Information about the Alexandria, Lorton, and Woodbridge, Virginia
 

ALEXANDRIA 

Alexandria is a culturally, independent city in northern Virginia. Alexandria is strategically located on the west bank of the Potomac River, six miles south of downtown Washington, DC.  

The historic center of Alexandria is commonly known as Old Town. It is a major draw for tourists and for local individuals seeking afternoon and evening entertainment. Alexandria landmarks include the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, which is also known as the Masonic Temple, Gadsby's Tavern, the Little Theatre, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Robert E. Lee's childhood home known as the John Carlyle House, and Market Square. Market Square was once the site of the second-largest slave market in the United States. Today it contains a large fountain and extensive landscaping, as well as a farmers' market on Saturday mornings. 

Alexandria is largely populated by business professionals working in the federal civil service, the U.S. military, or for one of the many private companies, which contract to provide services to the federal government. One of Alexandria's largest employers is the U.S. Department of Defense. Others include the Institute for Defense Analyses and the Center for Naval Analyses. In 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office moved 7,100 employees from 18 separate buildings in nearby Crystal City into a new headquarters complex in Old Town Alexandria. 

HELPFUL COMMUNITY LINKS 

- Alexandria Weather Report
- City of Alexandria
- City of Alexandria Public Schools
- Fairfax County Government
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- Little Theatre of Alexandria
- Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
- Torpedo Factory Art Center
- Washington DC Area Guide
- The Washington Post
 

LORTON 

Lorton is a charming community located just south of Springfield in Fairfax County, VA. Considerable growth and development has taken place in Lorton during the last few years. Gunston Plaza Shopping Center is now the largest shopping center in the vicinity. The plaza includes a medical clinic, space for several business offices, a senior citizen's center, and a number of shops and the post office. Potomac Mills Mall, located just south of Lorton in Woodbridge, is the largest outlet mall in the area. Springfield Mall is also located in close proximity to the Lorton area. Library services in the area have expanded from bookmobile service to a store front library and now to a 10,000 square foot building. The Lorton Heritage Society has developed the Lorton History Garden on the library's south side. 

Lorton also has three main parks and one golf course. Occoquan Regional Park, offers batting cages, picnic shelters, boating, waling trails, ball fields and fishing; Pohick Bay Regional Park offers boating, picnicking, pool trails and camping facilities; and Sandy Run Regional Park is a typical roadside park. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Golf Course is a beautiful 18-hole golf course that is open to the public. Also located nearby is the South Run Recreation Center which hosts racquetball, handball, squash, room rental, indoor swimming pool and weight room. 

Some of Lorton’s historic landmarks include Gunston Hall, George Mason's Home on Pohick Bay; Pohick Church with George Washington's box; Belvoir, George Fairfax's home, now Fort Belvoir Army Corps of Engineer base; and Cranford Church on Mason Neck. Woodlawn Plantation and Mt. Vernon, George Washington's Home on the Potomac River lie just to the North by Rt. 1. The town of Occoquan is to the south off Route 123, Ox Road. 

Lorton is part of the the Fairfax Public School System. There are two elementary schools to serve Lorton residents, Gunston Elementary and Halley. Hayfield Secondary used to be the public high school for Lorton teens, but they now attend South County Secondary (open in 2005). The Greentree Pre-School is ready to serve Lorton's smallest students while Minnieland Private Day School offers classes for those that would like to have a private school for their children to attend.
 

WOODBRIDGE 

Woodbridge is located in Prince William County 22 miles south of Washington, DC. Woodbridge is a collection of suburban communities that offer a wide range of choices in housing and lifestyles. Dale City, one of the first communities planned and built by Hilton, is an extremely affordable area. Lake Ridge ranges from starter homes to dream houses on the water. Parks, boating, and a golf course are found there. The south side of Woodbridge is properly known as River Oaks, where housing for every income can be found. The quaint, historic little town of Occoquan, VA is also included in the Woodbridge area, and is a treasure trove of over 100 shops, historic sites and walking trails along the river. 

Prince William County is rich in history and full of promise for the future. The third largest county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, its desirable location has attracted a highly educated work force, and it is home to a host of nationally recognized schools. A healthy, pro-business environment and attitude by the county's elected officials make it a prime place to live. 

Woodbridge is home to Potomac Mills Mall, one of the largest Outlet Malls in Northern Virginia. Potomac Mills features over 225 well-known value retail outlets and mainline stores offering savings of 30 to 70% off retail on the nation's most sought-after name brand merchandise and designer label clothing.  

Among the mall's best known tenants are: Abercrombie and Fitch Outlet, American Eagle, Aeropostale, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, bebe, Books-A-Million, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Build A Bear Workshop, Eddie Bauer Outlet, H&M, JCPenney Outlet Store, LEGO Outlet, Linens 'N Things, Marshalls, Nautica, Nine West Outlet, Nordstrom Rack, Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue, Old Navy Outlet, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, T.J. Maxx, Yankee Candle Store and many more! 

Woodbridge is a typical suburban city in that many of its residents are employed in nearby Washington DC. This is especially true in local areas near Dale City and Manassas. Prince William County Parkway is probably the most important roadway in the city of Woodbridge. It connects the city to I-95 and runs right through the middle of Woodbridge. Route 234 is also described as an 'outer beltway' connecting the Interstate 95 corridor and Route 1 to points west and north and ultimately terminating at Interstate 66. Route 234, also know as Dumfries Road, is being widened from 2 lanes to 4 to accommodate residential development in the southern part of Prince William County. Other major roads are Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Hwy.), Minnieville Road, Old Bridge Road, and Dale Boulevard. Because of its convenient location along the I-95 corridor, Woodbridge and surrounding areas have experienced an increase in real estate sales and values, which has affected the entire Washington D.C. Metropolitan area in recent years.
 

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