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Get out of D.C.? Capital idea! Escape the hot air of the Capital for the cool breeze of the colonial countryside. Get Outta Town Washington, D.C. is your insider's guide to the national treasures just outside the city. Go to www.madmaps.com to order this and many other titles!

Keeping up with the Kimptons: A Photo Tour of Kimpton Hotels

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ROUTE DESCRIPTION: We cannot tell a lie: this drive on the George Washington Memorial Parkway is not to be missed. You'll trace the Potomac past the scenic Mount Vernon Trail, through historic Old Town Alexandria and an area rich with American history.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Roadhouses
6. Jaleo, 7271 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, Maryland, tel: (301) 913-0003, "Enjoy some tapas tonight"
8. Dolce Vita, 10824 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax, Virginia, tel: (703) 385-1530 "It's authentic Italian cuisine"
9. Jay's Saloon & Grill, 3114 10th St. N. (SR-237), Arlington, Virginia, tel: (703) 527-3093, "Try the Wisconsin beer cheese soup"
12. Cedar Knoll Inn, 9030 Lucia Ln., Alexandria, Virginia, tel: (703) 799-1501, "Mashed potato patties stuffed with savory beef"
13. Dak's Grill, 13641, Minnieville Rd., Dale City, Virginia, tel: (703) 583-1997, "Hand-cut steaks and a menu full of satisfying standbys"
14. Murphy's Pub, 6971 Indian Head Hwy., Bryans Road, Maryland, tel: (301) 375-9230, "Food, drinks, music and a pool table"

Great Outdoors
4. Great Falls Park, 9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, Virginia, tel: (703) 285-2965, "'The Day the Earth Stood Still' was shot here"
6. Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton, Virginia, tel: (703) 339-2385, "If it flies and has feathers, it's seems to be here"

Roadside Attractions
5. National Firearms Museum, 11250 Waples Mill Rd. (SR-665), Fairfax, Virginia, tel: (703) 267-1600, "The Birth of our Nation from the end of a barrel"
6. Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Dr., Arlington, Virginia, tel: (703) 607-8000, "Visit the Tomb of the Unknowns"
7. Drug Enforcement Administration Museum, 700 Army Navy Dr., Arlington, Virginia, tel: (202) 307-3463, "Ever wonder what a crack house might look like?"
8. Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, 3200 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon, Virginia, tel: (703) 780-2000, "Washington's estate: it's a tourist destination and worth it"
9. Chicamuxen Wildlife Management Area, Stump Neck Rd. @ SR-224, Marbury, Maryland, tel: (301) 743-5161, "Bald Eagle & Great Blue Heron sanctuary"

SUGGESTED STOP: Jaleo in Bethesda, MD offer terrific Spanish tapas. You'll say, "Gracias."

DETAILED DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Total mileage: 66 miles

1. Start | US-50 & Ellipse Rd., N.W.
2. East | US-50 Constitution Ave., N.W. (0.2 miles)
3. Right | US-1 14th. St. N.W. (1.1 miles)
4. Merge | I-395 US-1 (0.5 miles)
5. Right | Exit 11A George Washington Pkwy. (14.5 miles)
6. Right | SR-235 Mt. Vernon Memorial Hwy. (3.1 miles)
7. Left | US-1 Richmond Hwy. (4.2 miles)
8. Right | SR-642 Lorton Rd.(2.4 miles)
9. Soft Right | SR-611 Furnace Rd. (1.0 miles)
10. Soft Right | SR-123 Ox Rd. Chain Bridge Rd. (12.2 miles)
11. Right | US-29 US-50 Arlington Blvd. (4.7 miles)
12. Soft Right | I-495 Innerloop (north)(7.6 miles)
13. Exit 43 | George Washington Pkwy. (9.3 miles)
14. Left | I-66 Curtis Memorial Pkwy. US-50(1.9 miles)
15. Finish | US-50 & Ellipse Rd., N.W.