red and brown concrete building beside body of water during daytime

Alexandria

Alexandria is a Potomac River town across from Washington, where you walk brick streets, browse artist studios and take the Metro into DC.

Find a room in Alexandria Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Alexandria

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Alexandria is a port city on the west bank of the Potomac River, just south of Washington, DC, in Northern Virginia. Its Old Town keeps brick streets lined with 18th- and 19th-century buildings, and King Street runs down to the waterfront. There you will find shops, restaurants and the Torpedo Factory Art Center, where artists work in open studios.

Choose Alexandria for a quieter base near Washington, or for a slower day that mixes history with the river. Spring and fall are the most comfortable months for walking Old Town. Plan one to two days in the city. The King Street-Old Town station on the Blue and Yellow lines links Old Town to Washington, so a car is optional. Add a half day or a full day for Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate, a short drive south along the Potomac.

Alexandria in five

Use Alexandria as a base for WashingtonThe Metro from King Street-Old Town reaches central Washington in about 20 to 30 minutes, and rooms often cost less than in the capital itself.
Fly into Reagan NationalDCA is the closest airport, about 10 to 15 minutes from Old Town by car. Dulles and BWI are farther, with longer transfers.
Visit Mount Vernon earlyGeorge Washington's estate lies about 8 miles south of Old Town. Book timed tickets and arrive early on weekends and holidays. Check the official site for hours.Mount Vernon
Walk the waterfront and King StreetKing Street runs from the Metro station to the river, with shops and restaurants. The Torpedo Factory Art Center and waterfront park are at the end.
Have your ESTA approved before landing at Reagan NationalA Visa Waiver Program passport needs an approved ESTA on file before you board for Washington. Use the official CBP site, never a lookalike that adds fees.ESTA explained

Things to do in Alexandria

See all attractions in Alexandria

Historic site · AlexandriaContrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

Wooden bridge railing with a building in background

Park · AlexandriaFort Ward ParkCheck the museum’s schedule before setting out; it may be closed on some days.

a large white building with a fence and trees in front of it

Museum · AlexandriaAlexandria Black History Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to AlexandriaPut the places you like in Alexandria on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Reagan National (DCA), about 10–15 min to Old Town by car
Getting there: Metro Yellow and Blue lines to King Street, or Amtrak and VRE trains
Getting around: Walking, the King Street Trolley, Metro and rideshare
Best base: Old Town, near King Street
Time needed: 1 to 2 days, or longer as a Washington base

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low-1°Cold, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low1°Cold, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Early spring
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Cherry blossom
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Mild, green
JuneRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low19°Hot, humid
JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Hot, July 4th
AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Hot, humid
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Warm, clear
OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Fall color
NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Cool, quiet
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Holiday walks

Average daily high and low in Alexandria, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Alexandria

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 15°
Humidity: 42%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 6%

Alexandria

04:15 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today18°7°6%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 6%.
Tue21°8°2%Tuesday: Fog. High 21°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
Wed24°11°1%Wednesday: Fog. High 24°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 1%.
Thu25°18°47%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 47%.
Fri19°16°46%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 46%.
Sat16°10°33%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 33%.
Sun16°8°9%Sunday: Rain. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 9%.

Updated 12:39 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Washington, D.C.about 20 to 30 min by MetroMonuments, the Smithsonian museums and the National Mall.Read the guide
Mount Vernonabout 20 to 30 min by carGeorge Washington's estate on the Potomac.
Arlington National Cemeteryabout 25 min by MetroA national cemetery with the Changing of the Guard.

Before you go to Alexandria

Mount Vernon and DC sightsTimed tickets and toursBook timed entry

Hotels and rentalsCompare areas and ratesCheck availability

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USAUS medical care is costlyRead the guide

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Rules for Alexandria, checked

Travelers from visa waiver countries need an ESTA before flying to the US. Apply on the official CBP site (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) well before you travel.Source
Alexandria uses US dollars and Eastern Time. Tipping at restaurants is customary, usually 18 to 20 percent of the bill.
WMATA runs the Metrorail system here. Buy a SmarTrip card at the station machines and tap it at the gate both when you enter and when you leave.Source
For police, fire or an ambulance, call 911. Carry your passport and ESTA approval, since hotels and rental counters may ask for ID.

Plan around Alexandria

Richmond

About 2 hours south by train or car

Read the guide All of the USA

Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs

Read the guide Baltimore

Harbor and museums, about an hour from DC

Read the guide Mid-Atlantic States

Routes between DC, Baltimore and the coast

Read the guide New York

A train ride north from Washington

Read the guide ESTA, explained

Who needs it, the fee and how to apply

Read the guide

Alexandria FAQ

Is Alexandria, Virginia worth visiting?

Yes. Old Town has brick streets, 18th-century buildings, a waterfront and good restaurants, and it is close to the sights of Washington.

How many days do you need in Alexandria?

One day covers Old Town and the waterfront. Two days add Mount Vernon or an afternoon in the capital. Many visitors use it as a base for several days in Washington.

Is Alexandria close to Washington, D.C.?

Yes, about 20 to 30 minutes by Metro or 20 to 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Metro is easier at rush hour.

Where should I stay in Alexandria?

Old Town if you want walkable streets and restaurants. Hotels near the Metro stations at King Street or Braddock Road work if you plan to spend most days in Washington.

What is the best time to visit Alexandria?

April to May and September to October for mild weather. Summers are hot and humid, and winter is quiet with holiday events in December.