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Independent city in Virginia, US
Photo: Zach Rudisin, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Alexandria is a city in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., in the United States.
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in the old Ramsay House.
Formerly a "separate but equal" library for African Americans is now a museum to foster tolerance and understanding among all cultures and to stimulate appreciation of the diversity of the African American experience.
Three houses east of the Lee-Fendall House on Oronoco Street is a state historical marker in front of the boyhood home of American Civil War General Robert E. Lee.
Dating from around 1830, this private dwelling is only 7 feet wide and about 33 feet deep. It was built in an alley to prevent people using the alley without permission. Because of its diminutive size, this house has been featured on HGTV, and other similar shows and publications. Please respect the fact that the home is a private residence. There are several other spite houses in Old Town, but they're more difficult to spot than this bright blue house.
A 1976 replica of a Revolutionary-era naval ship that was built for the Bicentennial and appeared in some of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Available for tours and cruises.
At 508 Cameron is the location of George Washington's town home and office. Washington's original town house burned down in the 1850s and was reconstructed from plans in the 1960s. Also on this block are the homes of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, a famous cavalry officer of the American Revolution and father of Robert E. Lee, and Lord Fairfax. Please respect the fact that all the homes are private residences.
A former post-World War I munitions depot that once housed the Nazi war archives after World War II, the Torpedo Factory has been turned into an artist studio/learning center for local artists.
Historic building, now an arts center.
Former home to a successful local merchant, the house served as the headquarters of British Maj. Gen. Braddock before his ill-fated 1755 campaign in western Pennsylvania. The house also served as the site where several colonial governors met to discuss financing of the French and Indian War, and later, the state of affairs with the British Crown, leading to subsequent meetings at Annapolis, and Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was drafted. Supposedly the only house in town that's not haunted because Carlyle had a cat entombed in a wall.
Renovations at this spot uncovered a previously unknown underground ice well. Until the invention of refrigeration, large blocks of ice were brought down the river and kept here for storage. Small blocks of ice were cut and presumably sold to citizens. There is no sign or other marker at the site - just a small staircase and guardrail that from the street, does not appear to go anywhere.
The first church in the city; George Washington, George Mason, and Robert E. Lee were members of this historic church. Although, some three to four hundred headstones disappeared during the Union occupation of the city, the churchyard has headstones dating from 1771. On 1 January 1942, President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, along with Winston Churchill, attended a service at Christ Church for a National Day of Prayer in the wake of Pearl Harbor.
A local museum which recreates the apothecary/pharmacy that stood at this location from the late 18th century through the early 20th.
Includes a large public square
An 1855 firehouse, now a museum.
Captains Row contains many of the oldest residences in the city, mostly consisting of Federal style houses built by wealthy merchants and sea captains. Complete with cobblestones and charming architectural details, this is probably one of the most picturesque colonial village blocks anywhere. The 200 block of Prince Street is Gentry Row where you will see house after house marked with Historic Alexandria Foundation plaques. Houses along this block were owned by such prominent figures as William Fairfax, one of Alexandria's founding trustees, and Dr. James Craik, surgeon-general during the American Revolution and George Washington's personal physician.
An 18th-century home, one of the earliest homes in the city
Franklin and Armfield Office
A museum with exhibits about the slave trading firm and the life of a slave
A memorial service for George Washington was moved from Christ Church to the Meeting House because of bad weather. In the courtyard to the west is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from American Revolution.
An 1851 rail tunnel that is open to pedestrians
A mid-19th cemetery for African Americans that was abandoned and later restored as a memorial.
A small national park containing a historic lighthouse, the southern boundary stone for the District of Columbia, displays about the site's history as a shipyard during World War I, and great views of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
Designed and built by Freemasons in the 1930s, this monument to George Washington was made to resemble the Lighthouse at Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Free tours are available daily except on major holidays. The tour takes visitors through a unique series of rooms each designed to illustrate some element of Freemasonry and presents visitors with artifacts from the group's past. At the end, visitors are treated to an outstanding view of Washington D.C. and Old Town Alexandria.
Predecessor to the better-known Arlington National Cemetery.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Museum
Inside the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office headquarters is a free museum that showcases the more than 600 inventors who have been inducted into NIHF.
Final resting place of several notable people, including Wernher von Braun.
Fort Ward is the best preserved of the system of Union forts and batteries built to protect Washington, DC during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Fort Ward Museum interprets the site's history and offers exhibits on Civil War topics, education and interpretive programs, tours, lecture and video series, bus tours, and living history activities throughout the year. The Museum and Historic Site also interpret Alexandria, Virginia as an occupied city, the city's role as a vital Union Army crossroads, life within the Defenses of Washington, and the everyday life of Civil War soldiers and civilians.
Historic Ghost Tour of Old Town Alexandria.
Known as a very dog-friendly community, Hotel Monaco continues the tradition of doggie happy hour. The event draws an interesting mix of locals and tourists who bring their dogs to socialize and have a few cocktails. The season culminates with the doggie hallowe'en contest in late October.
Local park offering fishing, miniature golf, batting cages, and the Great Waves water slides.
A favorite of local residents, Alexandria's Farmers' Market has been meeting continuously at the same site for more than 240 years—longer than any other market in the country.
Annual festival held in the first week of December at the Alexandria Marina featuring dozens of decorated boats cruising the Potomac River from Old Town Alexandria to DC's Southwest waterfront. Holiday music, Santa Claus and other holiday related festivities will also be present.
This Mom & Pop ice cream shop has been satisfying the sweet tooth of Alexandria residents and tourists for the past 25 years. They have about 40 flavors of homemade ice cream including all the classics, and a few others like Jack Daniels, pistachio, and cheesecake. This is the best ice cream shop in the DC area, and a must for after dinner dessert.
A 200+ year-old dining spot, and a favorite of the first five U.S. Presidents! Thomas Jefferson celebrated his 1800 election victory and George Washington celebrated several birthdays in the upstairs ballroom. The museum, +1 703 838-4242, is in the old 1785 portion of the tavern and has access to the historic ballroom. Tour times vary but usually end at 4 PM or 5 PM depending on the day. The restaurant occupies the bottom floor of the relatively new 1792 section and provides an impressively historic setting with food styles influenced by the original tavern. The food is just okay, but is not really why you come here.
Cheap food (mainly chili), Western ambiance. Four different types of chili are offered, but those who prefer Cincinnati chili may be disappointed.
Asian fusion establishment, featuring sushi and lunch specials.
American food done really, really well. Everything except the butter is made here, including the outstanding bacon and ham. Casual family atmosphere. The prices are comparable to other places in the area, but the quality is heads and shoulders above.
Indian restaurant with an extensive menu and a lunch buffet. Menu includes Indo-Chinese and Nepali dishes as well as contemporary Indian standards, with lots of options for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Run by a master chef, Vermillion is often mentioned in the same breath as Eve when describing Alexandria's most prestigious cooking. It's far less expensive, though, so it's possible for the masses to treat themselves to Anthony Chittum's seasonal, local cuisine, nearly all of it prepared in-house.
Restaurant and sidewalk cafe across from Waterfront Park.
The seafood here really isn't so noteworthy as that of its competitors above, but the beautiful, old-timey Alexandria waterfront ambiance most certainly is. And it has rich desserts to die for (or from).
Country-style French cuisine with all organic, local ingredients, served in a romantic atmosphere are good reasons to wander a little north of Old Town. The cassoulet and the pastries are some of the kitchen's particular specialties.
The quality of food here is excellent, you can prepare it yourself at the table on the provided grills or you can ask the cooks to prepare it for you (good for a first try and they don't mind!) and you will be amazed at how much you enjoy it. Standard recommendations are "Kal bi" - thick slices of meat in a tangy-sweet sauce (not like American BBQ, but a similar idea), or "Bul go ki" - thinner slices almost like the way a Philly cheese steak is prepared - but with a sweeter seasoning. Their salmon is excellent and the "Bim bim bop" or Korean fried rice is delicious. (For a treat ask for "Dol Sot bim bim bop" - which is the same dish in a hot stone pot but unmixed, you get to mix it together with as much (or as little) spicy seasoning paste as you want and it's much fun.
Try their sesame eggplant. They have a ginger soy sauce for their steamed meat dumplings which you'll want to drink straight. Their house mustard and duck sauce are worth the trip. Their chicken and corn soup is unique and amazing. Some favorite meals: Kung pao anything, sesame chicken (sweet and delicious), crispy prawns and walnuts (you can get the walnuts as an appetizer if you like), Schezuan string beans and their "Banana Delight" for dessert. After appetizers they bring out a small serving of lemon sorbet "to cleanse the palate" and let you come fresh to the main courses. After dinner they bring out steamed wash cloths to clean up with. The place serves large generous servings at very reasonable prices. You can get out for surprisingly cheap, especially during lunch hours.
Italian. They have a very respectable atmosphere of a high class establishment - but they accept casual dress and are completely welcoming of all - in fact they have a children's play room with Disney videos and toys for families, Sunday mornings they have a brunch with some delicious selections (try their bruschetta) and Karaoke Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights on the bar/patio side.
This local favorite features cuisine from the low country region of the American South, with generous portions at reasonable prices.
Good for some cheap Mexican food.
Despite billing itself as a restaurant, this is a much better place for drinks (the food is overpriced). For drinks however, you'll find an enormous list of craft beers, and a very beer-knowledgeable staff.
One of the happiest Irish pubs around, with 14 amazing beers on tap, a big fireplace, surprisingly good Irish food for the very low prices, and high-quality live Irish music every night of the week, which the crowd gets very into. Murphy's boasts an impressively tasty menu, including gourmet lunch and dinner specials. Enjoy their Champagne Brunch from 10AM-3PM every Sunday.
The Union St Pub is an Old Town institution, in no small part due to its location and for the roomy (several rooms), comfy interior where you'll be able to sit even on a crowded Old Town weekend night, and where you'll find a good selection of local Virginia craft beers. The building itself is historic, dating back to when George Washington used it as a warehouse. Seafood fans should head to the left and the back towards the oyster bar.
The best reason to come may be the long hours when you can sip and surf the free WiFi. The close second runner up, though, are the treats—the brioche breakfast sandwich (think an omelet between rich brioche bread) is the local favorite, but the panini and desserts are also worth ordering. Tired travelers who need to spend some good time online updating Wikivoyage should brave the long walk and just check in here for the full day.
A locally famous musical hall which has had a spectrum of artists from country acts such as Charles Daniels to classic rockers like George Thorogood.
Shooter McGee's has been a neighborhood restaurant and tavern for almost 30 years.
Hiltons are always nice, if big and impersonal, and this one has a fine location just west of Old Town, and next to the Metro stop for a very easy commute into the city.
Formerly named Lorien Hotel & Spa
Hotel and spa in Old Town Alexandria. Has pet-friendly options.
It's hard to compete with this B&B. Staying right off King St in the heart of Old Town, in a beautiful, stately, chandelier filled mansion in the colonial style. Has tuxedo-clad butlers, a classy piano bar, and a restaurant competitive with the best in the area.
A hotel within walking distance of the Braddock street Metro station. While it's not in Old Town, the hotel is a short walk from historic sights and several high-quality restaurants. The entire property is non-smoking. The hotel has an on-site restaurant and an on-site fitness center with a lap pool. The hotel sometimes offers discounted rates for suites.
The largest shopping area within Alexandria city limits is the newer Potomac Yard Center, an open-air power center that includes many big-box stores on US Route 1 just south of Reagan National Airport. Among the major chains with stores here are Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Old Navy, Staples, Target, and the Sports Authority. Potomac Yard also has a large Regal Cinemas multiplex.
Large shopping center includes restaurants, clothing stores, wine/beer store, a grocery store, and other various shops.
By train
By Metrorail
Metro stations in Alexandria served by the Blue and/or Yellow lines include: Braddock Road, King Street-Old Town, Eisenhower Avenue, Van Dorn Street, Huntington.
By car
By foot
Stroll down King Street and visit the side streets of Old Town.
By trolley
King Street Trolley operates a free transportation service from the King Street metro station to the waterfront.
By bus
DASH, the city's fare-free bus system, operates throughout the entire city.
By car
Getting around Alexandria beyond Old Town and the Duke Street business district is a little more difficult, and will require bus transit or a car.
By water taxi
A water taxi runs from the waterfront at the end of King Street to Georgetown and The Wharf in Washington D.C. and to National Harbor in Maryland.
By bicycle
For information on bike-sharing programs in the Washington DC area, see Washington DC#Get_around.
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