While visiting my brother in D.C., I decided to spend a few hours in the historic neighborhood of Old Town Alexandria and by the waterfront. I am a sucker for cute, charming neighborhoods, so Alexandria was a must-see for me. Walking the cobblestone streets, admiring the colonial buildings, and learning about Alexandria’s significance to American history fascinated me.
I highly recommend adding Old Town Alexandria to your itinerary. The main appeal of this area is its historic charm, so the amount of time you want to spend here is flexible. You could spend a whole day in the area, but a few hours are enough to walk down King Street and dine at one of the restaurants with a picturesque atmosphere. Below are the must-sees and everything you need to know before visiting Old Town Alexandria, VA.
Common Questions About Old Town Alexandria, VA
What is so special about Old Town Alexandria?
Situated along the Potomac Riveer, Old Town Alexandria is so special with its colonial charm, historic streets, and unique shops.
Is Alexandria, VA worth visiting?
Yes! Alexandria is one of the oldest neighborhoods in DC, dating back to pre-revolution. It is rich in history and alluring.
How old is Alexandria, VA?
One of the oldest settlements in the D.C. area, Alexandria was established in 1749 by Scottish merchants. You can sense its history by strolling along the cobblestone streets and admiring the colonial-style architecture.
Where is Old Town Alexandria?
Old Town is situated along the Potomac River, approximately a 30-minute drive from DC. Since Alexandria is near other major DC attractions, Old Town is a perfect stop when exploring Washington, DC.
Getting to and Around Old Town Alexandria from DC
There are several transportation options to get to Alexandria from the D.C. area. Driving is the most straightforward way, but dealing with parking can be a challenge.
Getting To Alexandria, VA
- Driving
- Alexandria is approximately 30 minutes from DC. The hassle with driving is that you’ll have to find parking. I drove to Alexandria at 10 am on a Friday and had no issues, but I’ve heard that on the weekends, parking can be hard to find, so keep that in mind.
- For parking rates, visit Alexandria’s town site to learn more.
- Alexandria is approximately 30 minutes from DC. The hassle with driving is that you’ll have to find parking. I drove to Alexandria at 10 am on a Friday and had no issues, but I’ve heard that on the weekends, parking can be hard to find, so keep that in mind.
- Metro
- Even though there are metro stops in the area, it is still a 20-minute walk to the main attractions once you arrive. Below are the different metro lines that will take you to Alexandria:
- Metro Rail Blue Line
- Metro Rail Yellow Line
- If this is still the best option for you, I suggest taking the metro and utilizing Alexandria’s free trolley system.
- Even though there are metro stops in the area, it is still a 20-minute walk to the main attractions once you arrive. Below are the different metro lines that will take you to Alexandria:
- Water Taxi
- A fun way to reach the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront and cruise along the Potomac is by taking a water taxi. This is a great option if you want to stop at multiple destinations, including Georgetown, The Wharf, and National Harbor.
- $22 per person
Getting Around Alexandria Once You Arrive
Once you arrive in Old Town, everything is relatively close. The roads are pedestrian-friendly, so you can walk to the major attractions. There are also options to rent bikes and scooters if you prefer that mode of transportation. Another option in the area is to take the Old Town Trolley, which makes multiple stops along King Street.
- King Street Trolley
- The King Street Trolley is a great free option. It makes all the important stops along the King Street mile and the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront.
- Bikes
- Capital Bikeshare
- You can rent regular and electric bikes through Capital Bikeshare. Download the app to check availability in Alexandria.
- Capital Bikeshare
- Walking
- With pedestrian zones and wide sidewalks, Alexandria is a great city for walking. Once you are in the city center, all the attractions are within proximity, so walking should not be an issue.
Best Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria
Stroll Along the King Street Mile
As you take a stroll down King Street in Old Town Alexandria, you’ll find hundreds of shops and restaurants lining the area. The street is well-known for its historical significance, with cute colonial buildings housing various landmarks relevant to American history. Below, I’ve outlined the activities I would recommend doing along King Street while visiting Alexandria, VA.
Shopping Along King Street
There are SO many cute shops along this street. I urge you not to skip over the independent shops, as this is what this town is built off. For a curated list of all the shops in the area, Alexandria’s Tourism Site has a great list broken down by various categories.
Self-Guided Walking Tour
Stop by the visitor center to pick up a map for a self-guided walking tour. The map highlights all major stops and the best route to reach the different sites.
Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
Situated along the Potomac, the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront offers beautiful scenic views of Washington, DC in the background. You can watch the boats cruise by or enjoy a refreshing drink on a beautiful day.
Other Alexandria Attractions
Alexandria is filled with so much rich history and cute shops. It’s hard not to stop in every building and take every side street to admire the colonial town. To help you explore the area, here are the top sightseeing attractions.
George Washington’s Townhouse
Coincidentally, I found a parking spot right in front of this building! It was a fun way to be welcomed into the city by being surprised by one of the most iconic townhomes in the area. The townhome was rebuilt, but you can still envision how it was built in the late 1700s and its importance to the area.
Another interesting experience is that this replica is a VRBO, so you can stay in the same townhome as George Washington!
Get Off the Beaten Path
This is one of my favorite things to do in any city. You can gain so much from avoiding the busier streets and truly uncovering the charm of the area. Of course, King Street is great to see, but the side streets and the residents are what give towns their soul and vibe. Listed below are some other unique houses that are worth seeing:
- Spite House
- Carlyle House
- Murray Dick Fawcett House
Gadsby’s Tavern
Established in 1770, Gadsby’s Tavern holds great historical significance as it served as a popular meeting place for presidents to engage in discussions on various political topics. Today, Gadsby’s Tavern still operates as a restaurant, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy American cuisine in Colonial-style dining rooms.
Market Square
Built in 1874, the historic Market Square is the site of the weekly farmers’ market and other events throughout the year.
Farmers’ Market
Every Saturday from 7 am to 12 pm, Alexandria is the site of the oldest farmers’ market in the country. Historically, George Washington would send his produce from Mount Vernon to the Alexandria farmers’ market.
Christ Church
Christ Church is known as George Washington’s church. Over the years, several presidents and notable political figures, such as Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, have attended services there. Free guided tours are available on certain days. Visit the site to learn more.
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Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts about Alexandria and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
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