The 34 best architecture in Alexandria

We took a wonderful tour of Carlyle House. Joe was our guide and he was full of information. We enjoyed the tour and hearing how the house was renovated and saved from being torn down. We enjoyed hearing about the reconstruction, seeing the original parts of the home, and furnishings from the colonial period. Highly recommend.

We hosted a 50 guest wedding ceremony and reception at the Athenaeum in September 2022 and had a wonderful experience! It is such a beautiful setting. We used the gorgeous back courtyard for our cocktail hour at sunset and it felt truly magical. The staff are wonderful to work with and it is in the heart of Old Town near hotels, shops and restaurants which is perfect if you have a lot of guests flying in like we did. The art adds a fun, modern element and we loved the artists featured the month of our wedding. We are so happy we chose the Athenaeum - highly recommend!

If you're looking for a historic authentic experience, this place is a must. The outside of the red brick building caught our attention, and we decided to try. Inside, there was the Colonial charm. We sat down in one of the side rooms. Our waiter was quick and attentive. I had the prime rib with mashed potatoes, and my wife had lamb chops. The food was delicious. As it started getting darker outside, there was a warm, dark ambiance to the room. It felt like stepping back in time. The place is a must if you're visiting Alexandria, a place that exceeded our expectations and will leave a lasting impression on us.

Such an amazing place. I saw this tower from my hotel and had to check it out. I figured the tour just took you up to the observation deck but there was so much more. Every room on every floor was packed full of history, art and architecture. Such grand spaces, only pictures can describe.

The Pan-African Flag flies proudly over Alexandria’s City Hall, a former site of the domestic slave trade from 1828 to 1861. During this period, Franklin and Armfield, the largest slave-trading firm in the U.S., operated from a house on Duke Street. They purchased enslaved individuals at low prices in the Upper South and sold them at higher prices in the Lower South, trafficking thousands from Alexandria. The Pan-African Flag now symbolizes a retelling and reclaiming of history, representing the diaspora and the bold spirit of African descendants. Similar to the African American flag, the Freedom House Museum, located at 1315 Duke Street, has undergone its own reclamation. Once the headquarters of Franklin and Armfield, it now commemorates the lives of the enslaved people trafficked through Alexandria and celebrates their resilience. Alexandria’s era of domestic slave trade concluded in 1861 when Union soldiers advanced into the city. By 1864, Alexandria, remaining loyal to the Union, witnessed a constitutional convention that abolished slavery in this part of Virginia.

This church is truly special, and we feel incredibly blessed to have been part of this warm and welcoming community since 1995. The fellowship, faith, music and support here are truly inspiring. If you’re looking for a church home that feels like family and nurtures your spiritual growth, we wholeheartedly recommend this congregation. All are welcome!

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. is one of the most inspiring and memorable landmarks I have ever visited. The moment you arrive, the scale and presence of the monument immediately capture your attention. Abraham Lincoln’s massive seated statue feels larger than life, not just in size but also in meaning. It is a place that reminds you of the struggles and triumphs that shaped America and the vision of one of its greatest leaders. The memorial’s architecture is stunning, with tall white marble columns surrounding the statue. On the walls, you can find inscriptions of Lincoln’s most famous speeches, including the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address. Reading these words while standing in front of the monument is a powerful experience, filled with history, reflection, and inspiration. From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the view is simply breathtaking. The Reflecting Pool stretches out gracefully toward the Washington Monument, creating one of the most iconic and photographed scenes in the entire city. Visiting during sunrise or sunset adds a magical glow to the experience and makes it even more unforgettable. What stood out most to me was the peaceful and respectful atmosphere. Visitors from all over the world gather here, and yet there is a shared sense of quiet admiration. It is a place to pause, reflect, and appreciate the values of freedom, unity, and equality that Lincoln dedicated his life to. A must-visit in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Memorial truly leaves a lasting impression.

An awesome and wonderful place! It is peace , large and beautiful area. We visit there in the morning, afternoon and evening, it’s nice at anytime. It’s easy to get there, you can walk, rent a scooter or a e-bike…. You can sit there as long as you want , while there is windy in the fall and not crowded.

Reserve tickets ahead of time. We got in rather quickly. The staff were friendly and helpful. The museum was very thoughtfully laid out and incredibly moving! We spent about 4.5 hours but could have taken longer. Even our 7 year old was engaged and taking time to read the plaques on each item. What an honor to be there. My grandfather (John M Johnson) was a contributor to the museum and it was so cool seeing his name on display as well. Would love to return!

Dynamic downtown with copious amounts of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and the like. If you need to take a breather to decompress, take a walk along the waterfront, where there are calming seas, ample greenery, and beautiful brick dwellings to add to the ambiance. All in all, a fantastic place for a stroll.

What a cool authentic time capsule of an early US Apothecary. Well worth the time! They even had a letter from Martha Washington ordering supplies from them. The upstairs work shop contains all the original ingredients, storage bins, and tools of the trade that have been there for over 200 years.

I used my Keys to the City pass and paid extra $3 for the guided tour. Gary was delightful!!! The displayed artifacts and Gary's narration gave a great view of day-to-day life in the 1700's. I was pleased to hear quite a bit of respectful and relevant information about the work of slaves in the tavern.

Great overview of history of Alexandria. The Fresnel lens’ are so cool. The staff and gift shops are bonuses. Really enjoyed the experience. Highly recommend a stop in.

Cool piece of history and great public park. Original land owned & used for tobacco agriculture by early suffragette Margaret Brent, whom was granted land patent in 1654. Best part,the original District of Colombia southern boundary marker and stones marking the boarders. Great place for a walk or time with your family.

Situated at 301 King Street, right in front of City Hall, the Old Town Alexandria Farmers' Market is a historic gem and a Saturday morning staple for those who live nearby. Open every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to Noon, rain, shine, or snow, this is not just a farmers market; this is THE farmers market! Holding the title of the oldest farmers' market in the country held continuously at the same site, it offers a unique blend of history and community spirit. You can stroll through the same market that George Washington sold his produce from Mount Vernon and immerse yourself in a tradition that dates back centuries. From the moment you arrive, the market's lively atmosphere draws you in. With over 70 vendors during peak season, there's a dazzling array of offerings including fresh fruits and vegetables, hot prepared foods, cheeses, specialty sauces, freshly baked breads, pastries and much more. Some of my favorite and regular places that I visit at the market are Coulter farms (which provides high-quality dairy goods, beef, granolas and more from an Amish farm), Baked by Yael (which offers delectable bagels and treats that are perfect for a quick snack as you browse) and Hog Haven Farm which is a crowd favorite (their breakfast sandwiches are so good, there's often a line, but it moves quickly and is worth every minute of the wait). Also I can't forget about MB Bakery On The Go, located along the back side of the fountain, it has a lot of real estate showcasing their variety of baked goods and famous homemade pop-tarts. Chocotenango Chocolate is also great (chocolates handcrafted from bean to bar). Bigg Riggs Gourmet Farm brings some of the freshest fruits and vegetables, and Farm Kettle Corn is perfect for a sweet and / or savory, crunchy treat. If you're looking for something for the home head to Lily Shoppe which sells natural soap bars that are aromatic and sweet, you can browse them while snacking on an Maracas Ice Pop (all-natural fruit popsicles) from the corner. They are a refreshing and delicious way to help keep you cool on these hot DMV Saturdays. There are too many great places to list here but it's a overall a great opportunity to support local businesses all at once! Live musical performances also add to the festive ambiance, making the market experience even more enjoyable (these performances seem to rotate every week). With many public bike racks close to Market Square, it’s bike-friendly too—just remember to bring your own lock as bikes (as well as pets) aren't permitted on Market Square during market hours. The Old Town Alexandria Farmers' Market is more than a place to shop; it’s a place to connect with locals and local businesses, experience history, and enjoy the best local produce and artisanal goods the area has to offer. It’s an essential Saturday destination that promises a delightful experience for everyone. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this market is a must-visit if you are nearby!

I finally visited after finding out about this church a year ago. Great pastor & great sermon. I can tell the congregation loves their church because I arrived 5 minutes early to the second service and was almost sent to the overflow. I know next time to arrive much earlier. Parking: if you don’t get there early enough the garage parking will be full & you then have to find street parking & then walk. I had to walk 2 blocks, but at least the street parking is free on Sundays.

Last year my wife and I were walking the new bridge. We arrived at the Virginia side of it to see this historic monument. To my surprise I saw a man walking his dog in the cemetery. He allowed it to poop there. I asked him if it was okay that I poop on your anscestors graves? He got mad. Virginia allows whites and others to disrespect this monument by allowing their dogs to poop on it.

I am a local which means when I take a Metro, our subway, from where I am to where it is, usually it is because I have a tourist on board and want them to see the sites. What King St-Old Town is is a sites to see, foods to taste and a walk in the footsteps of history of where America began. Oh, and also there is the unique trolley car one can ride for free up Duke Street to the train station and back down Duke Street to the wharf, and, best of all the trolley car is for free. The station is clean. The WMATA staff are the best. The WMATA staff know the role they play in introducing guests to the Nation's capitol to history and beyond as they did this inauguration weekend for lookie-loos, for tourmongers and for those who just wanted to snag a presidential farecard celebrating the 2nd inauguration of Mr. Trump, this card bearing the photo of Mr. Trumps mugshot. This Metro station is walkable to the George Washington Masonic Temple, in viewing distance of the USPTO office where there is a Museum and, too, is in viewing distance of the Five Guys restaurant headquarters. Five Guys is a local hero chain for burgers and dogs and for hosting Mr's Obama and Biden for their campaign photo op. Convenient for tourists is a parking garage across the street and, too, is a hotel for tourists who dont want to do the drive to the nation's capitol, rather want to roll out of bed, grab the Metro before hoofing it around town even on cobblestone streets that are the real deal of where George and Martha used to walk and party hardy over a hundred years ago.

It was flooded at the time with all the rain from the past couple of days, but it was still enjoyable and a lovely walk around the harbor.

Good place with decent Halloween decors this year.

A very pleasant place to take a stroll or just sit back and take in the beautiful scenery. Plenty of benches for you to have a seat with a friend or enjoy a light snack.

An interesting stop on our city tour.

This is not a mere "statue" but a monument. Read the inscription on it, and learn. Those who say they would tear it down are ignorant AND stupid.

Private Residence. The President Gerald R. Ford Jr. House is a historic house at 514 Crown View Drive in Alexandria, Virginia. Built in 1955, it was the home of Gerald Ford from then until his assumption of the United States Presidency on August 9, 1974. The house is typical of middle-class housing in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington from that period. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1985 for its association with the Fords.