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Plan Your Visit
Explore centuries of human history. Visit the museums to see a 13,000-year-old Clovis point, an 18th-century apothecary, a restored Civil War fort, a 1940s segregated library, and more.
As you walk along Alexandria’s historic streets, look for Wayfinding and Heritage Trail signs to learn about Alexandria’s past, or use
our self-guided tours.
Alexandria was named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. 2019 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’
Choice Awards, the #1 Best Value U.S. Travel Destination 2018 by Money magazine, and one of the South’s Prettiest Cities 2018 by Southern Living. The National Trust
for Historic Preservation selected Alexandria as one of the 2011 Dozen
Distinctive Destinations. Alexandria was chosen for its urban charm that blends
an extraordinary early American past with modern flair and its citizens’ strong
commitment to protecting and celebrating their history.
The Alexandria
Convention and Visitor Association provides information on historic sites, hotels,
restaurants, shops, parking and more. When in Alexandria, stop by the
Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House at 221 King Street, or call
703.746.3313 for information. Purchase a Key to the City Pass ($20 for a $60
value, including access to all of the museums).
Museums Now Open
The following museums are open as of March 25, 2021. Check the museum links for current hours and safety protocols.
- Alexandria Archaeology Museum
- Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
- Friendship Firehouse Museum
- Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Museum Closures
The following properties are currently closed. Note that several of our museums are undergoing maintenance and renovation during this period..
- Alexandria Black History Museum (closed for renovation)
- Archives and Records Center
- Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (closed for renovation)
- Freedom House Museum (closed for renovation)
- Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Luckily, history doesn’t stop just because our doors are closed! Visit us here on our website and follow us on social media to discover new things about your hometown. Check the online Calendar and Educational Resources for new online programs and resources that are being added weekly.
Covid-19 Operation Guidelines
The Office of Historic Alexandria established the following guidelines to ensure consistent operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff will regularly re-evaluate them based on safety and available staffing levels and as the region moves through Phase 3 of the Forward Virginia plan. Includes guidelines for guided tours, volunteers, rentals, public programs and events, and on-site research and collections use by the public.
City Museums and Historic Sites
When we reopen: Here is all the information you need to plan a visit to the Historic Alexandria museums - address and phone numbers, hours, admission fees, special programs, directions and more. The Historic Alexandria museums are free for City of Alexandria residents.
Alexandria Black History Museum
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
More City of Alexandria Historic Sites
African American Heritage Park
Contraband and Freedmen's Cemetery Memorial
Murray-Dick-Fawcett House (garden)
More Historic Attractions in Alexandria
Alexandria has many fine museums and historic sites that are not City-owned. Information on these historic attractions, including address, hours and admission fees can be found at the Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House, and online at VisitAlexandriaVa.com.
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The Old Presbyterian Meeting House
Walk Alexandria’s Historic Streets
Wayfinding Signs
Look
for Wayfinding signs on and around King Street, for pedestrian-oriented
maps and interpretive panels conveying the city’s rich history. Signs start
near the King Street Metro and continue down to the Alexandria waterfront.
Alexandria Heritage Trail
Historic
markers, located in many locations around town, inform residents and visitors
alike about many facets of Alexandria’s history. More than 50 Heritage Trail
signs have been placed in different parts of the city, on the 23-mile Alexandria Heritage Trail and beyond.
Self-Guided Tours
Explore Historic Alexandria with self-guided tours. Walk or bike with the guidance of brochures, maps and cue-sheets, podcasts and apps.
Key to the City Pass
The best way to unlock Alexandria's rich culture and history is with the Alexandria Visitor Center's Key to the City museum pass. From Alexandria's co-founders to the nation's first president and from the Civil War to civil rights, learn about our remarkable history and walk amongst original 18th-and 19th-century architecture preserved by a city dedicated to honoring its past.
For only $20 — a $60 value — the Key to the City museum pass includes:
- Access to 9 historic sites
- 40% off for the following:
- George Washington’s Mount Vernon admission
- Potomac Riverboat Water Taxi by Hornblower roundtrip
- Tall Ship Providence (opening in 2020) tour
- 10% off coupon for museum store purchases valid at 11 sites
- Suggestions of 3 additional free historic sites