Blog

Alexandria, Virginia is a city full of culture, history, and entertainment. There's something to do around every corner, but maybe you hesitate to take part in what Alexandria has to offer because you're worried about spending money. Fortunately, there are plenty of free things to do in Alexandria. Here are just a few. Mount Vernon Trail Location: Between Theodore Roosevelt Island and Mount Vernon. Park at sites along the trail. Time: Open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. What to Do: The Mount Vernon Trail winds along the Potomac River all the way from George Washington's estate in Alexandria to Washington D.C. Take a Saturday afternoon to walk, bike, or jog more along this trail and enjoy its beautiful scenery. King Street Location: Runs from the Potomac, up through Old Town Alexandria, and northwest toward the 395. Time: Always open. What to Do: King Street is one of Alexandria's most popular historic landmarks. Take a walk through Old Town Alexandria and check out the many shops, independently-owned boutiques, parks, and more. For a quick way down King Street, take the free King Street Trolley. Free Outdoor Movies Location: Mount Vernon Rec Center Fields. Time: Third Saturday of May, June, July, and August. Arrive around 7 p.m. Movies will begin at dusk. What to Do: Who can complain about seeing a movie for free? Enjoy a comfortable evening under the stars with some of your favorite movies at Cinema Del Ray. Winkler Botanical Preserve Location: 5400 Roanoke Avenue. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day. What to Do: The Winkler Botanical Preserve may be just down the street, but hiking through it will feel like you've escaped to a vacation destination. Enjoy the gorgeous views and try to identify the many rare species of plants and wildlife along the trails. Torpedo Factory Art Center Location: 105 North Union Street. Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Thursday, when the Center is open until 9 p.m. What to Do: Praised as one of America's top art centers, Torpedo Factor Art Center offers plenty of free fun to fill an afternoon. Come visit over 80 open artist studios and seven art galleries, one of which, the Target Gallery, features rotating exhibitions of national and international art. Del Ray Music Festival Location: Del Ray Neighborhood. Time: July 14, 2018, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. What to Do: Come to the eleventh annual Del Ray Music Festival, a celebration of all the local talent that Alexandria has to offer. The Festival features musicians performing along Mount Vernon Avenue with food and beer gardens. Alexandria Birthday Celebration Location: Oronoco Bay Park. Time: July 7, 2018, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. What to Do: The Alexandria Birthday Celebration recognizes the birth of our nation as well as the birth of the city. Come enjoy free cake, a fireworks show, and live music entertainment. Alexandria has something for everyone. Grab your family and friends, and see everything that Alexandria has to offer! Image via Flickr by m01229 /Under use by CC BY 2.0

The food scene in Old Town Alexandria is consistently praised by magazines and websites as one of the best in the Washington D.C. area. Only minutes from downtown D.C., Old Town Alexandria offers top-class dining options to suit every taste. Blackwall Hitch For a taste of the nearby Chesapeake Bay, head to Blackwall Hitch on Cameron Street. They focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients to create their menu each week. Start your meal with their exquisite Maryland crab soup or try their freshly shucked oysters. They also have fire-roasted flatbread that pairs perfectly with their crab dip or baked Brie. Blackwall Hitch isn't just focused on locally sourced food, the drinks menu is also packed with regional wines, beers, and spirits. Choose from their signature cocktail menu for something unique like Salted Melontini made with Deep Eddy Vodka, Watermelon Pucker, fresh basil, lime and orange juices, and simple syrup. more It's a great place for an after-work drink or a nice date night. It's not too stuffy, but it's also not an ultra-casual dining option. Mains cost $20-30 with the catch of the day and seafood-heavy dishes leaning on the more expensive end of the spectrum. During the week they're open from 11 a.m. until midnight. On Fridays and Saturdays, they're open until 2 a.m., and on Sundays, they close at 10 p.m. Brabo Brabo is the place to be if you want to experience European fine-dining in Old Town Alexandria. The restaurant is located on King Street and also offers a more casual dining option next door at their Tasting Room. But it's at the Brasserie where you'll find a blend of French cooking styles and local Virginia ingredients. Start with a Charcuterie board of international cheeses, pate, and chorizo, along with locally made bread and condiments. The roasted pork chop and braised pork belly is one of the most popular dishes on the menu if you don't want to choose from their extensive steak menu. There are also weekly plates which are chosen by the chef and use ingredients that are in peak season. Main dishes cost $25-40. If you have a starter, a main, and a drink or two, you're looking at spending about $80 per person for a meal packed with flavor and style. Brabo is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the week. They stay open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and are open for brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bastille Bastille is another fantastic restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. Head here for lunch or dinner to enjoy classic French dishes such as escargot or steak with a bearnaise sauce. They also offer a set menu for dinner during the week, which is great value at $39 for three courses or $49 for four courses. This doesn't include a drink. Bastille is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. On Sundays they are open for brunch from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., then they reopen from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. They are closed on Mondays. Next time you're in Old Town Alexandria, try out one of these top restaurants. Image via Flickr by Ron Cogswell / under use by CC BY 2.0