OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Alexandria, Virginia
HOURS: Open all year round
COST: FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 1-2 hours
ACCOMODATIONS: Parking garages (avg $2.50/hr) and metered street parking available. No public restrooms.
Old Town Alexandria is sandwiched just 8 miles south of Washington, D.C. and 10 miles north of Mount Vernon. This historic area of Alexandria, VA, situated on the Potomac River waterfront, has been a favorite tourist (and local) getaway for ages. Known for its fine dining, eclectic shops and farmer’s market, Old Town Alexandria centers around the emanately walkable King Street from which all sites are easily accessible.
Old Town Alexandria has something for everyone to enjoy from a marina and waterfront park to a replica (and sea worthy) tall ship and over 100 boutique shops. Even if you never step foot in any establishment you can explore the cobblestone Captains Row, homes dating back to the 18th-century, the narrow Swifts Alley or relax by the fountain in the Old Town Alexandria Market Square. Here are our favorite places to see in Old Town Alexandria . . .
Waterfront Park
There are several parks to explore in Old Town Alexandria. While there are many entry points to the Old Town Alexandria waterfront, one of our favorites is the Waterfront Park located on the Potomac at the end of Prince Street. There’s an open area for kids to run around, a bike/walking path that runs along the water’s edge, colorful flower beds, towering trees and a shaded area, Foot of King Street, for relaxing or sitting for an afternoon snack. In the middle of the 1.37 acre (.55 ha) park is a civic space that features artwork from a different artist each year. The 2021 installation was Groundswell from Brooklyn-based artist Mark Reigelman.
Old Town Alexandria Harbor
The Old Town Alexandria Harbor is situated between the Chart House Restaurant and the south end of Founders Park along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. The harbor has 62 slips each with connections for both water and electricity. There’s a cool submarine propeller from the USS Pompon commissioned in 1943. At the center of the harbor is the McIlhenny Seaport Center whose foundation provides apprenticeships to local at risk youth. You’ll see a mix of local seacraft as well as tourist boats that travel up and down the Potomac River.
Chart House Restaurant
The Chart House is our favorite Old Town Alexandria restaurant. Whether you dine inside, where every table has a view, or out on the deck overlooking the marina you are guaranteed a wonderful culinary experience. Lunch and dinner are served but Sunday brunch is truly special. The menu is an eclectic mix of “signature fish specialties, slow-roasted prime rib and delicious salads” as well as excellent sandwiches. For dessert don’t miss the key lime pie and the house specialty . . . Hot Chocolate Lava Cake à la mode. A glance north, over the Potomac, will reward you with a view of the Capital building in the distance. For the best restaurants in Old Town Alexandria, the Chart House is at the very top!
Tall Ship Providence
One of the local favorites is the Tall Ship Providence. Docked at the end of the far north slip, the providence is an “open-air museum” that offers dockside tours and cruises on the Potomac. The sloop is a reproduction of the very first ship under the command of John Paul Jones while serving in the Continental Navy. You can secure a daily cruise, specialty themed cruises, virtual classes or even rent the Providence for a birthday party, wedding or business event.
Founders Park
Founders Park is located at the corner of North Union Street and Thompsons Alley. It is a spacious park, the largest along the Potomac in Old Town Alexandria. For activities it’s perfect for frisbee throwing, a game of touch football or kicking a soccer ball around. It also is ideal for just relaxing, having a picnic or reading a book. There are plenty of trees for shade and the views of the Potomac and the waterfront are fantastic.
King Street
The most well know attraction of Old Town Alexandria is the infamous King Street Mile. It starts at the waterfront, extends up through the King Street Gardens Park, and is littered with every kind of restaurant, boutique shop and specialty store you can imagine. King Street is best known as a walking street and is often blocked off from vehicle traffic between Market Square and the waterfront for special events like car shows and live entertainment.
Captains Row
Captains Row is simply one of America’s most beautiful streets. From the cobblestone road and overhanging trees to the 18th-century homes with colorful doorways the one block stretch of Prince Street is a favorite for wedding, prom and special occasion photos. The southside homes were built George Gilpin (good friend of George Washington) while the northside homes were completed by Philadelphia sea captain John Harper. Legend has it that the cobblestone road was laid down by captured Hessian mercenaries hired by the British to fight the colonists during the Revolutionary War.
The Athenaeum
The Athenaeum is one of the more unique structures to be found in Old Town Alexandria. This uniquely salmon colored example of neo-classical Greek revival architecture sits on the corner of South Lee Street and Prince Street at the northwest end of Captains Row. Built in 1851 as the Bank of Old Dominion it also served as headquarters for Federal troops and as a triage station for wounded Union soldiers during the Civil War. Currently it functions as an art gallery and is also home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association.
Swifts Alley
If you head back to King Street along South Fairfax Street you’ll run into a narrow alley to your right that used to be so common in colonial cities like Boston. Swifts Alley, formerly known as Printers Alley, was once home to (2) Alexandria newspapers, the Alexandria Advertiser and the Virginia Journal. Today it is just a cool cobblestone and brick path with some beautiful homes and patios.
Old Town Alexandria Market Square
The Old Town Alexandria Market Square is a perfect place to rest your legs and enjoy the large fountain that sits at its center. With City Hall, circa 1874, as a magnificent backdrop the square is also home to the annual Christmas tree lighting and different ethnic and cultural festivity events throughout the year. For the local the Market Square doubles as the weekly Farmers Market.
Great Homes of Old Town Alexandria
There are six officially designated Historic Districts in all of Alexandria. Old Town Alexandria has its fair share of historic buildings and homes that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A few homes down from The Athenaeum is the Fairfax-Moore House at 209 Prince Street. George Johnston’s Home is just southwest of Captains Row at 224 South Lee Street. The best known is the Carlyle House, a stunning mid 18th-century manor you can tour or walk around the back to its beautiful garden paths and gazebo.
Final Thoughts
Old Town Alexandria is a sightseer’s paradise. Whether you enjoy historic buildings, excellent food, window shopping or just people watching . . . Old Town Alexandria has it all. Its proximity to Washington, D.C., Arlington and Mount Vernon make it a natural daytime sojourn if you’re visiting the nation’s Capital.
Do you have a favorite historic sight that you’ve visited? We’d love to hear all about it!
