The Short Version: The vibrant town of Alexandria, Virginia, supplies a romantic environment for lovers going on a romantic date, vacation, or holiday. From elegant restaurants to stylish street vendors, your local taste entices residents and visitors to enjoy those special minutes along with their nearest and dearest. It is possible to walk down King Street in the middle of Old community to find beautiful boutique places which make great day sites. Started in 1749, Alexandria’s traditional district transports site visitors back in its history with informative tours rich in US history and custom. Whether you are interested in checking out galleries, testing trademark meals, or kayaking down the Potomac River, Alexandria offers an immersive and soothing trip below 10 miles from country’s capital.

Share

Whenever Angie Caro and Chris Walker had gotten married, they did not desire the service are a big formal occasion — they simply wished to celebrate with family and friends. So that they thought we would have an outside wedding ceremony in Alexandria, Virginia. The beautiful greenery in the Carlyle House Historic Park provided the right background with their special day.

“Alexandria is such an enchanting location, numerous couples find the town as a spot for a location marriage,” mentioned Leah Spellman, Communications Manager for browse Alexandria. “Couples like Alexandria’s enchanting allure, availability, and proximity to Washington, DC.”

Without a doubt, you don’t need to tie the knot to have an enchanting evening in Alexandria. In 2017, Amazon known as Alexandria the third the majority of romantic area in the US, and, whenever walking on the cobblestone roads of Old Town or picnicking alongside the Potomac River, you can see why.

If you’re looking for memorable time a few ideas in Alexandria, the relationship professionals have got you covered. We have showcased several of well known date-worthy tasks for the city, you could in addition search on the internet for enchanting inspiration by examining go out a few ideas regarding town’s recognized website or utilizing the #ExtraordinaryALX to find out just what goings-on have actually residents speaking.

“Alexandria’s walkable the downtown area is stuffed with wonderfully preserved 18th- and 19th-century structure, cobblestone roadways, chef-driven restaurants, and independent specialty shops,” Leah said. “With resorts, destinations, and ancient websites lining King Street — seen as the Great Streets of The united states — it’s no surprise Alexandria is known as a romantic getaway and a great place for anything from an initial date to a 25th anniversary.”

Over 200 separate Restaurants in a Walkable Downtown Area

Old Town Alexandria is actually a busy area that traces their background back to 1749, but try not to let their old sources trick you. The town is actually a thriving and stylish location to just take a night out together. Smarter Travel also named it within the 2017 selection of must-visit me hot places.

“Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan sense and a walkable way of living,” Leah mentioned. “It is an inviting week-end get away close to the country’s money.”

In fact, Old city Alexandria has over 200 independent restaurants and boutiques to satisfy lovers searching for an intimate location to unwind with each other. Lovers can take advantage of a special supper at Vermilion (the spot where the Obamas as soon as celebrated valentine’s) or share trademark products at club PX (a speakeasy-style lounge on King Street). A few of the beautiful structure in this region has been in existence considering that the times of George Washington.

Street food happens to be ever more popular in Alexandria. Whenever go from boutique shops to ancient web sites, you can seize a bite from just one of the area’s renowned street suppliers, including Smoking Kow barbeque, aka DC’s very first United states BBQ taco food truck. The trademark meal for this trendy eatery could be the Mac ‘N chicken — a gooey combination of mac ‘n’ cheese and barbecued meats. In 2018, Smoking Kow BBQ intentions to open a brick-and-mortar area to help fulfill singles, families, and partners craving an indulgent dinner.

From dine-in pizza bars to trendy beverage lounges, Alexandria’s downtown scene features some every thing. Leah had high praise for “off-the-beaten-path areas in addition to promising waterfront region” in Old Town. “From November through March, Alexandria is actually added enchanting,” she stated, “as each of King Street is actually lined with a canopy of twinkling lighting.”

Enough exterior & Cultural strategies to Entertain Visitors

Alexandria isn’t all eateries and taverns. Additionally, it has its own old sites, community parks, and organic locations to interact individuals on time in the sunshine. Outdoorsy lovers can lease bicycles and explore the bike trails through the area. A leisurely drive from Old city to Jones aim Park or George Washington’s Mount Vernon can help couples absorb the landscapes appreciate their particular day collectively. The Mount Vernon Trail requires a scenic route 18 miles across the Potomac River, offering bikers spectacular views associated with DC skyline.

You may also hire stand-up paddleboards or kayaks with your relative and acquire a close-up look at the Potomac River. If you’d instead complement your experience than strike-out yourself, you can book a boat sail to Mount Vernon or DC. Alexandria’s waterfront activities provide great daytime diversions.

Alexandria hosts unique events and festivals year round. If you should be visiting in December, you’ll seriously need to put the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade or perhaps the getaway vessel Parade of Lights on your schedule. These events function a lot of gorgeous places inside the town’s streets and waterways.

Budget-conscious website visitors should think about reserving their unique stay during January or August if the city usually offers the cheapest resort rates of the season. The roadways are going to be less crowded over these off-peak times, you could constantly get a hold of a historical trip, songs event, movie theater performance, or cultural event by referencing the Visit Alexandria schedule. Plus, the metropolis’s pubs and bars host alive shows throughout the year, so you’re able to usually take a walk through Old city and follow the noise of songs to a great time.

“Couples which love activity should have a look at Birchmere, a famous music hall,” Leah mentioned, “where audience take pleasure in an intimate knowledge and shows from a variety of rising performers and legends.”

What’s After that: a Waterfront resort & Hamilton Tours

Although the metropolis itself is hundreds of years outdated, Alexandria never ever puts a stop to raising and supplying brand-new experiences to visitors and residents. Should it be a cafe or restaurant beginning or a theatrical performance, there’s always something new to see right here.

In autumn of 2018, Alexandria will unveil another community plaza on King Street. Similar developers who dreamed right up Bryant Park in New York City, imagined this public gay chat room as a way to host more pop-up markets, celebrations, and alive music in traditional center from the city.

For the winter time, you may also discover a temporary ice rink right here. According to research by the press release, “the area will change throughout every season to guide seasonal programming.”

Additionally, the Potomac Riverboat organization, in fact it is situated in Alexandria, should be expanding their liquid taxi solution this year to feature a high-speed, low-wake service into Wharf, a cutting-edge riverfront development southwest of DC.

Visitors can also anticipate brand-new historical trips taking place throughout Alexandria, such as regarding Potomac River. In the summer, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum intentions to operate a Hamilton-themed concert tour to commemorate the Broadway hit’s run from the Kennedy Center. The concert tour will explore the politics of Hamilton’s day, incorporating framework toward music lots of locals have come to understand and love.

If you’d like to build your stay certainly unique and indulgent, you can easily stay at the Kimpton Lorien Hotel & salon to get a lavish therapeutic massage or facial on Lorien Spa. This elegant resort has actually 107 guest areas, including 16 suites, and certainly will complete a multimillion-dollar overhaul in springtime 2018 which will make their area a lot more welcoming, modern, and processed.

Alexandria is a Friendly & Romantic Getaway All Year Round

Angie and Chris chose Alexandria as their marriage destination because its beauty, affordability, and inclusiveness offered the low-key yet romantic environment they desired. From restaurants in Old Town towards bike trails across the Potomac River, Alexandria supplies couples lots of opportunities to appreciate themselves and bond in a quaint, traditional environment. If you’re searching for a memorable big date activity, you will not need to hunt much contained in this youthful and cosmopolitan area.

Along with declaring the spot as Amazon’s 3rd the majority of passionate area in the usa, Alexandria is thought to be the second a lot of LGBT-friendly metropolises in america because of the Human liberties venture and something on the happiest urban centers in the US by “National Geographic Explorer.”

Leah stated Alexandria has won a lot of honors through the years because it’s a spot like not one. “Alexandria is recognized as an enticing town and a respite through the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC,” she mentioned.