2023 Forma Conference Travel, Accommodations, & Local Food!
2023 Forma Conference
Travel, Accommodations, & Local Food!
Travel
Forma has arranged airline discounts for those attending the onsite conference in Alexandria, Virginia. To receive a discount, contact the following airlines directly via phone or website and book a flight during the following dates. Promo codes apply to arrivals and departures to and from Washington, DC (DCA), Dulles (IAD), and Baltimore (BWI) for travel during the following dates. To receive promo codes, email [email protected].
- Alaskan Airlines: Jan 7-21, 2023
- Delta Airlines: Jan 14-22, 2023
- United Airlines: Jan 15-21, 2023
Accommodations
A block of rooms has been reserved at The Westin in Old Town Alexandria, where much of the conference will take place. The nightly rate is $160, which does not include breakfast.
The Westin is .5 miles from the King St-Old Town Metrorail Station and about a 20-minute drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Click here to reserve a room at The Westin with the Forma Annual Conference rate.
*Please note: there are no longer rooms available at the conference rate for Monday night. You can book a room from Tuesday-Thursday at the conference rate and separately book a Monday room at the regular rate.
The deadline to reserve at the special rate is December 27, 2022.
Parking
Parking at The Westin: The Westin has a parking area which costs $38 a day ($30/day for those staying at the hotel).
Nearby Parking: The nearest parking garage is a 1 min walk from the hotel and cost $10 a day. The address is 2050 Ballenger Ave, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Metrorail
Click here to view a map of area Metrorail lines.
Please note: Metrorail has suspended service on the Yellow Line. Read more here.
Disability Accessibility
Virginia Theological Seminary
Parking for those with a disability parking permit is available behind Addison Academic Center and in the lot to the side of Immanuel Chapel. Immanuel Chapel is a one-story building with ramps. Addison is a three-story building with ramps and an elevator.
The Westin in Old Town
More information available on The Westin's website.
Pre-Conference Carpool
We are not able to offer transportation from The Westin to Virginia Seminary for pre-conference workshops, however, information on carpooling will be set to pre-conference participant in early January.
It is about a ten minute drive from The Westin to Virginia Seminary. It costs about $10-$15 for Uber/Lyft.
Tuesday Afternoon Shuttle Bus
Shuttle bus service will run from The Westin to Virginia Seminary from 2:30-4:00PM.
The bus will offer return service from Virginia Seminary to The Westin from 7:30-9:00PM.
Local Food Recommendations from Josh Brown
Find reviews & photos from the Alexandria food scene from Lifelong Learning's Operations Manager, Josh Brown, on Instagram @mostlyjustf00d!
Breakfast & Coffee
- Table Talk - Feel like a local in this relaxed diner that sometimes gets busy during peak breakfast/brunch times. Recommend the garbage omelette. *Closest to The Westin
- Toastique - Healthy smoothies and toasts for breakfast/lunch. A little on the expensive side but done very well. *Kind of Close, Worth the Trip
- Fresh Baguette - Best baguette you’ll find around. They come warm right out of the oven usually and are as close to Paris you can get, methinks. Extremely thoughtfully done pastries and desserts but also authentic breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Not a lot of seating but would be great to pick up something to go and walk around. *Kind of Close, Worth the Trip
- Misha’s - Great coffee with relaxed vibe. *Kind of Close, Worth the Trip *Kind of Close, Worth the Trip
- The Majestic - Great brunch, good drinks. Recommend the “monkey bread." *Kind of Close, Worth the Trip
- Junction Bakery & Bistro - Fantastic breakfast, but great sandwiches for lunch as well. Best chocolate chip cookies in town - try them! *Del Ray
- Stomping Ground - Limited seating and very popular in the morning but the best southern style breakfast chicken biscuit you will have perhaps in your life; great coffee and other breakfast options. Be prepared to wait in line, particularly on the weekend. *Del Ray
- Swing’s Coffee - Best coffee in the area. Mustachioed hipster baristas serve locally roasted and expertly executed lattes/pour-overs. Would recommend bringing a bag of Mesco chocolatey medium roast back home with you.
Closest to The Westin
- Whiskey and Oyster - Comfy outdoor dining with heaters, great seafood, good happy hour, good cocktails. Recommend the warm lobster roll and fries.
- Bistro Sancerre - Beautiful interior decor, but plenty of outdoor seating with heaters as well. Nice steaks, good wine selection. Recommend adding 7 spice rosemary garlic butter to steaks.
- Sweet Fire Donna’s - pretty good barbecue in relaxed environment.
- Galae Thai - Tasty and authentic flavors. Fun interior decor. Usually not crowded. Must try the Kanom Jeep steamed dumpling appetizer.
- Lost Boy Cider - Dry, not sweet, yet complex hard cider made from local VA apples. Highly recommend the flagship cider “Comeback Kid.” Cool inside/outside industrial family/dog friendly vibe.
Kind of Close, Worth the Trip
A short Uber ride or long walk.
- Casa Rosada - Unbelievable artisanal Argentinian gelato. Recommend the “chocotorta” if they have it. Think dulce de leche based cookies & cream mixed with tiramisu!
- La Fromagerie Cheese and Wine Bistro - The title says it all! Super fresh veggies in innovative salads, best cheese boards in town, simple yet very well done rotating menu items, incredible wine selection with very knowledgeable and experience staff. Next door is their new wine shop if you want to dive deep.
- Smoking Kow BBQ and Rocklands Barbecue and Grilling Company - Both great local bbq joints, can’t go wrong with either. Rocklands has vastly more seating both indoor and outdoor.
- Port City Brewery - Best local beer in Alexandria, perhaps in larger area. Sometimes has food trucks and events in the evenings. Plenty of seating. Highly recommend, if available, the “tasting” option with tickets and tour. Since it’s January, I’d also say the Porter is rich and satisfying, but you can never go wrong with the award-winning “Optimal Wit.”
Del Ray
Unique neighborhood outside of Old Town, worth the trip, but a bit further out.
- Cheesetique - Amazing gourmet mac & cheese and grilled cheeses. Very good wine selection and cheese boards. If you like pimiento cheese, it’s a must try. Also, GET the chocolate mousse for dessert… trust me.
Old Town Alexandria
Could Uber to King Street metro and take free trolley down King if operating! Otherwise SO worth the trip… true heart of Alexandria. Too many places to mention without spending all day detailing it, but I’ll stick to some favorite highlights of mine that will provide varying and different experiences that cater to various preferences…be prepared to pay up but again, worth it!
- Ada’s on the River - Incredible seafood and great steaks. Really fantastic sides and veggies. Most items expertly prepared using an open flame, which gives a unique smoky quality to most menu items. Great desserts too - highly recommend the rainbow carrot and fries sides. A little on the pricey side but you pay for the view/location. Make a reservation early!
- BARCA Pier & Wine Bar - Best view, literally on the water overlooking the Potomac river (should have heaters). Nice tapas and sangria. Recommend trying a small amount of jamon iberico for an appetizer and the gambas al ajillo shrimp tapa… so good. Make a reservation early!
- Fish Market - Plenty of rooms so not usually a long wait - great seafood, obviously. If you like beer get the giant “schooner.”Get the full pound of spiced shrimp for an appetizer, especially if you don’t mind sharing and getting a little messy. Best ever.
- Oak Steakhouse - Best steaks in town, but pricey. Technically in Old Town NORTH, so a little “off the beaten path” - can’t go wrong with any steak on the menu here.
- Landini Brothers - Good Italian staples, great service. If they have the lobster linguini, absolutely order it.
- Gadsby’s Tavern - If you’re a history nerd this is your place. Eat like old Georgey Washington himself - lol!
- Virtue Feed & Grain - In an old historic building. Very cool decor. Varied clever American style food on the slightly upscale but relaxed side of things.
