Things to Do in Alexandria: Neighborhoods, Food, Museums, and Outdoor Activities.
Sep 9, 2026 / Public Storage
Alexandria offers historic streets, waterfront walks, local restaurants, art, shopping, and easy access to Washington, D.C. Plan your visit around Old Town, King Street, the Potomac River waterfront, Del Ray, and nearby historic sites to combine attractions in one day.
Alexandria Travel Essentials:
- Walk King Street in Old Town for boutiques, restaurants, historic architecture, and Potomac River access.
- Visit Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Carlyle House Historic Park.
- Explore the waterfront for parks, river views, water taxis, and sightseeing cruises.
- Try local restaurants, cafés, bakeries, seafood, and neighborhood dining.
- Visit Del Ray, Old Town North, and nearby Mount Vernon for local shops, food, and history.
- Use Metrorail, buses, walking, biking, water taxis, rideshare, or a car based on your route.
- Check attraction hours, water-taxi schedules, and event calendars before visiting.
Alexandria Travel at a Glance:
What Are the Best Things to Do in Alexandria?
The best things to do in Alexandria include walking King Street, visiting the Old Town waterfront, exploring historic museums, and visiting the Torpedo Factory Art Center. Visitors can also try local restaurants, browse independent shops, take a water taxi, or explore Del Ray.
Plan each day by area. Combine King Street, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Torpedo Factory Art Center, and the waterfront in one itinerary, then schedule Del Ray or nearby Mount Vernon for another day.
What Can You Do on King Street in Alexandria?
King Street is Old Town Alexandria’s central corridor for shopping, restaurants, historic architecture, and Potomac River access. The street runs from the King Street–Old Town Metrorail station to the waterfront.
King Street attractions include:
- Local boutiques: Gifts, stationery, clothing, books, and locally made goods
- Restaurants and cafés: Brunch, coffee, casual meals, and neighborhood dining
- Historic buildings: Brick sidewalks, preserved architecture, and local landmarks
- Galleries and shops: Art, crafts, home items, and specialty goods
- Waterfront access: Potomac River views, parks, and water-taxi connections
- Seasonal events: Markets, art programming, and community celebrations
What Can You Do at the Alexandria Waterfront?
Alexandria’s waterfront offers Potomac River views, walking paths, public parks, water taxis, and sightseeing opportunities. The area sits at the eastern end of King Street and provides a scenic place to rest after exploring Old Town.
Alexandria waterfront activities include:
- Walking along the Potomac River
- Visiting Waterfront Park
- Taking a water taxi to Washington, D.C., Georgetown, or the Wharf
- Booking a sightseeing cruise
- Dining at waterfront restaurants
- Viewing boats, public art, and historic buildings
- Attending seasonal events and outdoor programming
What Historic Sites Should You Visit in Alexandria?
Alexandria historic sites include Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Carlyle House Historic Park, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, and nearby George Washington’s Mount Vernon. These destinations provide information about colonial history, early American life, and the city’s Potomac River location.
Popular historic sites include:
- Gadsby’s Tavern Museum: Former tavern buildings, period rooms, and early Alexandria history
- Carlyle House Historic Park: 18th-century home, gardens, and local history
- Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum: Historic pharmacy collections and guided tours
- Old Town Alexandria: Historic streets, waterfront buildings, and preserved architecture
- Mount Vernon: George Washington’s estate, gardens, museum exhibits, and Potomac River views
What Can You Do at Torpedo Factory Art Center?
Torpedo Factory Art Center is a former naval torpedo factory that now contains working artist studios, galleries, and public art spaces. Visitors can watch artists at work, browse local art, and attend scheduled programs.
The art center is on the Alexandria Waterfront, making it easy to combine with King Street shopping, historic sites, and riverfront dining.
What Food Is Alexandria Known For?
Alexandria offers waterfront seafood, local cafés, brunch, bakeries, global food, and neighborhood restaurants. Old Town, King Street, Del Ray, and the waterfront provide varied dining options.
Common Alexandria food experiences include:
- Waterfront seafood and river-view dining
- Brunch and café stops along King Street
- Local bakeries and coffee shops
- American comfort food and Southern-inspired meals
- International food in Old Town and Del Ray
- Patio dining during mild weather
- Farmers market produce and prepared food
Plan meal stops around your route. Pair a King Street shopping visit with a café or brunch stop, or combine a waterfront walk with lunch or dinner near the Potomac River.
Which Alexandria Areas Should Visitors Explore?
Alexandria areas offer different options for historic landmarks, art, food, shopping, river views, and neighborhood events. Old Town, the waterfront, Del Ray, Old Town North, and the Carlyle-Eisenhower area are practical places to start.
Consider these areas:
- Old Town: King Street, museums, restaurants, boutiques, and historic architecture
- Waterfront: Potomac River views, water taxis, parks, art, and dining
- Del Ray: Independent shops, cafés, restaurants, local events, and Mount Vernon Avenue
- Old Town North: River access, restaurants, public art, and neighborhood walks
- Carlyle-Eisenhower: Metrorail access, hotels, restaurants, and business areas
- Nearby Mount Vernon: Historic estate tours, gardens, trails, and river views
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Alexandria?
Alexandria outdoor activities include waterfront walks, biking, river sightseeing, park visits, and local market exploration. The Potomac River waterfront, Waterfront Park, Mount Vernon Trail, and nearby regional parks provide common starting points.
Popular outdoor activities include:
- Walking along the Alexandria Waterfront
- Biking sections of the Mount Vernon Trail
- Taking a water taxi or sightseeing cruise
- Visiting Waterfront Park
- Walking through Old Town’s historic streets
- Exploring local markets and outdoor events
- Taking a day trip to Mount Vernon or nearby Potomac River parks
Bring water, sun protection, and weather-appropriate layers. Check water-taxi schedules, weather conditions, and event details before heading out.
What Events and Entertainment Can You Find in Alexandria?
Alexandria hosts art events, seasonal markets, waterfront programming, live music, theater, and holiday celebrations. Old Town and Del Ray are common locations for local events and neighborhood activities.
How Should You Get Around Alexandria?
Use Metrorail, buses, walking, biking, water taxis, rideshare, or a car to get around Alexandria. Old Town, King Street, the waterfront, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center are easy to explore on foot when you group nearby stops.
A car or rideshare can help with Mount Vernon, Del Ray, and destinations farther from Old Town. Use the King Street–Old Town Metrorail station for travel between Alexandria and Washington, D.C.
Plan Your Alexandria Visit or Move.
Explore Alexandria by combining historic landmarks, King Street shopping, waterfront walks, local food, and artist studios into a clear daily route. Public Storage can help you put away permitted, clean, dry household items while you organize a move or settle into an Alexandria home.
Start on King Street. Follow it to the river.
Alexandria Travel FAQs
What Are the Best Things to Do in Alexandria?
Popular Alexandria activities include walking King Street, visiting the waterfront, touring Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, exploring Torpedo Factory Art Center, and trying local restaurants. Visitors can also take a water taxi or visit nearby Mount Vernon.
What Can You Do on King Street in Alexandria?
King Street offers local boutiques, restaurants, cafés, galleries, historic architecture, and access to the Alexandria Waterfront. It is a walkable route between the King Street–Old Town Metrorail station and the Potomac River.
What Historic Sites Should You Visit in Alexandria?
Visit Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Carlyle House Historic Park, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, and Old Town Alexandria. Mount Vernon is also a nearby historic destination.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Alexandria?
Alexandria offers waterfront walks, biking, water taxis, sightseeing cruises, parks, markets, and historic-neighborhood walks. Waterfront Park, the Mount Vernon Trail, and the Potomac River area provide common outdoor options.
Do You Need a Car to Visit Alexandria?
You can walk, bike, use Metrorail, take buses, use rideshare services, or ride water taxis for many Old Town and waterfront destinations. A car or rideshare is useful for Mount Vernon, Del Ray, and areas farther from the historic core.
