, the massive collection of art galleries has attracted a lot of attention due to its sheer size. It houses 82 studios, each holding the work of a different local artist. The public is always welcome to walk through and see what the masters are working on, which is another aspect that makes Torpedo Factory Art Center so unique.

It also plays host to six galleries, two workshops, and its own in-house museum, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. After you've explored the art galleries, head to the museum to see its main exhibit, "A Community Digs Its Past: The Lee Street Site." The exhibit excavates one of Alexandria's city blocks, unveiling its many layers of years. From Civil War hospitals to a commercial bakery to taverns and warehouses, you'll see everything that's ever sat atop this particular city block.

Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N. Union Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-4565
torpedofactory.org
www.yelp.com/biz/torpedo-factory-art-center-alexandria

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Catch a Movie at Dusk at Waterfront Park

April 28, 2015 by

Waterfront Park flickers to life during the warm summer months. That's when residents of Alexandria and nearby D.C. flock to the aptly named park for beautiful views of the water and an ice cream cone. According to one Yelp reviewer, the park plays host to three different ice cream stands—but be prepared to stand in line, because on a sunny day, they all have one. If you need a full meal, many restaurants also reside within walking distance of Waterfront Park.

Plus, the city puts on free movies on the park throughout the summer. Pack up a picnic basket and blanket and bring your whole clan to enjoy one of the family-friendly films or classics at dusk. Of course, there doesn't have to be a special event for you to pay a visit to Waterfront Park. On any day when the sun shines, go for a stroll here or throw around a football. It's located right in the heart of Old Town, so there will always be plenty to see.

Waterfront Park
1A Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
alexandriava.gov/recreation/info/default.aspx?id=12292#Waterfront
www.yelp.com/biz/waterfront-park-alexandria

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Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato: Don’t Skip a Scoop of Dulce De Leche

April 21, 2015 by

The building that houses Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato is set apart from its neighbors by one distinguishing feature: the cheeky hue of rosy-pink paint that envelopes its exterior. It makes sense, then, that this family-owned gelateria would be named "Casa Rosada," which, translated from Spanish to English, means "pink house."

Here, gelatos and dairy-sorbets are handmade in small batches, relying on fresh, seasonal ingredients and without artificial flavorings or coloring. Flavors run the gamut from the traditional (chocolate, pistachio, strawberry) to the unexpected (PB&J, banana split, soy vanilla). The shining star on the menu, however, might be the dulce de leche. This creamy, caramel-like delicacy draws inspiration from the founder's Argentine roots.

Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato
111 S. Payne St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 349-1001
crgelato.com
www.yelp.com/biz/casa-rosada-artisan-gelato-alexandria-2

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Burn Calories and Have Fun Doing It at The Barre Tech

March 17, 2015 by

If you’re a fan of yoga, Pilates, or ballet, you’ll likely enjoy the barre classes at Alexandria’s The Barre Tech. Regulars say the instructors here are friendly and remember not only your name, but also your history of injuries and even your general background. Teachers at The Barre Tech are also knowledgeable about fitness and know exactly how to help you achieve your optimal workout. Classes like urban dance cardio are great for getting your heart rate up, and classes like barre:60 are excellent for your core.

While the studio at The Barre Tech is relatively small, it's still comfortable since classes are typically limited to 15 students. The Alexandria location is convenient and easy to find with plenty of parking. Early morning classes are available for those with busy schedules.

The Barre Tech
2409 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 299-0259
www.barre-tech.com/contact-locations
www.yelp.com/biz/the-barre-tech-alexandria

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