Old Town Alexandria Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Alexandria which includes heritage elements
Alexandria featuring heritage elements
Alexandria showing heritage elements
Alexandria featuring street scenes and vehicle touring
Alexandria which includes heritage elements and a house
This well-preserved historic district a short drive from Washington D.C. has modern art and designer fashions lining 18th-century cobblestone streets.

One of the oldest historic districts in the United States is a collection of Colonial houses, antique shops, old churches and 18th-century cobblestone streets along the banks of the Potomac River. The town revels in its past, but it’s not stuck there. You will also find fashion boutiques, handmade jewelry stores and live music and theater events.

Old Town Alexandria was where Alexandria began. The city was founded in 1749 and during its long history has served as a tobacco trading post and an important seaport during Colonial and Civil War periods. It was also the hometown of the first President of the United States, George Washington.

Make your way around on foot and stop by some of the historic homes and buildings. Many are open to visitors. Look out for the plaques that mark some of these properties and indicate the building is more than 100 years old.

Learn about the story of Alexandria from its founding up to the present day at The Lyceum. This mid-19th-century Greek revival building has been a Civil War hospital and private home and is now the city’s history museum.

Check out the antique stores, boutiques, cafés and restaurants of King Street, the old town’s main thoroughfare. If you don’t want to pound the pavement, hop aboard the Free King Street Trolley that travels along the main street from morning until late at night.

Spend time by the old town’s waterfront. Walk along its scenic paths and stop to take in views of the National Harbor and Washington D.C. Board a cruise ship for a ride along the Potomac.

Pick up an original piece of artwork at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. The building was once used to manufacture missiles for submarines. Today, its three floors are occupied by more than 100 visual artists and their studios.

The old town district is located 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Washington D.C. To get there, catch the metro or drive. Old Town Alexandria is compact and easy to get around on foot. Explore the area on a rented bike from Capital Bikeshare, the public bicycle sharing scheme, to soak up the atmosphere of the old town streets.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Old Town Alexandria Hotel Deals

Hotel Heron Old Town Alexandria
Hotel Heron Old Town Alexandria
4 out of 5
699 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA
The price is AU$383 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
AU$383
includes taxes & fees
2 Feb - 3 Feb
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Alexandria. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions MGM National Harbor Casino and Arlington ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (166 reviews)
"Overall, this was a very good hotel. Nice spacious room, efficient and friendly front desk service, relaxing bar, and very clean. The location is perfect: close enough to all of King Street’s restaurants, shops, and bars, but not close enough to have all the noise and crowds. The valet was a bit ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jan. 2025

Hotel Heron Old Town Alexandria
Hilton Alexandria Old Town
Hilton Alexandria Old Town
4 out of 5
1767 King St, Alexandria, VA
The price is AU$253 per night from 21 Feb to 22 Feb
AU$253
includes taxes & fees
21 Feb - 22 Feb
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Alexandria. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Restaurant on site, but be sure you identify the happy hour prices for them. Housekeeping did not refill coffee bar or toilet paper, so I didn'tlet them in again. Very walkable, historic town with many dining options. Across the street from metro. Don't count on the trolley in January."

Reviewed on 29 Jan. 2025

Hilton Alexandria Old Town
Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria
Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria
4.5 out of 5
1600 King Street, Alexandria, VA
The price is AU$301 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
AU$301
includes taxes & fees
9 Feb - 10 Feb
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Alexandria. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"The Archer is going through renovations but it did not cause any problems. The staff was great and beautiful room."

Reviewed on 29 Jan. 2025

Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria
Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town
Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town
3.5 out of 5
1900 Diagonal Rd, Alexandria, VA
The price is AU$284 per night from 7 Feb to 8 Feb
AU$284
includes taxes & fees
7 Feb - 8 Feb
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Alexandria. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Very courteous, polite helpful front staff. Rooms are spacious, clean and well organized. Definitively we will stay here again in our next visit. Really enjoyed our stay here in Wyndham Desert Blue."

Reviewed on 31 Jan. 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria Old Town
Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, an IHG Hotel
Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
220 S Union St, Alexandria, VA
The price is AU$347 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
AU$347
includes taxes & fees
16 Feb - 17 Feb
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Alexandria. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Overall my stay at Hotel Indigo Alexandria was great. The room was clean and cozy and the staff was friendly and helpful. I appreciated the little perks like a discount at the cafe across the street and a nightly credit towards snacks at the hotel shop. My only issue with my stay was with the size ..."

Reviewed on 31 Jan. 2025

Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, an IHG Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor
Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor
3 out of 5
1620 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA
The price is AU$221 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
AU$221
includes taxes & fees
23 Feb - 24 Feb
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Alexandria. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Perfect location! Metro and restaurants steps away! Excellent service at the valet and the front desk. Thank you to Isaac for all of his help, he is a very kind person! We will be back!"

Reviewed on 26 Jan. 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Alexandria Old Town National Harbor
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Town Alexandria

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Crystal City

3.5/5(7 area reviews)

If you're looking to experience the neighbourhood, Crystal City is well-known for its popular shops. Explore top sights in the area like Synetic Theater and get around town on the metro at Crystal City Station.

Crystal City
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Pentagon City

If you're spending time in Pentagon City, you might enjoy attractions like Fashion Center at Pentagon City and Pentagon Row. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Pentagon City Station to see more of the city.

Pentagon City
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Southwest

4.5/5(9 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Southwest. Check out top attractions like National Mall and East Potomac Park, and jump on the metro at Waterfront Station or L'Enfant Plaza Station to see more of the city.

Southwest
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The Wharf

You'll enjoy the restaurants and riverfront in The Wharf. You might want to make time for a stop at The Anthem or The Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf.

The Wharf
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Navy Yard

While you're in Navy Yard, take in top sights like Canal Park and jump on the metro at Navy Yard Station to see more of the city.

Navy Yard
International Spy Museum featuring interior views

Southwest Federal Center

While you're in Southwest Federal Center, take in top sights like National Mall or L'Enfant Plaza, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at L'Enfant Plaza Station or Federal Center Station.

Southwest Federal Center

Old Town Alexandria Travel Guide

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