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Exploring the Region

Portside in Old Town

Portside in Old Town is a new programming series that activates the expanded new Waterfront Park area at the foot of King Street along the Alexandria waterfront. Visitors and residents are invited to enjoy free-to-the-public happenings and pop-up experiences and events throughout the year. Come see what’s new at the Washington, D.C. region’s most historic waterfront.

Waterfront Attractions

Expanded Waterfront Park

One of the most highly anticipated transformations of the Old Town Alexandria waterfront is unfolding in 2019 with the opening of a greatly expanded new park area at the foot of King Street, seamlessly connecting Old Town’s historic retail corridor with the water. The expanded Waterfront Park space, which features four distinct areas and is adjoined to the original Waterfront Park, is designed for ongoing enjoyment and special activations and events. The park is now open. The opening celebration will take place in March to coincide with the opening reception for a major new public art installation.

Rendering of New Waterfront Park

Interactive Art Installation

Art lovers and Instagrammers have a new reason to head to the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. Mirror Mirror, a sound-responsive interactive public art installation, will be unveiled at the end of March as the new expansion of Waterfront Park opens at the foot of King Street. Mirror Mirror is a site-specific temporary installation by SOFTlab, a New York-based design studio led by artist and architect Michael Szivos. The artwork, which responds to sound with light, is on display through November. Visitors are encouraged to walk, dance, play and sing inside and around the 25-foot diameter, eight-foot tall art installation and be bathed in rainbow-hued light. The artwork draws inspiration from the prismatic lens used at Alexandria’s historic Jones Point Lighthouse—the Fresnel lens, considered the most advanced lens technology of the 1800s. Two original Fresnel lenses can be viewed at Alexandria’s History Museum at The Lyceum. Visitors can share their images of the artwork on social media by using the hashtag #mirrormirrorALX.

Mirror Mirror

Tall Ship Providence

A new maritime history experience is coming to the Old Town Alexandria waterfront in 2019. The tall ship Providence arrives this summer as a permanent attraction that will offer public tours, chartered cruises, educational programs, and beer cruises presented in partnership with Alexandria’s own Port City Brewing Company. This celebrity tall ship, which has appeared in the international blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean, is a full-scale replica of one of the U.S. Continental Navy’s first warships, built in 1768, which was captained by John Paul Jones, the father of the U.S. Navy, under the leadership of General George Washington.

Tall Ship Providence

Torpedo Factory Art Center

Discover art in person and in progress at the nation’s largest collection of working artists’ open studios under one roof. A fully operational munitions plant during WWII, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is now home to 82 artists’ studios, seven galleries, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and The Art League.

Torpedo Factory Portside

Upcoming Events

Apr 28, 2019 35th Parkway Classic 10 Mile, 5K and Kids Dash View Post ›

Virtual Tour

Getting Here

From Metrorail to bikeshare, there are plenty of ways to get to Alexandria. Once you’re here, take advantage of the free King Street trolley.

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Parking

Find street parking, lots, and garages throughout Old Town, many as low as $5 in the evenings and weekends.

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Old Town Weekend Itinerary

Looking for a relaxing weekend in Old Town? Explore MONEY’s #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination for 2018.

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Waterfront Activities

Explore the Potomac with boat cruises, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and more.

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Dine in Old Town

Enjoy waterfront views, outdoor dining and independent restaurants in historic buildings dating back to the 1700s.

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Shop King Street

If you’re looking for a shopping district in the DC area with panache and authentic charm, Old Town Alexandria’s historic King Street can’t be beat.

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