Things to do in Alexandria
Alexandria African American Heritage Park
"Truths that Rise from the Roots Remembered" is the name of the bronze tree sculpture that honors the contributions of African Americans to the growth of Alexandria. The park also includes a small African American cemetery from the 19th-century. Best Western Alexandria lodging is nearby. Call 703-838-4356 for more information.
Holland Avenue and Duke Street, Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Archaeology Museum - (Torpedo Factory Art Center)
Step right into the museum's laboratory where archaeologists reconstruct Alexandria's history, fragment by fragment. Open Tuesday - Friday 10am 3pm; Saturday 10am 5pm; Sunday 1 5pm. Best Western Alexandria lodging is nearby. Call 703-838-4399 for more information.
105 N. Union Street. , Alexandria, VA
Alexandria National Cemetery
One of the 12 sites established and dedicated by President Abraham Lincoln in early 1862 to serve as military burial grounds. The cemetery contains some 3,500 graves of Civil War soldiers, including men who served in the United States Colored Troops and four soldiers who lost their lives chasing President Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Best Western Alexandria lodging is nearby.
Wilkes and Payne Street, Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Seaport Foundation's Seaport Center
This floating museum houses a boat building program, a marine sciences lab, and offers a boat livery of small sailing and rowing craft that visitors can rent. Open Daily 9am 4pm. Best Western Alexandria lodging is nearby.
Alexandria Waterfront, Alexandria, VA
Carlyle House & Historic Park
A Georgian Palladian manor house built in 1752 by Scottish merchant and city founder, John Carlyle. It was here that five Royal Governors and General Braddock met to discuss funding of the French and Indian War. The Stamp Act, which followed, eventually provoked the American Revolution. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am 5pm; Sunday noon 5pm. (Tours on the hour and half-hour; last tour 4:30). Call 703-549-2997 for more information.
121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA
Christ Church
This beautiful English country-style church was built between 1767 & 1773 and was attended by George Washington & Robert E. Lee. Its historic churchyard contains Confederate gravesites. Open Monday -Saturday 9am 4pm; Sunday 2 - 4:30pm. Call 703-549-1450 for more information.
118 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
The museum, patterned after a Union headquarters building, houses a fine Civil War collection and exhibits. The Fort's Northwest Bastion has been completely restored. The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 9am 5pm; Sunday noon 5pm. The Park is open daily 9am - Sunset. Call 703-838-4848 for more information.
4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA
Friendship Fire House
Established in 1774, the Friendship Fire Company was the first volunteer fire company to fight fires in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855 and now houses historic firefighting equipment and exhibitions. Open Friday - Saturday 10am 4pm; Sunday 1 4pm. Call 703-838-3891 for more information.
107 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA
Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Gadsby's consists of two tavern buildings, the 1770 Georgian tavern and the 1792 City Tavern & Hotel. Through archaeological excavation, paint analysis and research of surviving documents, the Tavern has been restored to its 18th-century appearance. Notable visitors included George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Enjoy Friday evening Lantern Tours March - November 7 10pm. Call 703-838-4242 for more information.
134 N. Royal Street., Alexandria, VA
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Patterned after a lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt, the Memorial stands as a living reminder of Washington's life and leadership. The Memorial displays a magnificent 17 foot bronze statue of George Washington and an outstanding collection of Washington memorabilia. The observation deck offers a spectacular view of Alexandria. Open Daily 9am 5pm (last tour 4:00). Call 703-683-2007 for more information.
King Street at Callahan Drive, Alexandria, VA
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
Visit the home of Alexandria's favorite son and the nation's first president, George Washington. Visitors can experience the expansive estate, which includes the Mansion, outbuildings, a Pioneer Farmer site, and gardens. Open every day, year-round. Call 703-780-2000 for more information.
George Washington Memorial Parkway, Alexandria, VA
Lee-Fendall House
From 1785 until 1903, the house served as the home to thirty-seven members of the Lee family. Guided by its 1852 inventory, the house is interpreted as a Lee family home of the 1850-1870 period and showcases a splendid collection of Lee family heirlooms as well as period pieces produced by Alexandria furniture manufacturers. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am- 4pm; Sunday 1 4pm. Call 703-548-1789 for more information.
614 Oronoco Street, Alexandria, VA
Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum
This Greek Revival building was constructed in 1839 as a cultural center. Today The Lyceum serves as the city's history museum featuring prints, documents, photographs, ceramics, silver, furniture & Civil War memorabilia. Open Monday - Saturday 10am 5pm; Sunday 1 5pm. Call 703-838-4994 for more information.
201 S. Washington Street., Alexandria, VA
Old Presbyterian Meeting House
Built in 1774, the Old Meeting House was the site of memorial services for George Washington. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution can be visited in the churchyard. Open Monday - Friday 9am 3pm. Call 703-549-6670 for more information.
321 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA
Old Presbyterian Meeting House
Site of George Washingtons funeral eulogy. Open Monday Friday 9am 4pm; Sunday Services 8:30 & 11:30am. Call 703-549-6670 for more information.
321 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop Museum
Opened in 1792 by a young Quaker pharmacist Edward Stabler, the family business operated for 141 years. When the Depression forced the shop's closing in 1933, the doors were simply locked, preserving history. Most of the original herbs, potions & paper labels remain in their drawers & over 8,000 early medical care items are still in place. Patrons included George & Martha Washington, George Mason, Daniel Webster & Robert E. Lee. Open Monday - Saturday 10am 4pm; Sunday 1 5pm. Call 703-836-3713 for more information.
105-107 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA
Torpedo Factory Art Center
Constructed in 1918 for the manufacturing of torpedoes, the factory now serves as working studios for over 160 professional artists. Visitors can purchase wares onsite or simply watch the creative process in action. Open Daily 10am 5pm. Call 703-838-4565 for more information.
105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA
West End Dinner Theatre
Gourmet meals, spectacular Broadway musicals just minutes away from the monuments in Washington. Call 800-368-3799 for more information.
4615 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA
Woodlawn Plantation
George Washington gave the estate to his adopted daughter Eleanor Parke Curtis & his nephew Lawrence Lewis as a wedding gift. The couple then commissioned Dr. William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol, to design the Georgian mansion. Open daily March - December 10am 4pm. (Last Tour is at 4pm). Closed January & February. Call 703-780-4000 for more information.
9000 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, VA