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King Street at night in Old Town Alexandria.

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

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

Unlock Your Story

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.

Winter in Alexandria, VA

A charming city street at sunset with red traffic lights, parked cars, shops, leafless trees, and a distant clock tower under a colorful sky. Pedestrians walk on the sidewalk and street lamps light the scene.

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 along a brick sidewalk, each holding a drink, passing shops including one with a pink door and a sign that reads 3 Sisters. The atmosphere is casual and friendly on a tree-lined street.

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’s Accolades

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

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Events & Festivals

Header image for Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week 2026
January 23 - February 8, 2026
Alexandria
February 7 - February 8, 2026
Various locations throughout Old Town
A man in historical attire rides in a decorated horse-drawn carriage, waving to a crowd. Spectators in winter clothing line the street, watching and taking photos. The scene appears festive, with patriotic bunting and flowers.
February 14, 2026
300 King Street

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