Located by the Potomac river and a short distance away from Washington DC, Alexandria is a historic town worth visiting in Virginia. Below you will find 9 things to see and do in Alexandria along with a map pinpointing all the locations mentioned in this post. Enjoy!

Stroll along King St

First things first, you should start your itinerary around Alexandria by wandering along the King Street mile. This is the main street in Old Town Alexandria and it is filled with antique shops, cafés, restaurants and art galleries set in historic buildings featuring beautifully preserved architecture. By foot, this walkable 1.1 mile along red-brick sidewalks should take you less than 30 minutes from the King St-Old Town metrorail station to the waterfront. The last stretch on King Street next to the waterfront, also known as ‘streatery’, is a pedestrian-only zone, which makes it ideal for walking around or dining al fresco.

Even though most of the things to see and do in Alexandria lie along King Street, make sure you also pay a visit to other major streets such as Duke St, Queen St and Princess St. Some of these streets are cobblestoned and as you can note, they were named after noble and royal figures. At night, the colonial architecture is particularly charming when lit by the old lampposts and their twinkling lights.

Hit the Torpedo Factory Art Center: a must thing to see and do in Alexandria

At the very end of King St and right next to the waterfront, you will find a place worth checking out if you’re into art: the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Converted into an art center in 1974, this location was the former U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, a factory producing naval munitions on the banks of the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria.

Come here to shop art from 100+ artists in the nation’s largest collection of working open studios under one roof, including 11 galleries, and observe art in action. Definitely a must thing to see and do in Alexandria!

Soak up the Waterfront and its parks

You will find Alexandria’s waterfront at the end of King St. This is a great spot to dine, walk around, take a ride along the Potomac river and imagine how life was in this major 18th century port city.

Feel the breeze off the Potomac River with a cruise aboard tall ship Providence -a full-scale reproduction of one of the most renowned ships in the Continental Navy and a living testament to Alexandria’s rich maritime, naval and Revolutionary history.

Another option to enjoy Alexandria’s waterfront is to go an excursion with City Cruises, connecting the Wharf to Georgetown in Washington DC, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor and George Washington’s estate in Mt Vernon.

When visiting Alexandria, don’t miss out on its waterfront parks:

• Oronoco Bay Park
• Founders Park
• Windmill Hill Park
• Rivergate City Park
• Jones Point Park: look for the lighthouse here!

Take the free vintage trolley running along King St: an easy way to get around Alexandria

One of the coolest activities you can do in Alexandria is hopping on the free vintage trolley that runs every 15 minutes between Alexandria City Hall/Market Square and King St – Old Town Metrorail station from 11 am to 11 pm, seven days a week, including holidays. The trolley stops every two to three blocks and you can check this map to consult the full route. It’s such a quick and easy way to navigate the heart of Old Town if you don’t feel like walking!

In addition to the trolley, you can also hop on the free DASH metrobuses running the same route (such as line 30/Old Town Circulator, line 31/Old Town Circulator, King St Trolley). Check the schedules for additional information.

Furthermore, you can easily reach Alexandria by other transportation means:

• By metro: you can stop at the King St-Old Town metrorail station.
• By train: hop off at the nearby Alexandria Amtrak train station (ALX).
• By water taxi: this is probably the most scenic way of reaching Alexandria, especially in the summer months. Tall ship Providence and City Cruises both offer this service.
• By bicycle: biking to Alexandria is a wonderful way to get to and around this charming town thanks to its numerous bike trails (the Mt Vernon trail being one of them). Bring your own or rent one with the Bikeshare program.
• By car: Alexandria features easy access to major interstate highways.
• By plane: the nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) services the city of Alexandria and the bustling capital region.

Explore Old Town Alexandria

Founded in 1749, the Old Town of Alexandria boasts beautifully preserved 18th and 19th-century colonial architecture, making it one of the most charming destinations in the USA. As a matter of fact, Alexandria was named for the family of John Alexander, a Virginia planter who in 1669 acquired the tract on which the town began.

After strolling down King St, you can start your visit from the Alexandria City Hall and Market Square. Make sure to stop by the following distinctive architectural gems along the way, including some buildings from the Civil War era:

• Spite House (523 Queen St): America’s skinniest historic home, painted in bright blue.
• Carlyle House (121 N Fairfax St): Alexandria’s only stone mansion from the 18th century in a Georgian Palladian style built for the city’s co-founder John Carlyle.
• Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N Royal St): this place used to be a favorite of US President George Washington.
• Freedom House Museum (1315 Duke St): once the headquarters of domestic slave-trading firms, this museum is dedicated to the lives and stories of the enslaved people who passed through it.
• Christ Church (118 N Washington St): completed in February 1773, President George Washington would worship in this episcopal church.
• The Athenaeum (201 Prince St): built in 1852 utilizing the Greek revival neo-classical style, it now houses an art gallery and is home of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association.
• Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105-107 S Fairfax St): founded as a pharmacy in 1792, the museum displays an almost intact collection of ingredients, products and records from the apothecary’s closing in 1933. Come here to feel like you’re in a Harry Potter potion’s class!

Explore all these historic sites in Alexandria either at your own pace or by booking a private tour with Old ALX Tours or Alexandria the Great Tours. In case you’re feeling adventurous, you can also purchase tickets for a ghost and graveyard tour!

For more information on what to see and do in Alexandria, feel free to browse the official Visit Alexandria website. You can also stop by the Alexandria Visitor Center on 221 King Street.

Visit the George Washington Masonic Monument

When arriving to Alexandria by metro or train, you will notice a colossal building on a hill. The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a monument dedicated to US President George Washington. Rising 333 feet above Old Town, this national historic landmark is the defining element of Alexandria’s skyline.

Erected in the 1920s by American Freemasons to honor their most esteemed member, the Memorial stands as a striking tribute to the first President of the United States. Once you enter through the imposing Memorial Hall, you can tour the various exhibits and lodge rooms as well as the museum, theater and Grand Masonic Hall. Don’t miss the 360-degree breathtaking view of Alexandria and beyond from the Observation Deck on the ninth floor!

The Masonic Memorial is surrounded by gardens. In front of the main building, you will find the emblems of freemasonry: the square, the compass and the letter ‘G’ representing geometry.

Plan your visit to the Memorial here to purchase your tickets in advance and to schedule group tours. Admission is $20 per person and free parking is available on premises.

Eat and buy local: one of the best activities to do in Alexandria

Personally, I love exploring the market and food scene to get a feel for a city.

On that note, the Old Town Farmers’ Market in Alexandria is a great opportunity to buy local. As one of the longest continually operating farmers’ market in the nation, come to Market Square every Saturday from 7am to 12pm all year-round to shop fresh produce from local farmers.

In addition to shopping from the countless boutiques and antique shops in Alexandria -some of my favorites are Red Barn Mercantile, Paper Source, Sur la table and K. Aubrey Flowers – you may want to bring a more original souvenir back home. If you’re into the arts scene, some locations worth browsing include the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Kyo Gallery, Principle Gallery and Galactic Panther Art Gallery.

When it comes to food, one of my favorite restaurants in Alexandria includes The Wharf, offering the best seafood dishes since 1971 in a historic setting one block from the Old Town waterfront (119 King St). For more pubs, bars and restaurants located in Old Town Alexandria, browse this page. Last but not least, take advantage of the Alexandria Restaurant Week to enjoy special prix fixe dinner menus during a 10-day period in both January and August

Enjoy the George Washington Birthday Parade and other festivities taking place in Alexandria

President’s Day is celebrated across the USA yearly every third Monday in February. This date honors all past Presidents of the United States. The commemoration arose because two of the most important Presidents in American history, George Washington (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12), were born during this month. Since George Washington was a distinguished figure playing a key role in shaping Alexandria’s history, the city celebrates him with parades, performances and dances, the most remarkable being the yearly George Washington’s birthday parade.

In addition to this celebration, make sure to write down these additional happenings in Alexandria:

• Historic Homes & Garden Tour (April): the spring season is perfect to tour gorgeous Old Town homes and gardens as part of the Annual Historic Garden Week of Virginia.
• Portside in Old Town (June): kick-off summer with a two-day festival of live music, local food and beer and hands-on arts and history activities.
• Alexandria Old Town Art Festival (September): this annual art festival features a variety of works by artists from all over the country.
• Historic Alexandria Homes Tour (September): enjoy an autumnal walking tour of beautiful homes, gardens and backyard entertaining spaces in Old Town.
• Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (December): celebrate the holiday Christmas season and Alexandria’s Scottish heritage with dozens of Scottish clans, joined by pipe and drum bands from around the region.
• Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights (December): the city’s historic waterfront shines as numerous brightly lit boats cruise the Potomac River.

Discover Alexandria’s lesser-known neighborhoods

Old Town Alexandria is obviously the most popular historic and charming neighborhood in town, but I encourage you to explore beyond it. Here are some ideas about other neighborhoods so you can experience the city of Alexandria like a local:

• Old Town North: roam Alexandria’s evolving arts and dining district.
• Del Ray: artsy, community-minded and relaxed area along Mount Vernon Avenue. Make sure to check out the colorful murals!
• Carlyle and Eisenhower: these innovative neighborhoods make up Alexandria’s entrepreneurial hub and are its economic engine. The National Science Foundation and the US Patent and Trademark Office are headquartered here,
• West End: this area is known for its spacious parks and robust dining scene with award-winning brews and barbecue. You can’t miss the nearby Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site.

Map with all my favorite things to see and do in Alexandria

In the map below you will find all the places worth seeing in Alexandria. Make sure to save it for your next visit to this historic and charming town in Virginia.

What to see and do beyond Alexandria

As you can read, there are certainly plenty of things to see and do in Alexandria. But it is also worth exploring beyond it. Here are some ideas on what to visit around Alexandria:

• Visit Washington DC, the Nation’s Capital, just a few minutes away from Alexandria.
• Mount Vernon: walk down history lane by exploring George and Martha Washington’s estate.
• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House: located just 10 miles south of Old Town, Wright designed this one-of-a-kind L-shaped home in 1940.
• Great Falls Park, an 800-acre national park in Virginia just 35 minutes from Old Town Alexandria.
• Shenandoah National Park: just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington DC, this is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows.

Read these posts for more inspiration about Virginia!

A fall getaway in Virginia

Arlington National Cemetery & Iwo Jima Memorial

Quick visit to Alexandria & Baltimore

Rediscovering DC & Alexandria

What to visit on a road trip to Virginia in 3 days

Should you want to read about other destinations in the country, you can refer to my USA destination page.

I trust you enjoyed this post about 9 things to see and do in Alexandria (Virginia). Feel free to leave me a comment or question!