Armory Tot Lot

Small but well-thought-out, this little fenced lot in Alexandria is honestly one of the better spots in the area for the under-four crowd. The sandbox keeps toddlers busy for way longer than you’d expect, and the shared toy cars and tricycles that regulars leave out are a nice touch you don’t see everywhere. Shade trees do real work here on hot afternoons, and the benches mean you’re not standing the whole time. Street parking is easy enough, and the neighborhood stays pretty quiet — no chaos, no crowds.