Washington DC · OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA TOURS

Old Town Alexandria: The 15 Best Tours South of DC

41 tours  ·  from $9 a head

Old Town is a short ride or a water taxi south of DC, with cobbled streets and a waterfront. These 15 cover the history walks, the ghost tours and the food, each priced and timed.

Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip from Washington DC - Mount Vernon’s mansion and estate
1-Day Tours, Mount Vernon Tours, Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Washington DC Tours

Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip from Washington DC

1.Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day Trip from Washington DC

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 874 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Ride from Washington DC to Mount Vernon for a timed mansion visit and about three hours to explore the estate, then see Old Town Alexandria from the bus. Your guide may be Robert, Ali, Bobby, or another driver-guide. Admission and round-trip transport are included; lunch is not.

“Excellent time, very educational.. very historical.. our driver was friendly & also knowledgeable.. recommend the trip to anyone”

Check availability →Read our full review

From Washington DC: Old Town Alexandria & Mount Vernon Tour - Mount Vernon, Washington’s home and working estate
Mount Vernon Tours, Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Washington DC Tours

From Washington DC: Old Town Alexandria & Mount Vernon Tour

2.Old Town Alexandria & Mount Vernon Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 393 reviews · 5 hours · from $109

Ride from central Washington to Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon with an English-speaking guide. Expect a one-hour Alexandria visit, a guided mansion tour, museum and Education Center entry, and time for lunch and the estate grounds. Guides such as Christopher, Joey, and Elvis have been praised for lively historical commentary. Select mansion rooms are closed during renovation.

“Wonderful day of touring! Christopher is an amazing guide and Sylvia was the best driver.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Mount Vernon Guided Estate Tour plus Old Town Alexandria from DC - Four hours at George Washington’s estate
Guided, Mount Vernon Tours, Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Washington DC Tours

Mount Vernon Guided Estate Tour plus Old Town Alexandria from DC

3.Mount Vernon Guided Estate Tour plus Old Town Alexandria from DC

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 307 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $109

Take a five-hour guided trip from the US Navy Memorial to Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria. Your English-speaking guide narrates the ride, while admission and air-conditioned transport are included. Expect about four hours at Washington’s estate and a brief Alexandria stop. The mansion is under renovation through 2026, so access is limited.

“The experience was well organized, highly informative and presented in a very polished manner. The transportation was seamless and very comfortable. A”

Check availability →Read our full review

Escape Room Live Alexandria: 60-Minute Adventures - The briefing, mission, and debrief
Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Virginia Tours

Escape Room Live Alexandria: 60-Minute Adventures

4.Escape Room Live Alexandria: 60-Minute Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 237 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $40Top rated

At Escape Room Live on King Street in Old Town Alexandria, you and your team get a 60-minute mission in one of four themed escape rooms. A dedicated game guide briefs you, offers help as needed, then leads a short debrief and photo time. Expect about 75 minutes in all, with a chance of sharing your game unless you book every spot.

“Fabulous experience. Challenging but possible. Well lit rooms, super nice, decor and waiting area. Hosts were wonderful!”

Check availability →Read our full review

A Guided Walking Tour through Historic Old Town Alexandria - Gadsby’s Tavern and a well for ice
Guided, Historical Tours, Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Virginia Tours, Washington DC Tours, Washington DC Walking Tours

A Guided Walking Tour through Historic Old Town Alexandria

5.A Guided Walking Tour through Historic Old Town Alexandria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30

This 90-minute Old Town walk starts at Ramsay House and ends on cobbled Captain’s Row. A local guide such as Tim, Wayne, or Eileen connects colonial sites with stories about George Washington, the Revolution, and everyday language. Expect an easy pace, a group of up to 30, and a $30 ticket. Some historic interiors are not included.

“Our guide was Tim, who owns his own company, History Tours of Alexandria. He knows his history extremely well and has chosen places of great historical meaning and many interesting anecdotes to go with them. we definitely give him the highest rating and would recommend his tour to anyone visiting Alexandria.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Haunted Alexandria Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour - Old Hat Bar gives the evening room to breathe
Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Virginia Tours, Washington DC Ghost Tours, Washington DC Tours, Washington DC Walking Tours

Haunted Alexandria Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

6.Haunted Alexandria Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Spend about 2.5 hours walking Old Town with a costumed guide, hearing ghost stories tied to places such as Carlyle House and a gelato shop with a tragic love story. Stop at King & Rye, Old Hat Bar, and Union Street Public House, with time to buy drinks. Guides have included Magic, Katie, Sam, and Liz.

“What a great time I had. The two guides were very professional and informative. Even the guy that was in training did a great job. As a local person here, I can appreciate this kind of experience. I would definitely do this again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Freedom's Fight in Alexandria - Gadsby’s Tavern and the labor behind the landmark
Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Virginia Tours

Freedom’s Fight in Alexandria

7.Freedom’s Fight in Alexandria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 152 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Walk Old Town Alexandria with an English-speaking guide, starting at the historic Barrett Library and ending at 100 King Street. Hear about enslaved workers at Gadsby’s Tavern, abolitionist Edward Stabler, and slavery at Market Square. John and Pamela have led tours, but guide assignments can vary. Museum admission is not included.

“Wonderful tour! Learned so much and our guide was seriously knowledgeable. I had no idea what is hidden behind the veneer of Old Town Alexandria - such a rich history.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Old Town Alexandria Food Tour - Carlyle House and the French and Indian War
Food & Drink, Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Virginia Tours, Washington DC Food Tours, Washington DC Tours

Old Town Alexandria Food Tour

8.Old Town Alexandria Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $82

Spend 3.5 hours walking Old Town Alexandria with a professional guide, stopping at locally owned restaurants for food tastings that add up to a meal. The route includes historic landmarks such as Carlyle House and Gadsby’s Tavern. Tours start at Market Square at 1:00 pm, with a maximum of 12 people.

“This tour was a great combination of the history of old Alexandria along with excellent food stops. Terry, our guide, was very organized and able to share historical stories in between multiple restaurant stops. I highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Old Town, Alexandria and Mount Vernon Private Tour - A private guide can change the shape of the day
Mount Vernon Tours, Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Washington DC Private Tours, Washington DC Tours

Old Town, Alexandria and Mount Vernon Private Tour

9.Old Town, Alexandria and Mount Vernon Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Ride by luxury tour bus from Washington, DC to Mount Vernon for an included mansion tour, then spend an hour in Old Town Alexandria. Your English-speaking guide leads the day; past guides named Dion, Christopher, Edgar and Mr Map have earned praise, though a specific guide is not guaranteed. Expect colonial landmarks, shops and restaurants, with lunch at your own expense.

“Our guide, Edgar, was very informative, entertaining and helpful. We learned fascinating facts and stories about George Washington and his family, so much more than we would have gotten on our own.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Water Taxi from Wharf or Old Town Alexandria - From the river, monuments look different
Old Town Alexandria Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Water Taxi from Wharf or Old Town Alexandria

10.Water Taxi from Wharf or Old Town Alexandria

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 65 reviews · from $19Best value

Take a round-trip water taxi from Washington DC’s Wharf to Old Town Alexandria and back. The roughly 35-minute ride offers river views of landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Arlington National Cemetery. Boats may be the Miss Mallory or Matthew Hayes, chosen by the captain. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but narration is not guaranteed.

“Perfect excursion! Really enjoyed showing my Dear friend from our of town over the weekend all of the beautiful ports of the DMV!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Holiday Lights Tour of Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria - Starting at the U.S. Navy Memorial
Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Washington DC Tours

Holiday Lights Tour of Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria

11.Holiday Lights Tour of Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 64 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $69

Start at the U.S. Navy Memorial at 7:30 pm for a three-hour holiday lights tour by climate-controlled bus. Get off for photos at several stops, including the National Christmas Tree, CityCenterDC and Old Town Alexandria. An English-speaking guide shares Washington history along the way. Guides on past tours have included Derek, Elvis, Deon and Nick, though names vary.

“I really enjoyed seeing the White House and the Captol Building at night and at Xmas time. The tour guide was very infromative and we learned a lot about Washington DC.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Phantoms of the Potomac: Old Town Alexandria Ghost Tour - The Shafer Home and a fatal fire
Old Town Alexandria Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Virginia Tours, Washington DC Ghost Tours, Washington DC Tours

Phantoms of the Potomac: Old Town Alexandria Ghost Tour

12.Phantoms of the Potomac: Old Town Alexandria Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $32

At 8 pm, join an English-speaking guide for a one-hour walk through Old Town Alexandria’s haunted history. Hear stories tied to Carlyle House, the Athenaeum, City Hall, and Wilkes Tunnel. Guides have included Buzz, Jessica, and Janda, though your guide may vary. The walk is capped at 15 people, and the focus is historical storytelling, not staged scares.

“As a “ghost tour” I would not recommend. As a historical walking tour, it was good. I have been on other ghost tours that were interactive and that was my expectation for this one.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Alexandria: Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat - The Mount Vernon Trail and Potomac views
Full-Day, Mount Vernon Tours, Old Town Alexandria Tours, Potomac River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Washington DC Bike Tours, Washington DC Tours

Alexandria: Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat

13.Full-Day Bike Tour to Mt Vernon w/ Optional Boat

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 50 reviews · 390 - 450 minutes · from $74

Start in Old Town Alexandria with a rental bike, helmet, lock, bag, and directions for the ride to Mount Vernon. Explore the estate at your own pace with an audio guide covering 29 stops. Ride back to Alexandria or, with the bike-and-boat option, take a narrated cruise to Washington’s Wharf.

“From the beautiful, historic town of Alexandria, following level terrain along the Potomac river with some wooded sections with modest hills. This was a ride that we were able to do, even though my wife and I are aged 70, with histories of knee and hip surgeries, and our granddaughters ages 8 and 12. Ending with a tour of the home of George Washington and visit to the tomb of the first President and his wife. At the tomb, because of my military service, I was asked to read Washington's prayer to the nation and lead the visitors in the Pledge of Allegiance. Our granddaughters were asked to lay a…”

Check availability →Read our full review

George Washington's Mount Vernon & Old Alexandria Half-Day Guided Tour from DC - Mansion access needs a fresh check
Guided, Half-Day, Mount Vernon Tours, Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Washington DC Tours

George Washington’s Mount Vernon & Old Alexandria Half-Day Guided Tour from DC

14.George Washington’s Mount Vernon & Old Alexandria Half-Day Guided Tour from DC

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 48 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $99

Ride from DC along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, hear local history from your driver-guide, and spend about two hours at Mount Vernon. Admission and a reserved mansion tour time are included, with multilingual audio guides for the estate. Old Alexandria is primarily a drive-by introduction, not a walking tour.

“It was a very nice pleasant drive to Mt. Vernon. We enjoyed the tour of Alexandria. The driver was helpful and fun.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Walking Tour The American Revolution and Alexandria - Carlyle House and the Braddock Campaign
Old Town Alexandria Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Virginia Tours, Washington DC Tours, Washington DC Walking Tours

Walking Tour The American Revolution and Alexandria

15.Walking Tour The American Revolution and Alexandria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30

Walk Old Town Alexandria with a local guide for 90 minutes of Revolutionary-era history, from Market Square and Carlyle House to George Washington’s pew at Christ Church. Guides including Wayne, John, Tim, and Tom have led the tour. Expect stories about Patriots, historic homes, and the town’s ties to the Revolution. Christ Church entry depends on its opening hours.

“We enjoyed the 90 minute walking tour of Alexandria during the Revolution. John pointed out many homes and their owners who were influential at the time. Many were friends of GeorgecWashington. I highly recommend this tour. I learned so much about the buildings I was walking by each day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Old Town Alexandria Tours

★ 3.4Mt. Vernon, Alexandria & Arlington Cemetery TourFrom $898 reviews
★ 4.1Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Day TripFrom $9919 reviews
★ 5.0Walking Through George Washington’s AlexandriaFrom $304 reviews
★ 4.5Old Town Alexandria in a Day with Round Trip Ferry CruiseFrom $11917 reviews
★ 3.0Afternoon Mount Vernon and Alexandria Tour plus DC Night TourFrom $1583 reviews
★ 4.0Old Town Alexandria Tour: A Self-Guided Audio TourFrom $85 reviews
★ 5.0Walking Tour of Still’s Underground Railroad in AlexandriaFrom $159 reviews
★ 5.0Old Town Alexandria (Entry to Gadsby’s Tavern & Christ Church)From $3910 reviews
★ 5.0Private History of Old Town Alexandria Walking Tour13 reviews
★ 5.0Walking Tour in George Washington’s AlexandriaFrom $2411 reviews
★ 4.5Alexandria Spooktacular Ghost Walking Tour (All Ages)From $263 reviews
★ 5.0Old Town Alexandria to Mount Vernon Bike RentalsFrom $214 reviews
★ 4.0George Washington’s Mount Vernon Tour & Old Town AlexandriaFrom $9920 reviews
★ 4.7Old Town Alexandria: Southern Comfort Food & History TourFrom $12711 reviews
★ 4.4Ultimate Dead of Night Walking Ghost TourFrom $3011 reviews

Keep browsing

Arlington Cemetery ToursMount Vernon ToursVirginia ToursAnnapolis ToursGeorgetown Tours
Scroll to Top

Where to next in the capital

Pick a memorial, a museum or a night out.

Monuments

MemorialsNational MallWhite HouseCherry Blossoms

Inside

US CapitolNational ArchivesLibrary of CongressMuseumsBlack History

After dark

Night ToursGhost WalksPub CrawlsFood Tours

Wheels and water

Trolleys & BusesElectric CartsBike ToursPotomac CruisesPrivate Tours