Old Town Alexandria is a bustling neighborhood with a historic district along the Potomac River, featuring narrow cobblestone streets and 18th-century townhouses. The district oozes with history and a sense of place. For example, Gadsby’s Tavern - famous for hosting George Washington - and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary, which originally opened in 1783, have each been preserved as small museums and the Saturday farmers' market has been operating for over 250 years. The neighborhood of Old Town extends past the historic district's 18th century homes and cobblestone street, however. It extends all the way to I-495 to the south, the train tracks to the west, and Del Ray to the northwest. There are modern townhouse developments, new-construction craftsman homes, Victorians, and Cape Cods.

 

Old Town Alexandria has an abundance of some of the country's most interesting restaurants, iconic streetscapes, and beautiful waterfront scenes. Old Town is full of independent boutiques and foodie spots, with high concentrations of retail/restaurant/entertainment lining King Street, a main thoroughfare that runs perpendicular to the waterfront. The waterfront is anchored by the Torpedo Factory, a (well...) torpedo factory from WWI with open-air eateries and artist studios on the second floor that opens to the public for art sales on the weekends. The Saturday farmers' market has been operating for hundreds of years, and draws residents and visitors alike. You can eat just about any cuisine with just about any style in Alexandria, from fine dining by local celebrity chef Robert Wiedmaier to waterfront seafood pub fare. There are wine bars, taco bars, Irish bars, oyster bars, hotel bars, and dive bars. It's impossible to list a few top spots without leaving out some of the best eateries. Aside from food and art, the two museums referenced above offer a history lesson and entertainment.

 

Old Town is served by King Street Metro (Blue/Yellow lines), and I-495, which lies at its southern border. George Washington (GW) Parkway runs past Washington Reagan National Airport straight into Old Town, becoming N. Washington Street, a main north-south artery. Water-taxis routinely travel to Georgetown, The Wharf, Nationals Stadium, and National Harbor.