If you are ready for an authentic experience, we have history where it happened, one-of-a-kind dining, from the region's hottest restaurants to Alexandria's established favorites, culture and history and lots more. Find a creative experience uniquely for your group. We've taken care of all the planning, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy our Legendary Experiences.
Combine award-winning dining within a 17-block stretch of historic charm, and you have a memorable dine-a-round. From colonial to contemporary, enjoy an authentic experience of strolling past historical architecture to some of the region's hottest new restaurants and well-established local favorites. Whether on own or as a group, Alexandria offers the perfect dining experience. And now, the free King Street Trolley will make it even more convenient for your group to get around Old Town. Contact the ACVA sales staff to plan the perfect dining experience. 703.746.3308.
Alexandria offers the finest culinary experiences, being home to some of the top 100 restaurants in the greater Washington area. Experience fine cuisines from around the world created by local chefs that have received regional acclaim. Meet the chef, enjoy a welcome glass of champagne and a three-course wine dinner created especially for you. Finish off your evening with a brief tour of historic Old Town Alexandria on the drive back to your hotel.
Celebrate the lost craft of the artisan on the west end of Old Town Alexandria. The artisan takes a particular pride in creating his goods by hand- a practice that has been mostly lost due to mass production and order quantities. Artisans perform time honored work, emphasizing quality, taste, and texture. Enjoy cocktails made with hand-made bitters, juices and mixers at an Old Town institution that has been serving the city for over 70 years. Walk to a nearby cheese shop and learn about local and international cheeses from husband and wife shop keepers and enjoy a tasty dessert imported from Spain!
Unwind and renew relationships with a Historic Pub Crawl. With over 200 restaurants and pubs in a 15-block radius, there's something for everyone. Sample delicious appetizers and enjoy spirited beverages at Old Town's favorite pubs and restaurants while hearing tales of each location by your experienced guide. Tours are tailored for each group and can conclude with dinner.
Spend an unforgettable evening in Old Town Alexandria and experience the cuisine and culture of this historic neighborhood. Highly trained guides will take you through the historic streets of Old Town as you learn about its rich and varied history stopping at three of Alexandria's locally-owned and well-established restaurants for an elegant six course progressive meal that represents the true flavor of this historic city. Daytime walking food tours are also available.
Pubs and Patriots Dine Around Contemporary fare, historic ambiance. Let an 18th-century costumed guide greet your group at your hotel or location of your choice and escort you through the cobblestone streets to your first dining establishment. Enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in one of Alexandria's historic restaurants. Your guide will then lead you to yet another historic location for dinner and dessert, while telling tales of the famous American patriots and scoundrels that have stayed, played, shopped and dined in Alexandria though the years.
Charter a private boat and cruise the historic Potomac River. Choose from an authentic paddle wheeler, Parisian-style riverboat or one of four smaller unique tour boats. Recommended caterers and party planners are available to plan the perfect event. From blues & barbeque, to martinis & piano bars, let us help create a fun and memorable event. Depart from Alexandria's historic waterfront, cruise up the Potomac River and view the glistening monuments of our nation's capital while your group mixes and mingles.
Set sail from the Washington Sailing Marina on the banks of the Potomac River and take part in your private regatta on the Potomac River. Relax or compete, while you enjoy the views from the Potomac River. Following the regatta, enjoy a barbeque at an Alexandria waterfront park or lunch or dinner at one of Old Town's many restaurants.
Orient your guests to historic Alexandria with a welcome reception at Alexandria's History Center & Museum store located on the historic waterfront. The center reflects themes from all the Office of Historic Alexandria museums. Discovery carts give your attendees a sneak peek of museums' collections including Friendship Firehouse, Alexandria Archaeology, and the Alexandria Black History Museum. Let the staff arrange all the catering details. Arriving by water taxi from National Harbor? What better way to welcome your guests to Alexandria, before they are off to an evening of dining and exploring.
Host an elegant evening commencing with a Private Evening tour of George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens followed by dinner at the charming Mount Vernon Inn. You'll be whisked back in time as you enjoy the warmth and hospitality of your colonial hosts for an evening that will create a timeless memory. Bring your guest to Mount Vernon by coach and enjoy a scenic ride on the George Washington Parkway or by boat on the historic Potomac River.
This evening, you will be wined and dined in one of our nation's finest historic homes. Begin the evening with a reception and a private tour of the home. You will be served a three course dinner with complimenting wines in the home or under a tent in the garden. Throughout the evening enjoy entertainment provided by colonial performers and period musicians.
Party Like it's 1799 Be transported back in time to party like its 1799! Enjoy a dinner feast at Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant, where such notable visitors included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and more. Dine on Colonial-inspired regional cuisine presented by 18th-century costumed servers while being entertained by period performers. Dessert is presented in the museum's ballroom where you will enjoy 18th-century dancing and merriment, complete with musicians and your own private dance master.
Tankards and Tonics Pick your poison! Journey back to the 18th-century tavern and hotel where famous and everyday people dined and slept. Mix and mingle among original potions, tonics and elixirs at one of the nation's oldest pharmacies, with many of the original products still intact. Continue the party at 18th-century Alexandria's center of political and social life. The historic venues of Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary and The Carlyle House offer the perfect mix for any group. Enjoy a private guided tour as well as themed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.
Follow our 18th-century costumed guides as they lead you by lantern light, sharing ghost stories, legends and folklore about colonial Alexandria. You will hear unsolved mysteries, tales of romance and stories of angry ghosts looking for revenge. After an hour-long tour, adjourn to one of our historic "haunted" venues for a ghostly cocktail reception.
Consistently named a Top 25 Arts Destination by American Style Magazine, Alexandria is host to a full palette of art and cultural experiences. With three floors of visual art and artists at the world-famous Torpedo Factory Art Center, shopping at antique boutiques and independent galleries, and vibrant theatrical and musical performances at venues throughout the city, Alexandria is bound to engage your creative side. Let our sales teamplan the perfect event fo your group: 703.746.3308.
Rich in culture, Alexandria offers live theater, music and dance. For top, high quality live music, the internationally known Birchmere Music Hall, whose reputation is legendary in music circles, opens its doors for groups, small and large. For live theater, the Little Theater of Alexandria and Metro Stage offer intimate theater experiences. Host a reception or dinner in the theaters or a nearby restaurant. If fine dining, music and dancing is what you are looking for, the art deco Carlyle Club takes you back to the big band era.
Enjoy a fun-filled evening that takes you on an upbeat, multimedia tour of American music, places in history and culture presented by the Washington D.C. area's best singers and musicians. Presented at the majestic George Washington Masonic Memorial with panoramic views of Alexandria and the nation's capital, an American Musical Landscape is sure to make a lasting impression. For corporate events, the American Musical Landscape will tailor a show for your group and perform at your preferred location.
Consistently chosen as one of the nation's "Top 25 Art Destinations" from American Style Magazine, Alexandria's art and antique galleries open their collections for private evening events. Stroll through Old Town's historic streets to visit nearby galleries while enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, wine and cheese tastings, music and some of the nation's finest art. Add a dinner in one of Alexandria's many restaurants or let your group wander on their own. Each event is customized for the size of the group.
Combine instruction, history and fun for a hands-on art appreciation experience. Create your own event by selecting from among several cultural experiences; a private tour of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a private class in any of the fine arts at Alexandria's Art League, a walk through our City's fine art galleries or a walking tour of the renowned architecture of the historic district. Add a lunch, dinner or afternoon tea to complete your experience. For team-building, spouse programs, networking or plain fun, Paint Alexandria is sure to be a "masterpiece".
Building a team, strengthening relationships and improving performance dates back to Alexandria's founding fathers. As in Colonial days, contemporary Alexandria provides opportunities to bring your team to new levels. Let the ACVA sales staff assist you in creating the ideal program to achieve your goals. 703.746.3308.
Bike and RollLet's roll! Enjoy an active, unique and environmentally friendly way to energize your team and tour Alexandria! Combine history, interesting facts, and a love for the city with a safe, enjoyable bike ride. Ride across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and enjoy the breathtaking views of our nation's capital, or ride the bike path along the scenic George Washington Parkway to George Washington's Mount Vernon. Follow a scavenger hunt or just tour the unique sites of historic Alexandria. Everything you will need for a incredible experience is provided including a comfort bike, helmet, water bottles, and a light snack. All events are customized for your group and can accommodate up to 200.
This time-sensitive, interactive team building experience is a mini-lesson in cultural communications and promotes team work so that you and members of your group apply culture-specific orientations and communication styles to interpret verbal "culture clues" that lead you to diverse venues around the city of Alexandria. Clues will take you on a journey that allows you to discover the city's best-known sights, attractions and character as well as its cultural heritage. Successful interpretation of each clue proves that you and your team have acquired the skills necessary to undertake any cultural pursuit! The pursuit will end in a tavern of your choice, with a debriefing and awards presentation. For the adventurous, bike rentals are available for the hunt.
Looking for a recipe for your team's success? Come and join one of Alexandria's celebrated chefs for an unforgettable custom designed "hands-on cooking experience". With a scoop of communication, a dash of cooperation and a pinch of innovation, this cooking experience will offer a fun and unique way for your team to blend skills and come out perfectly done, each time.
The Old Town Culinary Scavenger Hunt will bring groups throughout the historic city, as they learn about its history and culture, and enjoy local food and drinks from a variety of shops and restaurants. This interactive team building event involves working successfully with others to orchestrate a plan to seek out and enjoy historic, cultural and culinary items on the list. Guided by their project plan, a series of tips, and a phone the host option, groups will hunt for fantastic food and historic landmarks throughout Old Town Alexandria.
Engage in a unique and rewarding artistic experience with a Creative Retreat at The Art League. Located in the Torpedo Factory Art Center on the Alexandria waterfront, The Art League offers Creative Retreats in a wide range of media: drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and photography taught by some of the most talented and well-known artists and instructors in the country. A Creative Retreat is a fun, relaxing, team building activity that encourages learning, development of new ideas, and individuality and can be held at The Art League facilities or at a location of your choice for groups from 5 to 35. How creative is your group?
There is nothing virtual about it! TopGolf takes place at a full-size driving range with real clubs, real balls, and a landscaped 250+ yard outfield with real-live targets, and, located in Alexandria only minutes from the historic district. A unique team building experience, TopGolf Alexandria is a revolutionary state-of-the-art entertainment facility that has quickly become a favorite destination for both golfers and non-golfers. TopGolf is perfect for team building events, holiday parties or any social or corporate event where customers, clients and friends can come together to have a memorable time.
Blend business with pleasure through the game of golf. Network and strengthen relationships, build your team or just play for fun and relaxation. Host a golf tournament from the initial course selection through the awards banquet with assistance from a team of professionals. Take part in seminars and clinics to improve not only your team's golf skills, but to develop business relationships and skills through golf taught by certified golf and sport experts
Row or sail on the historic Potomac River with an instructional orientation that offers a platform to develop leadership, decision-making, and communication skills by building cooperative teamwork in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. The two-part program consists of video and personal instruction and practicing and racing and may be customized to better fit your schedule.
Set sail from the Washington Sailing Marina on the banks of the Potomac River and take part in a private regatta on the Potomac River. Sharpen leadership, decision-making and communication skills in a relaxed a fun atmosphere. Programs are led by certified captains. Enjoy an awards presentation and a barbeque in one of Alexandria's waterfront parks or in one of Old Town's many restaurants.
Strap on a light-weight, high-tech suit and enter the huge 7500 square foot multi-level, fog-filled carpeted arena for the adventure of a lifetime! Ramps, catwalks, bridges and passageways throughout the arena create a one-of-a-kind landscape to hold your team building session. Where else can groups from 10 to 250 people take part in a measurable, exciting, 'whole-group' activity? Just minutes from the historic district, ShadowLand stands apart from other group outing destinations. Arranged into teams, your participants learn details about the adventure they will take part in (an "adventure" is a software-controlled game scenario that influences and challenges them within the arena). In the briefing room the team discusses strategy before beginning. Participants get their adrenaline flowing as they interact with others as well as hardware elements in the arena to advance their individual and team positions in the adventure. Multiple scenarios to choose from to focus on particular team skill (leadership, valuing diversity, communication, etc.). At the end of each adventure, everyone gets a scorecard with individual and team performance. Coupled with a debrief from your HR observer (optional, of course) you have created one of the most exciting, insightful team building sessions available in the country.
Shop, Dine & Celebrate on America's Historic Main Streets, an ideal location to entertain your spouses and guests. Founded in 1789 and listed on the national Register of Historic Places, Alexandria is nationally recognized for its abundance of 18th and 19th century architecture, chic boutiques, national retail stores, fine art and antique galleries, historic attractions and award-winning restaurants. Choose one of Alexandria's favorites or let the ACVA staff tailor a creative and unique program for your group.
Since its beginning as a colonial seaport, Colonial captains have brought home exotic bounty to share and sell. That world-class shopping experience continues today with unique and award-winning boutiques, art and antique galleries, fine jewelry stores and numerous specialty shops. Stroll the cobblestone streets while enjoying one-of-a-kind shopping, then relax with lunch at one of the region's hottest new restaurants or one of Alexandria's family-owned favorites.
Get to know Martha Washington over a delightful luncheon that will be a unique and up-close historic experience with our nation's original First Lady. Lunch, learn and laugh while you enjoy a lovely day at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens and the Mount Vernon Inn.
Mount Vernon- Shop, Dine, ExploreSpend a day or evening enjoying America's most popular historic estate overlooking the Potomac River. The 45-acre site includes a dozen original buildings and four gardens. Twenty-five new theaters and galleries illuminate the first president's remarkable life. Explore the mansion, visit the gift shop and enjoy dining for lunch or dinner at the charming Mount Vernon Inn. Transportation can be provided via motorcoach and/or boat.
Explore historic Old Town Alexandria, a city rich in history, architecture and culinary delights. Join a professional guide as you stroll through the cobblestone streets enjoying samples of specialty dishes from Old Town's unique and family-owned restaurants. The three-hour tour showcases the city' s historic sites that have stood since the colonial-era founding and the variety of restaurants that are housed in stately mansions, charming row houses.
Combine instruction, history and fun for a hands-on art appreciation experience. Create your own event by selecting from among several cultural experiences; a private tour of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a private class in any of the fine arts at The Art League, a walk through our City's fine art galleries or a walking tour of the renowned architecture of the historic district. Add a lunch, dinner or afternoon tea to complete your experience.
Spa SamplerLeave the busy hustle and bustle of the city and enter the unique and relaxing atmosphere that allows time to stand still. Your group will delight in the pampering they receive as a customized an experience is created that is guaranteed to renew the senses. Its so simple, you will be breathing a deep sigh of relief as you and your group relaxes, rejuvenates and restores.
