A local's guide to Old Town Alexandria: the King Street Mile, the free trolley, the Torpedo Factory, museums, the waterfront, the farmers market and parking.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts come from Visit Alexandria, the city’s museums, Getting Around and Celebrating the Holidays pages, DASH and the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Old Town is the historic heart of Alexandria, founded in 1749: a grid of brick sidewalks and 18th- and 19th-century rowhouses running from the King Street-Old Town Metro station down to the Potomac River. King Street is its spine, with shops, restaurants and galleries the whole way, and the waterfront at the bottom has parks, the Torpedo Factory and boats to D.C. Here is how to see it like a local.

Know before you go

  • Alexandria Visitor Center: 221 King St., 703-838-5005
  • Getting around: the free King Street Trolley every 15 minutes, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • City services: Alex311, 311 or 703-746-4311

The King Street Mile

Visit Alexandria calls King Street “the single best introduction to the city”: a mile of independent restaurants, boutiques, galleries and specialty shops from the King Street-Old Town Metro station to the Potomac waterfront, with brick sidewalks, cobblestone alleys and lights in the trees. More than 100 independently owned boutiques sit on King and the side streets.

The free King Street Trolley runs the length of it every 15 minutes, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year, between the Metro and City Hall, with stops every couple of blocks. It has wheelchair ramps and bike racks (DASH trolley page).

The waterfront

At the foot of King Street, the river parks run from Rivergate and Oronoco Bay in the north through Founders, Waterfront and Point Lumley parks to Windmill Hill and Jones Point in the south. City Cruises sails from the Old Town marina with sightseeing Monuments Tours, a water taxi to D.C. and National Harbor, and seasonal cruises to Mount Vernon. Restaurants with river views include Vola’s Dockside Grill, Blackwall Hitch, BARCA Pier and Hummingbird.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., is a former World War II torpedo plant with more than 80 working artists’ studios and 10 galleries. It is free, open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and home to the Alexandria Archaeology Museum.

History on every block

Site What it is
Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St. A Georgian manor and 1700s social hub that served as a French and Indian War headquarters; run by NOVA Parks
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. The tavern that hosted the first five U.S. presidents
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax St. An apothecary that operated from 1792 to 1933, with more than 15,000 original objects
Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St. The city’s history museum and a lecture and concert hall
Freedom House Museum, 1315 Duke St. What remains of a slave-trading complex that trafficked thousands of people from 1828 to 1861; open Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Once the segregated library for Black residents, on the site of a landmark 1939 sit-in; open Thursday to Sunday
Christ Church, 118 N. Washington St. Episcopal church with Sunday services at 8 and 10 a.m.
The Spite House, 523 Queen St. Seven feet wide, built in 1830; a private home you can view from the street

Captain’s Row, the cobblestone 100 block of Prince Street, dates from the 1700s. Visit Alexandria publishes a free self-guided architecture walking tour, and the Key to the City pass covers entry to 11 historic sites. Our history and landmarks guide has more.

The farmers market

The Old Town Farmers’ Market has run since 1753, according to Visit Alexandria, and draws more than 70 vendors every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon, year-round. During the City Hall and Market Square renovation it sets up in the 100 block of North Royal Street and the Tavern Square courtyard. See our farmers markets guide.

Eating and drinking

Visit Alexandria highlights restaurants in historic buildings: Virtue Feed and Grain in an 1800s feed warehouse, Gadsby’s Tavern Restaurant in Colonial dining rooms, and Josephine in a converted 19th-century firehouse. For specific spots, see our brunch, date night and live music and nightlife guides.

Parking and Market Square

City Hall and Market Square are closed for renovation, which has moved events and the farmers market and cut parking. The city asks visitors to come by DASH, the King Street Trolley or Metrorail, or on foot or bike, and updates its Getting Around page before big events. Our getting around guide lists the garages.

Old Town through the year

  • Halloween: Old Town Trick-or-Treat on King Street; see our trick-or-treat page.
  • December: the Scottish Walk Holiday Parade and the Boat Parade of Lights, both Dec. 5; see our Christmas parade page.
  • New Year’s Eve: waterfront fireworks at 8 p.m. and midnight; see our New Year’s Eve page.
  • Spring: the Old Town Festival of Speed and Style car show on King Street.
  • July: the city’s birthday fireworks at Oronoco Bay Park; see our fireworks guide.

What this means for you

  • Ride the free trolley from the Metro instead of driving and circling for parking.
  • Go on a Saturday morning for the farmers market.
  • Many museums keep Thursday-to-Sunday hours; check before you go.

Related guides: free things to do, history and landmarks and getting around.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get around Old Town Alexandria?

Take the free King Street Trolley, which runs every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year, between the King Street-Old Town Metro station and City Hall. DASH buses are fare-free too.

Is the Torpedo Factory Art Center free?

Yes. The Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., has been free and open to the public since 1974 and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Alexandria Archaeology Museum is inside.

When is the Old Town Farmers’ Market?

Every Saturday, year-round, from 7 a.m. to noon. While City Hall and Market Square are renovated it sets up in the 100 block of North Royal Street and the Tavern Square courtyard.

Where is the Spite House in Alexandria?

At 523 Queen St. The 7-foot-wide house, built in 1830, is a private home; Visit Alexandria says you can view it from the street at any time.