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48 Hours in Old Town Alexandria

A couple holding hands walks on a brick sidewalk past historic row houses with blue shutters and American flags hanging outside, on a sunny day with greenery around.
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Voted one of Travel + Leisure’s Best Cities in the U.S 2024 and one of The South’s Best Cities 2024 by Southern Living, Alexandria, Virginia, is a welcoming weekend escape on the Potomac River minutes from Washington, D.C. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria hums with more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. Hotels ranging from boutique-style to the best known brands await you. Plan a perfect weekend getaway with the ideas below. For more inspiration, see Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town.

Old Town Weekend Itinerary

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Join Tony & Sara from The Detour Duo as they show you an ideal way to spend 48 hours in Old Town Alexandria. From historic landmarks to modern waterfront restaurants, you won’t want to miss these iconic Alexandria destinations.

Friday

People cross a sunlit street in a charming downtown area lined with shops, restaurants, and outdoor seating. Trees provide shade and the sun is low in the sky, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Two people walk and talk along a brick sidewalk lined with colorful storefronts and an American flag on a sunny day. The street has potted plants, large windows, and trees providing shade.

Stroll King Street

Stroll through the heart of Old Town along King Street. This walkable mile is lined with 200+ independent shops and restaurants set inside historic buildings. Start your day at Misha’s Coffee and then take the free King Street Trolley to local boutiques like American in Paris and Shop Made in VA.

Start Exploring

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.

Explore Art & Architecture

Immerse yourself in the city’s centuries-spanning architecture or explore the art scene with vibrant murals and photo-ready public artwork. Visit Spite House, the skinniest historic house in America or pick your passion and take a self-guided themed walk to see more.

Soak It In

A group of people sit and talk at outdoor café tables beside a brick building with faded painted signage. Large planters with American flags and palm plants decorate the patio under black umbrellas.

Dine in Historic Settings

Whether dining on Virtue Feed & Grain’s outdoor patio or in the upstairs Sofa Lounge, you’ll be surrounded by historic character in this former 1800s feed house. For a more modern take, try Vermilion, which sources local ingredients under an award-winning chef. And don’t forget to make a stop at Casa Rosada or one of Old Town’s many sweet spots for dessert.

Bon Appétit!

Saturday

A tour guide speaks to two people outside the Freedom House Museum, standing on a brick sidewalk in front of historic buildings with a historical marker and potted flowers nearby.
A busy outdoor farmers market with people shopping for fresh produce at various vendor stalls. Colorful tents and American flags are visible, with a fountain and brick buildings in the background.

Visit the Oldest Farmer’s Market

Head to the nation’s longest continually operating farmers’ markets in one site at the Old Town Farmers’ Market in the shadow of City Hall every Saturday morning. During peak season, you’ll find over 70 vendors offering fruits, vegetables, breads, cheeses, meats and more.

Start Shopping

A man and woman enjoy outdoor dining at a small café table under a red umbrella, smiling at each other outside a building labeled Fontaine on a sunny day.

Savor Brunch

Find a view of the waterfront at Jula’s on the Potomac, French flavors at Fontaine or have lunch at Kismet Modern Indian. Sip and savor brunch with a beverage at Sonoma Cellar or enjoy the Southern-infused menu at Hen Quarter and more.

Order Up

Carlyle House

Step Back in Time

Explore history where it happened at eight intimate historic site museums. Step back in time at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum and see original contents at a pharmacy dating back to 1792. Dive deep into Alexandria’s rich Black history and cultural experiences at the Freedom House Museum and Black History Museum. Or, see the history of colonial Virginia through the eyes of John Carlyle at the Carlyle House.

Discover History

A lively street scene at night features a trolley bus, cars, pedestrians, and trees adorned with twinkling string lights. Shopfronts glow warmly, and a street sign reads Fairfax St. against a deep blue evening sky.

Enjoy King Street Nightlife

See King Street aglow with lights as you make your way through Old Town’s nightlife. Find authentic Irish Fare at Daniel O’Connell’s or Murphy’s Irish Pub, enjoy French cheese, wine and cocktails at Josephine or scarf down some tacos at Urbano 116 or Don Taco. For those more musically inclined, you can sing your heart out with karaoke at Rock-It Grill or find more venues to listen to live music.

Explore Late-Night

Sunday

A row of brick townhouses with American flags displayed, one with a brown door and another with a blue door, shaded by leafy trees on a sunny day.
A couple walks hand-in-hand down a cobblestone street lined with trees and historic brick houses during daylight. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a warm, peaceful atmosphere.

Snap Picturesque Photos

Start the day by snapping share-worthy photos of picturesque row houses on cobblestoned Captain’s Row, or catch a sunrise at Waterfront Park on a morning walk through the neighborhood and along the Potomac River waterfront.

Say Cheese

two people dining with a view of the river

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, BARCA Pier offers a stylish riverside escape or dine at Ada’s on the River, named after the 19th-century mathematician Ada Lovelace.

Dine Outdoors

A man shapes clay on a pottery wheel in an art studio while a smiling couple stands behind him, watching. The studio has shelves with supplies and colorful paintings on the walls.

Discover Local Artists

Stroll to the marina to explore the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former munitions plant that is home to the largest collection of publicly accessible working artist studios in the U.S., including 82 studios, seven galleries and every medium imaginable.

Get Inspired

Couple on A Water Taxi in Alexandria

Cruise the Potomac

Get out on the water and enjoy stunning views of Washington’s monuments and historic landmarks on a narrated boat cruise, or choose from among other boat tour offerings connecting Alexandria with attractions of the D.C. region.

Set Sail

Explore More

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.

Mount Vernon

A large historic mansion with a red roof and white walls stands among green trees, viewed across a wide, open grassy lawn under a bright sky.

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.

Itineraries

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.

#visitALX

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