Guidebook for Alexandria
Food Scene
Two locations - one in Alexandria and one in Arlington BOTH with amazing cupcakes, pies and coffee.
42 locals recommend
Buzz Bakeshop
901 Slaters LnTwo locations - one in Alexandria and one in Arlington BOTH with amazing cupcakes, pies and coffee.
Donuts and coffee. Alexandria location also has a speakeasy with fancy drinks and deserts... make a reservation. Arlington location has gluten free donuts.
12 locals recommend
Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee
1014 S Glebe RdDonuts and coffee. Alexandria location also has a speakeasy with fancy drinks and deserts... make a reservation. Arlington location has gluten free donuts.
Great farm-to-table food and delicious drinks. No reservations necessary. Free parking, movie theater, coffee shop, grocery store and walking trail in Shirlington - as well as numerous other restaurant choices for whatever food you're in the mood for.
20 locals recommend
Copperwood Tavern
4021 Campbell AveGreat farm-to-table food and delicious drinks. No reservations necessary. Free parking, movie theater, coffee shop, grocery store and walking trail in Shirlington - as well as numerous other restaurant choices for whatever food you're in the mood for.
Easy walk from my Airbnb. Multiple bars, large menu. If you are without a car, or just need a little fresh air... enjoy a walk and a lovely meal here.
17 locals recommend
Clyde's at Mark Center
1700 N Beauregard StEasy walk from my Airbnb. Multiple bars, large menu. If you are without a car, or just need a little fresh air... enjoy a walk and a lovely meal here.
Indoor market with food stalls, a few shops and often outdoor events like Crafty Bastards and drive in movies during the Summer.
906 locals recommend
Union Market
1309 5th St NEIndoor market with food stalls, a few shops and often outdoor events like Crafty Bastards and drive in movies during the Summer.
Small restaurant with great sushi - I recommend the chef's tasting menu. Try to sit at the bar and watch them make the sushi. No children and no reservations.
6 locals recommend
The Sushi Bar
2312 Mt Vernon AveSmall restaurant with great sushi - I recommend the chef's tasting menu. Try to sit at the bar and watch them make the sushi. No children and no reservations.
Amazing gelato if you need a little taste of Italy and a break from your lovely day of high end shopping, paddle boarding, kayaking or the scenic water taxi from Alexandria. Georgetown has plenty of options for everyone!
11 locals recommend
Dolcezza
1560 Wisconsin Ave NWAmazing gelato if you need a little taste of Italy and a break from your lovely day of high end shopping, paddle boarding, kayaking or the scenic water taxi from Alexandria. Georgetown has plenty of options for everyone!
There’s a hot new Asian-inspired food hall in Annandale, but you probably won’t find it unless you’re looking for it. The Block doesn’t seem like much from the outside. Inside, it’s a different story. The 5,000sqft space houses six individual food, dessert, and beverage concepts, a spacious seating area, and a casual lounge. As its name suggests, the venue is meant to emulate the atmosphere of a neighborhood block party.
17 locals recommend
The Block
4221 John Marr DrThere’s a hot new Asian-inspired food hall in Annandale, but you probably won’t find it unless you’re looking for it. The Block doesn’t seem like much from the outside. Inside, it’s a different story. The 5,000sqft space houses six individual food, dessert, and beverage concepts, a spacious seating area, and a casual lounge. As its name suggests, the venue is meant to emulate the atmosphere of a neighborhood block party.
Stone Hot Pizza
Fair Ridge DriveEasy and delicious pizza delivery.
If you love chocolate, this is the place for you! They have amazing desserts, drinks and even chocolate covered bacon on macaroni and cheese. Very close to the Spy Museum, Portrait Gallery and the Capital One Arena (where the Caps and Wizards play).
13 locals recommend
Co Co. Sala
929 F St NWIf you love chocolate, this is the place for you! They have amazing desserts, drinks and even chocolate covered bacon on macaroni and cheese. Very close to the Spy Museum, Portrait Gallery and the Capital One Arena (where the Caps and Wizards play).
Entertainment & Activities
Comedy shows with drinks or classic movies on repeat.
70 locals recommend
Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse
2903 Columbia PikeComedy shows with drinks or classic movies on repeat.
Doesn't everyone need to try flying through the air with the greatest of ease? Trapeze classes offered in a tent and outdoors depending on weather.
19 locals recommend
Trapeze School
10 Tingey St SEDoesn't everyone need to try flying through the air with the greatest of ease? Trapeze classes offered in a tent and outdoors depending on weather.
Head to the Key Bridge Boathouse for rental kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. And while D.C. is pretty populated, you’ll feel like you have the river to yourself (not many tourists here) and just a few other row boats as you head north and west towards the Three Sisters, an area of jagged rocks, where boaters will hang for sun, fun, and a swim.
75 locals recommend
Boating in DC at Key Bridge Boathouse
3500 Water St NWHead to the Key Bridge Boathouse for rental kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. And while D.C. is pretty populated, you’ll feel like you have the river to yourself (not many tourists here) and just a few other row boats as you head north and west towards the Three Sisters, an area of jagged rocks, where boaters will hang for sun, fun, and a swim.
If you need an escape on a rainy day, Shirlington has many restaurants and a newly-remodeled movie theater with a bar and snacks served at the front of the house.
39 locals recommend
AMC Shirlington 7
2772 S Randolph StIf you need an escape on a rainy day, Shirlington has many restaurants and a newly-remodeled movie theater with a bar and snacks served at the front of the house.
Shopping
Nearby shopping center with four levels of food and shopping. Great place to catch the metro into DC.
319 locals recommend
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
1100 S Hayes StNearby shopping center with four levels of food and shopping. Great place to catch the metro into DC.
Sightseeing
Old Town Alexandria is a beautiful historical and must-see neighborhood. Located right on the Potomac river, you can take a water taxi to National Harbor or Georgetown, DC. There are tons of bars, restaurants, and shops to explore! Cobblestone and brick paved streets (careful with your heels), lined with old row houses and gas lamps to light the way. Free trolley runs up and down King Street. Catch an evening ghost tour after dinner.
393 locals recommend
Old Town
Old Town Alexandria is a beautiful historical and must-see neighborhood. Located right on the Potomac river, you can take a water taxi to National Harbor or Georgetown, DC. There are tons of bars, restaurants, and shops to explore! Cobblestone and brick paved streets (careful with your heels), lined with old row houses and gas lamps to light the way. Free trolley runs up and down King Street. Catch an evening ghost tour after dinner.
Of course all 19 of the Smithsonian museums are free and amazing in their own right. The zoo is my favorite to walk on a beautiful day. There are also some great restaurants to find just outside the gates.
771 locals recommend
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
3001 Connecticut Ave NWOf course all 19 of the Smithsonian museums are free and amazing in their own right. The zoo is my favorite to walk on a beautiful day. There are also some great restaurants to find just outside the gates.
The tree-lined open space between Constitution and Independence Avenues extends from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol Building. Many of the Smithsonian Institution museums line the heart of the nation's capital, offering exhibits ranging from art to space exploration. West Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin are adjacent to the National Mall and home to additional national monuments and memorials.
The National Mall is not just a great place to visit world class museums and national landmarks, but also to picnic and attend outdoor festivals. Try to visit during the beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival (March/April)!
1111 locals recommend
National Mall
The tree-lined open space between Constitution and Independence Avenues extends from the Washington Monument to the U.S. Capitol Building. Many of the Smithsonian Institution museums line the heart of the nation's capital, offering exhibits ranging from art to space exploration. West Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin are adjacent to the National Mall and home to additional national monuments and memorials.
The National Mall is not just a great place to visit world class museums and national landmarks, but also to picnic and attend outdoor festivals. Try to visit during the beautiful Cherry Blossom Festival (March/April)!
Parks & Nature
This is a great park with trails if you need to escape the city for a bit without commuting to a big outdoor space during the week. Easy drive or walk.
Winkler Botanical Preserve
5400 Roanoke AveThis is a great park with trails if you need to escape the city for a bit without commuting to a big outdoor space during the week. Easy drive or walk.
Essentials
Large grocery store with all the essentials. Free parking beneath the store.
345 locals recommend
Safeway
5101 Wilson BlvdLarge grocery store with all the essentials. Free parking beneath the store.
CVS
1521-1523 N Quaker Ln24-hour CVS Store. McDonalds, Subway and Starbucks co-located.
Drinks & Nightlife
Speakeasy with fancy drinks. Look for the blue light and the Jolly Rodger outside. Best to make reservations - especially when the weather is nice. Very romantic and beautiful candle-lit ambiance.
24 locals recommend
PX
728 King StSpeakeasy with fancy drinks. Look for the blue light and the Jolly Rodger outside. Best to make reservations - especially when the weather is nice. Very romantic and beautiful candle-lit ambiance.
Good food and amazingly large selection of beer on draft and in bottle. Nice brunch spread and impressive Bloody Mary's. Easy walk from King Street.
Bilbo Baggins
208 Queen StGood food and amazingly large selection of beer on draft and in bottle. Nice brunch spread and impressive Bloody Mary's. Easy walk from King Street.
During the day it's a quiet rooftop drink with a view, while at night it turns into a club scene. Inside the W Hotel (also home to Bliss Spa) it is one of the closest open rooftops to the White House. Sure, there’s bottle service but you can skip that and just sip on cocktails and wait for the late-night menu to come into play because... pork belly steamed buns.
73 locals recommend
POV Rooftop
515 15th St NWDuring the day it's a quiet rooftop drink with a view, while at night it turns into a club scene. Inside the W Hotel (also home to Bliss Spa) it is one of the closest open rooftops to the White House. Sure, there’s bottle service but you can skip that and just sip on cocktails and wait for the late-night menu to come into play because... pork belly steamed buns.