Alexandria

Purely America

Alexandria, Virginia
DC’s Original Old Town – A Perfect Home Base for Your Capital Region Vacation


On the Potomac River within eyesight of Washington, DC, Old Town Alexandria delights travellers from around the world. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, experience a walkable mile recognised as one of the “Great Streets” of America with over 200 restaurants, boutiques, historic museums and a vibrant waterfront.  

Explore historic sites like Gadsby’s Tavern Museum where the nation’s first president dined and drank, or hop on a bike or boat to his former estate at Mount Vernon, the most visited historic estate in the U.S. Dine and drink in historic buildings at chef-inspired restaurants frequented by U.S. presidents past and present. Sip on handcrafted cocktails at a speakeasy or catch live music in a pub.  Discover hidden treasures like the skinniest historic home in America and a 1700s apothecary and see working artists at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a former World War II munitions factory.  Boat, bike or Metrorail to DC, just minutes away.  Awarded a “Must-Visit U.S. Hotspots for 2017.” 

Cherry Blossom Experiences from Alexandria

It’s easy to celebrate cherry blossom season in Washington, D.C. with boat cruises, water taxi service and new electric bike tours from Old Town Alexandria, plus new cherry blossom experiences in Old Town. Located within eyesight of the nation’s capital and named the #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination 2018 by Money magazine, Alexandria is the perfect launchpad for taking in the 3,750 cherry blossom trees that line the Tidal Basin, National Mall and Potomac River, and the activities of the National Cherry Blossom Festival happening March 20 to April 14, 2019. 



In addition to the new electric bike tours, visitors can also take part in Alexandria’s new cherry blossom-themed food crawl and pop-up cherry blossom history tour along Old Town’s picturesque streets lined with cherry blossoms and flowering trees. Book a blossom-themed hotel package for strollable access to even more cherry blossom-inspired events andfood and drink offerings,and discover why Condé Nast Traveler named Alexandria a Top 5 Best Small City in the U.S. 2018.

Suggested Itinerary

We recommend spending a couple of days in beautiful Alexandria, to follow is an itinerary of how to fill your time there. 

Day One 
Explore historic Old Town Alexandria’s picturesque streets and see why the city has earned a reputation for art, romance, cuisine, shopping and more. Visit eight historic sites with a Key to the City, including the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum and Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, frequented by America’s first six presidents.
Hop on an Old Town Food Tour for local culture and cuisine then shop your way to the waterfront, visiting unique boutiques, trendy art galleries and the internationally-renowned Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Enjoy dinner at a nationally-acclaimed restaurant or pub housed in an 18th-or 19th-century building such as The Majestic or Vermillion, favorites of President Obama.

Day Two 
Rent a bike or board a Potomac Riverboat cruise to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the nation’s most visited historic estate. Spend hours touring the centuries-old gardens, interactive museums and authentic Distillery & Gristmill.
Back to Old Town, shop along the brick-lined streets in the region’s highest concentration of unique boutiques and American favorites like the Gap and Chico’s.
Enjoy happy hour with Virginia wines and locally-crafted beer by Port City Brewing Company. Dine at locally-sourced seafood restaurants such as Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge or the Fish Market. After dinner, relax to local live music or a nationally-known artist at the Birchmere Music Hall. 

For more information on Alexandria, Virginia please see https://www.visitalexandriava.com/plan/extraordinary/united-states/
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