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Located less than 10 miles from Washington DC, Alexandria, Virginia caters to multiple different lifestyles while providing a strong community environment. Frequently recognized for its charm and walkability, Old Town Alexandria is designated as a historic site on the Potomac River and home to over 200 restaurants, boutiques, and museums, providing plenty of entertainment and dining options. D.R. Horton offers a range of new homes in Alexandria, Virginia that allow you to take advantage of the nation’s capital nearby while enjoying the beauty of Alexandria. With spacious, open floorplans, smart home technology, and gorgeous kitchens and bathrooms, D.R. Horton’s new construction houses in Alexandria make daily living feel luxurious.

Benefits of calling Alexandria, VA home

With plenty of festivals, green spaces, great restaurants, and beautiful architecture, Alexandria, Virginia provides a range of options for entertainment and community connection. Offering a combination of Old Town’s historic buildings on cobblestone streets and urban amenities, Alexandria provides a unique atmosphere where you can have it all. The area provides a restful retreat from nearby Washington DC and offers a strong economy, beautiful waterfront views of the Potomac, and plenty to do and enjoy.

When it’s time to head into the big city, getting to DC is simple, as Alexandria is less than 10 miles from the capital and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) subway system. DC is a popular employment location for Alexandria residents, or you can just visit to see various monuments or tour the National Mall. Long-distance travel for work or play is also simple, with Washington Reagan airport less than 15 minutes away.

Entertainment and events in Alexandria, VA

Perhaps best known as the site of Mount Vernon, Alexandria, VA is home to more than George Washington’s former residence. Between the area’s museums, the historic Old Town area on the Potomac, and the variety of festivals and markets, there is so much to enjoy in Alexandria.

Home to a wide range of local businesses, including boutiques, restaurants, and craft breweries, Old Town, Alexandria’s historic district, is one of the most popular areas for local entertainment and shopping. The King Street Mile in Old Town serves as a pedestrian-only section in the district that goes from the Potomac waterfront to King Street Metro Station. No need to bring your car and park; simply hop on the subway and then take the King Street Trolley into the heart of Old Town. Or, you can take a water taxi and arrive on the Potomac. Whatever method of transportation you use, you’ll be able to enjoy the cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and local businesses, such as the nationally recognized Torpedo Factory Art Center.

The Torpedo Factory Art Center is named for the building it’s in: a former World War II torpedo factory. It is a great place to explore local art and learn about artists’ processes with over 70 working artists’ studios and 10 galleries on site. You can visit with artists working with a variety of media, from ceramics to jewelry to printmaking.

The Old Town Farmers’ Market also features local artists and artisans, though many vendors sell fresh produce, vegetables, meats, cheeses, pasta, and plants. The market runs year-round, and there are more than 70 vendors on-site during peak season. Whether you’re looking to buy fresh ingredients or simply searching for something cool to do on the weekend, Old Town Farmers’ Market delivers; it is one of the oldest continuously operating farmers’ markets in the country. However, it is far from the only farmers’ market in Alexandria. There’s the Old Town North Farmers’ Market, the Del Ray Farmers’ Market, Market at Southern Towers, West End Farmers’ Market, and Four Mile Run Farmers’ and Artisans Market. With so many markets to choose from, you can find one that is convenient for you and offers the experience you want, or if you’d rather grow your own food, the city of Alexandria offers a community garden program with garden sites throughout the city.

In addition to farmers’ markets, Alexandria hosts seasonal events, festivals, and celebrations throughout the city, and you can find a parade in just about every season. February features “Washington’s Birthday Parade,” with different themes each year and recognition and awards for a range of categories. March’s Ballyshaners St. Patrick’s Day Parade is similar and features a range of community groups, performers, and entertainment, including Irish dance schools, pipe bands, and community groups. The city also hosts two Christmas parades in Old Town. The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade celebrates the town’s heritage as a Scottish merchant town with a holiday parade featuring Scottish tartan, pipe and drum bands, community groups, and more. The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights is also celebrated in Old Town, but of course, the festivities associated with it are all on the waterfront. Boats decked out with fun, holiday lights and decorations cruise by, and there is recognition for participants ranging from Best in Show to Most Holiday Cheer. The event includes dockside festivities as well, including a pop-up beer garden, a variety of food options, and a range of family-friendly activities.

Some festivals and celebrations in Alexandria have received recognition by art and travel magazines. The annual Alexandria Art Festival has been recognized by an artist magazine as one of the best art shows in the nation. There is a selection process for the art displayed, which ensures a high standard of creativity and diversity. The festival is typically held in September, though the city also hosts a smaller, springtime version in May. Art on the Avenue is another popular arts festival in Alexandria. Held on the first Saturday in October, this multicultural arts festival celebrates diversity and features over 300 artists, musicians from a variety of genres, food vendors, and kids’ activities. The town also hosts celebrations for Juneteenth and July 4th. The Juneteenth festival features a variety of performances and family activities as well as music, art, food, and educational experiences. On July 4th, the city sets off fireworks, and the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra performs.

With so many options for entertainment, there is always something to do and enjoy in Alexandria, but if you are looking for more options, Washington DC is less than 10 miles away.

Exercise and outdoor recreation in Alexandria, VA

Alexandria, VA makes getting outside easy, whether it’s to exercise or to enjoy nature’s beauty. The town features over 20 miles of trails and more than 900 acres of parks and protected green space.

Those looking to get their steps in have plenty of options in Alexandria, with numerous walking tours and trails to explore. Architecture enthusiasts can wander Old Town and the surrounding area to see over 200 sites built before 1820, including the famous Spite House and the Pope-Leighey House. The Old Town Art Photo Walk is also popular, with an online self-guided tour of the sculptures and murals throughout the historic district. For a scenic path, the Waterfront Walk weaves around the Potomac River waterfront from Tide Locke Park’s sculpture to Jones Point Park, which is home to the last remaining riverside lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay area.

The East Coast Greenway is a 3,000-mile cycling and walking route that connects communities from Maine to Florida, and Alexandria is the midpoint of the collection of trails. Alexandria’s most popular section is the Mount Vernon Trail, which runs along the Potomac from Mount Vernon to national sites in DC and connects to multiple regional trails. There are several parking areas along the 18-mile paved trail, which is open year-round, so you have multiple options for how and when you choose to access it.

The Potomac River offers more than waterfront beauty along area trails, with readily available opportunities to get on the water. The Washington Sailing Marina offers sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding for residents. The marina also offers classes, lessons, and camps for all ages and sponsors handicapped sailboat racing, ensuring everyone can enjoy getting on the water to take in the views of downtown DC from the Potomac or simply exercise.

Those looking to escape to nature can do so at the Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria’s west end. The 44-acre nature preserve features beautiful streams, a lake, a waterfall, and multiple trails. The area is exclusive to hikers and runners, so whatever trail you choose, you are sure to find a peaceful getaway from the busyness of everyday life. For a nature experience with a little more than scenery, the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center and the adjacent, 50-acre Dora Kelley Nature Park offers children’s programs and exhibits in addition to its trails. You can attend events like the regular Animal Meet and Greet on Fridays, or walk down the one-mile nature trail, which runs along streams, up hills, and through freshwater marshland. There is also a paved trail through the park that is ADA accessible and bike-friendly.

Additionally, Alexandria, VA provides 10 recreation centers across the city’s various neighborhoods. The centers offer plenty of opportunities for physical activity, but they also provide unique spaces like arts and crafts rooms, ceramics studios, dance studios, indoor pools, saunas, and more. Some centers even offer designated preschool areas in addition to playgrounds and sports fields for kids. With the range of offerings and multiple locations, you can easily find ways to get involved with like-minded members of the community, engage in new hobbies, or get some exercise

Professional opportunities in Alexandria, VA

Alexandria, Virginia has a strong economy that benefits from its location in Northern Virginia and proximity to Washington DC. There are 22 Fortune 1000 companies across multiple industries with headquarters in the Northern Virginia area, several of which call Alexandria, VA home.

The Salvation Army, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), National Science Foundation, United Way, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) are all headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, providing numerous job and career options. Several major government offices are located in Alexandria as well, including a large office for the Department of Defense, the US Patent and Trademark Office, and the Food and Nutrition Service, which is part of the Department of Agriculture. While these serve as major employers in the area, there are also additional professional opportunities in government, accounting, law, IT, wealth management, architecture, and more.

New construction homes in Alexandria, VA

D.R. Horton’s new build homes in Alexandria, Virginia are great for any stage of life, offering modern designs and that new construction peace of mind that allows you to make your new house a home. Alexandria’s festivals and events, fun outdoor recreation options, and excellent economy make it a great place to buy a home and become active in the local community. Browse our listings of Alexandria, VA homes for sale and contact us to learn more about living in the area today.