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Alexandria, VA: A Waterfront City Within Eyesight of Washington, D.C.

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Alexandria, Virginia welcomes you to drop anchor and see for yourself why we were named one of Travel + Leisure’s Best Cities in the U.S 2023 and one of The South’s Best Cities 2024 by Southern Living. Stroll cobblestoned streets and stumble upon the unexpected, including more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques.

During your visit, discover dozens of Black-owned businesses to upgrade your wardrobe, visit an Insta-worthy sweets spot or raise a glass over a delicious meal. Wander through immersive waterfront experiences including public artwork and the expanded African American Heritage Trails. Unpack history with the reopened Freedom House Museum and Alexandria Black History Museum. Start planning your stay—There’s a seat for you here.

A smiling man wearing sunglasses and a white striped shirt holds a drink while standing outdoors near greenery and colorful flowers.

“Some places take you by the hand and make you want to stay a while – That’s Alexandria.”

– Gary Williams Jr., Creator, Entrepreneur, Alexandria Resident

Discover Our City

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.

DC Vacation

A group of people sit and talk on the deck of a boat on a river, with the Lincoln Memorial and a stone bridge visible in the background. Trees and parked cars line the riverbank.

Experience the Alexandria Waterfront

The Alexandria Waterfront At Dusk

From the Video

Boats docked at a waterfront pier with a blue and white building, outdoor seating, and a tower in the background on a sunny day.

City Cruises

A yellow paper cup of coffee with latte art sits on a marble table next to a folded newspaper featuring a Style section headline.

Misha’s Coffee – Prince Street

A group of people stands outdoors, listening to a man speak in front of a sculpture depicting several figures. Trees and buildings are visible in the background on a sunny day.

Manumission Tour Company

Two bicycles with brown tires are parked on a gravel path beside a river, with classic-style brick buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.

Pedego Electric Bikes

A brick alleyway features a women’s apparel shop called “donna lewis.” A mannequin in a dress and scarf stands outside, surrounded by potted plants, a white bench, and a table with a red checked cloth under a red umbrella.

Donna Lewis

People dine at an outdoor waterfront restaurant with a wooden building labeled BARCA under a blue sky. The restaurant is situated on a pier over the water, with tables and seating areas on both sides.

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

Dig In

Outdoor Dining in Alexandria

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.

Brunch Spots in Alexandria, VA

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.

Sweets Spots for Alexandria Treats

A hand holds a red cup of purple gelato with a red spoon, showcasing delectable sweets in front of a Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato shop sign outside, with part of a red building visible.

A smiling person with glasses and long, twisted hair stands in an alleyway, holding a bicycle. They wear a dark long-sleeve shirt and a long necklace, with blurred brick and wood walls in the background.

“From green space to restaurants to shops to architecture, Alexandria has everything.”

– Nicole McGrew, Entrepreneur and Alexandria resident

Start Shopping

Visit These Black-Owned Businesses in Alexandria

A smiling woman sits cross-legged on a yoga mat in a bright studio, hands in prayer position, surrounded by crystal singing bowls. A plant, cushions, and a sign reading PIES Fitness Yoga Studio are in the background.

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.

A smiling man with a large beard wears glasses, a white cap, and a white polo shirt, standing outdoors with green trees in the background.

“From the labor of the enslaved, political reformation, to business, community and culture, Black folks have built Alexandria into what it is today. And we are still building.”

– John T. Chapman, Founder of Manumission Tour Company

Uncover History

Black History & Culture

A bronze statue of two women in 19th-century clothing stands hand in hand, set outdoors with greenery, a modern building, and a blue sky with clouds in the background.

Alexandria Black History Museum

A brick building with white columns and a red metal roof, displaying a banner above the entrance. A sign on the wall reads “Alexandria Black History Museum.” Shrubs line the front walkway.

Manumission Tour Company

A group of people stands outdoors, listening to a man speak in front of a sculpture depicting several figures. Trees and buildings are visible in the background on a sunny day.

Freedom House Museum

Two women stand and talk outside the Freedom House Museum, a historic brick building on a tree-lined street. Another person walks by on the sidewalk near colorful row houses.

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.

Alexandria Black History Driving Tour

Four people interact at an outdoor memorial with metal tree-like sculptures and a large stone, surrounded by a low stone wall and trees, on a sunny day.

In The News

Wanderlust: Marching On: Where to learn about African American history in the U.S. Capital Region

U.S. News: 13 Best Places to Celebrate Juneteenth

Condé Nast Traveler: 7 Black History Museums Across the U.S. Worth Visiting

RoadTrippers Magazine: How Alexandria’s Black History Has Helped Shape the City

Travel + Leisure: 4 Amazing Stories From the Underground Railroad

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More to Explore

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Alexandria in 2024

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Summer in Alexandria

Vola-s-Dockside

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.

25+ New Restaurants to Try in Alexandria in 2025

A split image: on the left, a dish with seared fish, foam sauce, and greens; on the right, a stylish restaurant interior with exposed brick, wooden beams, plants, and modern seating.

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