Alexandria, Virginia

1. Old Town Alexandria

The spirit of George Washington lives on in the streets of Old Town Alexandria. You can feel it when stepping across smooth cobblestones and old red brick sidewalks and when you pass by his Masonic Memorial, Carlyle House, or the Black History Museum. There is a strong sense of history in Old Town even when it is buzzing with the sounds and sights of bustling, modern life.

The Potomac River borders Old Town on one side, while the Torpedo Factory Art Center and the Masonic Museum serve as the other boundaries. Old Town is replete with restaurants, sidewalk cafes, shops, and all kinds of events at any time of the day. The rich and vibrant area invites you to stroll about at your leisure. Take your time to explore Old Town, and appreciate the appealing conversion of past and present.

2. George Washington Masonic National Memorial

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is an enormous, magnificent memorial to President George Washington. The Memorial is a museum, a library, a research center, a concert hall, and a community center.

Freemasons constructed the memorial at the beginning of the 20th century to resemble the ancient Egyptian Alexandria lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Some of the exhibited art and artifacts include an enormous, 17-feet tall statue of George Washington at the entrance to the memorial, a huge bas-relief donated by Kodak, and many portraits and busts of the legendary president and venerated Freemason.

You can get a spectacular view of Alexandria from the Memorial’s observation deck. The edifice is a National Historic Landmark.

101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, Phone: 703-683-2007

3. Torpedo Factory Art Center

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is a beloved workplace for many of Alexandria’s artists. This former ammunition plant was converted into an art center in 1974 and now contains 82 artists’ studios, two workshop spaces, seven galleries as well as the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.

Here, The Art League School offers art classes, artists create and exhibit their work, and locals and tourists stop by to see and feel the artistic soul of their city, buy a unique souvenir, and have a cup of coffee at Bread & Chocolate. All art spaces are open to the public, and you are more than welcome to stroll in and see the artists at work.

You will meet painters, sculptors, glass makers, photographers, printers and jewelry makers and they will be happy to chat with you and share with you their inspiration, hopes and dreams.

105 N. Union St., Alexandria, Virginia, Phone: 703-838-4565

4. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

Walking into the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is like walking into Alexandria circa 1805 when Marta Washington or Robert E. Lee came to the shop in search of a headache remedy or a cure for the common cold.

This apothecary, or pharmacy as we call it today, was owned and operated by the Stabler-Leadbeater family until 1933, and it looks today very much the way it looked when it served the needs of the ailing citizens of Alexandria.

You will see a comprehensive collection of old medical equipment, herbal remedies, hand-blown glass containers, books of recipes and formulas, and old journals and ledgers. The museum offers a glimpse into the not-so-distant past of the pharmaceutical profession, and it is just as fascinating to the general public as it is for the pharmacists of today.

105-107 South Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia, Phone: 703-746-3852

5. Carlyle House

Just across the street from Alexandria’s City Hall in the heart of Old Town lies an elegant, almost fairytale-like Carlyle House that John Carlyle built for his lovely bride Sarah Fairfax in 1793. He was a wealthy British merchant, she was from a prominent colonial Virginia family, and their home became the center of Alexandria’s political and social life.

Architecturally unique, Carlyle House is the only 18th century house in Alexandria made of stone. The beautifully restored mansion offers an exciting perspective on the way of life in Alexandria just before the Revolution. The lovely garden is meticulously maintained and features the same plants that would have been present during the times of the Carlyles.

Take a stroll around the area or have a lunch on one of many benches, in a location that is peaceful and serene, and just a few steps from the hustle and bustle of Old Town.

6. Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Some things never change, and we know that more business gets done in bars and restaurants than around conference tables. The same principle held true in the late 18th century when Gadsby’s Tavern and City Hotel served as a popular location for local organizations to meet and conducted their business.

Individuals would get together to discuss issues, dance, or watch a theatrical performance. Gadsby’s welcomed several rather famous names into its establishment, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Monroe, and many other notable figures of the time. Today, the Tavern and the Hotel make up a museum that showcases Alexandria’s hospitality and the lifestyles of the city’s former inhabitants.

Have a look at the displayed artifacts of the famous guests and learn about their customs, clothing, and the food they liked.

Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, Virginia, Phone: 703-746-4242

7. Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House

There could be no two more different architectural masterpieces than Woodlawn and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House. Nevertheless, they are both located on the National Trust for Historic Preservation land in historic Alexandria. Therefore, visitors can compare two very different architectural styles, both of which tell a story about their builders, the inhabitants, and the most exciting time periods for the structures.

Woodlawn is a Georgian/Federal mansion designed by William Thornton for George Washington’s nephew Lawrence Lewis and his bride. The stately mansion is formal and elegant, constructed of brick masonry with sandstone trim and oversized regal windows. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Pope-Leighey house in 1940. It is one of about 100 modest residential dwellings he created.

The building is deceptively simple; it is a single level building made of wood that was designed to blend with its environment, a factor typical of Frank Lloyd Wright’s works. It was originally built in Falls Church, but it relocated to Woodland after it was in danger of being destroyed due to the highway expansion, and so it was donated to the National Trust.

Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House, 9000 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, Virginia, Phone: 703-780-4000

8. Jones Point Lighthouse

The Jones Point Lighthouse served as an important navigational aid for those travelling along the Potomac River during the period from 1856-1926 when the lighthouse was in operation. The river was known for its shifting underwater shoals that threatened ships on their way to Alexandria.

Today, it is the only American riverine lighthouse still standing in the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1926 and made into a museum in 1964 after the establishment of Jones Point Park.

Long before the park was established, the picturesque shoreline around the lighthouse was a popular spot among Alexandrians for swimming, fishing, and enjoying a leisurely weekend. If you are looking for romantic things to do Alexandria VA, this is a beautiful place to visit.

9. River Farm

George Washington is considered to be one of the first American great gardeners and horticulturists, so it is appropriate that the farm he bought in 1760 now belongs to the American Horticultural Society and serves as its headquarters. It is comprised of 25 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens and lawns, and Alexandria gardeners frequently browse the establishment to get ideas for their own urban gardens.

The farm, with its lovely meadow, orchards, pond, colorful thematic flower gardens, and a number of old, spectacular specimen trees, is an especially popular location for weekend picnics, wedding photos, bird-watching, or painting. The Estate House can be rented for weddings, conferences, and other events and is also a home to ever changing art exhibits.

River Farm, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, Phone: 703-768-5700

10. The Majestic

You would never guess that The Majestic is an old establishment that opened its doors the 1930s. Located in historic Old Town, the Majestic has undergone a major yet successful facelift, and the building’s Art Deco fine details have been renovated with love and great skill. While the décor evokes a feeling of nostalgia, the menu pulls at our heartstrings with good old comfort food.

Chef Jorge Pimentel works with local suppliers, ranchers, and farmers to bring completely natural, fresh, seasonal food and hormone-free beef to the table. His goal is to attract neighborhood foodies, and the menu is full of old favorites such as Yankee Pot Roast Sandwich and Hush Puppies, and everything is marked by the chef’s fine touches.

911 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia, Phone: 703-837-9117