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Alexandria

VA

1749

Things to Do in Alexandria, VA

Couple Biking Down King Street In Alexandria, VA
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Whether you’re spending a long weekend or making a day trip from Washington, D.C., you’re in for an unforgettable experience in Alexandria, Virginia, voted a Travel + Leisure Top 10 Best City in the U.S. 2026 and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2025.

A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria hums 200+ independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront, all surrounding the walkable King Street

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Start Here: Alexandria’s Top Experiences

Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

Spite House in Old Town Alexandria

Summer in Alexandria

Two people clink their cocktail glasses at a high top table overlooking the Potomac River on a sunny summer day.

Things to Do on the Alexandria Waterfront

The Alexandria Waterfront At Dusk

Historic Attractions and Museums

Carlyle House

Things to Do This Weekend in Alexandria, VA

A woman in a white dress walks on a brick path toward the camera, with a large, historic beige building behind her under a blue sky with some clouds. The building has tall chimneys and symmetrical windows.

Alexandria Neighborhoods Guide

Visitor Guide

A smiling family walks together outdoors at a lively street market, with the woman gesturing as she talks, the man holding her hand, and a girl in front wearing overalls. Other people and market stalls are in the background.

Exploring & Getting Around During City Hall & Market Square Renovations

Alexandria City Hall and Market Square are undergoing renovations, but independent shops, restaurants, museums and historic attractions remain open. Discover the nearby businesses and museums impacted by the project. With parking limited, we encourage visitors to consider using transit. Plan your visit and learn more below.

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Choose Things to Do by Interest

Whether you are here for a girlfriends’ getaway, an anniversary trip or a family vacation, there is plenty to do. Check out our ideas, from boutique shopping to specialty tours, below. The best way to unlock Alexandria’s rich history and culture is with our Key to the City attractions pass.

People enjoy outdoor dining under red umbrellas on a lively street lined with restaurants, including an ice cream shop, on a sunny day. Trees and flower planters decorate the scene as pedestrians walk by.
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Three women walk down a brick sidewalk, carrying shopping bags and smiling, in front of shops with large windows and hanging signs on a sunny day. Trees line the street, and a man is seen in the background.
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Three women sit at an outdoor restaurant table by the water, laughing and enjoying food and drinks on a sunny day. A bridge and a fourth person sitting alone are visible in the background.
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A group of five people walk through a brick gate with a tour guide in a white shirt at the entrance of Carlyle House, surrounded by trees and historical signage.
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New Year's Eve Fireworks displayed over Old Town Alexandria.
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Cyclist on Mount Vernon Trail
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A family of four takes a selfie with a smiling costumed historical reenactor outside a large stone colonial-era building on a sunny day.
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Explore Alexandria’s Neighborhoods

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Here in Alexandria, every neighborhood draws you in and invites you to linger just a little longer—from the waterfront to the West End and everywhere in between.

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Photos submitted by Alexandria visitors like you.