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Old Town is Alexandria’s beloved downtown and nationally designated historic district on the Potomac River waterfront. The King Street Mile and surrounding brick-lined sidewalks are studded with centuries-old architecture, historic attractions and independent businesses.
- Old Town Alexandria Lodging | Bed & Breakfast, Hotels & Inns
Experience the charm of Old Town Alexandria by staying at...
- Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria, VA | King Street Mile
Centuries-old architecture, brick-lined streets, cobblestone...
- Old Town Alexandria, VA's 12 Oldest Spots You Don't Want to Miss
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- Old Town Alexandria Lodging | Bed & Breakfast, Hotels & Inns
- Stroll the King Street Mile. Centuries-old architecture, brick-lined streets, cobblestone alleys and a canopy of twinkling lights during the holidays make strolling King Street the #1 thing to do in Alexandria.
- Dine on the Waterfront. Enjoy stunning views of the Potomac River while you dine al fresco at Alexandria’s waterfront restaurants. Hummingbird by James Beard nominee chef Cathal Armstrong offers clambakes, crab boils and oyster roasts.
- Experience History Where it Happened. Alexandria is a city that predates the American Revolution and is steeped in history. Explore outdoor walking tours by Alexandria Colonial Tours, Manumission Tour Company, Alexandria History Tours and Gravestone Stories.
- Shop 100+ Independent Boutiques. Browse one-of-a-kind finds in the Shop Small destination of the D.C. region. Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 100 independently owned boutiques, all in a walkable mile centered around King Street.
- Stroll the King Street Mile, one of the “Great Streets” of America. Arrive in Old Town Alexandria by water taxi or Metrorail and step on to historic King Street, considered the heart of this charming city This walkable mile of centuries-old architecture was named one of the “Great Streets” of America by the American Planning Association and is also serviced by the free King Street Trolley (scheduled to reopen in fall 2021).
- Choose from plenty of sightseeing cruises and water taxis. As a historic port city and a hub for City Cruises anchored by Hornblower, Alexandria is the launching point for sightseeing cruises and water taxis, boarding at Old Town’s bustling marina featuring street performers and outdoor dining.
- Experience history where it happened. Alexandria is a city that predates the American Revolution and is steeped in history. Explore outdoor walking tours by Manumission Tour Company or self-guided walking tours among themes such as architecture, arts, Black history and more with Great Walks in Alexandria.
- See art in action at the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Located in a former World War II torpedo factory, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to the largest collection of publicly accessible working artist studios in the country.
Old Town Alexandria is one of the original settlements of the city of Alexandria, Virginia, and is located about a half hour by car from Washington, D.C., of which it used to make up the southern part [1]. It was the oldest district of D.C. until it was ceded back to Virginia in 1846.
- Oldest Cobblestone Street: Captain’s Row. It’s impossible to think of Old Town’s rich history without picturing the beautiful cobblestone streets and alleyways that make you feel like you could be in a small European town.
- Oldest Old Town Boutique: Gossypia. Located in a salmon and teal-hued shop on Cameron Street, Gossypia has been a hub for womenswear including eclectic, special-occasion dresses and colorful accessories for more than half a century since opening in 1969.
- Oldest Restaurant: Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant. Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant is considered one of the oldest taverns in the United States and is the oldest restaurant in the City of Alexandria.
- Oldest Home: Murray-Dick-Fawcett House. Acquired by the City of Alexandria in 2017, The Murray-Dick-Fawcett House, located at 517 Prince Street, is one of the earliest and least-altered homes in Alexandria.
Alexandria’s Old Town is a charming and historic downtown with a mile of local boutiques and restaurants along King Street. Reminiscent of Newport and Nantucket with brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets, Old Town offers quaint port city vibes in an incredible location.
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There are plenty of things to do along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront, from sightseeing cruises and romantic strolls to ghost tours and so much more. Head to historic Old Town Alexandria for colonial history, charming boutiques, art and a farm-to-table dining scene in this 200-plus-year-old riverside city.
