Old Town Alexandria Art Festival
Old Town Alexandria is a vibrant community. Festivals and Farmers Market's are a common activity during the weekend. Weekends in Alexandria offer a wide variety of farmers markets, where Old Town's Market Square bustles with the same energy as the days when George Washington would send down his produce from Mount Vernon. Whereas Del Ray's market kicks in early Saturday mornings, the West End and Four Mile Run showcase their fresh goodies on Sundays. Find fresh flowers for your home or a jar of jam to take home as a creative souvenir; but first make sure you have enough room in your suitcase.
King Street Trolley
Around Old Town Alexandria, parking can sometimes be a hassle, (unless you want to pay to park in a garage), but a great way to explore Alexandria is to take the Metro to King St. and then hop a ride on the King St. Trolley. There is no charge to ride the trolley, and it makes stops about every two blocks between the King St. Metro and the Potomac.
The Trolley was designed to complement service by the National Harbor's new Water Taxi. The National Harbor is located across the Potomac in Maryland and is the site of a brand new convention center. The convention center and many restaurants are already open in this brand new area landmark. Additionally boat service is available up and down river from the Strand in Old Town. The length of this circuit can be walked in about 20 minutes, so many choose to take the trolley to the Potomac and then walk back to the Metro through Old Town.
Trolley at King Street
The Trolley makes it final stop before returning to the Metro near the Torpedo Factory. Just as the name implies, the Torpedo Factory was torpedo factory in the early part of the last century. Today the Torpedo Factory Art Center is a world-renowned art center with three floors of open studios and galleries. Here, one can observe artists and purchase original artwork. The Torpedo Factory Art Center is on the Potomac waterfront. Street musicians and entertainers play nearly every night weather permitting, and tourists and locals alike enjoy walks down by the waterfront.
A train arrival at busy, convenient King Street Metro
The trolley runs its route from 10 am to 10 pm every day. A printable map is available for those who know nothing about the area.
Old Town waterfront
Alexandria's history as a colonial seaport is well-known in the area, and is one of the reasons that this city to calls to visitors from around the country and around the world. Alexandria's seaport was once a bustling place of industry and commerce, but the cargo ships and packets from foreign seas are long gone now. Today, Alexandria's waterfront is geared more toward the pleasant than the practical.
Where the Water Meets the the Road
At the end of King St. where the road meets the water, there are brick walkways and wooden decks. Plenty of benches and gazebos are there and in the evenings this is a place to find street musicians and other performers practicing their craft before wandering walkers .
In the left side of this picture is the Torpedo Factory, an Alexandria landmark. The Torpedo Factory was what the name implies: an edifice dedicated to the construction of naval weapons of war. But as the industry's needs grew beyond the space here on the Alexandria waterfront, the building was repurposed as an art and crafts center. The building now houses a good many artists is is a wonderful place for tourists and residents alike to visit.
The Torpedo Factory
The Torpedo Factory and the waterfront are very close to the Torpedo Factory condos---high end condos in Old Town. For a list of prices and to check the availability of condos click the Torpedo Factory Condos. If you're interested in searching condos, townhouses and houses around Old Town you might find this post useful.
King Street Trolley
Metro Access
Among other things, the waterfront at Alexandria is nice because it's metro accessible. Simply take the Metro to King St. Station and then ride the free trolley to the Waterfront. The trolley is a service of the City of Alexandria for visitors and residents. It's a fun and easy way to make your way across Old Town.
Nearby Parks and Trails
Waterfront Park on the Potomac in Old Town
Parks and paths line the waterfront these days. It's the perfect place for a walk on a Spring day.
Park along the Potomac in Alexandria VA
Benches are found at just the right places. These photos were taking on a weekday morning, but in the afternoons and evenings the waterfront wakes up. Tourists, joggers and walkers share this open public space.
The City of Alexandria's free King Street Trolley transports residents, visitors, and those who work in Old Town, between the King Street Metrorail Station and the Potomac River waterfront. The free trolley operates along the one-and-a-half mile route seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. providing access to accommodations, dining, entertainment and shopping. The free trolley departs from the Potomac River Waterfront and from the King Street Metro every :10, :30, and :50 minutes after each hour. Every 20 minutes riders can board at any of the 20 stops along King Street.
Traveling towards the King Street Metro Station, the designated trolley stops include:
King Street Trolley
King and Union
King and Lee
King and Royal
King and St. Asaph
King and Columbus
King and Patrick
King and Fayette
King and Peyton
King and Diagonal
King Street Metro Station
Traveling towards the Potomac River waterfront, designated trolley stops include:
King Street Metro Station
Trolley at King Street
King and Diagonal
King and Peyton
King and Fayette
King and Patrick
King and Columbus
King and St. Asaph
King and Royal
King and Lee
King and Union.
Please remember there is no smoking, eating, or drinking on the trolley. Passengers with strollers must close strollers before entering. The trolley only stops at designated stops. Passengers must pull the cord to signal a stop.
Biking is a fun way to see the sites of Northern VA
Tandem bikes are available
Go green and explore the city by bicycle! Bike and Roll Alexandria offers bike rentals including Trek comfort hybrid bikes as well as tandem bikes. Children’s bikes and accessories such as tandem trailers and burleys are also available.
Bike rentals allow you to hop on two wheels and see DC and Northern Virginia in a completely new way. All rentals come with a helmet, U-lock, bike rack, flat kit and city map. Just let us know where you are heading and we’ll point you in the right direction! You may even rent from one shop and ride one-way to our other location (in Washington DC) for a small drop-off fee.
Choose between comfort or performance.
For day long reservations for any equipment in Old Town Alexandria, VA, call: 703.548. ROLL (7655).
Bike and Roll Alexandria
One Wales Alley
Alexandria, VA 22314
Bike and Roll Alexandria is located at the corner of Wales Alley and The Strand in Old Town Alexandria. This
Bike Path on GW Parkway
shop is convenient to the King Street Trolley Stop at North Union Street and a couple hundred yards south from the Water Taxi.
Bike and Roll
