Cozy Winter Romantic Getaway with Shops, Sips and Eats at Fresh Hot Spots
Trends: Small-City Romance, Retail Therapy
Alexandria stays warm in winter with a wave of fresh openings and intimate hideaways. Start with a signature scent at the new location of Arielle Shoshana on Cameron Street. At Valetta Port, Old Town’s self-described destination for fine Mediterranean cuisine, enjoy the just-unveiled Winter 2026 Chef’s Signature Menu, featuring a grilled T-bone steak, beef tenderloin, confit de canard, meat balls & bean stew and a featured desert of Crispy Pumpkin Delight. Keep the night going with handcrafted drinks at the new Bar 86, tucked inside Café du Soleil in Old Town, or plan a playful evening at the just opened Continues Arcade, home to fifty vintage cabinets, skee-ball and pinball, plus a full-service restaurant and bar from Iron Chef America alum Brian Lacayo with guidance from Top Chef’s Spike Mendelsohn.
Writers can also settle into an igloo, heated pergola or firepit at The Garden in Del Ray, linger over waterfront tapas at BARCA Pier & Wine Bar or choose modern French comfort and deep wine lists at Josephine Brasserie and Bar and Bastille. Warm up with hot drinks and Salvadoran bites on the heated patio at the new LaPluma Coffee & Wine. Then wander through independent boutiques, dessert cafés, wine bars and waterfront paths that lend themselves to curated date itineraries, modern-romance angles and winter-cozy photography.
Writers can also spotlight Alexandria’s more than two hundred independent boutiques and restaurants and wrap the narrative with a romantic weekend in one of the city’s hotels.
Kick Off America’s 250th Commemorations in a City Older than the U.S.
Trends: Hidden History, Immersive Storytelling, Cultural Immersion
Founded by Scottish merchants in 1749, Alexandria is older than the United States itself. In early 2026, the city will kick off its America’s 250th programming, which will feature special events, tours, exhibits, public art, lectures, music, family activities and more. As George Washington’s adopted hometown, Alexandria invites writers to highlight the George Washington Birthday Parade on February 14, 2026, the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. This year’s theme is Virginia’s Son ~ America’s Founding Father.
After the parade, writers can explore Alexandria’s history and culture to add color to a piece that teases the city’s 250th culmination with major summer events. This winter, experience unique exhibits at the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, including a special showcase on the U.S. Navy’s role in the Civil War featuring objects from Fort Ward Museum’s naval collection. Writers can also deepen their understanding of Alexandria’s vital place in our nation’s history—including the stories of Black Americans who helped shape Alexandria and the U.S.—by joining a historic guided tour with Alexandria History Tours, Manumission Tour Company or Gravestone Stories.
Celebrate Trailblazers and History-Makers During Black History Month and Women’s History Month
Trends: Representation Travel, “History Forward,” Social-Impact Travel
From Black and women-owned businesses to trailblazers throughout history, Alexandria is a powerful place to commemorate Black History Month and Women’s History Month. Writers can explore over 100 mostly women-owned independent boutiques, including DIY boutique AR Workshop Alexandria (a Black woman-owned business) and Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop, a women’s health boutique with gifts, products and workshops to help folks understand everything from their first periods to menopause.
Additionally, writers can commemorate Black History Month with a visit to Alexandria’s Black History Museum and the Freedom House Museum, the latter of which honors the lives and experiences of the enslaved and free Black people who lived in and were trafficked through Alexandria and recently underwent an exterior rehabilitation. Folks can also explore the stories of Black restaurateurs like Jay Quander, owner of 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood. Jay can trace his lineage back to the 1600s as member of one of the oldest documented African American families in the United States. One branch of the family was enslaved as servants of President George Washington at Mount Vernon.
Features could include interviews with these business owners, who can speak to their independent entrepreneurial spirit, their unique backgrounds and the paths that led them to open small businesses in Alexandria.
Explore Alexandria’s Critically Acclaimed Dining Scene and Global Cuisine
Trends: Neighborhood Dining, Culinary Experiences, Chef-Driven Menus
This winter, Alexandria’s dining landscape feels especially vibrant, driven by comfort-forward seasonal menus, intimate interiors, and chef narratives aligned with broader national trends. Among the latest arrivals, Umiya Sushi in the West End stands out with fresh sushi, premium seafood, and an expansive grill selection. In Old Town North, Pupatella’s newest location has recently opened, bringing VPN-certified Neapolitan pies, an esteemed designation from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana that ensures adherence to strict traditional methods. The new spot nods to the auto repair history of the building with a mural and garage doors that open to outdoor seating.
Winter is also a prime time for value-rich tastings, specials, and culinary events, ideal for filling seasonal editorial lineups. From January 23 to February 1, 2026, Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week returns, offering prix-fixe deals across dozens of restaurants and fast-casual spots in the city’s varied neighborhoods.
For a broader narrative, writers might spotlight Alexandria’s globally inspired food scene: Ethiopian fare at Feru Bar and Restaurant in the West End, or the sustainably minded, chef-driven approach at Founding Farmers in Potomac Yard. Together, these openings, emerging concepts, and international flavors illustrate why Alexandria continues to be a compelling dining destination.
Start the New Year Off with a Rejuvenating “Glow-cation” in Alexandria
Trends: Slow Travel, Wellness Tourism, Glow-cation
Alexandria is a perfect choice for a “glow-cation” where travelers focus on relaxation, rejuvenation and wellness. Writers can tour the Del Ray Wellness District, enjoy a relaxing treatment at the new JoyLife Spa (a woman and Black-owned business) in the Archer Hotel or choose from more than 80 fitness and yoga classes at PIES Yoga Studio (also a woman and Black-owned business). Decompress with yoga, karate and massage at Refresh Wellness Collective Refresh, a vibrant, playful studio owned by Lindsey Canaley, whose journey began with a simple VHS tape. Writers can also explore the Mount Vernon Trail or rent an e-bike from Pedego Electric Bikes or Strictly Ebikes for an adventure along the waterfront.
In Alexandria, even the journey to the destination is as stress-free as the stay. Skip the car and take advantage of Amtrak’s winter deals, three nearby airports, and five Metro stops that make getting here effortless.
Enjoy Winter Retreats and Affordable Hotel Rates for Leisure and Corporate Getaways
Trends: Small-Group Retreats, Hybrid Travel, Meetings-as-Mini-Getaways
This winter, Alexandria invites travelers and meeting planners to take advantage of some of the year’s best hotel rates and seasonal packages, perfect for small-group retreats, hybrid work trips, and cozy getaways. Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria offers its “Cobblestones & Cocoa” winter group package, transforming strategy sessions into intimate retreat-style experiences just steps from King Street and the Potomac River. At Archer Hotel, guests who book by December 30 for stays through January 20, 2026, can enjoy 20% off standard rates and a $25 drink-and-dine credit, while the Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria welcomes couples with its “Urban Love Affair” package featuring a $50 breakfast credit, a bottle of Champagne or prosecco with flutes, and a romantic card game. With welcoming properties and inviting seasonal deals, now is the perfect time to explore Alexandria.
For more details about these story ideas and other reasons why Alexandria should be on your list this holiday season, reach out to Andrew Postal at apostal@visitalexva.com.