Enjoy a Romantic Getaway in Alexandria

A smiling couple walks arm-in-arm down a lively outdoor street lined with cafes, red umbrellas, and autumn trees, while other people stroll in the background.

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With its centuries-old architecture, buzzing waterfront and fresh dining scene, Alexandria, Virginia, offers the ideal setting to be spirited away with your significant other. Just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., you’ll find al fresco dining options with stunning views, Instagram-worthy spots for the perfect couple shot, drinks destinations to raise a glass and more. Get inspired with the ideas below.

Two people walk arm-in-arm on a brick sidewalk, smiling at each other, holding a shopping bag. They pass by shops with greenery and flowers, while a small group walks behind them on an autumn day.

Winter Date Ideas

Whether you’re planning a first date, scoping out Valentine’s Day ideas or celebrating your umpteenth anniversary, find winter date inspiration in Old Town Alexandria and beyond.

Things To Do

Stroll Captain’s Row, the picturesque 100 block of Prince Street dating from the 1700s. Explore historic King Street, Alexandria’s main thoroughfare lined with brick sidewalks and independent boutiques and restaurants. Get pampered with a couples massage at the King Street Spa at Archer Hotel, Fountains Day Spa or Sugar House Day Spa and Salon. Or hold on tight to your companion during a Ghost & Graveyard Tour or ghostly pub crawl. Then, set sail on a river cruise with the City Cruises for spectacular views of D.C. monuments.

A couple walks hand-in-hand on a cobblestone sidewalk past charming brick row houses with shutters and a large tree, on a sunny day. An American flag hangs above one of the doors.

Top 18 Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

A person walks past three colorful row houses—white, blue, and red—on a tree-lined street with a sidewalk and utility pole in the foreground.

Experience the Alexandria Waterfront

The Ultimate King Street Shopping Guide for Old Town Alexandria

Three women smile as they walk out of a store, shopping bags in hand. The storefront window reads Virginia and Made. Sunlight and shadows dance across the brick sidewalk in front of the shop.

Explore Neighborhoods Beyond Old Town

People dine and converse at restaurant tables while a live band performs on stage in the background. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, with colorful decor and warm lighting.

What to Eat

Cozy up as you satisfy your cravings at one of Alexandria’s many dining destinations. Try Josephine or Bastille for contemporary French cuisine and extensive wine lists. Enjoy an upscale environment at Oak Steakhouse, Vermilion or 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood, or soak up live music at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub or Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant. Savor a luxurious weekend brunch at Del Ray Café, Fontaine or King & Rye.

A smiling couple sits close together in a restaurant booth, enjoying food and drinks by a window with natural light. The woman holds a slice of pizza and leans on the man, both appearing happy and relaxed.

Restaurants

A plate with a pyramid of grilled paneer cubes, decorated with colorful sauce dots. In the background, there is a clay pot of yellow rice and a dish of layered food garnished with greens.

Brunch Spots in Alexandria, VA

A brunch table set with pancakes topped with strawberries and syrup, eggs Benedict with salad, grilled grapefruit, a cappuccino, a glass of orange juice, and a red checkered napkin.

Sweets Spots for Alexandria Treats

A hand holds a red cup of purple gelato with a red spoon, showcasing delectable sweets in front of a Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato shop sign outside, with part of a red building visible.

Outdoor Dining in Alexandria

A collage shows people walking past shops, friends clinking drinks at an outdoor restaurant by the water, and groups enjoying vibrant outdoor dining at colorful tables on a brick sidewalk in a lively town.

Where to Sip

Relax at a casual brewery such as Aslin Beer Co., Mieza Blendery and Port City Brewing Company or flirt with speakeasy vibes at Captain Gregory’s, Casa Luna and Alice’s Cocktail Bar. Sip mocktails riverside at Vola’s Dockside Grill or BARCA Pier and Wine Bar, or raise a glass of vino at Sonoma Cellar or Ethiopian honey wine at Negus Winery and Meadery.

Two people sit at a round table in a modern bar with brown booths, green barstools, and a long illuminated counter. The bar is mostly empty, with shelves of bottles and plants visible in the background.

Captain Gregory’s

A bartender in a dimly lit bar uses a small torch to garnish a cocktail, with green and yellow lights illuminating the background and cocktail shakers visible on the counter.

Lost Boy Cider

Four stemmed glasses filled with different colored beverages—yellow, red, pale yellow, and orange—are lined up on a shiny wooden table with a blurred background.

Negus Winery and Meadery Tasting Room

Aslin Beer Company

A modern dining area with wooden tables, black chairs, and place settings, featuring colorful flowers in vases. The background wall has a bold geometric pattern in black, white, blue, pink, and yellow.

Where to Stay

Alexandria’s boutique hotels set the tone for a romantic getaway. Tucked away just off King Street in a Federalist-style building is a AAA four-diamond hotel, Morrison House, Autograph Collection. If you prefer waterfront views, head to Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, Alexandria’s only waterfront hotel. For a room just floors above from an upscale spa, book a stay at Archer Old Town Alexandria. Stay in a new hotel set in a historic building when you book at Hotel Heron, or immerse yourself in contemporary architecture at Hotel AKA Alexandria.

Two men walk arm in arm on a brick sidewalk in front of historic row houses decorated with American flags on a sunny day.

Alexandria Hotels

A modern hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables with lamps, abstract art above the headboard, a window with sheer curtains, and a green armchair in the corner.

Morrison House Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection

A modern hotel room with a wall-mounted TV, a desk and chair, a blue armchair with a plaid pillow, a round marble table with orange flowers, and a fireplace next to a window with blue curtains.

Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria

A four-story hotel building with Hotel Indigo signage, featuring tan and red brickwork, large windows, and trees planted along the sidewalk under a clear blue sky.

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