Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House

Home of Scottish merchant and Alexandria founder William Ramsay. Stop by 221 King Street for free brochures, visitor parking passes, maps, information and more.
Attractions

• Alexandria Archaeology
  105 N. Union St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/838-4399
  Fax: 703/838-6491
  www.alexandriaarchaeology.org

  Step right into the museum's laboratory where archaeologists reconstruct Alexandria's history, fragment by fragment. Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.

  

• Alexandria Black History Museum
  902 Wythe St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/838-4356
  Fax: 703/706-3999
  www.alexblackhistory.org

  Originally the segregated library for Alexandria's African American residents, the museum documents the local and national history, culture and contributions of Black America. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

  

• Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House
  221 King Street
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/838-5005
  www.visitalexandriava.com

  Named for William Ramsay, Scottish merchant and city founder. Stop by for sightseeing brochures, maps, etc. Gift shop. Now open daily 9 a.m.-8 p.m.  (Handicap assistance is available at the lower King St. entrance).

  

• The Athenaeum
  201 Prince St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/548-0035
  Fax: 703/548-0456
  www.nvfaa.org

  A Greek Revival building built in 1851, it was home to the Bank of the Old Dominion, where Robert E. Lee did his banking. Today it is an art gallery and home of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association. Open  Thurs.-Sun. noon-4 p.m. Closed major holidays.

• Carlyle House
  121 N. Fairfax St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/549-2997
  Fax: 703/549-5738
  www.carlylehouse.org

  A Georgian Palladian manor house built in 1753 by Scottish merchant and city founder John Carlyle. Here, five royal governors and General Braddock met to discuss funding of the French and Indian War. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. (tours on the hour and half hour, last tour at 4).

• Christ Church
  118 N. Washington St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/549-1450
  www.historicchristchurch.org

  This beautiful English country-style church was built between 1767-1773 and was attended by George Washington & Robert E. Lee. Tours available Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 2-4 p.m., with Sun. morning and evening worship services.

  

• Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
  4301 W. Braddock Rd.
  Alexandria, VA 22304 map it
  Phone: 703/838-4848
  Fax: 703/671-7350
  www.fortward.org

  The museum, patterned after a Union headquarters building, houses a fine Civil War collection and exhibits. The Fort's Northwest Bastion has been completely restored. Museum open Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m.; park open daily 9 a.m.-sunset.

  

• Friendship Firehouse
  107 S. Alfred St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/838-3891
  

  Established in 1774, the Friendship Fire Company was the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855 and now houses historic firefighting equipment and exhibits. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun 1-4 p.m.

  

• Gadsby's Tavern Museum
  134 N. Royal St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/838-4242
  Fax: 703/838-4270
  www.gadsbystavern.org

  Consists of two buildings, the 1785 Georgian tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. The tavern has been authentically restored to its 18th-century appearance. Notable guests included George Washington & Thomas Jefferson. Apr.-Oct.: Sun. & Mon. 1-5 p.m., Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Nov.-March.: Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m.

  

• George Washington Masonic Memorial
  101 Callahan Dr.
  Alexandria, VA 22301 map it
  Phone: 703/683-2007
  Fax: 703/519-9270
  www.gwmemorial.org

  Patterned after a lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt, the Memorial displays a magnificent 17-ft. bronze statue of George Washington and an outstanding collection of Washington artifacts. Open daily 9.m.-5 p.m. (last tour 4 p.m.).
  
  

  

• John Q. Adams Center for the History of Otolaryngology
  One Prince St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/519-1579
  Fax: 703/683-5100
  www.entnet.org/museum

  Dedicated to the history of treating the ear, nose & throat, this unusual museum includes a display of hearing aids, surgical instruments and rare books. Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Lee-Fendall House
  614 Oronoco St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314-2308 map it
  Phone: 703/548-1789
  Fax: 703/548-0931
  www.leefendallhouse.org

  From 1785-1903, the house served as the home to 37 members of the Lee family. John L. Lewis, a powerful and controversial labor leader, lived in the house from 1937-1969. Guided by its 1852 inventory, the house is interpreted as a Lee home of the 1850-1870 period. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. 1-4 p.m. (tours on the hour; last tour at 3).

• The Lyceum, Alexandria's History Museum
  201 S. Washington St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/838-4994
  www.alexandriahistory.org

  The 1839 Greek Revival building serves as the City's history museum. An ongoing exhibition tells the story of Alexandria, once one of the busiest ports in America. Archaeological finds, old photographs, maps, original art works and a wide variety of historic artifacts provide the visitor with a picture of the City's past. Changing exhibitions explore special themes, people, places or events within Alexandria's history. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m.

• Old Presbyterian Meeting House
  321 S. Fairfax St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/549-6670
  www.opmh.org

  Built in 1775, the church was the site of memorial services for George Washington in 1799. A memorial to an unknown soldier of the American Revolution can be visited in the churchyard. Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

  

• St. Paul's Episcopal Church
  228 S. Pitt St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/549-3312
  www.stpaulsepis.com

  Designed by Benjamin Latrobe (1817-1818), this church houses a lively and engaged community of 1700 members. Worship services and concerts held throughout the year.

• Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
  105-107 S. Fairfax St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/838-3852
  Fax: 703/838-3837
  www.apothecarymuseum.org

  Opened in 1792 by young Quaker pharmacist Edward Stabler, the family business operated for 141 years. Over 8,000 early medical care items are still in place. Patrons included George & Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee. Apr.-Oct.: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. & Mon. 1-5 p.m.; Nov.-March: Wed.-Sat. 11a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m.

  

• Torpedo Factory Art Center
  105 N. Union St.
  Alexandria, VA 22314 map it
  Phone: 703/838-4565
  www.torpedofactory.org

  Constructed in 1918 for the manufacturing of torpedoes, the factory now features 82 working artists studios, six galleries, the Art League School and Archaeology Museum.
  
  NEW Summer Hours: Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m., every Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

  

• U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Museum
  600 Dulany St.
  Alexandria, VA 22313 map it
  Phone: 330/849-6916
  Fax: 330/762-6313
  www.invent.org

  Exhibits about ordinary inventions we come in contact with every day but seldom stop to think about. Fascinating facts illustrate how much inventors contribute to our daily lives. Mon.-Fr.i 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. noon-5 p.m.