50 Best Things to Do in Alexandria, VA: The Ultimate Local Guide

Alexandria, Virginia, is much more than a historic suburb of Washington, DC. Between the cobblestone streets of Old Town, the Potomac River waterfront, local restaurants, museums, parks, trails and neighborhood shopping districts, there are enough things to do in Alexandria to fill far more than a weekend.

Whether you are visiting for the first time, recently moved to Northern Virginia or are considering homes for sale in Alexandria, VA, this guide covers 50 places, activities and experiences worth putting on your list.

Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

Old Town Alexandria is the natural starting point. Founded in 1749, Alexandria has preserved a remarkable collection of historic streets, houses and commercial buildings. Old Town combines that history with restaurants, independent shops and a waterfront that makes the neighborhood enjoyable even when you have no particular destination in mind.

1. Walk King Street

Start with a walk down King Street. The corridor stretches from the King Street Metro area toward the Potomac River and passes restaurants, boutiques, historic buildings and side streets worth exploring.

2. Explore the Old Town Waterfront

Once you reach the eastern end of King Street, spend some time along the Potomac. The waterfront includes public spaces, restaurants, marina activity and views across the river.

3. Visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is one of Alexandria's signature attractions. The former industrial building on the waterfront is now an art center and offers a chance to explore working artists' studios and galleries.

4. Walk Captain's Row

Head to the 100 block of Prince Street to see one of Old Town's most photographed streets. Historic rowhouses, mature trees and an old cobblestone roadway give Captain's Row a distinctive appearance.

5. Find the Spite House

At just seven feet wide, the famous Spite House at 523 Queen Street has become one of Alexandria's quirky architectural landmarks. You only need a few minutes to see it, making it an easy addition to an Old Town walking tour.

6. Explore Market Square

Market Square sits beside Alexandria City Hall and has been an important gathering place for generations. Today it continues to host community activity and the Old Town Farmers' Market.

7. Visit the Old Town Farmers' Market

Spend a Saturday morning browsing produce, baked goods, flowers and other local products at Market Square. Pair the market with breakfast and a walk along King Street.

8. Walk the Historic Side Streets

Some of Old Town's most interesting architecture isn't directly on King Street. Wander along Prince, Duke, Queen, Royal, Fairfax and Lee streets to see historic townhouses, gardens and brick sidewalks.

Explore Alexandria's History

Alexandria's history is unusually visible. The city operates multiple museums and historic sites covering subjects ranging from early American commerce to Black history and the Civil War. Alexandria was founded in 1749 and at different points was a major port, part of the District of Columbia and an important Civil War center.

9. Tour Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Gadsby's Tavern offers a look at Alexandria's social and political life during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its historic buildings hosted travelers and prominent figures during the city's early years.

10. Visit Carlyle House Historic Park

Just a short walk from King Street, Carlyle House is an 18th-century Georgian mansion surrounded by a landscaped garden.

11. Visit the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

This remarkably preserved former pharmacy operated for generations and provides a fascinating glimpse into historic medicine and commerce.

12. Explore the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

The Lyceum is an excellent stop for anyone who wants a broader understanding of Alexandria's development and history.

13. Visit the Alexandria Black History Museum

The museum documents African American history in Alexandria and provides important context for understanding the city's past.

14. Visit Freedom House Museum

Freedom House occupies a site associated with one of the country's largest domestic slave-trading operations. Its exhibits examine slavery, resistance and the lives of people trafficked through Alexandria.

15. Explore Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Fort Ward preserves part of the system of Civil War defenses constructed around Washington. The site combines museum exhibits with outdoor historic grounds.

16. Visit the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

This memorial honors African Americans who escaped slavery and came to Union-controlled Alexandria during the Civil War.

Things to Do on the Alexandria Waterfront

Living near the Potomac is a defining characteristic of several Alexandria neighborhoods. You can walk, bike, eat outdoors, watch boats or simply find a bench and enjoy the river.

17. Relax at Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is an easy place to stop while exploring Old Town. The public space sits directly along the river and regularly incorporates public art and community programming.

18. Walk Through Founders Park

Founders Park offers lawns, river views and a quieter atmosphere just north of the busiest portion of the waterfront.

19. Visit Oronoco Bay Park

Continue north to Oronoco Bay Park for another open waterfront setting. The park is also used for community events throughout the year.

20. Take a Potomac River Cruise

Seeing Alexandria from the water gives you an entirely different perspective on the city and the Washington region.

21. Take the Water Taxi

Instead of driving, consider traveling by water. Seasonal water transportation can connect Alexandria with destinations elsewhere along the Potomac.

22. Watch the Sunset Along the Potomac

You don't need an itinerary for this one. Find a waterfront bench or restaurant patio and watch the light change over the river.

Outdoor Things to Do in Alexandria

Alexandria has more outdoor recreation than visitors sometimes expect. The city reports more than 900 acres of parks and open space and approximately 20 miles of trails.

23. Bike the Mount Vernon Trail

The Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac and is one of the region's best-known cycling and running routes. From Alexandria, riders can travel north toward Arlington and Washington or south toward Mount Vernon.

24. Explore Jones Point Park

Located beneath and around the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Jones Point Park combines river views, recreation areas and history.

25. Find the Jones Point Lighthouse

The small historic lighthouse at Jones Point makes an interesting destination while exploring the park and Alexandria's southern waterfront.

26. Walk or Run Along the Potomac

Alexandria's waterfront paths make it easy to create your own route through parks, Old Town and nearby residential areas.

27. Explore Dora Kelley Nature Park

For something completely different from Old Town, head to Dora Kelley Nature Park in Alexandria's West End. Wooded trails provide a surprisingly natural escape within the city.

28. Visit the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center

The nature center provides environmental education and another family-friendly reason to explore Alexandria beyond the waterfront.

29. Visit Chinquapin Park

Chinquapin Park is one of Alexandria's major recreation areas and provides facilities for sports, swimming and other activities.

Explore Alexandria Beyond Old Town

One mistake visitors make is spending their entire trip in Old Town. Alexandria includes several communities with their own restaurants, parks and neighborhood character.

30. Spend an Afternoon in Del Ray

Del Ray feels distinctly different from Old Town. Mount Vernon Avenue is lined with independent restaurants, cafes, shops and neighborhood businesses.

31. Walk Mount Vernon Avenue

Take your time exploring the commercial heart of Del Ray. It's particularly enjoyable when paired with coffee, brunch or dinner.

32. Visit the Del Ray Farmers' Market

The neighborhood farmers' market adds another reason to visit Del Ray on a weekend morning.

33. Explore Rosemont

Rosemont sits between Old Town and Del Ray and provides a look at another side of Alexandria, with tree-lined residential streets and convenient access to both neighborhoods.

34. Explore Carlyle and Eisenhower

The area west of Old Town offers a more contemporary Alexandria experience, with newer residential buildings, offices and easy access to Metro.

35. Visit the West End

Alexandria's West End offers parks, recreation facilities, international dining and residential communities that feel considerably more suburban than Old Town.

Food, Shopping and Local Experiences

36. Have Brunch in Old Town

Alexandria has enough brunch destinations that you could make this an activity of its own. Follow brunch with a waterfront walk rather than immediately getting back in the car.

37. Try Alexandria's Independent Coffee Shops

Use coffee as an excuse to explore different neighborhoods. Old Town and Del Ray both have local cafes within walkable commercial districts.

38. Shop the King Street Boutiques

King Street mixes independent retailers, specialty stores and national brands within historic storefronts.

39. Browse Antique Shops

Alexandria's historic setting makes antique and vintage shopping a natural fit. Several shops can be incorporated into a walking trip around Old Town.

40. Eat Outdoors

When the weather cooperates, choose a restaurant patio in Old Town or Del Ray and turn dinner into part of the sightseeing experience.

41. Have Dinner by the Waterfront

A waterfront meal is one of the easiest ways to experience Alexandria's location on the Potomac without planning an entire day around sightseeing.

More Alexandria Experiences Worth Trying

42. Take a Historic Walking Tour

Walking tours can reveal details that are easy to miss when exploring independently, from architecture and Revolutionary-era history to Civil War stories.

43. Take a Ghost Tour

Old Town's centuries-old buildings and narrow streets provide an ideal backdrop for an evening ghost tour.

44. Photograph the Historic Architecture

Bring a camera and explore the residential blocks surrounding King Street. Doorways, brick facades, shutters, gardens and cobblestones provide plenty of subjects.

45. Explore Alexandria's Public Art

Look for murals, sculptures and rotating installations around the city, particularly near the waterfront and arts districts.

46. Attend a Local Festival

Alexandria hosts festivals, art events, concerts, parades and seasonal celebrations throughout the year, so check the local calendar before visiting.

47. Experience Alexandria During the Holidays

Old Town is particularly popular during the holiday season, when historic streets and storefronts are decorated and special events take place throughout the city.

48. Visit George Washington's Mount Vernon

A short trip south of central Alexandria brings you to George Washington's Mount Vernon. The estate, gardens and Potomac River setting can easily occupy several hours.

49. Bike From Old Town Toward Mount Vernon

If you prefer an active day, follow the Mount Vernon Trail south from Alexandria and combine sightseeing with a longer bike ride.

50. Spend a Day Exploring Alexandria Like a Local

Sometimes the best plan is not to have one. Start with coffee in Del Ray, walk through Old Town, browse King Street, continue to the waterfront and finish with dinner near the Potomac. That combination gives you a good sense of why Alexandria attracts visitors while also functioning as a place people call home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Alexandria, VA

What is Alexandria, VA best known for?

Alexandria is particularly well known for historic Old Town, King Street, its Potomac River waterfront, preserved architecture, museums and its connection to George Washington.

Can you walk around Old Town Alexandria?

Yes. Walking is one of the easiest ways to explore Old Town because many restaurants, shops, historic sites and waterfront attractions are concentrated around King Street and the surrounding blocks.

What are some free things to do in Alexandria?

Walking the waterfront, exploring King Street, visiting city parks, biking or walking the Mount Vernon Trail, seeing the Spite House exterior and exploring neighborhoods such as Del Ray are among the activities that do not require admission.

Is Alexandria worth visiting from Washington, DC?

Alexandria offers a substantially different environment from downtown Washington while remaining close to the capital. Historic streets, waterfront parks, restaurants and Metro access make it practical for either a day trip or a longer stay.

What are the best areas of Alexandria to explore?

Old Town and Del Ray are two obvious starting points, but visitors interested in understanding Alexandria beyond its tourist areas can also explore Rosemont, Carlyle, Eisenhower and the West End.

Thinking About Living in Alexandria, VA?

Exploring Alexandria's restaurants, waterfront and historic attractions is one thing. Living here gives you access to them throughout the year. Alexandria also offers an unusually broad range of housing, including historic Old Town rowhouses, condos near Metro, established single-family neighborhoods, waterfront residences and newer developments.

If you're considering making Alexandria home, explore Alexandria homes for sale and individual neighborhood guides on Dell Residential to compare communities, housing styles and locations throughout the area.