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Alexandria, Virginia, has a long and rich history, making it the perfect spot for antique shopping. The dozens of shops in this city have sales floors filled with early American antiques and store owners who are history experts who will love to spend time talking to you about what they have. From housewares to furniture to jewelry, any antique shopper will love spending time at these Alexandria shops. A Galerie You'll find A Galerie on Cameron Street in Alexandria. It is known for having the most extensive collection of vintage items and antiques in Old Town, with a wide range of items dating back to the 16th century and up to the 20th century. Stop by to spend an afternoon browsing through decorative items for the house, including vases, art glass, china, and pottery. You can also find stemware, original artwork, and stemware. The inventory at A Galerie is always changing, so make sure to stop by often to see what's new. more The Antique Guild Start your antique hunting at The Antique Guild on North Fairfax Street. This shop has a large selection of antique and estate jewelry along with tea sets and fine silver. You can also find porcelain, bronze, and other items for the home. This is one of the best antique shops in the area when you want to find a unique piece of antique jewelry, including engagement rings. If you want to see what is new at The Antique Guild, check out their Instagram, or just stop by the shop. The Hour The Hour on King Street is known for its midcentury and antique barware. This is the place to go when you want to find a cocktail curio, serving trays, stir sticks, and antique spoons. The Hour also carries vintage jewelry, lots of art, and even some modern pieces if you like to mix the old and new. You can find unique items at this shop, such as a prohibition-era bar set designed by Reed & Barton or a solid copper milk jug-style shaker that features a cork stopper and a curved ribbon handle. Spurgeon-Lewis Antiques Spurgeon-Lewis Antiques on North Columbus Street features English and American items from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can find anything from furniture to period paintings, mirrors, and lighting at this charming shop. The furniture ranges from large pieces, such as a Federal Hepplewhite secretary bookcase to a smaller Federal cherry and tiger maple stand. You'll also find a wide selection of home accessories for any room in your home such as Vieux Paris platters, Sheffield candlesticks, and a scroll clock. If you're looking for a new piece to hang on the wall, Spurgeon-Lewis also has a wide selection of paintings, 18th-century mirrors, and hand-colored engravings. These are just some of the antique stores in the Alexandria area. Whether you are looking for a piece for your home, vintage jewelry, or a unique gift to give someone, you can find it in one of the many shops. Image via Pixabay by Skitterphoto

King Street is a well-known and busy street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, that extends westward from the Potomac River waterfront. Recognized as one of the "Great Streets" of America, this street features buildings that date back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, as well as one of the oldest farmer's markets in the country. In addition, King Street offers the largest collection of independent boutiques in the District of Columbia, which sell anything from sustainable fashion to toys to books. Here are a few examples of places to visit in King Street. more Independent Boutiques There's a variety of independent boutiques along King Street that offer something of interest for everyone. Those who appreciate quality made-in-the-U.S. wood products should make a turn at Cromwell's Wood Products. At this 2,000-square-foot shop, you'll find wood flooring, millwork, furniture, wood art, and much more. Bookworms will enjoy a leisurely stroll through Old Town Books, which is an extended pop-up on King street. Owner Ally Kirkpatrick focuses on community engagement and often hosts author events, book clubs, and writer's workshops at the store. Another independent shop worth visiting is Threadleaf, which offers responsibly made clothing and accessories from independent American brands. Also, don't forget to drop by The Hours Cocktail Collection to view owner Victoria Vergason's creative cocktail glassware collections. She stocks gorgeous vintage and new glassware, shakers, pitchers, and trays. Something for the Kids King Street also provides a variety of shops that cater to kids. Whether you're looking for kids' clothing, toys, children's books, or baby gifts, you'll find it somewhere on the street. Kids who like reading will definitely enjoy Hooray for Books, which is the only locally-owned independent children's bookstore in the city. The shop offers a wide selection of the classics, as well as new books and toys. For something a bit different, pop by Pink and Brown, which is a children's boutique that provides organic clothes and designer apparel. At 529 Kids Consign, you can shop for upscale children's and maternity wear in the latest fashions. Top-Quality Restaurants After so much shopping, one is bound to get a bit peckish. Fortunately, King Street boasts many fine restaurants that offer creative comfort food and waterfront fare, attractive settings, and excellent service. A must-try is Magnolia's on King, which serves Southern soul food in a 200-year-old historical building. The restaurant boasts three dining venues on three different floors. The Magnolia Room is the restaurant's first-floor and main dining room, while the second-floor Palm Lounge offers a craft cocktail experience. Then there's also the Nest, where you can enjoy a private dining experience. At Magnolia's, they are proud to use sustainably raised and grown ingredients from regional farmers. On the menu are delicious items like Spinach, Mushroom & Goats Cheese Ravioli, Fall of the Bone BBQ Ribs, and Louisiana Style Cajun Gumbo. These are just a few of the interesting and quality shops and restaurants that King Street has to offer. To enjoy a day of leisurely shopping and fine food in a beautiful, historical setting, put some time aside next time you're in Alexandria and stroll along this Great Street. image via pixabay

If you're interested in American history, Alexandria, Virginia, is a great place to visit. Apart from the fact that America's first president, George Washington, adopted Alexandria as his hometown and owned a townhouse in Old Town, this city boasts a colorful history and many interesting historical sites. Here are a few examples of interesting places to visit in the city. more Lee-Fendall House Museum The Lee-Fendall House Museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the past. Since its construction in 1785, this old wood-frame house in Old Town Alexandria housed several generations of the Lee family, hundreds of convalescing soldiers during the Civil War, and a powerful labor leader called John L. Lewis. After Lewis's death in 1969, the house was saved from ruin by the Virginia Trust for Historic Preservation and is today listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house contains many of the Lee family's heirlooms, portraits, jewelry, decorative items, documents, and books. In addition, visitors can view one of the largest collections of furniture produced by the Green Furniture company, as well as several period pieces created by local and regional craftsmen over the years. Visitors can also stroll through the beautiful award-winning garden, which features many varieties of heritage roses, a herb garden, and majestic old trees. Carlyle House Historic Park Another interesting historic site in Old Town Alexandria is the Carlyle House Historic Park. Carlyle House is a mansion that was erected by a wealthy Scottish merchant named John Carlyle. He purchased two of the most expensive and centrally located lots in the area in 1751 and by 1753 the construction of his Georgian stone mansion was completed. This magnificent house, which featured public spaces for entertaining, quickly became a center of social and political life in the early days of the city. After Carlyle's death in 1780, the one-acre property was divided among his heirs and by 1806 the house passed out of the family. When NOVA Parks bought the property in 1970, it had fallen into disrepair. During a six-year restoration project, the agency rehabilitated the structure of the building and attempted to track down or replace the original fixtures and furniture. Today, the public can view the beautifully restored mansion through guided tours. The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum Yet another historical site worth visiting in Old Town Alexandria is the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. The business was originally opened by Edward Stabler, a devout Quaker, in 1796. Amazingly, the apothecary remained in the family until the Great Depression when they were forced to close the doors due to economic constraints. By 1939, the shop was reopened as a museum, with most of the artifacts that remain today dating back to this time. In addition, the store features antebellum gothic revival furnishing. After a large restoration project that took place in 2006, the public can now also view the second floor, which contains a former warehouse and a manufacturing room. These are only a few of the many fascinating historical sites that Alexandria has to offer. If you wish to find out more about this city's history, purchase a Key to the City Attractions Pass, which includes tours of nine historic sites. image via pixabay

With a city as old as Alexandria, which was established in 1749, you're sure to find plenty of great antiques, hidden gems, and lost treasures. This lovely, historic city boasts numerous antique shops with treasures ranging from estate and vintage jewelry to early American furniture. Next time you're in Alexandria, Virginia, check out these five amazing places to go antiquing. more Christopher H. Jones Antiques Find elegant, rare, and historically important items when you shop at Christopher H. Jones Antiques. The shop specializes in early American antiques from the Southern and Mid-Atlantic areas. Detailed maps from the 17th and 18th centuries give you a peek into the worlds of early explorers. Finely crafted quilts, furniture, pottery, and glassware represent how a home was decorated from that time period. The proprietors of the shop can help you pick just the right pieces to help you decorate your own home in this style. Hang striking paintings from famous 17th, 18th, and 19th-century artists on your walls, and add attractive pieces of statement furniture to any room in your home for an eye-catching vintage look. The Hour Shop Elevate cocktail and happy hour at your next social gathering with barware and vintage cocktail-related items from The Hour Shop. You'll find exquisite vintage cocktail glasses, pitchers, decanters, shakers, and bar tools to give your home bar a sophisticated look. The staff at The Hour Shop can show you how to make classic cocktails, give you in-depth details about the history of the cocktail culture, and provide tips on home bar styling and entertaining. Elinor Coleman's Vintage Mirage Dress in vintage style with clothing, jewelry, and accessories from Elinor Coleman's Vintage Mirage. The store specializes in consignment fashion from several eras including Victorian, Flapper-Roaring '20s, Art Deco, World War II, and the 1960s, '70s, and '80s. Add a touch of elegance to your outfits with Victorian glass bead necklaces, Chanel pins and brooches, and lace over-the-elbow gloves. Finish your vintage ensemble with an antique handbag, clutch, or purse. The Antique Guild When you're searching for exceptional, hand-picked Victorian-era, estate and antique jewelry, The Antique Guild is the place to go. Each item in the store is carefully researched, cleaned, and authenticated. Whether you want a Victorian cameo made from coral, shell, or precious stones, a Victorian bangle bracelet, Art Deco chain bracelet, or precious pearl drop earrings, you'll find what you're looking for at The Antique Guild. Domimex Antiques and Rugs Rugs bring warmth to any room, help tie a room together, and have a luxurious feel under your feet. Make your rug collection extra special buying rugs and carpets from Domimex Antiques and Rugs. Elevate your home with antique rugs made from the finest of Persian wool, rare carpets made from Morrocan cashmere, and silk rugs from the Orient. Domimex Antiques and Rugs can help to clean, repair, and restore your antique rugs so they look as beautiful as the day they were made. We hope you enjoy shopping at these top antique shops in the Alexandria, Virginia, area. Feel free to drop us a line letting us know your favorite antique treasure find. image via pixabay