Things to do in Alexandria, Virginia (VA): The Best Historic Sites

June 28, 2021 Dorsey Hagwood

A short Metro ride from Washington DC, Alexandria, Virginia is the perfect escape from the fast-paced capital. First settled in 1695, the city retains its colonial spirit, with cobblestone streets and historic buildings in the Old Town, Gadsby's Tavern, a restaurant serving food since 1770, and centers of learning like the Black History Museum. For a more contemporary side of Alexandria, wander the streets of the stylish Del Ray neighborhood, where local artists operate boutiques and studios.
Restaurants in Alexandria

1. Alfred Street Baptist Church

301 S Alfred St, Alexandria, VA 22314-3670 +1 703-683-2222 http://alfredstreet.org/
Excellent
90%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 29 reviews

Alfred Street Baptist Church

Alfred Street is among the oldest African American Baptist Churches in America, celebrating its bicentennial in 2003.

Reviewed By Trelly420 - Queens, United States

I decided to do something new & travel away from my home church to usher in the new year. The Alfred Street Baptist Church family welcomed me as a visitor with sincere warmth and grace! The choir was wonderful, the atmosphere was fantastic and the preached word by Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley “The Wait is Over” was the perfect message to start the new year off with. I will visit again.

2. Alexandria's Christ Church

118 N Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314-3023 +1 703-549-1450 http://www.historicchristchurch.org
Excellent
77%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 404 reviews

Alexandria's Christ Church

Reviewed By 735carolynl - Seattle, United States

This stunning church has a rich history which you are able to experience first hand. Sit in George Washington or The Lee Family pews. Attend a service in this still active church, or pay respects in the cemetary.

3. Old Town

Alexandria, VA 22314 +1 703-862-5817 http://www.visitalexandriava.com/old-town-alexandria
Excellent
67%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,765 reviews

Old Town

Quaint old seaport section of Alexandria on the National Register of Historic Places.

Reviewed By TorquayIain - Torquay, United Kingdom

we stayed at the Embassy Suites at the top of King Street near the metro station and thoroughly enjoyed our strolls down King Street with its plethora of small stores and eating establishments, very nice area and would stay again.

4. Old Presbyterian Meeting House

321 S Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314-3807 +1 703-549-6670 http://www.opmh.org/
Excellent
69%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Old Presbyterian Meeting House

5. Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House

9000 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309-1506 +1 703-780-4000 [email protected] http://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 198 reviews

Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House

PLEASE NOTE: Our property closes for the 2019 Season on December 13 and re-opens for 2020 Season and public tours on April 10, 2020. Woodlawn Estate and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Pope-Leighey House are two iconic architectural sites of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, located on the same property in historic Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington D.C. Our Federal Georgian Mansion, built in 1805 for Nelly Parke Custis Lewis and Lawrence Lewis and our Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Usonian House, built in 1940 and moved to our property in the 60's both sit in a beautiful landscape. Visitors are encouraged to explore the contrasting architectural and historical stories of these two masterpiece homes, set in glorious landscape. Our site is also home to the non-profit farm, Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture. We host extraordinary catered celebrations in our luxury event space with exclusive partner, Design Cuisine. Do come and visit us!

Reviewed By SGCAVER12 - Rockville, United States

We had reservations in March 2020 but they closed before we could visit. I was happy to see they are now open and we booked easily online for the combination tour of both houses. There is a limit of 6 people per tour so it was like getting our own personal tour. We visited the Pope-Leighey House first a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house that has been relocated to this spot. We have visited a few of the homes he has designed and this one did not disappoint. It is less than a 5 minute walk from the parking lot all downhill. The tour guide gave a very informative tour to the 5 of us on the tour. Everyone wore a mask and kept their distance despite it being a small house. It's an hour tour, but we were done in about 30 minutes so we were permitted to continue looking inside and outside at all of the details of this wonderful Frank Lloyd Wright designed house and ask questions. We made the 5 minute walk back up to the parking lot to start the tour of Woodlawn mansion. Again, our tour guide gave a great tour, she was engaging and answered all of our questions.She and the 5 people on the tour all kept their distance and wore their masks. They have a small gift shop attached to Woodlawn that offers items related to both houses. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday learning about the history of these 2 great houses. I'd highly recommend the tour.

6. Fort Ward Museum and Park

4301 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22304-1007 +1 703-838-4848 http://alexandriava.gov/FortWard
Excellent
35%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

Fort Ward Museum and Park

Reviewed By Wendybeth16 - Washington DC, United States

Ft. Ward Park is a park for all seasons and interests - truly an oasis in the Washington suburbs. Numerous exercise options are available, The park's trails and paths welcome walkers (both human and canine) and joggers. A scenic spot where one can easily earn those daily steps. There is a playground and spots perfect for a picnic. Here one can relax and enjoy nature. The location is also of historic importance for here was one of the circle of Lincoln's forts which offered protection to Washington during the Civil War. The Ft. Ward Museum assists visitors with interpretation of both the site (which includes the fort, earthworks and all), the "Defenses of Washington" and this period in our nation's history. The museum frequently offers special programs including soldier-led tours of the fort and encampments (where soldiers describe their daily life). In December a patriotic Santa makes a visit. Interesting too is the stories of the residents who lived in the area following the war. Highly recommended. Ft. Ward has something for all.

7. River Farm

7931 E Boulevard Dr, Alexandria, VA 22308-1307 +1 703-768-5700 [email protected] http://www.ahsgardening.org/riverfarm
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 49 reviews

River Farm

River Farm is the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. Situated on 25 landscaped acres overlooking the Potomac river, it is an idyllic escape within the Washington, D.C. area. Enjoy walking in our gardens and four-acre Meadow. Bring kids to enjoy the Children's Garden. We are open year-round Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm. From April through September we are also open Saturday from 9 am - 1 pm.

Reviewed By avril-1974 - Arlington, United States

I visited River Farm recently after a friend told me about their beautiful gardens. Well she wasn’t kidding. It is charming and delightful - a gardener’s paradise. It’s just off of the GW Parkway on your way to Mount Vernon. They are rolling hills, meticulous gardens and a view of the Potomac River. Just lovely.

8. Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery

South Washington and Church Streets, Alexandria, VA 22314 http://alexandriava.gov/FreedmenMemorial
Excellent
41%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery

9. Lee-Fendall House

614 Oronoco St, Alexandria, VA 22314-2308 +1 703-548-1789 [email protected] http://www.leefendallhouse.org/
Excellent
44%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
9%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 32 reviews

Lee-Fendall House

The Lee-Fendall House, located in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, is a showcase of American history. Since its construction in 1785, the house has served as home to thirty-seven members of the Lee family, hundreds of convalescing Union soldiers during the American Civil War, Alexandria’s locally prominent Downham family, and one of our nation’s most controversial and significant 20th century labor leaders, John L. Lewis.

Reviewed By GarryUK - Newbury, United Kingdom

A must do in Alexandria. The tour takes about 45 mins to a hour and is fascinating. Every room is steeped in history as were its owners. General Robert E Lee lived here as a boy, but those who lived here before and after him are very interesting in their own right. The house is spread over 3 floors of which you can visit 2 of floors. There is plenty of very interesting pieces of period furniture on display as well. We throughly enjoyed it.

10. Boyhood Home of Robert E. Lee

607 Oronoco St, Alexandria, VA 22314-2307
Excellent
17%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
35%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 23 reviews

Boyhood Home of Robert E. Lee

Elegant Federal-style mansion was once the home of Robert E. Lee.

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