My Dog Digs Del Ray

My husband and I, along with our two dogs and two cats live in a magical place called Del Ray – at least the dogs think it’s magical.  My husband and I think it’s a wonderful place to live and the cats are very happy with the urban wildlife they watch from their various indoor perches.

Del Ray is a front porch neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia – a couple miles from historic Old Town, a couple of miles from the Pentagon and about 6 miles from the U.S. Capitol.  Our inside the beltway oasis, “Where Main Street Still Exists”, features tree lined streets, pocket parks and is home to some of the area’s best restaurants, shops, and dog friendly stops. 

 Our neighborhood was once home to a race track (our 1920 Bungalow is built on one of the turns). Gambling, drinking and the various nefarious activities that come with gambling and drinking were once the order of the day for Del Ray.  The majority of Del Ray's inhabitants worked at the Potomac Yard rail yard -- the rail yard's carpenter built and lived in the house across from ours.  His granddaughter owned it and ultimately sold it in the mid-1990s. 
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2012/aug/23/hidden-history-st-asaph-racetrack/

A century later -- the President  frequently stops by for pizza, a burger, or frozen custard.  And our little neighborhood is often featured on HGTV’s House Hunters.   https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=del+ray+alexandria+va+house+hunters

With every season there is a celebration in Del Ray.  In the spring we have the House Tour, the summer brings A Taste of Del Ray and First Thursdays.  The first First Thursday of the summer season honors our canines -- Dog Days of Del Ray.  Local businesses lure dogs and owners with agility courses, first aid for dogs, treats, toys and demonstrations. Area rescue groups line the streets with adoptable dogs and cats -- for the rare family that has neither, or more than likely, needs another!
In the fall, it’s Art on the Avenue, a Halloween parade and the annual Turkey Trot 5 mile run.  Winter and the holidays bring a tree lighting and our main street lined with luminaries.  Our farmer’s market operates year round and serves as the Saturday morning gathering place.  

 

Lest you think these celebrations are small neighborhood gatherings, the First Thursday festivals are typically enjoyed by over 1,000 people, the Turkey Trot boasts 5,000 runners, the Halloween parade has upwards of 8,000 attendees, and I am told that Art on the Avenue draws as many as 30,000 people to our neighborhood.  They are also dog friendly, because everyone in Del Ray has a dog!

Art on the Avenue

Walk down Mt Vernon Avenue, or The Avenue, as well call it and your dog will pull you into the bank,  dry cleaner, hardware store, garden shop, pharmacy, boutique, bike shop, car dealer, coffee shop, or duh – the natural pet food or dog accessory store, because they all have TREATS!

The Greener Cleaner

Our Neighborhood Hardware Store and the Purple Goose, a children's clothing store

Boomer at United Bank, politely making a withdrawal

 

We typically begin our mornings at St Elmo’s Coffee Pub, where  dogs await their reward for, well, waiting while humans get their lattes.   Owners pay it forward by ensuring the free treat jar is always filled for not only the next day, but the next dog and owner that stop in.

St Elmo's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Del Ray is also home to the area’s first dog park.  A group of frequent users are working with the City of Alexandria  to raise money and make improvements to the park.  From lemonade and coffee sales to t-shirts and a mobile boutique called The Thread Truck (https://www.facebook.com/TheThreadTruck) – Del Ray dog lovers and business owners are working together to ensure the dog park is safe, healthy and fun!

T-Shirts to support the dog park are being sold at  Nature's Nibbles

If you’re hungry for Ethiopian, Thai, French, Mexican, pizza, sushi, barbeque, Italian, burgers, subs , a salad or just a glass of wine and some cheese --  you can find it in Del Ray.  And for the most part – your dog can join you on the patio.  

Del Ray Pizzeria

 

The Del Ray Café, a delicious French restaurant which unfortunately doesn’t have a patio to accommodate dogs, has more than made up for its architectural snafu by creating addictive dog treats.  Created by a classically trained French chef, the Del Ray Café’s dog treats are baked in house and contain chicken liver and bacon (I am told they are delicious).  The friendly staff will see a dog walking outside (sometimes before the restaurant opens) and happily bring them a treat, just another example of the magic of Del Ray.

Del Ray Cafe

To learn more about Del Ray, restaurants, events,  and all our neighborhood has to offer go to www.visitdelray.com.  Bring your dog and spend the day!

 

Dog Friendly Del Ray

Dogs are welcome and/or treats are provided

 

Del Ray Cafe

Nature's Nibbles

The Caboose Café

Cheesetique

Taqueria Poblano

Los Tios

Pork Barrel Barbeque

Holy Cow

St Elmo's Coffee Pub

Del Ray Pizzeria

The Greener Cleaner

The Neighborhood Pharmacy

Kiskadee

Meat on the Avenue

United Bank

Thai Peppers

The Front Porch

Evening Star

The Hardware Store

Bon Vivant Market and Cafe

The Dog Store

The Dog Store

The Del Ray Café

Kaizen Tavern

Velocity Bikes

Walgreen's

Nature's Nibbles

Rosemarino d'Italian

BB&T

Burke and Herbert Bank

Alexandria Hyundai

Greenstreet Gardens of Del Ray

Arlandria Floors

Greenstreet Gardens of Del Ray

Swet Ride

Stomping Ground

Emma's


The Del Ray Famer's Market

(Saturday's 8 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., treats are sold but dogs must be kept outside the market.  Most people safely tie their dogs up around the market's perimeter.  Nearby vendors and neighbors are happy to keep an eye on dogs.)

These market bags are available at the Neighborhood Pharmacy and great for a day of dog friendly shopping.
Dog Friendly Events in Del Ray (check www.visitdelray.com or Visit Del Ray on facebook, for dates and times)

First Thursdays (the first Thursday of every month, May - September 6-9 p.m.)

Art on the Avenue

The Halloween Parade

The Turkey Trot (separate start and registration for runners with dogs)

The Holiday Tree Lighting

Boomer, Kacey and Delta Burke