Old Town Waterfront
Old Town Waterfront
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
576 within 5 kms
Attractions
380 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- William TCulpeper, Virginia630 contributionsSo much going on!We were in the area for a visit to Mt. Purrnon and a river cruise with limited time. There was so much to see in the Waterfront area so we must plan a return trip. Lunch at the Union Street Pub was a plus.Visited April 2023Written 4 April 2023
- Siobhan LBelton, Texas852 contributionsGreat for a break or a mealThe Waterfront area has several parks, dozens of restaurants, a small sand filled beach area that kids loved to play in, shady trees, some nice park benches and easy access to several points of interest. The John Warner dock houses the Tall Ship Providence, the City Cruise water taxis are moored here for cruises to Georgetown and the National Harbor. The entire area is handicap accessible with paved pathways. The city has blocked car traffic off the 100-200 block area of King Street to be pedestrian friendly and houses over a dozen restaurants with inside and patio seating.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 6 September 2023
- dustythoughtsManchester, Connecticut2,128 contributionsClean, pretty waterfrontThe Old Town Waterfront is a very pleasant and pretty place to enjoy the water views of Alexandria. There are numerous restaurants, small shops, and benches where you can sit and enjoy the beauty. There's a river cruise that departs from this area as well. Many of the paths here are paved, which made it easier for everyone to walk. It's evident that the city takes very good care of this area, as everything was clean and well-maintained.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 11 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,311 reviews
Excellent
743
Very good
440
Average
111
Poor
14
Terrible
3
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2,128 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
The Old Town Waterfront is a very pleasant and pretty place to enjoy the water views of Alexandria. There are numerous restaurants, small shops, and benches where you can sit and enjoy the beauty. There's a river cruise that departs from this area as well. Many of the paths here are paved, which made it easier for everyone to walk. It's evident that the city takes very good care of this area, as everything was clean and well-maintained.
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KHATRI_TANZANIA
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania694 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
This is a place where you can walk and spend your time in-front of a scenic waterfront. There are plenty of restaurants. This is one of the best place to take beautiful photos.
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siobhan L
Belton, TX852 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The Waterfront area has several parks, dozens of restaurants, a small sand filled beach area that kids loved to play in, shady trees, some nice park benches and easy access to several points of interest. The John Warner dock houses the Tall Ship Providence, the City Cruise water taxis are moored here for cruises to Georgetown and the National Harbor. The entire area is handicap accessible with paved pathways. The city has blocked car traffic off the 100-200 block area of King Street to be pedestrian friendly and houses over a dozen restaurants with inside and patio seating.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nawedqasim
Fort Mill, SC21 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
This is a beautiful place to spend your evening. Walk along the river is soothing and the place is well maintained with lot of restaurant options all around.
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MsKiesha
Alexandria, VA2,470 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Nice boardwalk with a lot of art everywhere, nice restaurants, small shops, and beautiful views. I had a really great time.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TERRAvelista
London, UK17,555 contributions
Apr 2023
Descending on the main road after visiting Mount Vernon we came across this area, which is simply beautiful and well kept. We noticed you can take a ferry from here, which after a connection you can travel up the river to Washington - surely will have to do this in the future.
Lots of shops, restaurants etc right near this area.
Lots of shops, restaurants etc right near this area.
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William T
Culpeper, VA630 contributions
Apr 2023
We were in the area for a visit to Mt. Purrnon and a river cruise with limited time. There was so much to see in the Waterfront area so we must plan a return trip. Lunch at the Union Street Pub was a plus.
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ctimms125
Austin, TX69 contributions
Nov 2022
We walked down here a few times and there is so much to do in and around the area. Places for kids, dogs, adults, couples, and families.
Written 29 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DClocal
Washington DC, DC38 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
Alexandria’s riverfront is lined with lush public parks in its entirety (about 2 miles). The blocks at the end of King offer a number of restaurants on the water. In the last few years, the city has closed the blocks towards the water to traffic making it a lot easier to walk around and take in the public art and musicians by the water in the evenings. The views are tremendous with DC to the North and National Harbor to the South. If you like boats, I recommend walking along the marinas and seeing the yachts. In addition to the Water Taxi, you can also charter boat tours and cruises on the Potomac River that can take you by the National Mall or down to Mount Vernon. The kayaks also offer a fresh perspective for seeing the city.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
loka1960
Greensboro, NC257 contributions
Oct 2022
I guess I was expecting small boutiques and local shops along King St. and was a little disappointed that all the stores are national chain stores. The area itself is very pretty and it was nice that they had the free trolley to take people around the area.
Written 23 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patrich7296
Nebo, NC13 contributions
Boat tours of the river?
cathy h
Saint Louis, MO245 contributions
Yes. Boats can be boarded at the wharf in Old Town near the Torpedo Factory Art Center
Mashal A
Washington DC, DC43 contributions
Hi! I've been to the waterfront many times but don't remember if the Washington Monument is visible from here. Asking to suggest some visiting friends. Can you please help with what DC views you get?
sage97
Laurel, MD531 contributions
You can see the monument from the waterfront. It is in the distance. The only tall object in the skyline.
Lori M
West Chester, PA33 contributions
I see if you buy tickets in advance for the water taxi to National Harbor, you have to pick your departure and return times. Do you have to adhere to these times, or can you return on any trip back to Alexandria?
tu-anhLOVE
Alexandria, VA153 contributions
Hello There! I am not really sure, but honestly, they never get filled so really no need to buy it in advance because I always buy mine on a whim and have never had a problem. Georgtown is nice, but National Harbor is nothing impressive in my opinion. Hope this helps...
Carmella R
Howell, New Jersey53 contributions
Hi ! I'm traveling to Bethesda, MD for the 4th time, spending the majority of our time in DC. This visit, however, we are taking a little side trip to Alexandria. I have a couple of questions: 1) is one day enough time to spend in Old Alexandria/Waterfront 2) is there a reasonably priced ferry that goes to Mount Vernon & is that the best way to go? Any guidance & other tips would be appreciated?
349Charles25
Alexandria, VA984 contributions
One day should be enough to visit Alexandria. Consider use of the yellow or blue line Metro exiting at the King Street Metro since parking can be difficult. The King Street metro area is icky, but if you like to walk to the waterfront, consider Prince Street or Queen Street would be my choices. (Go one block South or North of King Street. Take about 30 minutes.)
There is a ferry to Mt. Vernon from the waterfront. It's pricey at $79 per person, but for on a nice day it would be fun:
Google ' Mount Vernon to Alexandria ferry'
Be careful about your time though since you can easily spend a day at Mt Vernon.
If you are short on time, consider taking water taxi from the waterfront to National Harbor. You could also walk across the Wilson Bridge to National Harbor and take the water taxi back. You will be exhausted, but it will be a fun day.
Google: 'Alexandria VA National Harbor ferry'
Enjoy!
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Claim your listingOld Town Waterfront - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Town Waterfront
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Old Town Waterfront:
- Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip from Washington DC (From HK$774.31)
- Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria (From HK$774.31)
- Mount Vernon Historical Walking Tour with Transportation from DC (From HK$774.31)
- HALF DAY TOUR - Mt. Vernon + Night tour (From HK$1,235.77)
- Washington DC Night-Time City Tour with Visit to Mount Vernon (From HK$1,235.77)
- Hotels near Old Town Waterfront:
- (0.35 km) Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, an IHG Hotel
- (0.24 km) Stay on Captains’ Row - Old Town’s Most Historic Block!
- (0.45 km) The Alexandrian Old Town Alexandria, Autograph Collection
- (0.28 km) Historic cobblestone street Captains Row townhouse
- (0.30 km) Duvall House - George Washington ate here! In the heart of Old Town Alexandria.
- Restaurants near Old Town Waterfront:
- (0.04 km) Chart House
- (0.05 km) Blackwall Hitch
- (0.07 km) Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge
- (0.16 km) Virtue Feed and Grain
- (0.15 km) Fish Market Restaurant
- Attractions near Old Town Waterfront:
- (0.06 km) Torpedo Factory Art Center
- (0.20 km) Pedego Electric Bikes
- (0.20 km) Tall Ship Providence
- (0.08 km) Potomac Water Taxi
- (0.15 km) Bike and Roll DC