What We Discover When We Drive Less in Alexandria

At some point during your trip to Old Town, you will likely spot a red vintage-inspired trolley gliding rhythmically along King Street. Ditch the car and hop aboard Alexandria’s free King Street Trolley. With stops every two to three blocks, the trolley travels east and west, connecting the King St-Old Town Metrorail Station to City Hall/Market Square, the Visitor Center, and a bustling waterfront.

Traveling by trolley feels like stepping back in time, with a gentle ride along King Street. Enjoy the little ways that Alexandria boasts cosmopolitan charm while embracing historic roots. Climb inside and, no matter where you sit, peer out the spacious windows and people-watch in this charming small city. The trolley is also equipped with wheelchair ramps and securement areas, bike racks, and audio stop announcements. As you drift by, the gentle ding of the conductor’s bell announces each stop, welcoming passengers to step off and explore a city home to over 200 independent restaurants, vibrant boutiques, cozy bookstores, and historic museums.

A bike ride through the city is like a journey through its history, unlocking the stories of historic routes quietly nestled in the streets along the way. Follow winding trails and brick-paved pathways to explore Alexandria’s Black history and ride along the African American Heritage Trail on the city’s waterfront. Cruise along historic sidewalks through Alexandria’s vibrant neighborhoods toward the Mount Vernon Trail, a citywide trail network that spans to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. For those seeking a grand adventure to nearby cities, follow the route along the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile urban bicycle and walking route that connects hundreds of communities from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Florida.
Ride under a canopy of seasonal blooms on a bike tour with Pedego Electric Bikes, its user-friendly electric bikes make the thirty-minute ride into Washington, D.C. a breeze. Strictly Ebikes, one of the only bike shops in the Northern Virginia/D.C. metro area, specializes exclusively in electric bicycles. Hop on a bike with Capital Bikeshare and explore the city with over 7,500 bikes and 800 stations across Northern Virginia. Biking lets you explore Alexandria’s historic, but not static, roots, with easy access to major nearby destinations.

Train rides into the city by Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express always come with sweeping views of the horizon. The shimmering waterscape of the Potomac River paired with a gentle ride into Alexandria makes for the perfect start to a cozy hometown adventure.

No matter which train you ride, your adventure begins the moment you arrive: the King St–Old Town Station of the Washington Metro sits directly across the street from Alexandria Union Station. Visitors arrive at the top of King Street at a convenient intermodal hub, which links Amtrak, VRE, and Metro with access to the Alexandria DASH and Metrobus lines, making it easy to explore all the region has to offer.

Inside Alexandria Union Station, notice the Colonial Revival–style architecture paired with Federal Revival architecture. From the minute you arrive, Alexandria is brimming with history, even in the moments after you step off the tracks. Today, it serves as a modernized hub, connecting travelers to various train services and routes in and out of the city.

Sometimes, the best way to experience a city is to watch it unfold. Ride on Alexandria’s DASH bus alongside locals as they move through the city, sharing the everyday rhythm of the streets and offering a quiet glimpse into life beyond the visitor experience. Along the way, wander beyond Old Town and explore nearby neighborhoods, Del Ray, Carlyle & Eisenhower, The West End, and Arlandria-Chirilagua, each with its own striking identity, character, and local flavors. From charming residential streets and historic corridors to unexpected local gems, a ride on the DASH bus is a glimpse into the communities and cultures that keep our city thriving. It’s more than an opportunity to get around; it’s a chance to discover the character of the communities surrounding the city.

Step aboard the water taxi with City Cruises and drift along the current of the Potomac River. Take in sweeping views of the water on a route that the whole family will enjoy. From an elegant sunset dinner cruise to a spectacular boat ride under moonlight with the Potomac Water Taxi, Alexandria’s historic waterfront lets you soak in calming panoramic views, without the noise, and all the fun. Located across the Potomac River and within eyesight of Washington, D.C., Alexandria has convenient water taxi access to major destinations like bustling Washington, D.C., National Harbor, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Make your arrival part of the experience. From your first glimpse of the city from above to the moment you step onto Alexandria’s streets, you can take in the view even before the adventure begins. Planes soar across the Potomac River, reminding both locals and visitors that travel is easy in Alexandria, whether you’re dining at a rooftop bar or wandering along the waterfront. When traveling into the city, you don’t need a car to get to Alexandria from the airport. Conveniently located in proximity to three major airports, including Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), the city makes for a convenient, calm home base across the D.C. region, without being too far away from the exciting seasonal events and activities.

Wander at your own pace in a city designed for everyone, from the solo adventurer to business travelers and family gatherings. Alexandria is a walkable city with easy-to-navigate streets. But the best way to explore Alexandria is by taking a walking tour that allows you to uncover the hidden history of the city by foot. Follow an 18th-century costumed guide by lantern light with Alexandria Colonial Tours for ghost stories, legends, and folklore hidden among Old Town. Uncover more stories shared by Gravestone Stories with David Heiby, a historian who grew up among the gravestones of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House. Learn about Alexandria’s historic connections to the Revolutionary War, George Washington, and the Civil War from a proud veteran and locally owned company Alexandria History Tours. Each tour brings a different story to life, offering a unique way to experience Alexandria.