The best way to experience Alexandria is with the Alexandria Key to the City, available at the Alexandria Visitors Center located at 221 King Street. The pass includes admission to nine historic sites (worth $26) and over 100 special offers at area attractions, shops, and restaurants.
The Civil War edition includes a free guided mobile phone tour with commentary for over 15 locations in Alexandria relating to the Civil War. The Civil War booklet also includes a full color brochure with more history about the Civil War in Alexandria.
Sample of the 100 Special Offers* include:
Attractions: Buy one, get one free to the Alexandria Symphony & Athenaeum (limited performances), 20% off at Mount Vernon, $15 off at Medieval Times, buy one get one half off ticket at Dandy Restaurant Cruise Ships. Discounts at Potomac Riverboat Company, Shadowland and many others.
Restaurants: King Street Blues is offering buy one entree get one free. Bilbo Baggins, Carlyle Club, Chadwicks Old Town, Foster's Grille, Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant and Grape + Bean are offering buy one entree get the second 50% off. Other offers include free appetizer, drink or dessert or a discount of up to 20% off your bill.
Shopping: Amazing offers for your shopping pleasure. You are sure to find something for everyone, including yourself! Find discounts ranging from 10% to 25%, gifts with purchase on art, home decor, crafts, jewelry, fashion, toys and spa treatments.
*See individual offers for more details, restrictions and exclusions.
Alexandria Archaeology Museum: You'll really be digging Alexandria's history when you see local colonial and Civil War artifacts as well as a 13,000-year-old stone spear point at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum! Located in the Torpedo Factory Art Center. 105 N. Union Street, #327, Alexandria. 703.746.4399.
Alexandria Black History Museum: Originally the segregated library for Alexandria's African American residents, the museum documents the local and national history, culture and contributions of Black America.
902 Wythe Street, Alexandria, 703.746.4356.
Carlyle House Historic Park: A Georgian Palladian manor house built in 1753 by merchant and city founder John Carlyle. Here, five royal governors and General Braddock met to discuss funding of the French and Indian War. 121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, 703.549.2997.
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site: Experience Civil War history at Fort Ward, the best preserved fort in the system built to protect Washington, D.C. Highlights include the restored Northwest Bastion, officers' hut and museum exhibits. Take the DASH AT5 bus. 4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, 703.746.4848.
Friendship Firehouse Museum: Established in 1774, the Friendship Fire Company was the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855 and now houses historic firefighting equipment and exhibits.
107 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, 703.746.3891.
Gadsby's Tavern Museum: Consists of two buildings, the 1785 Georgian tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. The tavern has been authentically restored to its 18th-century appearance. Notable guests included George Washington & Thomas Jefferson.
131 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, 703.746.4242.
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden: From 1785-1903, the house served as the home to 37 members of the Lee family. Guided by its 1852 inventory, the house is interpreted as a Lee home of the 1850-1870 period. 614 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, 703.548.1789.
The Lyceum: Alexandria's History Museum: The 1839 Greek Revival building serves as the City's history museum. An ongoing exhibition tells the story of Alexandria, once one of the busiest ports in America. Archaeological finds, old photographs, and a wide variety of historic artifacts provide the visitor with a picture of the City's past. Changing exhibitions explore special themes, people, places or events within Alexandria's history.
201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, 703.746.4994.
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum: Opened in 1792 by young Quaker pharmacist Edward Stabler, the family business operated for 141 years. Over 8,000 early medical care items are still in place. Patrons included George & Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee.
105-107 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, 703.746.3852.
Bike And Roll
$5 Off Any Guided Tour or Full Day Bike Rental
Cruise the George Washington Parkway to Gravelly Point and feel the rush as you watch planes take-off. Ride along the Potomac River to tour Historic Mount Vernon. Skip the traffic and bike over the Memorial Bridge to explore the National Mall and the monuments. Pedal to Del Ray for a leisurely lunch.
Dandy Restaurant Cruise Ships
Buy One Ticket, Get One Half Price (restrictions apply)
Buy one ticket and get a second half off for any dinner cruise aboard Nina's Dandy, offering gourmet dining, dancing and an unparalleled view of our nation's majestic monuments.
Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
20% Off Individual Adult Admission (restrictions apply)
The beautiful riverside estate of George Washington includes the Mansion, outbuildings, tomb, & working farm, and new visitor facilities with 25 galleries and theaters. The Ford Orientation Center and Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center feature interactive displays, movies, and high-tech, immersive experiences in addition to more than 700 artifacts. Open daily.
Potomac Riverboat Company
$2 Off Cruise With Coupon (restrictions apply)
Narrated sightseeing cruises, water taxi service, and private parties along the Potomac River including the Alexandria Seaport Cruise, George Washington's Mount Vernon Cruise, Washington Monuments Cruise, Pirate Cruise, Canine Cruise, Baseball Water Taxi to Nationals Stadium in Southeast Washington, and Water Taxi Service between Alexandria and the new National Harbor and Gaylord National Complex.
America!
Take $5 off any purchase of $25 or more
Shop for hundreds of exclusive and memorable gifts capturing the politics, current events, history and spirit of the USA, including a vast array of Virginia and Washington, D.C., souvenirs and collectibles.
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
Buy One Cone, Get Another of Same Size Free
Serving Vermont's finest ice cream, Ben & Jerry's offers over 35 euphoric chunky, funky flavors as well as great shakes, sundaes, and fresh baked waffle cones!
Bittersweet Cafe & Catering
Be Sweet & Get One Free Mini Cupcake
Celebrating over 25 Years of Being Sweet! A local favorite features full breakfast, salad bar, specialty sandwiches, hot soup and entree selections daily and homemade old-fashioned desserts. Home of the GIANT Cupcake.
Bilbo Baggins Restaurant
Buy One Entree, Get One Half Price
A cozy local gathering place with delicious food, unusual wines and beers, and friendly service. 35 wines by the glass, 10 micro-brews on tap along with 50 imported beers in bottles.
Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar
$4 Off Any One Pizza
Home of Old Town Alexandria's favorite pizza and original sports bar. After retiring from the National Hockey League (1963-1979), Bryan Watson and his wife Lindy opened Bugsy's Pizza Restaurant and Sports Bar in Old Town. They have been operating at this location since 1983 and it has become not only a great place for consistently fabulous food, but a "must stop location" for sports fans!
Chadwicks Old Town
50% Off Second Entree With Coupon
Serving classic American cuisine & steaks, seafood, salads and burgers. Kitchen open 'til midnight Sun.-Thur., 1 a.m. Fri. & Sat., Sun. brunch 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Family friendly!
Fontaine Caffe & Creperie
Free Sweet Crepe!
Captivating European cafe and wine bar serving savory and sweet crepes in style of Brittany, France and salad, quiche, mussels, steak. Offering international selection of beers and boutique wines with the full bar. Open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch and late in the evening for desserts and drinks.
Hank's Oyster Bar
Free Fried Oyster Appetizer
Tucked into a cozy townhouse, Hank's offers New England comfort food, including steamers, chowders, popcorn shrimp and short ribs plus a wide selection of oysters. Hank's original D.C. location was voted "Best New Restaurant" in 2006 and "Best Neighborhood Restaurant" in 2007.
King Street Blues
Free Lunch or Dinner With Purchase of an Entree
Located in the heart of Old Town, "Comfort Food with a Southern Accent". Try ribs, smoked pork or chicken, po' boys and many salad selections!
Red Barn Mercantile
Free Travel Candle with $50 Purchase
We're more than a furniture boutique and provide more personalized service than a big box retailer. We work hard to bring you the highest quality furniture and gifts, the most unique conversation starters, wall hangings and accent pieces, whether they come from off-the-beaten-track flea markets, or the latest designers.
Plus Many More!

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