Alexandria Stories, Unlocked

Alexandria is a place where stories are rooted in history and progress. Explore this cosmopolitan city through experiences shaped by artists, historians, makers, small business owners and culinary artisans. You can find discoveries around every corner that reflect their creativity, craft and vision. We invite you to unlock more stories below.

Check back for new stories which will be added regularly.

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EXPLORE STORIES

A row of tents lined along Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. Pedestrians are shown walking down the street during Art on the Avenue. The festivals banner is hung above them.

Art on the Avenue

Chefs Christophe and Michelle Poteaux’s inside the restaurant.

Bastille Brasserie & Bar

Lost Boy Cider

An image of the owner of Mystique Jewelers Elizabeth Mandros.

Mystique Jewelers

An image of owner Cynthia Higgins' grandmother, Elaine.

Elaine's Restaurant

Founder and owner of Old House Provisions, Drew Altizer inside his shoemaking studio and workshop while holding a shoe.

Old House Provisions

Around the World Cultural Food Festival

Joel Pace standing in front of a display of a wall display of handcrafted artwork.

The B.E.S.T. Gift Shop

Eclairons

A group of musicians from Alexandria Symphony Orchestra seated on stage with various band instruments.

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra

Exterior shot of Vintage Mirage's red brick building, general manager Rebecca Jacobs, is shown standing next to a mannequin display wearing a bright pink dress.

Vintage Mirage

Ana Tkabladze posing in front of her jewelry display inside her art studio at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria.

GalleriaGeorgiAna

A man playing an electronic marimba at an art gallery event with guests standing in the background.

Galactic Panther

532Yoga, Arts & Culture

A close-up, top-down view of a hand pouring milk from a white pitcher into a cup of tea, surrounded by croissants and fresh blueberries.

maman

Two women standing on a grassy field and smiling, posed in front of a large blue

Alexandria Soccer Association

Wine Gallery 108

A man in a black chef's shirt holds a plate of food at the Old House Cosmopolitan Grill

Old House Cosmopolitan Grill

A sunny shot of the exterior of The Wharf Fine Seafood Restaurant on Historic King Street, featuring outdoor dining tables with white umbrellas and crisp white linens, plus flower planters.

The Wharf Fine Seafood

Women with long dark hair stands in front of the Cheesetique storefront holding a plastic take-out container of bread and cheese.

Cheesetique

A woman smiles with her hands in her pockets on a sunny, tree-lined sidewalk in front of a sign that reads, 'Friends to Lovers'

Friends to Lovers

The exterior wall and front entrance of Continues Arcade features colorful video game themed font and graphics to welcome visitors inside.

Continues Arcade

The sales floor as Pippin Toy. Co features colorful and whimsical toys, art supplies, books and more. Built-in shelves line sage green walls, while tables hold merchandise.

Penny Post, Red Barn Mercantile, Pippin Toy Co.

A colorful mural on the side of the Pacers Running shop in Old Town Alexandria reads

Pacers Running

A hand holds up a cherry blossom-themed donut in front of the neon sign at Just Fine Donuts.

Just Fine Donuts

A stylish couple poses in front of a vintage green sports car on Alexandria's Historic King Street.

The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style

The Old Town Shop's interior features colorful displays of gifts, souvenirs and more. There are clothing items, accessories, snacks, decor and more.

The Old Town Shop

A plastic cup of iced coffee with a blue straw sits on black rocks, surrounded by a lei of purple and white flowers, with the ocean and sky blurred in the background.

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii

A variety of Greek dishes on white plates, including spanakopita, pita bread with dips, dolmades, falafel, soup, fried calamari, and salads, all arranged on a wooden table.

The Big Greek Cafe

Historic gravestone with weathered inscription and ornamental details in cemetery

Gravestone Stories

West End neighborhood street with historic architecture and storefronts

Feru Bar & Restaurant

Woman in professional headshot wearing dark blazer and pearl necklace

Hank's Oyster Bar

Angelika O'Reilly smiling at camera in professional portrait

Eliana Curated

Benjamin Fiore-Walker stands outdoors in professional attire

Alexandria Town Crier

Jay Quander standing in front of historic building entrance

1799 Prime Steak & Seafood

Artist Alison Sigethy smiling inside her Torpedo Factory Art Center glass studio.

Fantastical Glass

Friends enjoying cocktails at an Old Town Alexandria rooftop bar during sunset.

Good Fortune

Bill Butcher holding craft beer inside Port City Brewing Co.’s Alexandria brewery.

Port City Brewing

Celthia Corsino inside Bellacara, Old Town Alexandria’s luxury cosmetics boutique.

Bellacara

Karim Mashmour and Ibtissam Lhadi outside Gustave Boulangerie in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood.

Gustave

Guests dining inside a historic Old Town Alexandria restaurant with skylight and Parisian décor.

Josephine

Share Your Alexandria Story

Couple enjoying cocktails at sunset on a rooftop overlooking Old Town Alexandria.

What’s your Alexandria story? Tell us what you love about the city and what you think potential visitors should know. Your story will be considered for a highlight as part of the Unlock Your Story campaign. Use the form below or use the hashtag to post on social media.

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