The Quick Version: The vibrant town of Alexandria, Virginia, provides a romantic setting for lovers happening a date, honeymoon, or holiday. From elegant restaurants to trendy road sellers, the neighborhood flavor entices residents and visitors to savor those special moments the help of its loved ones. You’ll be able to walk-down King Street in the middle of Old Town to uncover lovely boutique places that produce great date sites. Launched in 1749, Alexandria’s traditional region transports website visitors back in time with academic tours rich in American record and heritage. Whether you find attractive exploring museums, sampling trademark meals, or kayaking on the Potomac River, Alexandria supplies an immersive and relaxing getaway lower than 10 miles from country’s capital.
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When Angie Caro and Chris Walker had gotten hitched, they didn’t want the service getting a large official occasion â they simply desired to celebrate with family. So they really made a decision to have an outdoor wedding in Alexandria, Virginia. The attractive greenery associated with Carlyle House historical Park supplied the perfect background because of their wedding day.
“Alexandria is really an intimate destination, a lot of couples find the town as someplace for a destination marriage,” stated Leah Spellman, Communications management for explore Alexandria. “lovers love Alexandria’s enchanting charm, accessibility, and distance to Arizona, DC.”
Obviously, it’s not necessary to tie the knot to possess an intimate night in Alexandria. In 2017, Amazon called Alexandria the 3rd most passionate area in america, and, whenever walking down the cobblestone streets of Old city or picnicking alongside the Potomac River, it’s not hard to understand why.
If you’re looking for memorable go out some ideas in Alexandria, the dating specialists have got you covered. We’ve showcased a number of the most popular date-worthy tasks for the town, you could in addition search online for intimate inspiration by examining big date ideas regarding the area’s recognized web site or utilizing the #ExtraordinaryALX to find out exactly what goings-on have actually natives talking.
“Alexandria’s walkable downtown is full of beautifully preserved eighteenth- and 19th-century design, cobblestone roads, chef-driven restaurants, and independent specialty shops,” Leah stated. “With accommodations, attractions, and historical internet sites coating King Street â named the Great Streets of The usa â it’s no surprise Alexandria is recognized as a romantic holiday and the location for from an initial date to a 25th wedding.”
Over 200 free Restaurants in a Walkable Downtown Area
Old Town Alexandria is actually a busy area that traces the background back again to 1749, but do not let their ancient origins trick you. The town is a thriving and stylish destination to take a date. Smarter Travel even named it within the 2017 list of must-visit US hot spots.
“Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan experience and a walkable way of living,” Leah said. “its an enticing week-end getaway next to the nation’s money.”
Indeed, Old city Alexandria features over 200 separate restaurants and boutiques to meet lovers pursuing an intimate spot to relax with each other. Partners can enjoy a particular dinner at Vermilion (the spot where the Obamas when celebrated valentine’s) or share signature beverages at club PX (a speakeasy-style lounge on King Street). Some of the beautiful design here has been around since the days of George Arizona.
Street food is now ever more popular in Alexandria. Whenever stroll from boutique stores to ancient websites, you can seize a bite from one of urban area’s renowned road sellers, including puffing Kow BBQ, aka DC’s basic US BBQ taco food truck. The signature recipe for this fashionable eatery is the Mac âN chicken â a gooey blend of mac ân’ cheese and barbecued meats. In 2018, Smoking Kow BBQ intentions to start a brick-and-mortar area to further satisfy singles, family members, and couples craving an indulgent food.
From dine-in pizza pie taverns to trendy cocktail lounges, Alexandria’s the downtown area scene provides some every little thing. Leah had high compliments for all the “off-the-beaten-path areas plus the rising waterfront area” in Old city. “From November through March, Alexandria is actually added intimate,” she mentioned, “as all King Street is actually layered with a canopy of twinkling lights.”
Lots of exterior & Cultural strategies to Entertain Visitors
Alexandria is not all eateries and bars. It has numerous traditional web sites, public parks, and normal areas to activate folks on a day under the sun. Outdoorsy partners can hire bicycles and check out the cycle trails through the entire city. A leisurely ride from Old city to Jones Point Park or George Washington’s Mount Vernon can help couples absorb the views and savor their particular day collectively. The Mount Vernon Trail takes a scenic course 18 miles along the Potomac River, supplying bikers spectacular views of this DC skyline.
You can also lease stand-up paddleboards or kayaks along with your friend and acquire a close-up consider the Potomac River. In the event that you’d somewhat go along the experience than strike-out on your own, it is possible to reserve a boat cruise to Mount Vernon or DC. Alexandria’s waterfront activities provide great day diversions.
Alexandria hosts unique occasions and festivals throughout the year. In case you are visiting in December, you’ll certainly should place the Scottish xmas go Parade or the getaway vessel Parade of Lights on the calendar. These occasions function many stunning places in the urban area’s roadways and waterways.
Budget-conscious visitors must look into reserving their particular stay during January or August if the area typically provides the least expensive resort costs of the season. The roadways should be less congested during these off-peak months, but you can usually get a hold of a historical trip, music event, movie theater overall performance, or cultural event by referencing the browse Alexandria schedule. Plus, the metropolis’s pubs and bars host live shows all through the year, to help you constantly take a walk through Old city and proceed with the sounds of songs to a great time.
“Couples exactly who like activity should take a look at the Birchmere, a celebrated music hallway,” Leah stated, “where audience appreciate a romantic experience and performances from a variety of soaring stars and legends.”
What’s subsequent: A New Waterfront Destination & Hamilton Tours
Although the metropolis is actually hundreds of years outdated, Alexandria never puts a stop to developing and providing brand new experiences to site visitors and residents. Whether it’s a restaurant opening or a theatrical overall performance, there’s always something new to see here.
Inside autumn of 2018, Alexandria will unveil a new general public plaza on King Street. Similar designers which dreamed upwards Bryant Park in New York City, imagined this community room in order to coordinate a lot more pop-up markets, festivals, and live songs into the old center from the town.
For the winter months, you may even discover a temporary ice rink right here. According to research by the pr release, “the room will transform all through the year to guide seasonal programming.”
Moreover, the Potomac Riverboat organization, and that is situated in Alexandria, can be growing its drinking water taxi cab solution this year to add a fast, low-wake solution into the Wharf, a cutting-edge riverfront development southwest of DC.
Visitors may also look forward to brand-new historical tours happening throughout Alexandria, such as regarding the Potomac River. In the summer, Gadsby’s Tavern Museum intentions to operate a Hamilton-themed tour to commemorate the Broadway hit’s run within Kennedy Center. The tour will explore the politics of Hamilton’s time, incorporating framework toward music a lot of residents came to understand and love.
If you would like make your stay really special and indulgent, you can easily remain at the Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa and obtain a lavish therapeutic massage or face at the Lorien salon. This elegant hotel has 107 guest areas, including 16 rooms, and can complete a multimillion-dollar overhaul in spring 2018 to create its space much more inviting, contemporary, and processed.
Alexandria is a Friendly & Romantic Getaway all-year Round
Angie and Chris elected Alexandria since their wedding destination because its beauty, value, and inclusiveness provided the low-key yet enchanting atmosphere they desired. Through the restaurants in Old Town towards bicycle trails along side Potomac River, Alexandria offers couples lots of possibilities to appreciate themselves and bond in a quaint, traditional environment. If you’re searching for a remarkable day task, you won’t need look far within this vibrant and cosmopolitan town.
Along with saying the spot as Amazon’s third the majority of intimate area in the usa, Alexandria is thought to be the second most LGBT-friendly cities in the usa of the Human Rights promotion and one associated with happiest towns and cities in america by “nationwide Geographic Explorer.”
Leah said Alexandria has actually claimed lots of awards over time because it’s a place like no other. “Alexandria is recognized as a welcoming city and a respite from hubbub of Arizona, DC,” she stated.