Photo by Craig

A decade after Northern Virginia launched a sad campaign to become a cooler place to visit than D.C., Alexandria continues to gain recognition on unscientific Internet lists. Just about seven miles south of the District, the city is experiencing a revival, at least according to Livability.com.

The site, a research and marketing company for small cities, has listed Alexandria as having the top downtown area in the country. Santa Monica, Calif. and Greenville, S.C. were runner-ups on the list of 10 small towns and mid-size cities.

While the Alexandria’s historic district, Old Town, has entertained residents for centuries, it was given the number one spot because of its growing popularity.

The PBS series Mercy Street, a Civil-War-era tale set in Alexandria, has created even more buzz (it also helps that Visit Alexandria is a sponsor of the show, so the organization plugs the town in messaging before and after each episode).

The site recommends visiting the Torpedo Factory Art Center, touring museums on Market Square, and touts the city’s friendly vibe. “Old Town offers the sophistication you’d expect in a much larger city while presenting cozy comforts, such as the water bowls for dogs, set out on the sidewalks by local shop owners.”

Still, it’s going to take a lot more than dog bowls for the historic town to touch D.C.’s tourist numbers.