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Charming and historic Alexandria is a balance of cobblestone and contemporary, with restaurants, shops and history around every corner.
Here is where we tell you all about the places and people that make Alexandria historic, charming and contemporary.
Company is Coming to Alexandria ...Alexandria Welcomes Visitors with Waterfront Enhancements and More ... whether arriving by water, Metro, or car, Alexandria's Old Town extends a warm welcome with new additions to the visitor experience. Large kiosks outlining major sights in Old Town greet visitors at the waterfront, which is also getting a visual uplift with flowers, new benches, museum displays on wheels, and more. "Alexandria Alive" features historic re-enactors at featured times throughout the season. Museum "discovery" carts present Alexandria's story up close and hands-on.
King Street Trolley Offers Free Ride along Alexandria's Historic Main Street ... Experiencing the shops and restaurants along King Street is easier than ever with the new, free King Street Trolley. Operating daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the trolley makes frequent stops along King Street from the Potomac River to the King Street Metro. The Alexandria Visitor Center at Ramsay House will extend hours to 8 p.m. nightly to assist visitors enjoying the evening in Old Town.
Water Taxi Links National Harbor to Alexandria ... The Potomac Riverboat Company (PRC) offers a convenient, new water taxi service every half hour, connecting Alexandria's historic waterfront and National Harbor across the Potomac River, for an affordable $7 each way. PRC already operates water taxi service from Alexandria to/from Georgetown and to/from George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens.
New Hotels and Restaurants Raise the Bar in Alexandria Hospitality ... With over $180 million being invested in new hotel properties and upgrades of existing properties including the new Four-Star Westin Hotel, which opened in the fall of 2007, the new Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria and Kimpton's sleek and stylish Hotel Monaco Alexandria, Alexandria's hospitality and meetings industry has positioned itself to accommodate larger meetings offering sophisticated technologies and luxury amenities.
Kimpton's Trendy and Colorful Hotel Monaco Alexandria Presents History with a Flair ...From the moment a guest is greeted by the friendly doorman in his deep purple suit and escorted into trendy lobby of Alexandria's newest hotel, he or she knows that this Old Town experience will be uniquely Kimpton. From its deluxe guest rooms to its two-level loft suites and two-bedroom presidential suite, the Hotel Monaco Alexandria offers sophistication in the heart of Old Town. Located on the site of the Marshall House where the first casualties of the Civil War took place, the Hotel Monaco brings its historic location into a contemporary setting.
The Westin Alexandria Defines Executive Comfort ... The Westin Alexandria blends sophistication and elegance with the historic surroundings of Alexandria, VA. Located in the exclusive Carlyle section of Old Town Alexandria close to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the hotel pays tribute to the many inventors whose contributions are enjoyed by millions each day.
Chef-Friendly Alexandria Becomes Epicurean Epicenter ... Already a hot spot for those who are looking for the latest in epicurean trends, Alexandria continues to welcome new culinary talent to its chef-friendly town. Chef Jeff Armstrong, formerly with Kimpton in California, now creates menus with a Southern flair at Hotel Monaco Alexandria's Jackson 20 restaurant. The Westin Alexandria's Chef Nadine Thomas recently from the Westin Copley Place in Boston is now at the Jamieson Grille. Restaurant partners Chef Jamie Leeds and Sandy Lewis brought Hank's Oyster Bar to Alexandria. Bookbinders is now open and serving steak and seafood for dinner, and Le Pan Quotidien, the environmentally friendly Belgian restaurant is packed for lunch. Chef Cathal Armstrong, of Restaurant Eve, Eamonn's, and the Majestic, and Chef Tony Chittum of Vermilion continue to grow their devoted culinary fans.
Carlyle Club Offers the Romance of Big Band-era Supper Club ... Get out that little black dress and best dark suit, the romantic style of the 40's is back at Alexandria's art deco club with dinner and big band entertainment. The club is located in Alexandria's new Carlyle area adjacent Old Town and features movie props from "The Aviator" to help set the mood. An upper-level, private dining room with a one-way window overlooks a main level of candlelit bistro-style tables to the stage from where the big band sound is often heard.
PX, Alexandria's Speakeasy ... When the blue light is on the drinks are flowing at PX, Alexandria's speakeasy. Hidden in plain sight, you'll find it if you are really searching for homemade tonics and fresh squeezed juices combined to create fabulous handcrafted cocktails. Sommelier Todd Thrasher of Restaurant Eve presents a fresh take on retro cocktails in a lounge dedicated to the rebirth of a golden age.
Make Your Own Wine ...at Alexandria's micro-winery, Carafe. Choose from a variety of ingredients and grapes from the finest regions of the world. Be a part of the process from the beginning until the last bottle is corked and create a unique gift or share every step of the experience with family and friends.
Alexandria is the Destination for a Perfect Wedding ... Alexandria has opened its doors to brides and grooms wanting a one-stop shop for creating a unique celebration all their own. With more than 251,000 destination weddings in the United States every year and the average cost of a DC-area wedding at $29,000, the wedding industry is a booming business. The Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association's website, MyAlexandriaWedding.com offers a full range of wedding resources and the professional assistance of its sales staff to match wedding planners with Alexandria businesses specializing in the wedding market.
Preserving Alexandria's Historic Legacies ... Alexandria's Del Ray Neighborhood Celebrates 100 Years ... In 1908 residents of Del Ray were fed up with the run-down race track, seedy gambling hall, and a corrupt city government, so they banded together, overthrew the establishment, and officially incorporated. All this year they are celebrating the centennial with parades, tours, and community events. This is the perfect year to discover the shops and restaurants along Del Ray's main street, Mount Vernon Ave, and be apart of the community at the Saturday farmers market or the annual Art on the Avenue street fair.
Freedmen's Cemetery ... A design competition is underway for the creation of a memorial to commemorate the lives of approximately 1,800 freedmen buried in the abandoned Civil War-era African American cemetery ground repurchased and rededicated by the City of Alexandria in 2007. City archaeologists completing an eight-month-long excavation have documented more than 500 graves at the site, carefully recording evidence of the burials, but not disturbing the graves themselves. Most recently hidden under a gas station, the historic site was rededicated in May, 2007, and will become a memorial park dedicated to the lives, contributions, and sacrifices of those who were buried there.
Freedom House Museum Celebrates a Legacy of Triumph ... Once the headquarters for the largest and most successful domestic slave trading firm in America in the early to mid-1800's, this 18th century Alexandria townhouse is now home to the Freedom House Museum and the Northern Virginian Urban League. Dedicated on February 12, 2008, to Reverend Lewis Henry Bailey, a former slave who had been "sold South" through this slave market but later returned to the area to found several schools and churches that still thrive today, the Freedom House Museum tells the story of triumph of the human spirit on behalf of the thousands of men, women, and children who were bought and sold on this site.
18th Century Apothecary Reveals Potions Upstairs ... One of the oldest pharmacies in the nation, it's where George and Martha Washington went for their medications. After an extensive two-year renovation, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary is now more intriguing than ever. Under the direction of the Office of Historic Alexandria, the Apothecary reveals the contents of its upstairs manufacturing room to visitors for the first time. In this second-floor supply room can be found herbs, medicines dating back generations, along with the hand-blown bottles and paper labels in which the potions were packaged.
Did You Know That ...Alexandria is a Preserve America Community, named by First Lady Laura Bush. The Preserve America initiative is a White House program to encourage and support community efforts for the preservation and enjoyment of America's cultural and natural heritage.... Alexandria is among the Top Five Business Destinations in the U.S., according to SmarterTravel.com and USA Today. Citing Old Town Alexandria's romantic waterfront, shops, cafes, convenient location, and Wi-Fi zone, Alexandria is the place to be for business people who want to relax and enjoy themselves.... Alexandria is among 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to live, says author Gregory Kompes in his travel and relocation guide of the same name.
Elegant Alexandria
America's Colonial seaports were known for elegance and cosmopolitan sophistication, drawing visitors with exotic wares from around the world. That tradition continues today throughout the Old Town historic district. Stay in style at a one of many hotels within walking distance of shops of King Street, Old Town's main street. Pamper yourself at a soothing day spa. Enjoy an elegant dinner at one of Alexandria's four-star restaurants, or board Nina's Dandy for dinner and dancing along the Potomac River.
Shopping in Style
The seaport tradition of bounty continues with offerings ranging from contemporary clothing, jewelry and crafts by American artists to luxurious linens and toiletries, adorable children's wear, amazing artistry in glass, home decor accessories and chic clothing and accessories. Antique lovers know to visit in March and November for two very special antiques shows.
Performing Arts
Be serenaded by the Alexandria Symphony or see professional live theater at MetroStage. Experience the charm of the City's oldest theater, the Little Theatre of Alexandria, a community theater presenting popular and traditional productions.
Alexandria is for Art Lovers
Home to the famed Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria has been named one of the Top 25 Arts Destinations by American Style magazine. During its annual Fall for the Arts season, the Alexandria Festival of the Arts is held in Old Town the second weekend in September, and Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood hosts Art on the Avenue during the first weekend in October.
Alexandria's Love Affair with Dogs
No one loves dogs like the people of Alexandria. Where else do dogs have scheduled playtime, enjoy Happy Hour at a local nightspot or pick up dog biscuits at a bakery that caters only to them? The Olde Towne School for Dogs has a school bus for its students, and the local bank, florist and Starbucks all offer treats biscuits for their favorite clients.
Parades and Festivals
Alexandria celebrates its Scottish heritage with the Campagna Center's Scottish Christmas Walk followed by the Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights during the first weekend in December. In February, the City celebrates the birthday of hometown hero George Washington with the largest GW parade in the country. In early March, the St. Patrick's Parade fills to the streets of Old Town. Throughout the year, ethnic festivals and events celebrate the diversity of the City.
Home to America's Patriots
As George Washington's hometown, Alexandria was where our first president lived, worked, worshipped and socialized. Many early patriots, including George Mason, spent time here, and Thomas Jefferson celebrated his presidential inaugural here. The famous Lees of Virginia were from here with the most famous member of the family, Civil War General Robert E. Lee, growing up here.
Historic Seaport
From the late 18th through the mid-19th centuries, Alexandria was one of the nation's most important seaports. Cargoes of tobacco, wheat, sugar and other commodities traveled up the coast to other colonies or across the Atlantic to Europe. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation today offers insight into this historical industry with boat building and studies of the Potomac River.
Alexandria's rich African American heritage is nationally recognized...
with the listing of seven of its historic properties on the National Register of Historic Places. They are but a few of the more than 20 sites connected with Alexandria's African American heritage, which are described in the free, self-guided tour booklet, "A Remarkable and Courageous Journey," available through the Ramsay House Visitors Center.
Civil War Alexandria
On May 23, 1861, Alexandrians voted to withdraw from the Union. The following morning, the city's troops mustered at Prince and Washington streets to be followed shortly by Union forces overtaking the city. They commandeered homes, warehouses and churches to use as barracks, hospitals and prisons. To protect the U.S. capital from attack, the Federal government built forts, including Fort Ward, which is now open to visitors. In the end, Alexandria had the dubious distinction of suffering the longest occupation of the Civil War.
Alexandria Embraces its Civil War Heritage...
in its publication Occupied City: Portrait of Civil War Alexandria, Virginia. This 50-page, illustrated guide helps visitors to trace the steps of Union soldiers, resurrect the spirit of Confederate defiance and discover first-hand some of the little known yet defining episodes of our nation's history.
Alexandria's Architecture
With more than 250 18th-century buildings and 4,000 19th-century buildings preserved, Alexandria has one of the largest historic districts in the country and was, in fact, the third such city to designate an historic district. Today gracious homes on tree-lined streets contrast with the lively shopping areas. Throughout the historic district are churches and meeting places that recount the history of both the city and the nation.
Idyllic Alexandria
During Virginia's famous Garden Week in April, several private homes and gardens, representing the city at its most elegant, are open. But, with its temperate climate and strong tradition of English-style gardening, the city is a lovely destination many months of year. Visit River Farm, once one of George Washington's properties and now operated as headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. The exuberant gardens of Mount Vernon and the 400-year-old boxwoods at Gunston Hall Plantation are also well worth the trip.
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2007, the George Washington Memorial Parkway stretches 16 miles from George Washington's beloved Mount Vernon Estate to Great Falls, running through Alexandria as it connects the estate to the District of Columbia. Today it is one of the most scenic roadways in the region, and in 2005, the Parkway was named an America Scenic Byway. The surrounding 7,600-acre national park and paved walking/biking trails make this a memorable experience for nature lovers.
