Two women walk along the cobblestone street that makes up Captain's Row in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

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. 2025, Alexandria is a welcoming 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. Explore vibrant neighborhoods beyond Old Town, trace George Washington and the Founding Fathers’ footsteps and follow the stories of Black Americans who shaped the history of Alexandria and the United States.

Unlock Your Story

King Street in Alexandria, Virginia, featuring vibrant storefronts and pedestrians walking along the sidewalk on a sunny day.

Alexandria is a city where centuries-old stories live alongside those still being written. Here, you’ll experience the curiosity, independence and charm of an evolving community rooted in history and progress. Your Alexandria story is just waiting to be discovered.

 

Explore Alexandria Stories
Explore Alexandria

Summer in Alexandria

Several visitors stroll along the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

America’s 250th Birthday in Alexandria, VA

A split image showing fireworks over water at night, a couple walking toward a historic mansion, and a docked tall ship with an American flag near a waterfront park during the day.

Make Alexandria, VA Your World Cup Home Base

A man is walking down Alexandria's King Street on a bright summer day, passing O'Connell's Irish Pub.

“Unlock More Alexandria” Hotel Offer

Restaurants

Three women sit at an outdoor restaurant table by the water, laughing and enjoying food and drinks on a sunny day. A bridge and a fourth person sitting alone are visible in the background.

Shopping

Three women walk down a brick sidewalk, carrying shopping bags and smiling, in front of shops with large windows and hanging signs on a sunny day. Trees line the street, and a man is seen in the background.

Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

Spite House in Old Town Alexandria

Summer in Alexandria

Several visitors stroll along the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

America’s 250th Birthday in Alexandria, VA

A split image showing fireworks over water at night, a couple walking toward a historic mansion, and a docked tall ship with an American flag near a waterfront park during the day.

Make Alexandria, VA Your World Cup Home Base

A man is walking down Alexandria's King Street on a bright summer day, passing O'Connell's Irish Pub.

Things to Do This Weekend in Alexandria, VA

A woman in a white dress walks on a brick path toward the camera, with a large, historic beige building behind her under a blue sky with some clouds. The building has tall chimneys and symmetrical windows.

Restaurants

Three women sit at an outdoor restaurant table by the water, laughing and enjoying food and drinks on a sunny day. A bridge and a fourth person sitting alone are visible in the background.

Shopping

Three women walk down a brick sidewalk, carrying shopping bags and smiling, in front of shops with large windows and hanging signs on a sunny day. Trees line the street, and a man is seen in the background.

Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

Spite House in Old Town Alexandria
Two people stroll on the sidewalk through Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood, past a restaurant with outdoor patio seating, with a colorful mural in the background that reads, 'Historic Del Ray'.
A Story Worth Sharing

Vote for Alexandria

Alexandria is up for the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in the Cities category. A vote for Alexandria is a vote for a city rooted in history but never standing still, with the independent spirit and vibrant community to prove it. Help us earn recognition for the ninth year in a row. It only takes a few minutes: select “Alexandria, Virginia” from the Cities dropdown, rate us as “excellent,” and complete the remaining questions. Thank you for your support!

VOTE NOW

Alexandria’s Neighborhoods

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Transportation Options
SVG map showing neighborhoods, transportation, and landmarks in Alexandria with callouts and river features.
People enjoy outdoor dining under red umbrellas on a lively street lined with restaurants, including an ice cream shop, on a sunny day. Trees and flower planters decorate the scene as pedestrians walk by.

Old Town

America’s third-oldest historic district along the Potomac River waterfront.

  • 18th and 19th-century architecture
  • Historic museums and attractions
  • 200+ local boutiques and restaurants
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Four people socialize at outdoor tables beneath a red canopy, in front of a colorful mural on a brick wall that says “Greetings from Peoria.” One person is walking by while three are seated and conversing.

Del Ray

Alexandria’s modern-day Main Street that marches to the beat of its own drum.

  • Wellness District
  • Outdoor dining and beer gardens
  • Arts community and festivals
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Carlyle & Eisenhower

Carlyle & Eisenhower

An economic engine that celebrates the spirit of innovation and local culture.

  • National Inventors Hall of Fame
  • Black history sites
  • The region’s first urban cidery
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West End

West End

Expansive stretch of the city featuring green spaces and global dining.

  • Award-winning craft breweries
  • Parks, paths and nature preserves
  • Top Ethiopian restaurants
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Arlandria-Chirilagua

Arlandria-Chirilagua

A bustling community representing Central American culture.

  • The Birchmere: America’s Legendary Music Hall
  • Salvadoran, Peruvian and Nepalese dining
  • Meaningful murals
Learn More
A man and woman sit at the marble bar insider the Founding Farmers Alexandria restaurant, smiling and toasting drinks.

Potomac Yard

Alexandria’s emerging vibrant, diverse and sustainable mixed-use community.

  • Potomac Yard Metro
  • Virginia Tech campus
  • Founding Farmers
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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.

Waiter serving a couple at Josephine Brasserie & Bar in Alexandria.
Explore
A collage of three images: a woman hugging a dog in front of a mural, a black door framed by spring blossoms, and two women carrying shopping bags and smiling outside a storefront.
Explore
A split image showing fireworks over water at night, a couple walking toward a historic mansion, and a docked tall ship with an American flag near a waterfront park during the day.
Explore
A digital rendering of the Now or Never art exhibit at sunrise
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Featured

Events & Festivals

People walking along the paved waterfront promenade next to outdoor restaurant dining with red umbrellas at the Alexandria marina.
June 6, 2026
Waterfront Park
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A historic tall ship with sails furled is docked on a calm river, surrounded by trees and buildings under a partly cloudy sky.
June 12 - June 14, 2026
Alexandria Waterfront
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A jazz band performs on an outdoor stage for a large crowd at an Alexandria summer festival.
June 12 - June 14, 2026
Waterfront Park (1A Prince St.)
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Colorful fireworks burst over a calm waterfront at night, reflecting on the water. Silhouetted posts and distant city lights are visible under a clear, deep blue sky.
July 11, 2026
Oronoco Bay Park
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Events Calendar

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