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Historic Sites & Attractions in Alexandria

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As George Washington’s hometown, Alexandria has more than 140 locations with ties to the nation’s first president, along with a host of intimate museums highlighting the beginnings of America. Just nine miles south of Old Town Alexandria at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, traipse through the historic grounds, perusing documents and ephemera once sacred to key historic players. Several sites work to weave the rich tapestry of the city’s history from the 18th-century to the present, like the Carlyle House, once home to Alexandria co-founder John Carlyle, and the Alexandria Black History Museum, which details the city’s strong African-American leaders from the Civil War to civil rights and beyond.

Alexandria also nods to its vast creative history at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former World War II munitions factory turned 82 artist studios and six galleries, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Museum at the US Patent and Trademark Office, whose interactive exhibits celebrate modern innovation. Explore Alexandria with the “Key to the City” attractions pass, which grants visitors access to 9 historic sites, plus 40% off admission to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the tall ship Providence and City Cruises roundtrip water taxi pass. Take the opportunity to celebrate the city’s history at lively seasonal events.

Click here to read Alexandria’s History.

Historic Attractions and Museums

Alexandria’s Original Ghost & Graveyard Tour, Celebrating 50 Years: Follow an 18th-century costumed guide by lantern light through the charming...
221 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
Historically themed and wonderfully immersive, our Old Town Alexandria location has rooms with themes involving Sherlock Holmes, Professor Moriarty, Edgar...
814 King Street 2nd Floor Alexandria, Virginia
George Washington’s Mount Vernon is the riverside home of our nation’s first president, George Washington. The estate includes a Mansion,...
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Step right into the museum’s laboratory where archaeologists reconstruct Alexandria’s history, fragment by fragment. The museum’s exhibits highlight the process...
105 N. Union Street, Torpedo Factory Art Center Third Floor, #327 Alexandria, Virginia
Originally the segregated library for Alexandria’s African American residents, the museum documents the local and national history, culture and contributions...
902 Wythe Street Alexandria, Virginia
This City Hall was built in 1871-74, with Market Square and the Colonial-inspired additions that face the plaza built in...
301 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
From seaport pubs to international cuisine, Alexandria’s culinary history runs deep. George Washington danced in the ballroom of Gadsby’s Tavern,...
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
The 1839 Greek Revival building serves as the City’s history museum. An ongoing exhibition tells the story of Alexandria, once...
201 S. Washington Street Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria History Tours offers private and public tours exploring the Revolutionary War, George Washington, early American commerce, the Civil War,...
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Founded as a subscription library in 1794. Alexandria’s public library since 1937.
717 Queen Street Alexandria, Virginia
One of 12 sites created and dedicated by President Lincoln in 1862 to serve as military burial grounds. The cemetery...
1450 Wilkes Street Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria Seaport Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located on Old Town’s waterfront which improves the lives of young people...
Alexandria Waterfront 0 Thompsons Alley Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria the Great offers Segway, walking and food and drink tours. We offer a 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Alexandria...
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
The American Horticultural Society’s River Farm is a popular rental venue in the Washington, D.C. metro area that serves as...
7931 E. Boulevard Drive Alexandria, Virginia
African Americans escaping slavery found refuge in Alexandria after Union troops occupied the city in 1861. The Rev. Clement “Clem”...
320 S. Washington Street Alexandria, Virginia
The Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial honors the service and supreme sacrifice of the 67 men from...
Mount Vernon Recreation Center 2701 Commonwealth Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
A Georgian manor house built in 1753 by merchant and city founder John Carlyle. Here, five royal governors and General Braddock...
121 N. Fairfax Street Alexandria, Virginia
Christ Church is an English country-style church built between 1767 and 1773 to meet the spiritual needs of its parishioners...
118 N. Washington Street Alexandria, Virginia
Climb UPton is a 90-element vertical adventure located in Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington. This adrenaline-pumping climbing course is...
6060 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA 22205
Fort Ward is the best preserved of the extensive network of Union forts and batteries known as the Civil War...
4301 W. Braddock Road Alexandria, Virginia
Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street reopened in spring 2022 with three new exhibitions showcasing Alexandria’s Black history and...
1315 Duke Street Alexandria, Virginia
Established in 1774, the Friendship Fire Company built its historic firehouse in 1855. Friendship survived the Civil War but some...
107 S. Alfred Street Alexandria, Virginia
Discover Alexandria’s five-star hotel of the 18th century! The Museum consists of the c. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City...
134 N. Royal Street Alexandria, Virginia
Demonstrations by costumed distillers and millers take visitors through the historic processes of whiskey-making and flour and cornmeal production. George...
5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway 2.7 miles from Mount Vernon Estate Mount Vernon, VA 22121
The 1755 Georgian-style mansion was the home of George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and a framer...
10709 Gunston Road Lorton, VA 22079-3901
Every April, five of Old Town Alexandria’s private homes and gardens will open to the public, as part of the...
Alexandria Visitor Center 221 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
The Lee-Fendall House Museum is a historic house, located in Old Town, Alexandria. Since its construction in 1785, the house...
614 Oronoco Street Alexandria, Virginia-2308
LEGO Discovery Center offers a highly interactive indoor LEGO play experience where families are free to play, explore, craft, and...
6563 Springfield Town Center Suite 12004 Springfield, VA 22150
MGM National Harbor is the premier luxury resort and casino experience on the East Coast. MGM National Harbor features a...
101 MGM National Avenue Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Museum of the Bible — What’s in it will surprise you! Museum of the Bible is a world-class museum located...
400 4th Street SW Washington, DC 20024
National Harbor is a waterfront resort destination set along the banks of the Potomac River overlooking Old Town Alexandria and...
National Harbor, MD
The newly renovated National Inventors Hall of Fame is located on the United States Patent and Trademark Office campus in...
600 Dulany Street Alexandria, Virginia
The National Law Enforcement Museum is the newest Museum in DC, this is a can’t miss attraction. Prepare to discover...
444 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
Army history is America’s history. The National Museum of the United States Army will provide the first comprehensive portrayal of...
1775 Liberty Drive Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
Enjoy 350 acres of outdoor recreation at Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton, Virginia. The park’s crown jewel is the brand...
9751 Ox Road Lorton, VA 22079
Iconic orange trolleys and duck tours highlight the best of Washington, D.C. with 25 stops and more than 100 points...
Welcome Center 1001 E Street NW Washington, DC 20004
This scenic course, originally built in 1982, is located on the Mason Neck Peninsula in Lorton. Pohick Bay’s 18 holes...
10301 Gunston Road Lorton, VA 22079
Choose your next adventure at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, Virginia. Bring the kids for a day of splashing...
6501 Pohick Bay Drive Lorton, VA 22079
Shiloh Baptist Church has been pointing souls to a better religious, social, and economic life since its beginning in 1863.
1429 Duke Street Alexandria, Virginia
Opened in 1792 by young Quaker pharmacist Edward Stabler, the family business operated until 1933. Patrons included George & Martha...
105-107 S. Fairfax Street Alexandria, Virginia
Tall Ship Providence serves as a floating classroom, educates visitors on the role that the Continental Navy (particularly Providence) played...
1A Prince Street Alexandria, Virginia
The Athenaeum is a Greek Revival building built in 1851 and was home to the Bank of the Old Dominion.
201 Prince Street Alexandria, Virginia
The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a memorial and museum, an active Masonic temple, a research library, a cultural...
101 Callahan Drive Alexandria, Virginia
The St. James is the leading performance, wellness, and entertainment platform in the country. The Flagship offers a premium fitness...
6805 Industrial Road Springfield, VA 22151
USA Guided Tours, LLC™  is a sightseeing and transportation company based in Washington, DC and Falls Church. We offer fully...
1155 F Street, NW 10th Floor Washington, DC 20002
Founded in 1823, Virginia Theological Seminary is the largest accredited seminary of The Episcopal Church in the U.S. Visitors are...
3737 Seminary Road Alexandria, Virginia
Whether you’re a veteran boater or taking lessons for the first time, you’re in store for a memorable experience on...
1 Marina Drive Alexandria, Virginia
Visit two iconic homes on one site, both designed by preeminent architects of their respective ages. One used his architecture...
9000 Richmond Highway Alexandria, Virginia

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