From Festivals to Foliage: Alexandria's Autumn Adventures Await

Festivals, ghost tours, new restaurants, unique retailers — get ready to have a fun fall in Alexandria!

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Although fall doesn't officially begin until Sept. 22, Labor Day weekend is a great time to start making plans for the new season. So grab your calendar and a pumpkin spice latte and start making plans for a great fall in Alexandria!

Stroll beneath a canopy of autumn leaves, explore independent boutiques and restaurants, experience where history happened and take in the season’s warmth along Alexandria's scenic waterfront, red brick and cobblestone streets, and al fresco festivals. From spooky ghost tours, to Oktoberfest, to Halloween activities, visitors have much to experience when it comes to the culture, stories and historic architecture that Alexandria has to offer.  

  • Recently opened: Enjoy made-from-scratch meals at just-opened (and Black-owned) Milk
  • & Honey, served with love and the celebration of soulful Southern flavors.  Recently opened Latin restaurant La Pluma Coffee & Wine offers delectable Central American cuisine and beverages like Horchata in a charming historic storefront with an airy patio. 
  • Alexandria offers a unique dining experience for all who visit that can only be found here. From brews to seasonal dishes at restaurants like the newest Founding Farmers location in Potomac Yard, menus at the city’s restaurants evolve with seasons.   
  • Did you know that Virginia is in the country’s top 10 largest apple-growing states? This apple season, head over to Lost Boy Cider, Northern Virginia’s first urban cidery. These no-sugar-added sips tell the story of founder Tristan Wright’s journey of discovering cider in Ireland to the quest to create a modern style, handcrafted cider that was also gluten and soy-free. 
  • Enjoy a fall-themed brew from award-winning local favorites like Port City Brewing Company—featuring seasonal sips such as Oktoberfest Märzen Lager, Doppelbock, and Spite House—or explore offerings from Aslin Beer Company. 
  • Sunset Tour at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, combining tradition and taste unlimited samples of Virgina’s finest wines.  
  • Explore one of the nation’s longest continuously operating farmers’ markets for seasonal produce and treats just steps from the city’s historic waterfront. 

Ghost Tours and Historic Haunts 

  • Go off the beaten path and enjoy a lantern-led, goosebump-inducing ghost tour (there are
  • Learn more about historic haunts on any of the city’s ghost tours, which date back 50 years. You’ll learn about one of Alexandria’s most famous ghost stories and historic mysteries, the Female Stranger, which has enchanted visitors for nearly 200 years. Some say they still see her holding a candle in the Gadsby’s Tavern where she died. 

Stroll Along Alexandria’s Cobblestoned Streets  

  • Walk in the footsteps of the founding fathers and the Black Americans who helped shape Alexandria’s rich and complex history. (Manumission Tour Co.)
  • Choose one of Alexandria’s most Instagram-worthy fall spots—from vibrant autumn leaves and delightful seasonal décor along the cobblestone streets of Captain’s Row—for a couple’s photo shoot or a memorable proposal.  
  • Stroll through historic neighborhoods lined with showstopping trees in full autumn color, picturesque rowhouses adorned with pumpkins, and red brick sidewalks glowing under the warm light of gas lamps. 

Step Back in Time This Fall with New Retro Experiences 

  • New this fall: Step back in time at the newly opened Continues Arcade, featuring 50 original arcade cabinets, Skee-Ball, and pinball, plus a full-service restaurant and bar from Iron Chef alum Brian Lacayo and Chef Advisor Spike Mendelsohn from Top Chef. 
  • Submerse yourself in nostalgia with whimsical and retro-inspired gifts at Stardust Vintage
  • + Gift located in the heart of Del Ray’s bustling shopping district. 
  • Explore Vintage Mirage for a curated collection of unique clothing, artisan hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and accessories that span from the historic 20th century to today’s cutting-edge fashion. Discover exotic items from the past three centuries, along with an extensive rotating designer consignment that features brands like St. John, Coach, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Vera Wang, Ferragamo, Prada, Trifari, Elsa Schiaparelli, Weiss, Hermès, Selma Karaca, Kathryn Stanko, and many more. 
  • Since 1992, Look Again Resale Shop has been a must-do on the King Street mile. A multilevel boutique is known for having unique and vintage household items. With proceeds benefitting the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, Look Again Resale Shop was named one of “The Top 10 Thrift Stores for Home Décor in the D.C. Metro Area” by Capitol Vintage Charm. 

Immerse Yourself in Alexandria’s Fall Festivals and Events 

  • New Offerings: Celebrate an extended Old Town Cocktail Week from Sept. 25 to Oct. 5,
  • as more than 40 local restaurants serve up creative cocktails and host special events. Sip a featured drink, learn the art of the perfect martini with Nick Farrell at Josephine’s, or discover a secret pop-up bar from Captain Gregory’s. 
  • Raise a glass at Alexandria Oktoberfest Sept. 27 at John Carlyle Square, where Bavarian flavors meet local flair with craft brews, live music, and dancing.

Shop Alexandria’s Personality-Packed Districts

  • This fall, experience D.C.’s premier shop small destination, where personality packed neighborhoods make every small business purchase memorable. 
  • In Old Town, explore dozens of independent boutiques offering fall fashion, artisan-made jewelry, home décor, and gourmet goodies, all framed by seasonal décor and red brick sidewalks.

The Faces Behind Alexandria’s Favorite Shops 

  • romance bookstore in the D.C. metro area, Jamie helps transport folks to a welcoming, community-minded space in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Jamie has resiliently rebuilt following a devastating fire at her original location. 
  • Angelika O’Reilly, owner of Eliana Curated, discovered her passion for fashion through a fascination with vintage buttons. An only child who immigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States at a young age, Angelika quickly developed an entrepreneurial spirit. Today, she transforms vintage buttons into “wearable art” by adding 14-karat gold posts and backs, creating bold, statement earrings with a story. 
  • Ally Kirkpatrick, owner of Old Town Books, the recently opened Old Town Books, Jr., and Fabled Ice Cream,is an English major who went to grad school for writing and love for kids’ books with her businesses. She especially loves fall because her bookstores go all out with decorations to create a cute and cozy spot. 
  • Amy Rutherford, owner of popular home goods boutique Red Barn Mercantile, Penny
  • Post stationery and paper goods, and recent newcomer Pippin Toy Co., has been in Alexandria for 22 years. Her businesses are inspired by her grandmother who owned an antique store and her mother who curated items for their family home.  
  • In Del Ray, browse a colorful main street lined with homegrown shops, vintage treasures, and unique gifts you won’t find anywhere else, including The Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market, held on the second Saturday of every month. 

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