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Historic Attractions and Museums

Alexandria Key to the City Attractions Pass

Interior of Freedom House Museum in Alexandria, VA.
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The best way to unlock Alexandria’s rich culture and history is with our Key to the City attractions pass. From Alexandria’s co-founders to the nation’s first president and from the Civil War to civil rights, learn about our remarkable history and walk amongst original 18th-and 19th-century architecture preserved by a city dedicated to honoring its past. Plus, enjoy discounts on some of the top regional attractions.

For only $23 (an $85+ value!) the Key to the City attractions pass includes:

  • Access to 11 historic sites
  • 40% off for the following:
    • George Washington’s Mount Vernon admission
    • City Cruises Alexandria roundtrip Potomac Water Taxi pass
    • Tall ship Providence
  • 10% off coupon for museum store purchases valid at 10 sites
  • Suggestions of additional free historic sites

 

 

How to Purchase

Purchase your Key to the City at the Alexandria Visitor Center located at 221 King Street and tread paths once taken by some of the most prolific figures in American history. Passes may also be purchased online, and will be delivered to your home (U.S. or Canada) in 10 days or less.

Please note:

  • Coupons can only be redeemed in person at the attractions, not online.
  • To ensure a quality experience for all, groups of more than 10 people should contact participating sites directly prior to purchase to confirm a reservation.

Your Pass Gives You Access to:

A large, historic mansion with a red roof and white walls sits behind a circular driveway and green lawn, flanked by two smaller matching outbuildings, with a river and trees in the background under a blue sky with clouds.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

[40% Off] Located just 8 miles south of Old Town Alexandria, visit the first president’s estate to enjoy tours catered to kids, the pioneer farm and more.

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A tall, tiered stone building with a spire stands among green trees and lawns at sunset, with a clear sky and a few cars on a nearby road in the foreground.

George Washington National Masonic Memorial

[Observation Deck Only] Take in breathtaking 360 views of Alexandria, Washington, D.C., and the surrounding region from the observation deck atop the ninth floor the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, a National Historic Landmark.

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Carlyle House

Carlyle House

A Georgian Palladian manor house built in 1753 by merchant and city founder John Carlyle. Here, five royal governors and General Braddock met to discuss funding of the French and Indian War. Daily tours, youth programs, special events, exhibits and lectures offer visitors a chance to experience eighteenth-century life through the eyes of John Carlyle and his family.

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A historic sailing ship with tall masts and yellow trim is docked by the shore, with calm water and a distant treeline under a cloudy sky.

Tall Ship Providence

[40% Off] Docked at the Old Town Alexandria waterfront located at 1A Prince St., the tall ship Providence provides a living link to Alexandria’s rich maritime, naval and Revolutionary history. Providence is a reproduction of the first ship authorized to serve in the Continental Navy and John Paul Jones’ first American command.

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A large, historic red-brick building with white trim, tall windows, dormers, and two arched doorways, sits along a tree-lined street under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

The Gadsby’s Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, the 1785 Georgian tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel. The tavern has been authentically restored to its 18th-century appearance. Notable events included George Washington’s Birthnight Ball in 1798 and Thomas Jefferson’s Inaugural Banquet in 1801.

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Shelves in an old-fashioned apothecary lined with glass bottles labeled with gold tags, and vintage signs in front reading Prescriptions Prepared and other phrases.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

From 1792 to 1933, the apothecary served patrons including George and Martha Washington. Today the intimate museum boasts a vast collection of original materials from herbal botanicals, hand-blown glass and medical equipment.

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A yellow neoclassical building with four tall white columns at the entrance, wide steps, and a triangular pediment. Green trees and a black lamp post stand in front, under a blue sky with some clouds.

Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum

The 1839 Greek Revival building serves as the City’s history museum. An ongoing exhibition tells the story of Alexandria, once one of the busiest ports in America. Archaeological finds, old photographs, and a wide variety of historic artifacts provide the visitor with a picture of the City’s past.

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A vintage living room with a chandelier, antique furniture, a piano, ornate rug, large window with drapes, and two portraits hanging on the yellow walls above the piano.

Lee-Fendall House Museum

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden: From 1785-1903, the house served as the home to 37 members of the Lee family. Guided by its 1852 inventory, the house is interpreted as a Lee home of the 1850-1870 period.

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A photo of the exterior of the Alexandria Black History Museum.

Alexandria Black History Museum

Originally the segregated library for Alexandria’s African-American residents, the museum documents the local and national history, culture and contributions of Alexandria’s African-Americans.

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Four people stand in a museum exhibit room with informational signs on the walls and a map on the floor, listening to a guide explain the history of slavery in America.

Freedom House Museum

A National Historic Landmark, Freedom House Museum invites visitors to learn about the experiences of the enslaved and free Black people who lived in—and were trafficked through—Alexandria, plus stories from the Civil Rights Movement and more.

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A white arched gate with “Fort Ward” and “1865” written on it stands open, surrounded by trees and greenery on a sunny day. Gravel pathway leads through the entrance.

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Fort Ward is the best preserved of the extensive network of Union forts and batteries known as the Civil War Defenses of Washington. The museum, patterned after a Union headquarters building, houses a fine Civil War collection and exhibits.

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Plan Your Visit

Here for 24 hours or less? Have several days to spend exploring? Below are some suggested ways to utilize our Key to the City. Be sure to check the hours noted on the Key to the City for each historic site, as hours of operation vary by site and several are closed on Mondays. All museums are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day (except Mount Vernon, which is open 365 days a year).

Top 3—Museums on Market Square:

Walkable!

In George Washington’s Footsteps:

Insider tip! Take a stroll by George Washington’s townhouse (508 Cameron St.), then tour nearby Christ Church (118 N. Washington St.), where Washington attended. You can even sit in his pew!

Best View

Take in breathtaking 360 views of Alexandria, Washington, D.C., and the surrounding region from the observation deck atop the ninth floor of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, a national historic landmark.

Advance Your History

Walkable!

African-American History

Alexandria has a wealth of African-American historic sites. Start at the Alexandria Black History Museum to discover the history, culture and contributions of African-Americans locally and nationally. Then, head to the Freedom House Museum, once the location of one of the largest slave-trading companies in the country, the museum now preserves the story of thousands of men, women and children who passed through this place. Next, head outside Old Town and discover Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, which was a post-Civil War African-American community known as The Fort.

Great For Kids

In Old Town, kids will love getting hands-on at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Then, take them to the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum where they can see real-life ingredients featured in Harry Potter, from dragon’s blood to mandrake root. Find room to roam at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site. George Washington’s Mount Vernon also has plenty for kids to do, from scavenger hunts to a Hands-On-History Center. Older kids will love the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

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Architecture in Alexandria

A collage shows: a man walking on a brick sidewalk by colorful historic row houses, a tall stone tower with a spire against a blue sky, and a small modernist home surrounded by trees and grass.

Historic Attractions and Museums

Carlyle House

Great Walks in Alexandria

A couple holds hands while walking down a sunlit, tree-lined cobblestone street in a residential neighborhood with American flags on houses.

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