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Presidential Connections in Alexandria

Row of brick townhouses with American flags hanging by the doors, one door is brown and another is blue; trees provide shade along the sidewalk.

With Alexandria’s hundreds of independent restaurants in an unforgettable historic atmosphere, it’s easy to see why presidents and first families have spent time in the city for decades (and even centuries). Here are just some of the presidential sightings around town, plus more political connections:

President Joe Biden, Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris

  • On May 28, 2021, President Joe Biden visited Sportrock Climbing Center in Alexandria’s Eisenhower corridor to mark COVID-19 vaccination progress as Virginia lifted distancing and capacity restrictions.
  • On April 6, 2021, President Joe Biden visited a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site operated by Neighborhood Health on the grounds of the Virginia Theological Seminary.
  • On March 3, 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Old Town boutique and “yarn universe” fibre space to speak with owner Danielle Romanetti and shop’s employees about the administration’s COVID relief plans to support small businesses. While at the store, the Vice President purchased a hoodie for her step-daughter, knitwear designer Ella Emhoff.
  • First Lady Dr. Jill Biden is a lifelong educator and full-time English professor at Northern Virginia Community College, including the Alexandria campus off N. Beauregard Street. Dr. Biden has expressed a desire to continue to teach while her husband is in office, and would become the first First Lady to hold a day job outside the White House.

Barack Obama and the First Family

  • Vermilion: President Obama and Michelle Obama delighted in a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner here in 2012.
  • Del Ray Pizzeria: Features presidential pies (“Barack My World”) enjoyed by President Obama and his family in 2011.
  • Union Street Public House: Enjoyed by First Lady Michelle and daughter Malia in 2011
  • The Dairy Godmother: A Father’s Day treat for President Obama and his daughters Sasha and Malia early in his first term in 2009.
  • The Majestic: First Lady Michelle and the girls celebrated Michelle’s mother’s birthday at The Majestic in 2009.
  • In addition to the restaurants above, President Obama visited now-closed eateries such as Del Ray’s FireFlies Bar & Restaurant for lunch with this secretary of education in 2014 and Restaurant Eve in Old Town for his 19th wedding anniversary with Michelle in 2011.
A group of six young adults sit and stand outside an ice cream shop called The Dairy Godmother, smiling and enjoying frozen treats together on a sunny day.

Laura Bush

Jackson 20 (now King & Rye): First Lady Laura Bush dined here during her husband’s presidency.

Ronald Reagan

Ireland’s Own (now closed): Surprise visit by President Ronald Reagan on St. Patrick’s Day 1988. The restaurant features photos of Reagan, the original table where he dined and a bust of the president.

Gerald Ford

In 1955, then-Congressman Ford and his family moved to Alexandria. The Fords remained in Alexandria during Ford’s tenure as Vice President (1973-1974), as the Vice President did not yet have an official residence. Following the resignation of Richard Nixon, Ford spent his first 10 days as President in the house before moving to the White House. The house at 514 Crown View Drive is on the register of historic places.

Richard Nixon

While serving as a U.S. senator and representative of California, former President Richard Nixon lived at 3426 Gunston Road in Alexandria’s Park Fairfax neighborhood.

George Washington and Early Presidents

  • Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant: Favorite of George Washington and host to all of the first five U.S. presidents, including Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural banquet in March 1801.
  • George Washington’s Mount Vernon: The first president’s riverside home, just eight miles south of Old Town, is America’s most visited historic estate.
A brick-walled parking garage entrance with a yellow ticket machine and a barrier arm. A sign indicates LOW CLEARANCE above the entrance, and another sign points left for parking.
Parking garage; entrance is on Cameron Street between N. Fayette Street and N. Henry Street. Hours: Monday-Friday: 6 a.m. –...
1150 Cameron Street Alexandria, Virginia
A dimly lit bar with a copper countertop, shelves stocked with liquor bottles, a chalkboard menu on a white brick wall, and glassware arranged neatly on the counter.
An established tradition on Union Street in Old Town, 1986 – The Whiskey Bar occupies the recently renovated and re-designed...
121 S. Union Street Alexandria, Virginia
Four green metal sculptures with intricate cut-out patterns, shaped like human silhouettes, stand on yellow and orange platforms in an outdoor urban area, with buildings and trees in the background.
*While this installation’s run at Waterfront Park has ended as planned, you can find it for a limited time near...
1609 Cameron Street Alexandria, Virginia
A smiling couple enjoys wine and dinner at a cozy, warmly-lit restaurant with other diners seated at tables in the background. String lights and brick walls create a welcoming atmosphere.
219 Restaurant is located in an elegant Victorian setting, serving modern Southern cuisine. The Basin Street Lounge has live jazz...
219 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
A boutique clothing store with wooden floors, exposed brick wall, and racks of neatly arranged womens clothes, bags, and accessories. Mannequins display outfits along the well-lit aisle.
3 Sisters is a stylish yet affordable fashion boutique offering wide variety of clothing. On the second floor, you will...
213 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
A group of people sit around a pottery wheel watching a person in an apron demonstrate pottery techniques in a studio filled with shelves of clay and ceramics supplies.
Retreat to a unique and rewarding artistic experience with A Creative Retreat at The Art League, located in the world-renowned...
105 N. Union Street Alexandria, Virginia
A row of colorful historic buildings on a sunny street, with a yellow storefront displaying a hanging sign that reads Antiques Fine Art. A tree and lamppost are visible along the sidewalk.
The best kept secret in Old Town! A Galerie houses a plethora of handpicked antiques and designer home décor ranging...
317 Cameron Street Alexandria, Virginia
A large historic white house with a red roof sits at the center of a circular driveway, surrounded by green trees and lawn, with water visible in the background.
At George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate! Dine exclusively at the estate of our nation’s first president, George Washington’s Mount Vernon...
625 N. Washington Street Alexandria, Virginia
A modern restaurant interior with colorful geometric-patterned booth seating, wooden walls, potted plants, and a counter with plates and hanging red lamps. The space is brightly lit with natural light.
A homage to 19th-century mathematician Ada Lovelace, Ada’s on the River offers a sweeping view of the Potomac and features...
3 Pioneer Mill Way Alexandria, Virginia
A white helmet hangs on a wall above a large African American Hall of Fame display, surrounded by framed photos, posters, and memorabilia.
The African American Hall of Fame is a visually-stimulating account of the movers and shakers who made Alexandria the city...
Charles Houston Recreation Center 901 Wythe Street Alexandria, Virginia
A freshly baked Margherita pizza on a metal tray, topped with melted mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, with a few burnt spots on the golden-brown crust.
Unassuming hideaway serving pizza and homestyle Italian plates in cheery surrounds, Aldo’s Italian Kitchen provides authentic Italian without having to...
2850 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, Virginia
Several people gather in a circular stone plaza with tall, abstract metal sculptures resembling trees, surrounded by lush greenery and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
“Truths that Rise from the Roots Remembered” is the name of the bronze tree sculpture here that honors the contributions...
Holland Lane between Duke St. & Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, Virginia

Restaurants

A plate with a pyramid of grilled paneer cubes, decorated with colorful sauce dots. In the background, there is a clay pot of yellow rice and a dish of layered food garnished with greens.

Seafood

A white plate with four seared scallops arranged in a row atop a bed of yellow couscous, garnished with two dark cherries on skewers and drizzled with olive oil. The background shows a blurred kitchen setting.

Virginia Wines

Bottles of sparkling wine and champagne are displayed on wooden shelves in a shop, with labels and foil tops visible, creating an elegant and inviting atmosphere.

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