Athletes, would-be athletes and nature lovers should head south from Old Town Alexandria.

Stretching along the Potomac River from the southern border of Old Town to Mount Vernon Estate is the Mt. Vernon bike path.  Eight miles of asphalt allow locals and visitors to walk, run or bike while enjoying river views and wildlife sightings.  Bald eagles, ospreys, blue heron, cormorants, egrets, ducks and geese are among waterfowl commonly spotted along this corridor, while deer, groundhogs and fox sightings are frequent.  Combine cardio and conservation by following a nature trail through Dyke Marsh.

 Along the bike path is a fitness course and several points of access for canoes or kayaks.

Businesses in the nearby Belle View shopping center allow you to rent a bike, tone up at Curves or take karate lessons.  Adjacent to Belle View is the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, which provides Fairfax County residents with an indoor pool and ice rink.  Farther south on Route 1 is a Gold's Gym.

Local communities such as River Towers, Porto Vecchio and Belle View also offer their residents tennis, swimming and basketball facilities as well as their own in-house gyms.