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LGBTQ Getaway Guide to Alexandria and D.C.

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Named one of The South’s Best Cities 2024 by Southern Living and given a perfect score for LGBTQ equality by the Human Rights Campaign Municipality Equality Index in 2023, Alexandria welcomes LGBTQ couples, families and friends to our city. Just outside of Washington, D.C., and accessible via metro, explore our historic streets, taste our award-winning menus and venture out to regional hotspots. At the end of the day, unwind at Lorien Hotel & Spa, a proud partner of the LGBTQ community, in Old Town Alexandria. Use our itinerary below to inspire your own whirlwind weekend getaway to Alexandria.

Friday: Old Town Evening and Entertainment

Stroll the King Street Mile
A couple walks past colorful, historic storefronts with large windows—one blue, one red—on a sunny brick-paved street lined with trees and flowering plants in planters.

Stroll King Street

Stroll through Old Town’s walkable King Street mile, lined with 200+ independent shops and restaurants set inside historic buildings, red-brick sidewalks and a free trolley. Step inside local shops on or just off King Street offering curated selections of stationery, vintage barware, sustainable fashion and more.

Start Strolling

Dine at Hank’s Oyster Bar

For an unforgettable seafood experience, head to Hank’s Oyster Bar in Old Town North, helmed by acclaimed restauranteur Jamie Leeds, voted “Best Chef” in the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C Awards for two consecutive years.

Dig In

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Enjoy a Pride Night Performance

Take in a show at Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre in Arlington’s nearby Shirlington neighborhood. Every production hosts one or two Friday Pride Night performances during its run, with a lively post-show reception for members of the LGBTQ community, family and friends.

See a Show

A bartender uses a handheld torch to prepare a drink at a dimly lit bar while two patrons watch from across the counter, surrounded by warm lighting and rustic decor.

Sneak Into Captain Gregory’s

Back in Alexandria, blend sweets and spirits with delightful donuts alongside a handcrafted cocktail at Captain Gregory’s, Old Town’s nautical-themed speakeasy.

Drinks & Dessert

Saturday: Day Out in D.C.

Two women walk and talk on the National Mall with the Washington Monument in the background under a partly cloudy sky. Green grass and trees surround the open area.
A cup of latte with heart-shaped latte art sits on a white saucer atop a marble table. In the background, a pink sign reads MAES MARKET & CAFE.

Start Your Day at Mae’s Market and Café

Spend a laid-back morning at Mae’s Market and Café, a local favorite in Old Town Alexandria. Pair a latte with a flaky pastry, or enjoy breakfast and lunch options like quiche or a bulgogi sandwich. Return in the evening when the space turns into Virginia’s Darling, a nightly “dinner party” with an eclectic mix of small plates and a focus on women-owned wine offerings.

Fuel Up

A large ornamental fountain featuring carved human figures and a wide basin, with water flowing over the edges. Lush green trees and a busy city street are visible in the background.
Photo by Sara Cottle on Unsplash

Discover D.C.’s Dupont Circle

Explore vibrant Dupont Circle, host of D.C.’s Pride Parade and Youth Pride Day, along with some of D.C.’s best dining spots, from Duke’s Grocery to Iron Gate. Peruse the shelves at iconic Kramerbooks, open late on Saturdays and home to an extensive LGBTQ section.

Explore Dupont or Discover More in D.C.

 

Photo by Sara Cottle.

A large crowd explores an aerospace museum with spacecraft, rockets, and airplane exhibits displayed under a high glass ceiling. People walk, gather, and observe the various space and aviation artifacts.

Traverse D.C.’s Museum and Gallery Scene

Browse Dupont’s intimate Phillips Collection of modern art or head to the National Portrait Gallery to say hello to the Obamas’ portraits and decompress in the breathtaking Kogod Courtyard. Don’t forget to stop by the free Smithsonian museums like the Museum of Natural History or the National Air and Space Museum as well.

Gallery Hop

The front of a gray building with rainbow Pride flags in the windows, a rainbow flag draped over a railing, and a sign reading A League of Her Own with a cartoon figure of a female baseball player.

Raise a Glass at a Local Hotspot

For a nightcap, visit A League of Her Own, run by and for queer women and beyond, and located in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood. Or, cross back over the Potomac River to tropical-themed Freddie’s Beach Bar, Arlington’s prime LGBTQ (and straight-friendly) bar, featuring karaoke and drag shows.

Cheers!

Sunday: Brunch, Biking and Brews

Four friends sit outside at a table, laughing and enjoying drinks together, with charming waterfront buildings and boats visible in the background. It appears to be a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
Three women sit at an outdoor restaurant table by the water, enjoying drinks and meals, smiling and talking. Boats are docked in the background under a sunny sky with a canopy overhead.

Savor Brunch by the Water

Take it easy and feel the breeze as you enjoy a delicious riverside meal. Try Vola’s Dockside Grill for satisfying seafood fare or Virtue Feed & Grain for waterfront and park-side views on a laid-back patio.

Start Brunching!

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Meet Local Artists

See art in action at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former World War II munitions plant, where you can glimpse 72 artists’ studios and even pick up a piece to take home.

Get Inspired

A man in a colorful shirt and shorts poses on a red tandem bicycle in front of a marina with boats and a brown building surrounded by flowers, palm plants, and water.

Take an Electric Bike Tour

Riders of wide-ranging ages and abilities can zip through the city in style on a Pedego Electric Bike tour. Cruise on one of the Old Town tours or take an excursion to the National Mall or Mount Vernon.

Start Cruising

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Linger at Port City Brewing Company and Lost Boy Cider

Spend your final hours in the city unwinding at Port City Brewing Company, an award-winning craft brewery in Alexandria’s West End or Lost Boy Cider, Northern Virginia’s first urban cidery. Check out the Pride gear as you enjoy brewery tours, a tasting flight and events like trivia night and beer yoga.

Start Sipping

Explore More

LGBTQ-Friendly Alexandria

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Alexandria Hotels

A modern hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables with lamps, abstract art above the headboard, a window with sheer curtains, and a green armchair in the corner.

Restaurants

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Plan

Two women stroll and enjoy sweets outside “Pop’s Ice Cream Company” on a sunny brick-lined street, while two people exit the shop and others relax on benches nearby. Trees and a river can be seen in the background.

#visitALX  

Photos submitted by Alexandria visitors like you.

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