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People cross a sunlit street in a charming downtown area lined with shops, restaurants, and outdoor seating. Trees provide shade and the sun is low in the sky, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Shoppers at Red Barn
Three people sit at outdoor tables under red canopies, talking and drinking, while a person walks by. The background features a colorful Greetings from Bel Air mural on a brick wall.
Aerial view of a marina with boats docked along the waterfront, surrounded by buildings, trees, and a park area at sunset in an urban setting.
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A woman and a man ride red rental bikes together on a leafy street lined with colorful historic houses, one displaying an American flag.

Visit Alexandria, a Top 3 Small City with Big Cosmopolitan Vibes

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On the Potomac River within eyesight of Washington, D.C., Alexandria, VA is nationally recognized for its rich history and beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Voted a Travel + Leisure Top 5 Best City in the U.S 2025 and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2024, Alexandria is a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital.

Founded in 1749 and boasting the nation’s third oldest historic district, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel. Stroll Old Town Alexandria’s King Street mile to find more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques plus intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. Alexandria is the perfect home base for your D.C. vacation and an unforgettable getaway of its own.

Summer in Alexandria

Vola-s-Dockside

Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

A person walks past three colorful row houses—white, blue, and red—on a tree-lined street with a sidewalk and utility pole in the foreground.

Alexandria Restaurant Week

A tray of barbecue food with ribs, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, sliced brisket, cucumber salad, a side of barbecue sauce, and a glass of beer on a wooden table.

The Ultimate King Street Shopping Guide for Old Town Alexandria

Three women smile as they walk out of a store, shopping bags in hand. The storefront window reads Virginia and Made. Sunlight and shadows dance across the brick sidewalk in front of the shop.

“Love, Alexandria” Hotel Package

People sit and converse in a stylish hotel lobby with elegant furniture, gold accents, and a large chandelier. A woman sits on a curved sofa in the foreground, while others relax and talk around the room.

Experience the Alexandria Waterfront

The Alexandria Waterfront At Dusk

Alexandria is 5 miles south of Washington, D.C., a water taxi ride away from National Harbor and a bike ride from Mount Vernon.

Transportation Options

Alexandria’s Accolades

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From Travel + Leisure to Southern Living to Condé Nast Traveler, everybody is buzzing about Alexandria, Virginia.

Discover seasonal events, where to shop, sip and savor and more insider intel in “The Best Of” series.

Colorful fireworks burst in the night sky over a calm waterfront—one of the best things to do this summer—reflecting on the water, with silhouetted piers and distant city lights glowing along the shore.
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A brunch table set with pancakes topped with strawberries and syrup, eggs Benedict with salad, grilled grapefruit, a cappuccino, a glass of orange juice, and a red checkered napkin.
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Three women smile as they walk out of a store, shopping bags in hand. The storefront window reads Virginia and Made. Sunlight and shadows dance across the brick sidewalk in front of the shop.
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A collage shows people walking past shops, friends clinking drinks at an outdoor restaurant by the water, and groups enjoying vibrant outdoor dining at colorful tables on a brick sidewalk in a lively town.
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Featured

Events & Festivals

Logo with the words Bands and Brews in bold blue letters. A yellow sun with rays is in the background on a turquoise gradient.
August 16, 2025
Various locations around Del Ray
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A tray of barbecue food with ribs, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, cornbread, sliced brisket, cucumber salad, a side of barbecue sauce, and a glass of beer on a wooden table.
August 22 - August 31, 2025
Throughout Alexandria
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A large group of people gather outdoors on a grassy field for a festival. Some sit on blankets and chairs, others walk or stand. Food, strollers, and tents are visible, with buildings in the background on a sunny day.
August 23, 2025
Oronoco Bay Park
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A flyer for the Fall Maker’s Market at Port City Brewing Co. shows wooden ornaments with Virginia and Washington, D.C. shapes, a glass of beer, and event details: Sept. 6, Noon–5 p.m., 3950 Wheeler Ave.
September 6, 2025
Port City Brewing Company
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Events Calendar

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