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Alexandria

· Alexandria, VA

Why you should go…

Alexandria, Virginia sits on the Potomac River just south of Washington, D.C., its Old Town lined with 18th-century row houses, cobblestone streets, and the shops and restaurants of King Street. Visit Alexandria promotes the city's waterfront, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and its walkable colonial-era historic district.

  • #historic district
  • #waterfront
  • #shopping
  • #dining
  • #old town

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Alexandria, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Office of Historic Alexandria

    Free

    The City of Alexandria agency that runs the city's historic museums and sites, headquartered at the Lloyd House.

    0.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Family Favorite

    National Harbor

    Free

    A waterfront development on the Potomac near DC, with the Capital Wheel, MGM National Harbor, shops, and hotels.

    4.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Arlington National Cemetery

    Free

    Hallowed ground across the Potomac: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the changing of the guard, and the Kennedy gravesites.

    5.4 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Date Night

    City Cruises Washington DC

    $25–$50

    Watch the monuments glow from the Potomac on narrated sightseeing, brunch, and dinner cruises from The Wharf.

    5.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    International Spy Museum

    $25–$50

    Crack codes, adopt a cover identity, and squeeze through ductwork at the world's largest espionage museum.

    5.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Powerful

    United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

    Free

    A profound, self-guided journey through Holocaust history just off the Mall, free, with timed passes for the Permanent Exhibition.

    5.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums