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Alexandria Neighborhoods Guide

Del Ray in Alexandria, VA

Visit Del Ray in Alexandria, VA, and experience main street reimagined. Just a mile from historic Old Town, Del Ray’s walkable Mount Vernon Avenue boasts beautiful murals, outdoor drink spots and al fresco festivals. Learn more about this artsy, community-oriented corner of Alexandria below.

Neighborhoods Guide

Things to Do in Del Ray

Del Ray marches to the beat of its own drum, with a creative streak energizing made-for-strolling Mount Vernon Avenue.

Markets & Murals

Visit the weekly farmers market on Saturdays, marvel at murals and art exhibits and experience the Wellness District, a large community of holistic health businesses.

Shop Vintage Goods

Pop into Del Ray shops for everything from vinyl records to secondhand books and other vintage finds.

Seasonal Events

Don’t miss top seasonal Del Ray events such as the annual Del Ray Halloween Parade, Art on the Avenue and the Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting.

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A man and woman smile in front of a navy blue building with a sign reading GUSTAVE and BOULANGERIE & BRASSERIE. People are seated outside near the entrance under a blue awning.
A collage with three images: a colorful Greetings from Del Ray mural, a hand holding a yellow and pink ice cream cone against a blue background, and a vibrant street scene with blue buildings and trees.
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A brick building with large windows and double glass doors, displaying the sign COFFEE vertically and OZARK MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS horizontally. Benches and outdoor lights line the sidewalk.
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A colorful farmers market stall displays a variety of fresh tomatoes, peppers, and other produce in baskets and crates, with chalkboard signs and vendors standing behind the red canopy-covered tables.
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A woman kneels and smiles at a standing dog outside a building decorated with a colorful mural of many dog portraits. The scene is bright and cheerful.
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Del Ray Restaurants

Brunch in Del Ray is a must, from French-infused flavors at Del Ray Café to a melty, mouthwatering menu from Cheesetique. Find family-friendly eateries to feed a crowd and dine at critically-lauded Del Ray restaurants for date night. Meet up at one of the corner coffee shops or outdoor beer gardens, and don’t miss Wisconsin-style frozen custard at the Dairy Godmother. Find all the Del Ray dining options below:

A hand holds a sesame seed bagel sandwich filled with cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato slices, red onion, and capers. A colorful mural with bold letters is visible in the background.

Bagel Uprising

Bagel Uprising offers fresh bagels, boiled and baked daily in small batches. Grab a dozen along with house-whipped cream cheese,...
2307A Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
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A musician stands on stage playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone, with a brick wall backdrop, two stools with water bottles, and an attentive audience in the foreground.

Birchmere

The Birchmere is a world-famous concert venue known for a nightly line-up of classic as well as up-and-coming jazz, country,...
3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
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A display of assorted cheeses, each labeled with a sign showing the cheese name, description, and price, arranged on a wooden board in a shop setting.

Cheesetique

The Cheese & Wine Bar at Cheesetique has a wonderful menu full of hand-made specialties. Our wine and beer list...
2411 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
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A white, two-story house with a red door and a porch displays a round red sign reading Del Ray Café. The yard has blooming pink flowers, greenery, a white picket fence, and neighboring houses are visible.

Del Ray Cafe

A sophisticated yet casual French café serving local, natural, and organic products in the heart of charming Del Ray. Serving...
205 E. Howell Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
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People dining outdoors at a sidewalk café next to a blue brick building called Evening Star, with waitstaff attending to tables and a street sign for Mt. Vernon Ave visible in the foreground.

Evening Star Cafe

The Evening Star Cafe is a rollicking neighborhood gem located in the heart of Del Ray. Opened in 1997, Evening...
2000 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
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A table filled with assorted dishes including fried chicken with green beans and pasta, burgers, cornbread in a skillet, fries, flatbread, salad, cheesy dip, and drinks, all set on wooden surface.

Founding Farmers Alexandria

Founding Farmers Alexandria is a farmer-owned restaurant serving scratch-made, American food and drink. Sustainably operated and mission-driven, we are open...
461 Swann Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
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People sit at outdoor tables near a blue bakery frontage on a tree-lined brick plaza, while others walk or stand in line for vendor tents at a street market in the background.

Gustave Boulangerie & Brasserie

Known for its fresh bread, pastries, specialty coffees and traditional breakfasts, Gustave Boulangerie offers the authentic and traditional French experience.
2213 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
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A tray filled with assorted foods, including sliced brisket, tacos, fried plantains, chips with cheese dip, coleslaw, and bowls of salsa, surrounded by various drinks like beer and cocktails.

Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ

Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ is a love letter to classic Tex-Mex and barbecue fare right in the heart of Del Ray,...
2000 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
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History of Del Ray

A mural on a brick wall shows a red train and a rider on horseback with the words Historic Del Ray. To the left, a tree-lined street has parked cars and outdoor dining tables set up.

In 1894, the neighborhoods of Del Ray and St. Elmo were developed around the newly minted railroad route connecting Alexandria to Washington, D.C. Divided by the St. Asaph Racetrack, these developments became commuter communities that merged into the Town of Potomac in 1908. In 1930, the City of Alexandria annexed the area and christened it “Del Ray.” The Town of Potomac was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

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Ways to Get Here

A woman walks down the steps of a charming white house with red trim, a picket fence, flowering bushes, and a chalkboard sign near the entrance under a partly cloudy sky.
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Events in Del Ray

A small band performs outdoors beside a colorful mural as a diverse crowd watches—a lively scene perfect for date ideas, with children and adults gathered under sunny skies in a tree-lined neighborhood with vibrant buildings.

Year-Round

Annual

  • Del Ray Dog Fest
  • Bands & Brews Bar Crawl
  • Art on the Avenue
  • Del Ray Halloween Parade

More in Alexandria

Alexandria Neighborhoods Guide

Getting To & Around Alexandria

Train station

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.

Pet-Friendly

A woman kneels and smiles at a standing dog outside a building decorated with a colorful mural of many dog portraits. The scene is bright and cheerful.

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