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Extend Your Stay

People walk and sit outside restaurants along a charming street lined with colorful, historic brick buildings, trees, and outdoor seating in a lively downtown area.
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Coming to Alexandria for business? Come early or stay late to discover Old Town Alexandria and Washington, D.C. Savvy conference attendees are increasingly extending their travel dates to explore sought-after destinations without making an extra trip.

Located minutes from Washington, D.C. and named the #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination 2018 by Money magazine and one of the South’s Prettiest Cities 2018 by Southern Living, you’ll want to extend your stay in Old Town Alexandria, a welcoming escape on the Potomac River and an easy home base for D.C.-area attractions. Stroll historic King Street, a mile of boutiques, restaurants, museums and galleries recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America and head down to the waterfront to hop on a water taxi to D.C. Venture to nearby attractions such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon, MGM National Harbor or D.C.’s wine country and make the most of your well-earned “me” time.

Discover Old Town

People sit at outdoor tables under a large tree outside a pub and an ice cream shop on a sunny day, with storefronts, signs, and greenery visible.
Four friends sit at an outdoor restaurant by the water, smiling and taking a selfie together with plates of food and drinks on the table. Boats and buildings are visible in the background.

Dine Al Fresco

Unwind at one of Old Town’s waterfront restaurants and take in Potomac River views. Vola’s Dockside Grill serves comforting seafood classics with on-the-dock seating made for people watching. Then, step into Vola’s Hi-Tide Lounge for post-dinner drinks.

Dine Outdoors >

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Sip Craft Cocktails

Sneak into a donut speakeasy or do a cocktail crawl down King Street stopping at local favorites like The Majestic, The People’s Drug, Magnolia’s on King and more for delicious craft cocktails.

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Discover Local Pubs

From bars with live music to lively Irish pubs in historic buildings, Alexandria has more than 35 bars and pubs that cater to any occasion.

Cheers! >

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Port City Pint

Grab a pint from Port City Brewing Co., named the “Best Small Brewery in the U.S.” in 2015. Visit their tap room or grab a pint at an Alexandria restaurant.

On Tap >

Get Outside

Cyclist on Mount Vernon Trail
A riverboat named Admiral Tilp with passengers aboard is docked on the water near a sign for Potomac Riverboat Company Boat Tours. A sailboat and another boat are visible in the background.

Cruise the Potomac

Hop on a Potomac Riverboat Co. cruise and discover the Potomac River as you head to D.C., Georgetown, Mount Vernon and more.

Set Sail >

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Bike the Mount Vernon Trail

Eighteen miles of gorgeous riverfront trails await. The historic Mount Vernon Trail stretches from Arlington to Alexandria, winding all the way down to Mount Vernon.

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Kayak or Paddleboard

Head to the Washington Sailing Marina in Alexandria for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and more waterfront fun on the Potomac.

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Waterfront Run

Enjoy a sunrise run along the Potomac at one of Alexandria’s eight waterfront parks, many that offer stunning views of the Capitol and Washington Monument.

Discover Parks >

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Eating Out At Night

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Two musicians play acoustic guitars and sing in front of a staircase with the words BLACKWALL HITCH displayed on the railing. One musician wears a white shirt, the other a gray shirt. They perform in a cozy indoor setting.

Catch a Live Show

Tune in to local bands at Blackwall Hitch, also serving craft cocktails and stunning waterfront views. On King Street, it’s game on with shuffleboard, skeeball and live music at The Light Horse.

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The Birchmere

From rising stars to living legends, The Birchmere is America’s legendary music hall with a nightly lineup of jazz, country, R&B, folk and more in an intimate setting.

Get Tickets >

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MGM National Harbor

Just across the river from Old Town, MGM National Harbor’s 3,000-seat theater welcomes acts such as Cher, Bruno Mars and Britney Spears. Have dinner in Old Town then hop on a water taxi cruise for the show.

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The Wharf

D.C.’s newest development, The Wharf, is home to restaurants and entertainment venues like The Anthem. After dinner in Alexandria head via water taxi for a memorable concert from performers like Lorde, Florence + The Machine and more.

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Explore the Region

Sunrise over a range of forested mountains with a bright sun near the horizon, scattered clouds in the sky, and mist settled in the valleys below. Credit: NPS | N. Lewis.
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Unwind in D.C.’s Wine Country

Sip your way through a tour of Loudon County, D.C.’s wine country. Loudon is home to more than 40 unique wineries and tasting rooms. Sample the offerings of Bluemont Vineyards, which sits high on an eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Discover Wineries >

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Discover Great Falls Park

Hike along Mather Gorge’s dramatic cliff tops and enjoy this 800-acre national park just 23 miles from Old Town Alexandria.

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Sunset over rolling, tree-covered hills and mountains with a glowing sun partially hidden behind the peaks. A few clouds are scattered across the sky. Credit: N Lewis | NPS.

Take in Mountain Views

Outdoor adventurers can explore one of America’s best National Parks, Shenandoah, with vast hiking trails through mountains and waterfalls, or take a scenic drive along the 105-mile Skyline Drive for sweeping, breathtaking views of the valley and endless photo ops.

Get Outdoors >

Four people ride a four-person bicycle along a sunny, mostly empty boardwalk by the beach. The boardwalk has shops on one side and railings facing the ocean on the other.

Head to the Beach

For a classic beach experience complete with white sandy beaches and boardwalk fun, head to Ocean City, Maryland. Located a few hours away on the Atlantic Ocean, a beach vacation is within reach.

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Itineraries

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Free Things to Do in Alexandria, VA

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Group Things To Do

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