📍 Alexandria, Virginia

This weekend’s adventure took us to Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, VA, where we explored the Cedar Trail–Deer Trail–Heron Trail Loop — a peaceful 1.8-mile trail through forest and wetlands.

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🏞️ The Hike

We started at the Visitors Center, which is super family-friendly — great exhibits for kids, plenty of nature info, and (importantly!) a clean bathroom before you hit the trail.

From there, we set off into the woods, where Bear immediately found his groove. The trail winds through shady forest and open marsh, and even though it’s a short loop, there’s a lot to see.

The pond area is a dream for birdwatchers — we saw several people with cameras and binoculars scanning the wetlands. It’s easy to see why: we spotted herons, ducks, and other waterfowl enjoying the calm waters.

Bear had an absolute blast — plenty of good smells, crunchy leaves, and soft dirt paths to explore. He trotted ahead proudly, nubby tail high, occasionally circling back to make sure we were keeping pace.

The observation tower was another highlight. From the top, you get panoramic views of the wetlands — peaceful, breezy, and full of bird activity. Sadly, dogs aren’t allowed on the boardwalk, which is a bit of a bummer since it’s such a stunning part of the park. Bear wasn’t thrilled about the “no paws allowed” rule but handled it like a pro while we took turns enjoying the view.

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🍕 Post-Hike Eats in Alexandria

After the hike, we drove about 4.8 miles into Alexandria to grab lunch at Atlas Brewery. The patio is dog-friendly, so Bear joined us outside — though the wind gave his ears (and the pizza which attempted to fly away) quite the workout!

We tried the Dunkel and the Stout, both rich, flavorful, and perfect after a walk in the woods. From the onsite Andy’s Pizza, we ordered a margherita pizza, which might honestly be one of the best in the area — crispy crust, fresh mozzarella, and that perfect touch of basil.

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🐶 Final Thoughts

Huntley Meadows Park is the perfect mix of easy hiking and natural beauty. Between the wetlands, family-friendly facilities, and post-hike eats nearby, it’s a great half-day outing for anyone with a pup.

Bear gives it 🐾🐾🐾 — three paws up!
(He’d give four if he were allowed on the boardwalk.)

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📊 Trail Stats & Tips

Category	Details
Trail Name	Cedar Trail–Deer Trail–Heron Trail Loop
Location	Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria, VA
Distance	1.8 miles
Difficulty	Easy
Trail Type	Loop
Dog-Friendly?	Yes — except dogs are not allowed on the boardwalk
Best For	Families, casual hikers, birders, and nature photographers
Facilities	Visitor Center (restrooms, exhibits, maps)
Highlights	Observation tower, wetlands views, herons and waterfowl sightings
Nearby Eats	Atlas Brewery & Andy’s Pizza (dog-friendly patio)

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💰 Trip Budget (Approx.)

Item	Cost
Park entry / parking	$2 Donation
Parking at Atlas	Free if you park Carlyle Crossing
Drinks (2 beers)	$18
Pizza at Andy’s	$25
Total	$45