Alexandria, Virginia, located just minutes from Washington, D.C. on the Potomac River waterfront, is the perfect place to spend an afternoon shopping. Stroll Old Town’s King Street mile, the largest collection of independent boutiques in the D.C. region. Step inside local shops on or just off King Street offering curated selections of stationery, vintage barware, sustainable fashion and more. Shop national favorites like Warby Parker and West Elm. See why the best finds aren’t delivered, they’re discovered.
Shoes
Pictured: The Shoe Hive
The Shoe Hive (127 S. Fairfax St.)
The Shoe Hive is the spot for designer shoes in Alexandria with brands like Tory Burch, Bettye Muller, Aquatalia by Marvin K, Kate Spade, Sam Edelman, Michael Kors, Seychelles, Gola, Hunter and more. Tucked into a picturesque brick storefront off King Street, The Shoe Hive is a must-see that will make any shoe-lover swoon.
Comfort One Shoes (200 & 201 King St.)
Comfort One Shoes specializes in comfort and quality and offers a wide selection of women’s and men’s shoes from around the world.
Pacers Running (1301 King St.)
Whether you’re an avid runner, an outdoor enthusiast or just looking to get active, Pacers Running has everything you could possibly need, including a wide selection of footwear and an expert staff to help you make your selection.
Want more of our favorite shops for shoes in Alexandria? Check them out here.
Women’s Fashion
Pictured: She’s Unique; Image Credit: Sarah Marcella Creative
An American in Paris (1225 King St.)
An American in Paris is a European-style boutique featuring curated emerging designers, bespoke pieces and unique styles from evening gowns to chic, relaxed attire.
Bloomers (706 King St.)
Bloomers is the place to go if you’re looking for designer undergarments, sleepwear and loungewear. The key to your perfect outfit starts here!
donna lewis (309 Cameron St.)
Donna lewis is tucked into a beautiful brick courtyard on Cameron Street and is a one-of-a-kind, can’t-miss spot in Old Town. You can enjoy fresh espresso while you shop designs handpicked to match the luxurious donna lewis brand on three levels inside this gorgeous shop.
Frances Valentine (924 King St.)
Upscale New York City-based boutique Frances Valentine opened in 2023 featuring fashionable finds inspired by co-founders and best friends Elyce Arons and Kate Spade.
Gossypia (325 Cameron St.)
Gossypia is an eclectic boutique that features everything from artistic clothing to handcrafted Latin American folk art and wedding dresses. It’s the type of store where you can get lost exploring as if it were an art gallery.
Imagine Artwear (1124 King St.)
Imagine Artwear is a winner of the Top 100 Retailers of American Crafts Award and features contemporary clothing, jewelry and crafts by American artists with limited editions and custom orders.
The Lucky Knot (101 King St.)
The Lucky Knot is owned by three sisters and is the ultimate preppy destination in Alexandria, featuring designers like Vineyard Vines, Vera Bradley, Jude Connally and accessories by Lilly Pulitzer.
She’s Unique Jewelry & Gifts (205 King St.)
She’s Unique specializes in stunning simplicity, offering jewelry from up-and-coming stateside designers as well as globally-sourced pieces.
Want more of our favorite shops for designer women’s fashion in Alexandria? Check them out here.
Wellness and Cosmetics
Pictured: Bellacara; Image Credit: Sarah Marcella Creative
Bellacara (1000 King St.)
Bellacara is Alexandria’s premier beauty boutique offering high-end cosmetic, skincare and hair care products, including brands like Kiehl’s, Bumble & Bumble, Smashbox, Dermalogica and more.
Lotus Blooms (1017 King St.)
Lotus Blooms offers elegant steel-boned corsets and beautiful lingerie to fit and compliment bodies of all types and all sizes, as well as body-safe adult products.
Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop (102 N. Fayette St.)
Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop is on a mission to break the taboo surrounding menstrual health – creating a safe space to explore products and resources that make your life a little more comfortable, spread joy and build community. Stop in this nurse-founded and women-owned boutique for all your intimate health needs, from first periods through menopause and every phase in between.
Home Design
Pictured: Red Barn Mercantile; Image Credit: Rashmi Pappu
Boxwood (128 S. Royal St.)
Boxwood is a home décor and gift boutique in the heart of Old Town Alexandria offering a curated collection of unique and vibrant lifestyle goods from artists and designers found locally and around the world.
Red Barn Mercantile (1117 King St.)
Red Barn Mercantile is a favorite for high-quality home goods and gifts including furniture, home décor, essentials for the kitchen and bath and much more. Plus, the independently-owned boutique carries tons of local designers and goods including Alexandria gifts.
Want more of our favorite home design shops in Alexandria? Check them out here.
Bookstores
Pictured: Old Town Books; Image Credit: Nicole Blair
Harambee Books & Artworks (1132 Prince St.)
Named after the Swahili word for “working together,” Harambee Books & Artworks promotes literacy education as a fundamental human right for all. Come and browse a unique selection of books and hard-to-find classic literature by and about people of African descent, plus exclusive artworks and fashionable apparels.
Old Town Books (130 S. Royal St.):
Old Town Books, helmed by Ally Kirkpatrick (and shop dog Scout), emphasizes community engagement through book clubs, author events, writers’ groups and workshops.
Kids
Image Courtesy of Pippin Toy Co.
The Happy Place Gift Shop (105 N. Union St.)
Happy Place, where the colors are bright and mood is always right, has all sorts of toys and games for kids as well as gifts for adults.
Hooray for Books! (1555 King St.)
Hooray for Books! is that local bookstore that makes kids want to curl up in a comfy corner and spend the afternoon reading. It’s also Alexandria’s only locally-owned, independent children’s bookstore and offers a wide selection of new and classic books, toys and gifts for children of all ages.
Pink & Brown Boutique (1129 King St.)
Pink & Brown Boutique offers organic baby and children’s clothing, furniture, custom bedding, baby gear, organic toys, gifts and accessories.
Pippin Toy Co. (1310 King St.)
Open since late 2023 from the team behind Penny Post and Red Barn Mercantile, Pippin Toy Co. is a magical oasis for children’s toys, books, games and more.
Want more of our favorite stores for kids in Alexandria? Check them out here.
Antiques
Pictured: The Antique Guild
A Galerie (317 Cameron St.)
Just off King Street, A Galerie is a treasure trove for anyone who loves antique stores. Every inch is filled with exquisite antiques and fine art.
The Antique Guild (113 N. Fairfax St.)
Close to Alexandria’s Visitor Center, The Antique Guild specializes in antique jewelry, silver flatware and holloware with an emphasis on quality at reasonable prices. Collections include pieces from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco periods among others.
Lowery’s Dial (1401 King St.)
Decorate your home with vintage curiosities from Lowery’s Dial, including antique furniture, art and books plus one-of-a-kind silver and classic china.
Want more of our favorite antique shops in Alexandria? Check them out here.
DIY & Stationery Shops
AR Workshop (1212 King St.)
AR Workshop is a unique DIY workshop where you can host a private event or take classes ranging from monogramming pillows to creating custom painted wood planks and much more. It’s great for all ages and even has special events for teenagers.
fibre space (1319 Prince St.)
Fibre space is as much a community as it is a store, with a strong following of yarn-lovers and nightly events, “yarn tastings,” workshops, classes and movie nights for all skill levels in their comfortable and spacious lounge. fibre space specializes in unique yarns and fibres from hand-dyed, independent, local and U.S.-made sources for knitting, crochet and spinning and is filled with a friendly and helpful group of experts who are on hand to answer your questions and help you out.
Penny Post (1201 King St.)
Penny Post offers beautifully-designed greeting cards, pens, stationery and other printed treasures, as well as free monthly Correspondence Clubs and other creative workshops designed to forge connections.
Shop Made in VA (1121 King St.)
Shop Made in Virginia, the sister store to Shop Made in DC, showcases the talents of VA-based designers, artists and makers, plus workshops and crafty classes.
Want more of our favorite DIY shops in Alexandria? Check them out here.
Florists
View this post on Instagram
K Aubrey Flowers (1401 King St.)
K Aubrey Flowers was founded by Kevin A. Canfield in 1996 and has been providing exquisite arrangements to the nation’s capital region for more than 25 years. He leads the full-service design team in creating custom floral accents from fresh, quality flowers.
Alexandria Gifts
Historic Alexandria Museums
Many of the historic Alexandria museums have museum stores and gift shops with Alexandria gifts and souvenirs unique to their sites. Have a doctor or nurse in the family? Pick up one of the “syringe” pens at the Stabler Leadbeater Apothecary Museum gift shop. The Alexandria Black History Museum also has an awesome collection of hard-to-find gifts and memorabilia.
The Old Town Shop (104 S. Union St.)
The Old Town Shop specializes in unique Old Town gifts and novelties, including goods made by artists in Virginia. It’s a great spot to find a meaningful gift to remember your trip.
The Alexandria Visitor Center (221 King St.)
The Alexandria Visitor Center is a must-see for any visitor looking for the best Old Town experience. In addition to brochures, maps, tickets and insider information on favorite spots and events, the Visitor Center has a gift shop with Alexandria souvenirs and goods.
Red Barn Mercantile (1117 King St.)
Red Barn Mercantile also has handcrafted Alexandria gifts including mugs, pillows, bags and more.
The BEST Gift Shop (122 S. Patrick St.)
The BEST Gift Shop promotes and supports artisans with disabilities from all over the United States, selling beautiful creations such as handwoven scarves, jewelry, soaps, candles, greeting cards and more gift items.
Want more of our favorite Alexandria specialty shops? Check them out here.
National Stores
King Street’s got plenty of your favorite national stores, too, so you can get all your shopping done on one main street. Here are some of King Street’s offerings.
LuLuLemon: High-end yoga and athletic wear and accessories for women and men.
Anthropologie: Bohemian-chic womenswear and home design.
Blue Mercury: Luxury cosmetics.
Crate & Barrel Outlet: All your favorite stylish furniture, kitchenware and other home essentials at huge discounts.
H&M: Clothing for men, women and kids with huge sales.
The Pink Palm, A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store: Lilly Pulitzer and other preppy brands.
Simon Pearce: Signature handmade glass and pottery décor and tableware, plus curated home accents.
Warby Parker: Chic, flattering frames and prescription lenses.
West Elm: Modern and stylish furniture, home décor and accessories.
Learn more about boutiques in Old Town Alexandria here.
Header Image Credit: Sarah Marcella Creative for Visit Alexandria
