Franconia - Alexandria, VA

Franconia developed originally as a stop on the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad, connecting Richmond with Washington, D.C. While the train station closed down in 1952, it was replaced by the present-day Franconia-Springfield WMATA metro station, which also serves as a Greyhound bus stop.

With historic Old Towne Alexandria just a few miles away, Franconia has few museums. But the Franconia Museum showcases local heritage, and hosts an annual History Day every fall. The Museum gives visitors a close-up view of the area's history and displays artifacts dating from the Civil War.

With easy access from all over the Washington, D.C. area, Franconia is the perfect place for restaurants you won't find anywhere else. One such eatery is Osteria Marzano. This family-run Italian restaurant is known for its high-end food and wine classes. Osteria features delectable cheese plates, with delicacies such as Pecorino Toscano, Fontina, and Robiola due Latti. They also serve custom-made pizza and fresh seafood. Local customers rave about the grilled orata, a seafood dish served with fingerling potatoes, roasted tomatoes, and lemon caper sauce.

If Irish food is more to your taste, pop by Fiona's Irish Pub, where an authentic Dublin experience awaits you. They have a large selection of beer on draft, including a selection of domestic craft brews and authentic Irish stouts. Their food menu includes favorites like Toasted Cheddar Cheese and Rasher Sandwich, Bangers and Mash, or Beer Battered Fish 'n Chips. With the bar open until 1:30 am, this is the place to hang out with friends.

Looking for the perfect place to watch the game? Head over to Lucky's Sports Theatre and Grill which features six 6 foot by 8 foot high definition screens and 15 high definition flat screens for your viewing pleasure. During halftime grab your drink and head into their game room and compete in everything from air hockey to NBA hoops.

Franconia is served by the Washington Metro Transit, WMATA. With several bus stops and a metro rail station located in the heart of town, using public transportation is easy and efficient.

Franconia is on the Yellow Bus Line with easy connections to both rail and different bus lines. The Franconia-Springfield rail station is on both the Yellow and Blue Lines, so you can get to Alexandria, the Pentagon, central DC, or the Capitol without switching trains. Riding from Franconia to Metro Center in downtown DC will cost you $3.60 and take 35 minutes.

Residential areas sometimes feature sidewalks, so Franconia is somewhat walkable. Heavy car traffic and an array of well-traveled roads preclude the use of bike lanes. However, the Bike and Ride program on the WMATA makes it easy to take your bike with you to ride for recreation. They allow riders to carry and store full-size bikes on the bus and trains.

If you'd prefer less public company on your ride, there are several cab companies in the metro D.C. area, like GoGreen Cab Company or Red Top Cab. But just as you have to do with the Lyft and Uber services in the area you will have to call ahead for a cab.

Local baseball fields are found at Beulah Park, and since it's next to the elementary school, kids can play on the playground while they watch the game. There are no dog parks in Franconia proper, but if you just head north on 613 for a few miles, you'll reach the Ben Brenman Park, which has 2 dog parks as well as picnic areas, volleyball courts, and even a pond. The nearby Hilltop Golf Club is known for its reasonable fees and great beginner's course.

If you are longing for a little more country in your city, your best bet is to head next door to Groveton where the treasured Huntley Meadows Park is located. The park has over 1,500 acres, and locals consider it a prime birding spot, with over 200 species identified. For a little more exercise, try out the relatively flat 4.5-mile trail.

The overall cost of living index in Franconia is 21 percent higher than the state average. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment is $1350 a month. Gas is 8 percent higher than the rest of Virginia, coffee is about $4.50, and a beer costs roughly $5 for a domestic draft.

Thanks to an upscale style of living, Franconia hosts an eclectic collection of specialty shops.

If cigars are your thing, then stop by Old Virginia Tobacco Company. Family-owned for more than 30 years, the heritage of Virginia tobacco continues with several locations in the D.C. area. This is the place to go to find cigars, pipes, humidors, and of course, tobacco. In addition to the tobacco, OVTC also has beer and wine tasting on Friday and Saturdays.

For handcrafted, one-of-a-kind woodwork, head over to H&A Fine Woodworking. With over 50 years of experience, this family-owned business is the perfect place for all your high-end wood needs, whether it's bookcases, cabinets, doors or other custom work.

Christopher's Flowers, conveniently located in the heart of the Franconia neighborhood, offers personalized service and expertly designed arrangements. As the Official Florist of The People's Inaugural Ball, you know you're getting experienced help with all your floral needs.

Grocery stores in the area are clustered along Kingstowne Boulevard in the center of town. For the most part, regional chains like Giant, Safeway, and Walmart supply everyday grocery needs, but for something more local and unique, take a look at Nalls Produce. Just over on Beulah Street, right next to Christopher's Flowers, Nalls has spent 50 years in the area. You can buy fresh local produce, wave to the chickens running around, or even purchase a short-term crop share and pick up a new box of produce every week The West End Farmer's Market in nearby Alexandria showcases fresh local produce and handmade crafts, with a selection that changes weekly.