Where I Take Friends When They Visit Alexandria

Whenever a friend comes to visit me in Alexandria, I feel like I have to show them all of my favorite spots. There are so many cute places around Old Town that it’s pretty easy to spend an entire day walking around, shopping, eating, and stopping for drinks.

If I were planning the perfect day with a friend, this is pretty much where we’d go.

Start With Coffee

I always like starting the day with coffee, so our first stop would probably be Cherry On Top. I’d grab a coffee and then we’d walk down King Street and start shopping. Ksenia is a passionate coffee shop owner who creates a welcoming space for the community to enjoy great coffee and connect. The outside is the cutest. 

I feel like King Street is one of those places where you don’t really need a plan. You can just walk around and pop into whatever catches your eye.

Shop, Shop, Shop

There are so many good local shops in Old Town, and this is probably my favorite part of showing friends around.

I would definitely take them to Encore Consignment. If you love designer pieces but don’t necessarily want to pay full price, you could spend forever looking through everything. They have clothes, bags, shoes, and accessories, and you never know what you’re going to find. Jen always gets the best finds for you. 

Then we’d head to ERA. It’s a great place to find clothes and accessories that feel a little more trendy, and I always end up finding something I want to try on. My favorite daughter hat is from there! The owner Hattie is very cool and hip. 

Penny Post is another must. Even if you’re not someone who normally gets excited about stationery, it’s impossible not to find something cute. I love looking through all of the cards, notebooks, pens, and little gifts. It’s also one of my favorite places to grab a gift for someone. Amy is an entrepreneur goddess, who owns 3 other stores in Alexandria! 

And obviously, we have to stop at Eliana Curated.

Eliana is one of my favorite places to shop on King Street, especially if you’re looking for jewelry that feels a little different. They have everything from everyday pieces to gold, pearls, and their vintage designer-button earrings, which are probably what they’re best known for. Come visit us at 1003 King Street!

I always feel like you can find something there that you wouldn’t see at a typical jewelry store. And if you’re visiting Alexandria, I think it’s way more fun to leave with a piece of jewelry than a typical souvenir.

A Few More Places to Browse

Lowery’s Dial is another one I love taking friends to because there is always something interesting to look at. It has that really fun “I didn’t know I needed this until I saw it” feeling. Maggie is amazing at finding vintage pieces. 

And if you want to go somewhere a little different, we’d stop by Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop. It’s definitely not your typical Old Town boutique, and that’s what makes it fun. There are so many unique products and gifts, and it’s a place that usually ends up being a conversation starter. Emily, the owner, is the sweetest. 

Made in ALX is another spot I’d definitely add to the list. It’s such a fun place to find gifts and products made by local artists and small businesses. I love that you can find something that actually feels like an Alexandria souvenir, whether it’s home décor, art, clothing, or a little gift to take home. It’s definitely worth popping in while you’re walking around Old Town. We got these dog treats for the store to hand out to people with pups and they love them. Beth is the owner and she is a great supporter of small businesses. 

Take a Break for Lunch

After walking around King Street for a few hours, we’re definitely going to be hungry.

If the weather is nice, I love taking friends to BARCA. Sitting right on the water with a drink and some food is hard to beat.

Vola’s is another good option if we want something a little more casual. I’d probably order some seafood, grab a drink, and sit outside if we can.

Walk Around the Waterfront

After lunch, we’d walk around the waterfront for a bit.

I always like showing friends the Torpedo Factory and just walking along the water. It’s also a good excuse to take some pictures because Old Town is basically impossible to walk through without finding a cute photo spot.

And if we’ve been shopping all day, the waterfront is a nice change of scenery.

Drinks, Obviously

At this point, we’re probably ready for another drink.

Josephine’s is one of my favorite places to stop. It has a really fun Old Town atmosphere, and it’s a good place to sit down, order a drink, and catch up for a bit.

If we’re staying out for the evening, I’d also take them to Good Fortune for golden hour. The rooftop is such a fun spot, especially when the weather is nice. This is definitely where we’re taking pictures and ordering another round.

End With Dinner

For dinner, I’d probably go somewhere along the waterfront, like Hummingbird. It’s a little nicer without feeling overly fancy, and it’s a great place to end the day.

By this point, we’ve probably walked way more than we planned, bought something we didn’t need, and had a few too many drinks, but that’s kind of the point.

My Perfect Alexandria Day

I think that’s what I love most about having friends visit Alexandria. You don’t really need to plan every minute. There are so many good local shops, restaurants, and little spots to discover that you can just walk around and see what you find.

And honestly, if I can show someone my favorite places, get some good food, do a little shopping, and spend the day walking around Old Town, I’d say that’s a pretty perfect Alexandria day.

SEE ALSO: What I Learned in My First Three Months Running a Boutique in Old Town Alexandria