Top Things to Do This Spring in Alexandria, VA

Pictured: “Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact)” rendering; Image Credit: STUDIOKCA

Coming this spring, Interstellar Influencer (Make an Impact) will be unveiled as the sixth annual temporary public art installation at Waterfront Park, on display until November 2024 as part of the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town series. Created by Brooklyn-based, award-winning artist/architect duo Jason Klimoski and Lesley Chang of STUDIOKCA, the installation explores the impact of an asteroid that hit the earth 35 million years ago near what is now Alexandria. Interstellar Influencer uses metal, water and light to create a 1:1000 scale representation of the asteroid and the 85-kilometer wide, 1.5-kilometer-deep crater it left behind, that shaped the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed and the flow of water through its rivers and tributaries. STUDIOKCA hopes the “representation of the asteroid and its impact helps raise awareness of the fragility of our shared existence on this planet and the extraordinary (and sometime extraterrestrial) foundation of our modern cities and waterways.”

This cherry blossom season, soak in the pink and white wonders as you wander Alexandria’s red-brick sidewalks, or see the D.C. blossoms up close with bike tours from Pedego Electric Bikes and Unlimited Biking. Beginning on March 20, 2024, take a Water Taxi to The Wharf for a short 10-minute jaunt to the Tidal Basin to enjoy the cherry blossoms, or take the Cherry Blossom Cruise past the Tidal Basin blossoms and into Georgetown, beginning March 16.

From March 23 to April 14, head to the Torpedo Factory Art Center to experience “Pink Torpedoes: Cherry Blossom Art in an Old Munitions Factory,” or cuddle up with the residents of Mount Purrnon Cat Café + Wine Bar during “Purry Blossom Weekend” on April 13 and 14. Sip on a saké-infused cocktail from Alexandria Partners Restaurants such as Ada’s on the River and Mia’s Italian Kitchen and celebrate Japanese aesthetics during an exclusive tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House. Find many more cherry blossom-themed experiences here.

Image Courtesy of ALX Dog Walk

This spring, get your furry friends in on the fun. On April 14, 2024, the second annual Del Ray Dog Fest will feature canine fun, dog menus, live music, venues and more. Following the event, stay in Del Ray to enjoy “Yappy Hour” for owners and their pets at participating restaurants. Later in the month, on April 20, parade your pup along the Old Town waterfront during the Third Annual ALX Dog Walk, emceed by NBC4 Washington Meteorologist Chuck Bell, now including a brand new Sustainability Festival component.

More of a feline fan? Try Mount Purrnon Cat Café + Wine Bar’s first-ever “Sip and Paint” event on March 25. Did we mention the kitties will be doing the creating?

April’s mild weather makes it the perfect time to get outside and stroll the city’s centuries-old streetscapes. Discover Federal, Georgian-Palladian, Victorian and Art Deco styles during Carlyle House’s Discover Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour on March 16, April 27 and May 18, 2024. On April 20, participate in the 91^st Annual Historic Garden Week Old Town Alexandria Tour, part of Historic Garden Week in Virginia. This walking tour includes private townhomes and secluded gardens located along the tree-lined historic streets, plus access to two Garden Club of Virginia restoration projects, George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens and Green Springs Gardens, and other local places of interest. Find more of Alexandria’s standout architectural spots to explore here.

Pictured: Casa Luna Owner Barry Weng

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May by getting to know some of Alexandria’s AAPI business owners. Explore international artwork at Kyo Gallery, helmed by Jason Longfellow. Get motivated to reach your goals at Get Fit Studio, owned by husband-and-wife team Carlo Pascasio and Ann Pham.

Located in the West End’s Alexandria Commons shopping center, KungFu Kitchen serves Northern-style authentic Chinese food. Owner Amy Liang and her team specialize in dishes such as soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, handmade dumplings and wok recipes. On King Street, the cocktail-inclined should head below Kisso Asian Bistro to Casa Luna, owned by Barry Weng, for creative handcrafted cocktails paired with sophisticated bar bites. Find many more businesses to support year-round and uncover new favorites here.