National Harbor turned out to be exactly the kind of afternoon we were looking for. Here's what we enjoyed during our waterfront walk, from watching the boats to finding a quiet patio for lunch.

Dog-friendly patios in Old Town Alexandria can feel very different depending on the layout, crowd levels, and location. These are the patios that actually give you a little room to settle in with a dog — from open waterfront seating at BARCA to quieter tucked-away spots like La Pluma and Lost Dog Cafe.