. . . Taken a Springtime Stroll Along the Mount Vernon Trail

. . . taken a springtime ride or stroll along the Mount Vernon Trail. This 18.5-mile trail runs parallel to the Potomac River. Along the way, you can explore the fortifications at Fort Hunt Park, travel through Old Town Alexandria and grab a bite to eat along the wharf, take a side trip to the Dyke Marsh Preserve or even stop and enjoy the picturesque vistas of downtown and the monuments.

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The Mount Vernon Trial was built in 1973 by the National Park Service and starts at Mount Vernon and runs parallel to the George Washington Parkway ending at Theodore Roosevelt Island. More information is available on the National Park Service Web site at www.nps.gov.

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Know of a uniquely Washington area experience or a place you always take out-of-towners? Send a note to haventlived@washpost.com. For previous features, go to www.washingtonpost.com/haventlived.