20 + Unique Things to do in Old Town Alexandria (From a Local)

Looking for unique things to do in Old Town Alexandria? I initially fell in love with Old Town Alexandria while a student at Howard University. I was captiviated by it’s vintage buildings and slower pace of life. It reminds me of a European village with its car-free zones, outdoor cafes, and vintage shops.

Now that I live here, I aim to explore it at every chance. It’s a big city with a small-town feel and lots of character. You’ll find cobblestone streets lined with chinese elm and homes that date back over a century. Located less than 30 minutes from Washington DC, this charming neighborhood has a long list of unique things to do, places to visit, and restaurants to enjoy.

Free Fun Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria

King Street

King Street is the most popular part of Old Town Alexandria. It’s home to lots of restaurants, wellness centers, and bakeries. I love exploring one of the many vintage stores and cafes. The city has done a good job preserving local architecture while adding lots of modern shopping areas. It’s easy to understand why Old Town Alexandria has been voted one of the best places to live in America.

Enjoy the Street Art: Butterfly Effect Mural

The Butterfly Effect Mural was inspired by Edward Lorenz’s theory that even the softest flutter of a butterfly wing can affect the tiny molecules around it, setting off a chain reaction that can lead to major changes.

Its purpose is to remind others to be the change they want to see in the world and that we can positively create change through small actions.

This Butterfly mural is located on Bloomer’s at 924 King Street, a few steps away from Jeni’s Ice Cream.

Ride Your Bike Along the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront

Rent a bike from Unlimited Biking to enjoy the views of Old Town Alexandria’s Waterfront. During the warmer summer months, you may be able to catch a few street performances. Last summer, King Street was filled with Trinidadian Steel Pan performers, Jazz, and local Gospel singers.

If you don’t want to rent a bike. you can always rent a scooter or walk along the waterfront.

Explore Historic Homes

Most visitors to Old Town Alexandria come for the history. Popular historic homes include the Carlyle House, The Lyceum, and the Lloyd House. You can’t go over half a block without seeing a historic home filled with a rich past. A less-known home is the one of George Seaton, one of the first Black legislators that once used for social activities for Alexandria’s Black community. Make sure to stop at the historic plaques scattered around the city.

Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery

Old Town Alexandria is rich in African American history. It was once a major slave trading post and later boasted a large community of Free Blacks. A popular place to visit is Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, a cemetery built in 1864 for African Americans who found freedom after the end of slavery. It was later forgotten and its grounds became overgrown with vegetation.

In the 2000s, local community members, students, and anthropologists worked hard to curate and re-establish the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery. Once lost to history and development, this memorial is now a popular place to reflect and celebrate Alexadnria’s history.

It’s a great place to visit any time of the day and is located a short walk from Jones Point Park.

Unique Things to Do in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

It’s impossible to be bored in Old Town Alexandria. Between the historical buildings, cute cafes, and haunted houses, your schedule will be full. When planning a trip to Alexandria, make sure to leave a few hours dedicated to getting lost on King Street or people-watching at a coffee shop.

Whether you’re solo or with family and friends, you’re bound to fall in love with everything this quaint town has to offer.

Text says 10 + Things to do in Alexandria. Top photo is a rose in front of a brick wall. The bottom photo is of a small docked canoe

Afternoon Tea at Lady Camelia

3 tier tray of Afternoon tea desserts, sandwiches, and scones at Lady Camellia in Alexandria

If you love Bridgerton, then you’ll love Lady Camellia. Afternoon tea at Lady Camellia is a delightful experience that combines the elegance of traditional English tea with a touch of regency aesthetics. It’s the perfect place to plan a date with friends. Afternoon Tea costs around $50 per person and includes sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Their scones are absolutely delicious! Seats tend to sell out fast, so book your reservations early. If you prefer a more casual tea spot, check out this list of the best cafes in Alexandria.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center

Do you enjoy taking ceramic or painting classes? The Torpedo Factory Art Center is like Disneyland for those who love interactive classes and fine art. It’s made up of over 80 art studios, unique galleries, and immersive workshops. You’ll love this spot if you love art and supporting local artisans.

Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream

What’s better than ice cream on a hot summer day? Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream is a town favorite. People love their vintage aesthetic. Their ice cream is still made the old-fashioned way and includes vegan sorbet options. If you want more non-dairy options, check out my post on dessert spots in Old Town Alexandria.

Take a Ghost Tour

Legend has it that numerous locals have heard a woman in a wedding dress sobbing in an old abandoned house. It’s one of the many ghost stories often told about Old Town Alexandria. Consider taking a ghost tour during the evening to hear stories the average tour guide won’t know. That is if you’re not afraid of the dark.

Cherry Blossoms in Oronoco Bay Park

Black woman's hand touching cherry blossoms

You don’t have to go all the way to Washington, DC, to see cherry blossoms. Oronoco Bay Park is known for its cherry blossoms that signal the beginning of Spring. Another place to see the cherry blossom blooms is the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.

Things to Do in Old Town: Gadsby’s Tavern

Would you believe that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and a few other historical figures used to be a regular of Gadsby’s Tavern? This place was once one of the most popular places for early American leaders and upper-class citizens to socialize. It currently doubles as a museum and restaurant that specializes in American cuisine. I recommend trying the Oyster Po’Boy or Traditional Breakfast. Visiting this historical site is a great way of immersing yourself in Old Town’s rich history.

Cool Down at the Potomac River

Instead of taking the metro from DC to Old Town, consider taking the Water Taxi. This short cruise offers gorgeous views of the Potomac River and DC monuments. If you want a more laid-back experience, I recommend booking a sunset dinner cruise or a sightseeing tour.

Tickets start at around 20 dollars and depart every 30 minutes. Service dogs are allowed onboard, but pets are not. Unfortunately, the boat is wheelchair accessible, but the dock is not.

Sip Mocktails at Captain Gregory’s

Whenever I have friends in town, their ears perk up when I mention speakeasies. These hidden bars are always in unique locations and add a bit more magic to your day. The interior is cozy and the food is good. Captain Gregory has lots of mocktail options, and you’re guaranteed to have a great time.

Aerial Yoga

Bikram Yoga is so 2010. In 2024, we’re doing aerial yoga. Local Motion Project offers intimate classes where you can tell that the teachers care about you. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and sign up for the introduction class. Not only is it good for your back, but it’s also a lot of fun!

Old Town Alexandria Farmers’ Market

I can’t be the only one who prefers Farmers Markets to grocery stores. At Old Town Alexandria’s Farmers’ Market, you can find freshly made pasta, ripe mangos, and freshly baked bread. One vendor provides fresh microgreens that I try to incorporate into my daily meals. There’s also a Bosnian food vendor with all sorts of delicious East European goodies.

There’s usually some live music, and the energy is amazing. Make sure to pick up freshly cut flowers before heading back home.

Go Kayaking

dark skinned legs in flamingo water shoes in a orange kayak. The bathground is green-brown fresh water with building far in the distance

Many people don’t realize Old Town has so many outdoor activities. You can rent a canoe or kayak at Belle Haven waterfront. Fewer people are on this side of the Potomac than in DC, providing a more relaxed experience.

I recommend going earlier in the day to beat the heat.

The Birchmere

If you like live music, you’ll love The Birchmere. It’s a legendary music venue that has hosted stars like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Emmylou Harris, and Eric Benet. They play music from all genres and the crowd is usually calm.

Channel Your Inner Sherlock at Escape Room Live

Do you like mysteries and solving problems? If your answer is yes, then you’ll love Escape Room Live.

Playing with friends is best as you must work together to solve the mystery. Personally, I found the game to be a bit challenging, but we received lots of help from staff and were finally able to solve it.

Parking is available but limited during the weekend.

2 dark skinned Black women and an older Black male with Escape Room Live written on the wall

Old Town Alexandria Walking Tour : Carlyle House Historic Park, Jones Point Lighthouse and More

Carlyle House Historic Park, a 3 story historical building

One of the best ways to learn about a new destination is to do a walking tour. Start at King Street and make stops along the way. Popular stops include the Alexandria boundary stones, the Jones Point Lighthouse, and the Carlyle House Historic Park. I must warn you that the Jones Point Lighthouse looks more like a house than other lighthouses that you may be used to.

Old Town Books

Old Town Books is an independent bookstore on a quiet street in Old Town. It’s small and cozy with many options, but if you don’t see your book, you can always request that they order it. I love that they have many Book events for mystery lovers like me. Their events book up fast, so reserve in advance. They’re dog-friendly and located next to an ice cream shop.

Have a Spa Day

Sometimes, the best part of traveling is resting. After days of walking, I recommend taking a spa day. Old Town Alexandria has lots of spas to choose from. Acupuncture is one of the most popular treatments in the area, but my favorite is ear candling. I felt so relaxed after my session. You can’t go wrong with a hydro facial or Swedish massage at Aida Spa.

The Lyceum

The Lyceum is located on a quiet cobblestone street. It’s known for being one of Alexandria’s top museums. It specializes in the post-colonial history of Old Town and offers a few interactive exhibits. It’s great for a short visit and is located less than 20 minutes from the waterfront.

Attend a Yoga Class by the Waterfront

Alexandria is a very health-conscious city. There are lots of yoga studios, but my favorite is Refresh Wellness Studio. They offer many different classes and can cater to students of all levels and bodies.

They also offer karate and ju-jitsu classes. I recommend going to one of their mindful movement classes. Afterward, head to Zen Press for fresh juice and raw desserts.

George Washington Masonic Temple

There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the George Washington Masonic Temple. You can see the architecture of the Masonic Temple all the way from the bottom of King Street. It’s the most popular building in Old Town but the best part is inside! I recommend taking a tour because there are so many interesting stories inside its walls- even some ghost stories.