One of my favorite places for a staycation in the DC area is Alexandria, VA. There is so much to do (see my post about Mt. Vernon from last fall, here) and it’s a great escape from the city, plus Old Town is so cute! Whether I just need to get out of town for a few hours or I’m looking for a longer staycation, it’s one of my favorite places to head to, I also highly recommend it if you’re planning a trip to DC and don’t want to stay in the city but want to be close by.
If you’re planning a trip, here’s my Alexandria, VA travel guide, full of my picks of where to stay, what to do and of course where to eat in and around Old Town!
Where to stay:
Y’all, I cannot recommend the Kimpton Lorien Hotel and Spa more! It’s right in Old Town, at the top of King Street and only a few minutes walk to the metro. From here you can easily hop on the trolley and make your way down King Street or jump on the metro and head into DC for a day trip in the city.
On top of being super convenient, it is amazing. I first stayed here when I was a freshman in college and it has remained one of my favorite hotels in the world. I have a soft spot for Kimpton’s in general, but The Lorien is my favorite. Incredible food at Brabo, the most comfortable beds in the world, amazing bathtubs and rain showers, plus a gorgeous spa. The list goes on but you get the idea. As far as Alexandria goes, you really can’t go wrong with The Lorien!
Another great perk of staying at The Lorien is the free happy hour they have every day in the lobby, after a day of exploring (or a day at the spa) stop by for a glass of wine and some amazing treats from Brabo!
Where to eat:
Brabo
Hanks Oyster Bar
Sonoma Cellar
Magnolia’s on King
Blackwall Hitch
Virtue Feed and Grain
Del Ray Pizzeria
What to do:
There is history around every corner in Alexandria, home to George Washington and Robert E. Lee, one of the ten busiest ports and a Civil War supply center for Union troops are just a few things it’s known for.
Explore King Street // There’s so many great restaurants and shops lining king street. Take a walk from the top of the street down to the waterfront or hop on the trolley.
Visit Market Square // Go see Alexandria’s City Hall and see what’s going on in Market Square, it’s home to farmers markets and other events daily. If there’s nothing going on it’s still a gorgeous spot to walk see!
Explore the Waterfront // If you’re not going to make it to Mt. Vernon definitely put the waterfront on your list. If you’re staying at The Lorien, it’s only about a 20 minute walk down King Street and so worth it. There are restaurants along the water or just take in the stunning views of the Potomac. You can also hop on a river cruise to Mt Vernon, the National Harbor, the National Mall or simply take a river tour.
Visit the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum // Take a step back in time to learn about Civil War Era medicine and the famous people throughout history who visited and relied upon the medicines from the Apothecary.
Go see Christ Church // For those of you who have been reading for a while you know I’m an absolute sucker for old churches. One of my favorite things to do when I’m traveling is just poke my head into churches, this one is no different. Like pretty much everything else in this city it is steeped in history and looks virtually the same it did during the Revolutionary War!
Get spooked on a ghost tour // Growing up in New England I know that old towns and ghosts kind of go together and Alexandria is no different. Whether you believe in ghosts or not (I definitely do) jump on a ghost tour to see a different history of Alexandria!
Spend the Day Exploring Mt Vernon // Go spend a few hours walking in the footsteps of our first president. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the DC area in my opinion!
Head into DC // You’re 20 minutes from DC, so pick a few museums you want to see or go walk around the mall. The great part about Alexandria is how easy it is to get to DC, you can take the metro or drive and be downtown in just a little while.
There is so much more to do in Alexandria, VA and I could go on and on. These are just a few of my picks but I always love to hear from you! What are some of your favorite spots?
