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Free Things to Do in Alexandria, VA

People walk along a waterfront boardwalk near docked boats, with a teal-colored building and a large, multi-story building in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
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There are plenty of fun and free things to do in Alexandria, located just minutes from Washington, D.C. Give your wallet a rest as you relax with the sights and sounds of the waterfront or watch boats dock at the Marina while enjoying performances from local buskers. Stroll historic King Street, a walkable mile with more than 200 independent shops and restaurants, or take the free King Street Trolley and enjoy beautifully-preserved Old Town along the way. See art in person and in progress at the free Torpedo Factory Art Center or be inspired at the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Museum. Love history? Purchase a Key to the City museum pass for only $20 and get access to 9 historic sites plus 40% off admission to George Washington’s Mount Vernon and more. Whether you’re in Alexandria for a weekend or a week, make the most out of your trip with these no or low-cost suggestions.

A collage with three scenes: a decorative metal sculpture, a brick house with a teal door and flowering vines, and people relaxing on grass near a waterfront with boats and trees.

Free Things to Do Outside

Experience completely free al fresco activities, from finding hidden photo spots to taking historic walking tours to relaxing in natural escapes.

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A couple holds hands and smiles at each other while walking down a cobblestone street lined with trees and historic houses on a sunny day.

Great Walks in Alexandria

Get inspired with our curated walks, from an architecture-themed excursion to a waterside stroll to a Del Ray mural tour and more.

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People walk and sit outside restaurants along a charming street lined with colorful, historic brick buildings, trees, and outdoor seating in a lively downtown area.

King Street Stroll

Old Town Alexandria’s main thoroughfare features independent restaurants and boutiques, the perfect locale for strolling and people-watching.

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A man shapes clay on a pottery wheel while a smiling woman and man watch him in a bright, modern studio filled with art supplies and colorful artwork on the walls.

Torpedo Factory Art Center

Peruse this former munitions factory and peek in at the 82 artist studios, six galleries and Alexandria Archaeology Museum.

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A group of people ride bicycles along a shaded, tree-lined path; the focus is on a man in a red sleeveless shirt and helmet riding toward the camera, with others cycling behind him.

Mount Vernon Bike Trail

Bring a bike and a picnic basket, and coast along the scenic Potomac waterfront for an afternoon outdoors.

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Farmers Market

Every weekend, Alexandria communities head out and wander through stalls of high-quality produce and goods made and grown regionally.

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A street musician plays guitar on a sunny boardwalk while a family of three watches. Other people stroll by, and boats are docked in the background near shops and outdoor seating.

Historic Seaport

Amble alongside the docks just at the base of King Street and treat your ears and eyes to the colorful Potomac River waterfront.

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A peach-colored building with large columns and the word ATHENAEUM above the entrance, next to blooming cherry blossom trees and a parked car in front.

The Athenaeum

Home to the Northern Virginia Fine Art Association, the Athenaeum is Alexandria’s prime fine art gallery.

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An overhead view of a table set with various colorful dishes, including bread, salads, grilled meat skewers, dumplings, and tea, all served on patterned plates and cups atop a white tablecloth.

Deals and Happenings

Save money on your trip to Alexandria, Virginia with these special deals from Alexandria hotels, shops, restaurants, and attractions.

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A vintage-style red trolley bus drives down a tree-lined street with colorful autumn foliage. Historic buildings and shops line both sides of the road under a clear blue sky.

Free King Street Trolley

Ride in style and explore King Street via the city’s most convenient mode of transportation.

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Explore Alexandria

A white helmet hangs on a wall above a large African American Hall of Fame display, surrounded by framed photos, posters, and memorabilia.
The African American Hall of Fame is a visually-stimulating account of the movers and shakers who made Alexandria the city...
Charles Houston Recreation Center 901 Wythe Street Alexandria, Virginia
A lush garden with a grassy path lined by flowering bushes and shrubs leads to a closed white wooden gate, surrounded by tall green trees and colorful blooms.
The American Horticultural Society’s River Farm is a popular rental venue in the Washington, D.C. metro area that serves as...
7931 E. Boulevard Drive Alexandria, Virginia
A historic brick church with a tall white steeple stands behind a brick fence and archway, next to a large leafy tree under a clear blue sky. A traffic signal is visible in front of the entrance.
Christ Church is an English country-style church built between 1767 and 1773 to meet the spiritual needs of its parishioners...
118 N. Washington Street Alexandria, Virginia
Art gallery with orange walls and wooden floors, displaying colorful landscape paintings, including a large multi-panel piece and smaller square artworks, with an empty wooden shelf in the background.
Kyo Gallery is an international art gallery, showcasing the most talented artists from around the world. Kyo Gallery often presents...
111 S. Patrick Street Alexandria, Virginia
A historic red brick church with arched windows and a tall bell tower sits on a street corner under a clear blue sky, with bare trees and traffic lights in the foreground.
Shiloh Baptist Church has been pointing souls to a better religious, social, and economic life since its beginning in 1863.
1429 Duke Street Alexandria, Virginia
Rows of white headstones in a military cemetery, set on a green lawn with trees and modern apartment buildings in the background.
FREE! First known as Soldiers’ Cemetery, this sacred military burial ground was designated by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. The...
1450 Wilkes Street Alexandria, Virginia
A charming two-story house with a brown gambrel roof, yellow siding, white railings, and a front porch. Colorful flowers and green shrubs line the garden, and sunlight filters through the trees.
Named for Scottish merchant and city founder William Ramsay, the Alexandria Visitor Center is the go-to place for sightseeing brochures,...
221 King Street Alexandria, Virginia
The Ballyshaners, Inc. were founded in 1980 by a small group of dedicated volunteers for the explicit purpose of organizing...
P.O. Box 320722 Alexandria, Virginia
Founded in 1795, the Basilica of Saint Mary, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is the first Catholic parish in the Commonwealth...
310 S. Royal Street Alexandria, Virginia
The Athenaeum is a Greek Revival building built in 1851 and was home to the Bank of the Old Dominion.
201 Prince Street Alexandria, Virginia
The newly renovated National Inventors Hall of Fame is located on the United States Patent and Trademark Office campus in...
600 Dulany Street Alexandria, Virginia

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Things To Do

Couple Biking Down King Street In Alexandria, VA

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.

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.

Plan

Two women stroll and enjoy sweets outside “Pop’s Ice Cream Company” on a sunny brick-lined street, while two people exit the shop and others relax on benches nearby. Trees and a river can be seen in the background.

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