Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria (2026 Guide)

Q: What are the best hands-on and outdoor activities in Old Town?

City Cruises' sightseeing cruises and seasonal water taxi, the Mount Vernon Trail, the Torpedo Factory's free artist studios, and the lantern-lit ghost tour, with easy Metro and trolley access.

Top Experiences

Don't-miss highlights

Start here if it's your first visit.

What's on this week: our guide to things to do in Old Town Alexandria this week walks King Street, the waterfront and the Torpedo Factory, then lists the markets, studios and events open this week. We refresh it every Friday.

Stroll King Street

The mile-long heart of Old Town — independent shops, restaurants, and 18th-century architecture from the King St-Old Town Metro down to the river. Hop the free King Street Trolley if your feet get tired.

The Potomac Waterfront

Waterfront Park and Founders Park, public art, boat cruises, and the seasonal water taxi to The Wharf, Georgetown, and National Harbor — plus al-fresco dining with river views.

Torpedo Factory Art Center

A WWII munitions plant turned art center with 80+ working artist studios and galleries you can wander for free — right on the waterfront.

Explore

What to see & do

Old Town packs centuries of history, art and riverfront parks into one walkable mile. For the story behind the museums and landmarks, read our history of Old Town.

Museums & Historic Sites

105 N. Union St.

Torpedo Factory Art Center

Built as the Naval Torpedo Station after World War I and opened as an art center in 1974: artists' studios and galleries, with the free Alexandria Archaeology Museum on the third floor.

134 N. Royal St.

Gadsby's Tavern Museum

The 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel, named for John Gadsby, who ran them from 1796 to 1808. $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5 to 12; closed Wednesdays all year, and Mondays and Tuesdays from November to mid-March.

121 N. Fairfax St.

Carlyle House Historic Park

John Carlyle's 1753 stone house, General Braddock's headquarters in 1755. $8 for adults, $3 for ages 6 to 17, free under 5; closed Wednesdays. Tours start on the hour, the last at 3 p.m.

105-107 S. Fairfax St.

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

The family apothecary of 1792 to 1933, with its herbal botanicals, hand-blown glass and ledgers. $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5 to 12; closed Tuesdays all year, and Mondays from November to mid-March.

118 N. Washington St.

Christ Church

An Episcopal church dating to 1773, with the pew where George Washington worshipped. Open for guided tours Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays; no fee unless you come as a tour group, and the church asks for donations.

Oronoco & Washington Sts.

Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden

Built in 1785 on a lot bought from Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee, later the home of the labor leader John L. Lewis. House and garden open Wednesday to Sunday.

201 S. Washington St.

Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum

The City's history museum, in the hall built in 1839 for the Alexandria Lyceum. Open Thursday to Sunday; $3.

1315 Duke St.

Freedom House Museum

The surviving building of the Duke Street slave-trading complex, now a museum and a National Historic Landmark. Open Thursday to Sunday; $5 for adults, $3 for ages 5 to 12.

902 Wythe St.

Alexandria Black History Museum

In the former Robert Robinson Library, built after the 1939 sit-in at the segregated Barrett Library. Open Thursday to Sunday; $3.

1001 S. Washington St.

Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

Honors more than 1,700 people of African descent buried there during and just after the Civil War. Open dawn to dusk.

101 Callahan Dr.

George Washington Masonic Memorial

The memorial to Washington on Shuter's Hill, west of the King Street Metro. Open Thursday through Monday, with guided tours included in admission.

107 S. Alfred St.

Friendship Firehouse Museum

The 1855 firehouse of the town's first volunteer fire company, founded in 1774, with its 1851 Rodgers Suction Engine. Open one Saturday a month; $3.

201 Prince St.

The Athenaeum

Rotating contemporary art exhibitions inside a striking Greek Revival landmark. The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

On the Water

1A Prince St. & 351 N. Union St.

Waterfront Park & Founders Park

Two City parks on the river, open sunrise to sunset and free: Waterfront Park at the foot of King Street, and Founders Park to the north, with a dog exercise area at Oronoco and N. Union streets.

Alexandria Marina

City Cruises

Sightseeing cruises and the water taxi to The Wharf, Georgetown, National Harbor and Mount Vernon, from the Alexandria Marina at the foot of King Street. Both run in season and need tickets, best booked ahead in the busy months.

Along the waterfront

Mount Vernon Trail

An 18-mile paved trail along the river from George Washington's Mount Vernon through Alexandria to Theodore Roosevelt Island; open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round, and to commuters at any hour.

1A Prince St.

Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center

The home port of the Tall Ship Providence. Its foundation suspended its educational tours and programs as of June 26, 2026, so check its site before you go.

Tours & Experiences

221 King St.

Ghost & Graveyard Tour

A one-hour walk of about six blocks by lantern light with a guide in Colonial costume, run by Alexandria Colonial Tours; public tours meet at the Alexandria Visitor Center.

221 King St.

History Walking Tour

Alexandria Colonial Tours' 60-minute history walk covers 8 to 10 blocks of Old Town, from the same meeting point; book on its site.

Free

Free King Street Trolley

Ride free along King Street between the King St-Old Town Metro and City Hall/Market Square, every 15 minutes from 11 AM to 11 PM, every day.

Saturdays

Old Town Farmers' Market

One of America's oldest markets (since 1753), Saturdays 7 AM to noon. While City Hall and Market Square are renovated it runs on the 100 block of N. Royal St. and in the Tavern Square courtyard, across the street.

Admission, prices, hours and opening days are from each place's own page (or the City's or Visit Alexandria's for the parks and cruises), checked on October 1, 2026. The City's museum hours change with the season, so check its museum hours and admission page before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free things to do in Old Town Alexandria?

Strolling King Street, walking the waterfront parks, riding the free King Street Trolley, and exploring the Torpedo Factory Art Center's studios are all free. Many historic churches and the waterfront public art cost nothing to enjoy.

How much time should I spend in Old Town?

A half-day covers the highlights, but Old Town rewards a full day or a weekend — especially if you add a Potomac cruise, a few museums, and a leisurely dinner on the waterfront.

What are the best hands-on and outdoor activities in Old Town?

On the water: City Cruises' sightseeing cruises and the seasonal water taxi from the Alexandria Marina. On land: biking or running the Mount Vernon Trail along the river, wandering the Torpedo Factory's working artist studios for free, and the lantern-lit ghost and graveyard tour after dark, all with easy access via the Metro and free trolley.

Plan the perfect Old Town day

See what's happening this week, then map out where to eat and how to get around.

See What's On Where to Eat

The Friday Guide

What's on in Old Town this week

Events, openings and where to eat — one short email on Friday mornings. Free, and one click to leave whenever you like.

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