Alexandria is a city full of stories. A stroll down the street can lead you to a centuries-old tale…or to a memory being made in real time. It’s a city full of curiosity, independence and charm, woven into every experience. And there’s a story for you, just waiting to be discovered. All you have to do is unlock it.

Unlock
your
story.
New & Now
"Unlock" Hotel Offer
America's 250th

Alexandria Stories, Unlocked

Behind every Alexandria experience is a story worth sharing. Get to know the people and places that make this city the vibrant and cultural hub that it is.

Gustave

Karim and Sam

Karim Mashmour and Ibtissam Lhadi outside Gustave Boulangerie in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood.

Gustave

This husband-and-wife team bring authentic tastes from their native France and Morocco to this vibrant neighborhood French brasserie.

Bellacara

Celthia Corsino

Celthia Corsino inside Bellacara, Old Town Alexandria’s luxury cosmetics boutique.

Bellacara

The secret to Bellacara’s success? Every product is selected and personally tested by the renowned makeup artist herself.

Fantastical Glass

Alison Sigethy

Artist Alison Sigethy smiling inside her Torpedo Factory Art Center glass studio.

Fantastical Glass

Unique glass sculptures called Sea Cores…created in a former World War II munitions factory.  

Good Fortune

at Hotel Heron

Friends enjoying cocktails at an Old Town Alexandria rooftop bar during sunset.

Good Fortune

Perched six stories above Old Town Alexandria atop a restored 1920s hotel, Good Fortune is Alexandria’s rooftop bar for golden-hour sunsets, seasonal cocktails and sweeping views.

Josephine

Brasserie & Bar

Guests dining inside a historic Old Town Alexandria restaurant with skylight and Parisian décor.

Josephine

This building has lived many lives. Beginning as a firehouse in the 1800s, it’s now a modern French restaurant known for memorable meals.

Port City Brewing

Bill Butcher

Bill Butcher holding craft beer inside Port City Brewing Co.’s Alexandria brewery.

Port City Brewing

Port City Brewing Co., the longest operating brewery in the D.C. region and a pioneer of the craft beer movement, is a place where moments are made over award-winning brews and lively conversation.
UNLOCK MORE STORIES

A Welcome from Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins

DISCOVER ALEXANDRIA'S ICONIC PLACES

King Street

Stroll Old Town’s King Street mile, named one of America’s “Great Streets,” with 200+ independent shops and restaurants. As the D.C. region’s premier shop-small destination, step inside local shops for curated selections of fashion, books, home décor and more.

Learn More
Two young women stroll down a walkway adjacent to the Alexandria waterfront.
DISCOVER ALEXANDRIA'S ICONIC PLACES

Alexandria Waterfront

A busy seaport for centuries, Alexandria’s waterfront invites you to experience a historic tall ship, public art installations and enjoy al fresco drinks and bites along one of the Best River Walks in the USA.

Learn More
A man and woman smile and walk down Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood.
DISCOVER ALEXANDRIA'S ICONIC PLACES

Alexandria Neighborhoods

Just minutes from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is a cosmopolitan, walkable city of charming streets and welcoming neighborhoods featuring global cuisine, hubs of innovation, spacious green spaces and more.

Learn More
A couple holding hands walks on a brick sidewalk past historic row houses with blue shutters and American flags hanging outside, on a sunny day with greenery around.
DISCOVER ALEXANDRIA'S ICONIC PLACES

Captain’s Row

Captain’s Row bridges past and present. Located on the 100 block of Prince Street, the city’s oldest cobblestone block, it is named after Captain John Harper. Visitors can stroll beneath a canopy of trees and admire picturesque row homes just steps from Alexandria’s waterfront.

Learn More
A photo of the Spite House home in Alexandria, VA.
DISCOVER ALEXANDRIA'S ICONIC PLACES

Spite House

This private residence on Queen Street is the skinniest historic home in America at just 7 feet wide. It would be easy to miss as you stroll toward the Alexandria waterfront, were it not for its distinctive bright blue hue.

Learn More

“Unlock More Alexandria” Hotel Offer

Alexandria is a city full of stories, with too much to explore in just a day or two. With the “Unlock More Alexandria” hotel offer, stay two nights and get the third night at 50% off at participating hotels. You’ll also receive two free Key to the City attraction passes; plus bonus experiences curated by each participating hotel.

Learn More

Create Your Own Alexandria Story

On the Potomac River waterfront minutes from Washington, D.C., Alexandria has been voted a Travel + Leisure Top 5 Best City in the U.S. and a Condé Nast Traveler Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. Come find out why as you discover your own story. Dive into these resources to get inspired!

Where to Stay

A couple holding hands and smiling while walking through a hotel lobby with their suitcases, suggesting they are either arriving or departing. The lobby is bright and stylishly decorated.

Where to Eat

Guests enjoying French dining beneath a skylight in a historic Old Town Alexandria restaurant.

Where to Shop

Friends shopping and strolling along a lively Old Town Alexandria street with outdoor dining.

Experience the Alexandria Waterfront

Aerial view of a marina with boats docked along the waterfront, surrounded by buildings, trees, and a park area at sunset in an urban setting.

Tours

The Carlyle House in Old Town Alexandria.

Getting To & Around

A Metro train arrives at an elevated station surrounded by greenery, with people on the platform and a tall, historic stone building atop a hill in the background under a clear blue sky.

Key to the City Attractions Pass

A family of four walks on a dock near a bright yellow water taxi on a sunny day. Other people are on the boat and dock. A sign provides information about the water taxi service. The sky is clear and blue.

Top Things to Do in Old Town

Visitors exploring Alison Sigethy’s Fantastical Glass exhibit inside Torpedo Factory Art Center.
DOWNLOAD VISITOR GUIDE
Fireworks lighting up the Potomac River during a nighttime celebration in Alexandria.
UNLOCK THE AMERICAN STORY IN ALEXANDRIA

Commemorating America’s 250th

As the nation marks 250 years, Alexandria invites you to join the celebration and experience a place that has helped shape the story of America.

Learn More
Person On A Sailboat In Period Clothing On The Alexandria Waterfront
UNLOCK THE AMERICAN STORY IN ALEXANDRIA

Sails on the Potomac

As a Sail Virginia℠ 2026 Affiliate Harbor, Alexandria’s signature event commemorating America’s 250th birthday features visiting tall ships, ALX Jazz Fest performances and more, June 12 to 16, 2026.

Learn More
UNLOCK THE AMERICAN STORY IN ALEXANDRIA

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Experience history where it happened at the first president’s estate just eight miles south of Old Town Alexandria.

Learn More
The Carlyle House in Old Town Alexandria.
UNLOCK THE AMERICAN STORY IN ALEXANDRIA

Historic Alexandria Attractions

Explore Alexandria’s rich and storied history through professionally guided tours, museums and historic sites, highlighting the trailblazers who paved the way. Pick up a VA250 commemorative passport at the Alexandria Visitor Center for exclusive discounts.

Learn More

New and Now

What’s next in the Alexandria story? Explore all the new and exciting things happening here – and come join the fun.

Branches of a cherry blossom tree covered in clusters of light pink flowers against a bright blue sky.
Pink tulips in full bloom in a garden, with colorful houses featuring blue and beige siding and large windows in the background, on a sunny day.
A split image showing fireworks over water at night, a couple walking toward a historic mansion, and a docked tall ship with an American flag near a waterfront park during the day.
Waiter serving a couple at Josephine Brasserie & Bar in Alexandria.
A man and woman smile and walk down Mount Vernon Avenue in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood.
The cast of Queer Eye walking across a rainbow crosswalk in Alexandria, VA.
Crowd dancing and celebrating at a lively outdoor festival in Alexandria.

The Key to Your Next Adventure

Let these itineraries inspire your personalized Alexandria getaway. Explore highlights and hidden gems across the city and beyond to create your own unforgettable trip.

48 Hours in Old Town Alexandria

A couple holding hands walks on a brick sidewalk past historic row houses with blue shutters and American flags hanging outside, on a sunny day with greenery around.

LGBTQ Itinerary

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.

Seven Day Alexandria Itinerary

Stay in Alexandria to See D.C.

A family of four walks together in front of the Lincoln Memorial, with people sitting and standing on the steps, on a sunny day.

Extend Your Stay

People walk along a waterfront promenade by a marina with boats docked and a busy outdoor restaurant. The sky is blue with scattered clouds and trees are visible in the background.
BECOME AN ALEXANDRIA INSIDER

Share Your Alexandria Story

Couple enjoying cocktails at sunset on a rooftop overlooking Old Town Alexandria.

What’s your Alexandria story? Tell us what you love about the city and what you think potential visitors should know. Your story will be considered for a highlight as part of the Unlock Your Story campaign. Use the form below or use the hashtag to post on social media.

Share Your Alexandria Story
#UnlockYourStoryALX #visitALX

Submit Your Alexandria Story