Alexandria

The free trolley on King St, Old Town

Alexandria is a city in Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., in the United States of America.

Understand

First surveyed in 1749, Alexandria claims some of the richest history in the D.C. metropolitan area. At various points in her past, Alexandria has been part of the District of Columbia, a regional slave trading market, an occupied city, a washed-up post-industrial hamlet, and a hometown to famous American heroes and rebels. Today, the town serves as an interesting day-trip alternative for weary tourists looking to escape the capital, a treasure trove of early American architecture, a romantic getaway for metro-area residents, and a bedroom community for the white-collar workers that fuel the Federal labor mills to the north. Old Town's cobblestone streets have nearly 4,000 buildings dating as far back as the 1600s, and is filled with shops and good restaurants.

Neighborhoods of interest include:

• Old Town was laid out in 1749, making it the oldest section of the city, and is a historic district. Old Town is chiefly known for its historic town houses, art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, and its unique cobblestone streets and red brick sidewalks.
• Del Ray is to the northwest of Old Town, much of which was once in the separate town of Potomac. It has a vibrant commercial corridor.

Get in

By plane

Alexandria is accessible from the three Washington, D.C., area airports.

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA ^IATA) is located just north of Alexandria in Arlington. From Reagan National, downtown Alexandria (King Street Station) is only two Metro stops away: take the Yellow metro line in the direction of Huntington or the Blue line towards Franconia/Springfield.
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD ^IATA) is 30 miles northwest of Alexandria.
• Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI ^IATA) is 40 miles northeast of Alexandria.

For information on traveling to Alexandria from DC area airports, see the "Get in" section of Washington DC.

By train

See also: Rail travel in the United States

2021 Alexandria Union Station from northbound platform

• 1 Alexandria Union station, 110 Callahan Dr (Adjacent to King Street Station, served by the yellow and blue metro lines.). A hub for commuters. (updated Mar 2021) Train operators:
  • Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. (updated Mar 2018) All Amtrak trains in the area stop at nearby Washington Union Station and a few lines also stop here, very close to the King Street stop on the Blue/Yellow Metro lines. Routes stopping at Washington Union Station:
    • Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
    • Carolinian between Charlotte and New York City via Raleigh, Richmond, and Washington, D.C.
    • Crescent between New Orleans and New York City via Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
    • Northeast Regional is Amtrak's busiest regional service, connecting Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and the many towns and cities in-between. Toward the east end of the route, some trips terminate at Springfield instead of Boston. Some services also continue south into Virginia towards Newport News, Roanoke and Norfolk on three separate branch routes from Alexandria. This is also Amtrak's most frequent service, with multiple daily departures, and the longest trip takes 12.5 hours. The overnight Northeast Regional service from Boston includes sleeping cars; the train departs Boston in the evening and arrives early morning in Washington, D.C.
    • Palmetto between Savannah and New York City.
    • Silver Meteor and Silver Star between Miami and New York City via Savannah.
  • Virginia Railway Express (VRE) provides weekday, daytime rail service to Alexandria station from Fredericksburg, Manassas and Washington, D.C.

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.

Braddock Road Station 2

For more information on riding the metro, see Washington DC#Get_around.

By car

Major roads of note:

• Interstate 95/Interstate 495 (the "Capital Beltway"), a major freeway that serves the southern part of Alexandria and circles the Greater Washington D.C. area. The Capital Beltway section just east of Alexandria, known as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, is the last major crossing point of the Potomac River in the southern part of the metro area. For those traveling from the Virginia side to Old Town Alexandria, failure to make the last exit before entering the bridge will result in a long, difficult journey across the bridge and appropriate turn-abouts are spread thin on the Maryland side. If traffic is backed up at the Wilson Bridge or the Beltway/Hwy 1 interchange and you still want to get to Old Town, simply exit north at Telegraph Road and proceed up to the Duke Street exit going east. Take Duke Street a mile or so until you get to around Patrick/Henry and then meander your way north a couple of blocks to King Street. No reasonable alternatives exist for those traveling west out of Maryland.
• Interstate 395 runs north-south along the western section of Alexandria.
• U.S. Highway 1: depending on where you are, this is either the Richmond Highway or Patrick/Henry - a major north-south artery into Washington D.C.
• George Washington Memorial Parkway, known as Washington Street in Alexandria, it runs north-south along the Virginia side of the Potomac River and is an easy and pleasant drive to Mount Vernon.
• King Street (State Route 7) - runs east-west from Old Town Alexandria out towards Falls Church, Virginia.
• Duke Street (State Route 236) - runs east-west into Old Town Alexandria.

Get around

Map of Old Town, Alexandria

The historic center of Alexandria is known as "Old Town", which is where the most notable restaurant, shopping, architectural, and tourist destinations are located.

By foot

Stroll down King Street and visit the side streets of Old Town. The main Old Town section begins about a half-mile east of the King Street-Old Towne Metrorail Station and provides a combination of restaurants, art and antique shops, souvenir traps, and public buildings. With its French-style open-air cafes, gas lamp-styled lights, red brick sidewalks, and historical, old-style architecture, King Street provides one of the most romantic settings in the DC metro area. More than just a tourist destination or open-air museum, Old Town is a vibrant community of residents who take great pride in their city. The streets north and south of King Street near the river boast nearly 4000 18th- and 19th-century buildings still used as private residences. Unlike many of the planned communities promoted by new urbanism, the streets of Old Town simply ooze a sense of character and authenticity that is not normally seen outside the best cities in Europe.

By trolley

King Street Trolley operates a free transportation service from the King Street metro station to the waterfront. These black and red rubber tire trolleys are free and will stop at any one of the signs for the trolley stops along King street.

By bus

DASH also operates many buses that will take you from the King Street Metro station to the historic center.

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.

Two-hour parking is often available a few blocks away from King Street (though it can be harder to find on weekend evenings), but read the parking signs carefully. Some parking is free, some is metered, and some is for locals only. Tires are frequently marked (chalked) by parking enforcement staff; if you exceed 2 hours you will get a ticket. If you plan on leaving your car for more than a couple hours it would be wise to pay to park in one of the many parking garages in the city.

By water taxi

A water taxi runs from the waterfront at the end of King Street to both Georgetown 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.

Big Wheel Bikes, located near the waterfront just south of King Street, offers bike rental services.

Bicycle trails

The Mount Vernon Trail runs through Alexandria (although the Old Town section is streets), goes all of the way to Mount Vernon, and connects with the greater D.C. area.

See

• Alexandria Visitor's Center, 221 King St. in the old Ramsay House. (updated Aug 2023)

Old Town

Historic Buildings Survey Many of the houses throughout Old Town display oval shaped plaques granted by the Historic Alexandria Foundation. Starting in 1977, the determining basis became a street by street listing in Historic Alexandria written by Ethelyn Cox. The plaques indicate that the building is at least one hundred years old, as documented by a combination of records (title search, tax records, wills, etc.), and the principal facades of the building visible from the street or any public right of way maintain integrity of form, materials, and architectural features consistent with the dominant period of the building.

• 1 Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St (a mile north of Old Town, metro: Braddock), ☏ +1 703 838-4356. Th-F 11AM-4PM, Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. 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. $3. (updated Aug 2023)
• 2 Lee-Fendall House, 614 Oronoco Street (A few blocks north of King St), ☏ +1 703 548-1789. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su 1PM-4PM. 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. Please respect the fact that the home is a private residence.  

Old Town Alexandria (3422699208)

• 3 The Spite House, 523 Queen St (2 blocks north of King St). 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. 
• 4 Tall Ship Providence. 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. (updated Sep 2019)
• Cameron Street (the section just east of Washington St near Christ Church). 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. 
• 5 Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union St, ☏ +1 703 838-4565. 10AM-5PM daily; and 6PM-9PM every second Tu. 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. Free.  
• 6 Athenaeum. Historic building, now an arts center. (updated Jul 2019)
• 7 Carlyle House, 121 North Fairfax St, ☏ +1 703 549-2997. 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.  
• 8 Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N Royal St, ☏ +1 703 746-4242. Su-Tu 1-5PM, Th-F 11AM-4PM, Sa 11AM-5PM. $5/adult, $3/child. (updated Aug 2023)
• 9 Ice Well (Located on the southwest corner of Cameron and Royal Sts). 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. 
• 10 Christ Church Alexandria, 118 North Washington St, ☏ +1 703 549-1450. 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.  
• 11 Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, 105 S. Fairfax St, ☏ +1 703 838-3852. A local museum which recreates the apothecary/pharmacy that stood at this location from the late 18th century through the early 20th.  
• 12 Alexandria City Hall. Includes a large public square (updated Jul 2019)
• 13 Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 S Alfred St. one Saturday per month 11AM-5PM. An 1855 firehouse, now a museum. $2. (updated Aug 2023)
• 14 Captains Row and Gentry Row (on the 100 and 200 blocks of Prince St, 1 block south of King St). 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. 
• 15 Murray–Dick–Fawcett House, 517 Prince Street. An 18th-century home, one of the earliest homes in the city (updated Jul 2019)
• 16 Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. (updated Jul 2019)
• 17 Freedom House Museum (Franklin and Armfield Office). A museum with exhibits about the slave trading firm and the life of a slave (updated Jul 2019)
• 18 Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 S Fairfax St (just south of Duke St), ☏ +1 703 549-6670. 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.  
• 19 Wilkes Street Tunnel. An 1851 rail tunnel that is open to pedestrians (updated Jul 2019)
• 20 Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, 1001 S Washington St (at Church St). A mid-19th cemetery for African Americans that was abandoned and later restored as a memorial. (updated Dec 2020)
• 21 Jones Point Park. 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 (updated Jul 2019)

Outside of Old Town

George Washington Masonic Memorial

• 22 George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr, ☏ +1 703 683-2007. Apr-Sep 9AM-4PM, Oct-Mar 10AM-4PM; guided tours: 9:30AM,11:30AM,1:30PM,3:30PM. 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. $20/adult, children free. (updated Aug 2023)
• 23 Alexandria National Cemetery, 1450 Wilkes St, ☏ +1 703-221-2183. Daily, sunrise-sunset. Office: M-F 7:30AM-4PM. Predecessor to the better-known Arlington National Cemetery. (updated Dec 2020)
• 24 National Inventors Hall of Fame and Museum (U.S. Patent and Trademark Museum), 600 Dulany St, ☏ +1 571 272-0095, museum@invent.org. M-F 10AM-4PM, first Saturday of the month 11AM-3PM. 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. free. (updated Aug 2023)
• 25 Ivy Hill Cemetery. Final resting place of several notable people, including Wernher von Braun. (updated Jul 2019)
• 26 Fort Ward, 4301 West Braddock Road, ☏ +1 703 838-4848. 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.  

Do

Inside the Torpedo Factory

• 1 Great Waves Waterpark. 
• Alexandria Colonial Tours, ☏ +1 703 519-1749. Historic Ghost Tour of Old Town Alexandria. 
• Doggie Happy Hour (Hotel Monaco). Apr-Oct: Tu Th 5PM-8PM. 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. 
• 2 Cameron Run Regional Park, 4001 Eisenhower Avenue, ☏ +1 703 960-0767. Local park offering fishing, miniature golf, batting cages, and the Great Waves water slides.  
• Farmers Market, Market Square, 301 King St. Sa 07:00-12:00, year round. 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 Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, Alexandria Marina, Behind the Torpedo Factory. 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. Free. (updated Nov 2015)

Buy

A large concentration of small business, walkable shopping is on King Street in Old Town. There are a little shops up and down Washington Street.

Farmers' markets

• The Farmers' Market at the Market Square, 301 King St. Held each Saturday morning from 5:30AM to 10:30AM, year round. 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.

Shopping centers

• Potomac Yard Center, 3671 Jefferson Davis Hwy. 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. 
• Landmark Plaza, Beauregard Street & Little River Turnpike, ☏ +1 703 278-8801. Large shopping center includes restaurants, clothing stores, wine/beer store, a grocery store, and other various shops. 
• Alexandria Commons Shopping Center. 
• Brad-Lee Shopping Center. 
• Foxchase Shopping Center. 

Eat

Old Town

As a rule of thumb, restaurant prices in Old Town get more expensive as you approach the waterfront. A typical meal for one might run $10-15 near the King Street Metro and $20-30 near the Potomac.

King Street restaurants

• The Creamery, 110 King Street, ☏ +1 703-549-4527. 11AM-11PM. 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. 
• Diya Indian Cuisine - 218 N Lee St 2nd Floor. A wonderful, little Indian restaurant located a couple of blocks north of King street.
• 1 Gadsby's Tavern, 138 N Royal St, ☏ +1 703 548-1288. M-Sa 11:30AM-3PM, 5:30PM-10PM; Su 11AM-3PM, 5:30PM-10PM. 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. $26-50 (dinner). (updated Jun 2024)
• Hard Times Cafe, 112 S West St, ☏ +1 703 451-7555. Cheap food (mainly chili), Western ambiance. Four different types of chili are offered, but those who prefer Cincinnati chili may be disappointed. 
• Kisso Asian Bistro, 300 King St, ☏ +1 703 888-1513. Asian fusion establishment, featuring sushi and lunch specials. $9-24. (updated Mar 2024)
• The Majestic, 911 King St, ☏ +1 703 837-9117. Lunch: M-Sa 5:30PM-2:30PM; dinner: M-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F Sa 5:30PM-10:30PM; Su 1PM-9PM. 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. $25-45. 
• Namaste Jalsa, 1504 King St, ☏ +1 571 970 0615. Lunch: 11:30AM-3PM; dinner: Su-Th 5PM-10PM, F Sa 5PM-10:30 PM. 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. (updated Aug 2020)
• Vermilion, 1120 King St, ☏ +1 703 684-9669. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM-3PM; brunch: Sa Su 11AM-2:30PM; dinner: Su-Th 5:30PM-10PM, F Sa 5:30PM-11PM. 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. $25-45. 
• Virtue Feed & Grain, 106 S. Union St, ☏ +1 571-970-3669. Restaurant and sidewalk cafe across from Waterfront Park. (updated Apr 2019)
• The Wharf, 119 King St, ☏ +1 703 836-2834. Lunch: M-Sa 11AM-4PM, Su-11AM-3PM; dinner: M-Th 4PM-10:30PM, F Sa 4PM-11PM, Su 3PM-10PM. 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). $17-40. 

Outside of Old Town

• Bastille, 606 N. Fayette Street, ☏ +1 703 519-3776. Lunch: Tu-F 11:30AM-2PM, Sa noon-2:30PM; brunch: Su 11:30AM-2:30PM; dinner: Tu-Th 6PM-9:30PM, F Sa 6PM-10PM, Su 5PM-8PM. 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. Tasting menu: $55/five course, $45/four course, $35/three course; a la carte also available. 
• Hee Been Korean BBQ, 6231 Little River Turnpike, ☏ +1 703 941-3737. 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. 
• House of Dynasty, 7550 Telegraph Rd, ☏ +1 703 922-5210. 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. 
• Paradiso, 6124 Franconia Rd (On the edge of Alexandria towards Springfield), ☏ +1 703 922-6222. 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. (updated May 2015)
• Southside 815, 815 South Washington St, ☏ +1 703 838-6222. This local favorite features cuisine from the low country region of the American South, with generous portions at reasonable prices. 
• Tippy's Taco, Multiple Locations. Good for some cheap Mexican food. 

Drink

Straight-up bars or nightclubs are not in the area because Virginia requires liquor be served with food. Therefore, restaurant-and-bar combination places are the norm.

Old Town

Pubs and bars

• Daniel O'Connell's Restaurant and Pub, 112 King Street, ☏ +1 703 739-1124. 
• Murphy's Grand Irish Pub, 713 King St, ☏ +1 703 548-1717. Su-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2AM. 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. 
• Union Street Public House, 121 S Union Dr, ☏ +1 703 548-1785. M-Th 11:30AM-10:30PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11:30PM, Su 11AM-10:30PM. 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. 

Coffeehouses

• Buzz Bakery & Coffee, 901 Slaters Ln, ☏ +1 703 600-2899. 6AM-midnight daily. 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. 
• Misha's Coffeehouse and Coffee Roaster, 917 King Street, ☏ +1 703 548-4089. 
• Old Town Coffee Tea and Spice, 215 South Union Street, ☏ +1 703 683-0856. 

Outside Old Town

• Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, ☏ +1 703 549-7500. 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. 
• Rustico, 827 Slaters Ln, ☏ +1 703 224-5051. M 4PM-10PM, Tu-Th Su 11:30AM-10PM, F Sa 11:30AM-11PM. 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. 
• Shooter McGee's, 5239 Duke St, ☏ +1 703 751-9266. Shooter McGee's has been a neighborhood restaurant and tavern for almost 30 years. 

Sleep

• Hilton Alexandria, 1767 King St, ☏ +1 703 837-0440. 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. $170-420. 
• 1 The Alexandrian, 480 King St. (updated Aug 2017)
• Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria (Formerly named Lorien Hotel & Spa), 1600 King Street, ☏ +1 703 894-3434. Hotel and spa in Old Town Alexandria. Has pet-friendly options. (updated Aug 2024)
• Morrison House, 116 S Alfred St, ☏ +1 703 838-8000. 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. $150-420. 
• Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria, 801 North Saint Asaph Street, ☏ +1 703 836-4700. 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. 

In addition to the above, there is a large cluster of reasonably priced motels/hotels on Hwy 1 just outside city limits in the South Alexandria section of Fairfax County, within walking distance of the Huntington Metro. Prices in the area will likely run about half what more posh accommodations on King Street in Old Town would.

Stay safe

Alexandria, particularly Old Town, is a safe city with considerably less crime than its neighbor, Washington, DC. While you are unlikely to be the victim of a crime here, you should take normal precautions that you would in any urban area.

Cope

Alexandria has information for LGBT travelers.

Go next

• Arlington - Location of the Pentagon, Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue), and Arlington Cemetery.
• South Alexandria
• Mount Vernon - George Washington lived here in the mansion by the same name which overlooks the Potomac River.
• Washington, D.C. - Explore America's national capital.

Routes through Alexandria (by train)

Lynchburg/Newport News ← Manassas/Woodbridge ←	SW  NE	→ Washington, D.C. → Baltimore
Charleston ← Manassas ←	W  E	→ Washington, D.C. → Baltimore
Baltimore ← Washington, D.C. ←	N  S	→ Manassas → Lynchburg
Baltimore ← Washington, D.C. ←	N  S	→ Richmond → Fayetteville
Baltimore ← Washington, D.C. ←	N  S	→ Richmond → Raleigh

Routes through Alexandria (by car)

Greenbelt ← National Harbor ←	N  S	→ Springfield → Richmond
Washington, D.C. ← Arlington ←	N  S	→ Springfield → END
Annandale ← Springfield ←	W  E	→ National Harbor → Greenbelt
Washington, D.C. ← Arlington ←	N  S	→ Mount Vernon → Richmond
Winchester ← Falls Church ←	W  E	→ END

Routes through Alexandria (by subway)

East End ← Arlington ←	N  S	→ Springfield → END
East End ← Arlington ←	N  S	→ Huntington → END

Routes through Alexandria (by commuter rail)

Fredericksburg ← Springfield ←	SW  NE	→ Arlington → Washington, D.C.
Bristow ← Springfield ←	W  E	→ Arlington → Washington, D.C.