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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Hundreds of visitors fanned out across Del Ray on Saturday, May 9, for the biennial Del Ray House & Garden Tour, a fundraiser hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association that brought in more than $30,000 for local causes.
The self-guided walking tour featured a dozen homes, including historic buildings, new construction, renovated houses and two accessory dwelling units, making it the largest tour in the event's history.
Highlights included a house originally built as a corner grocery store, now reimagined as a one-floor home suited for retirement, and a 1920s bungalow paired with a grandparents' ADU cottage out back. One newly built home showcased curated paintings by D.C.-area artists, while another displayed art collected during the homeowner's foreign service career.
"The eclectic nature of our neighborhood is what makes it great," said Lisa Quandt, chair of the Del Ray House & Garden Tour Planning Committee. "From small to big and old to new, all of the homes have value and people who have put a lot of effort into making them unique."
A popular stop on this year's tour was the Little Red Caboose, nestled between the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, Mount Vernon Community School and Duncan Library. The caboose was open to explore for the first time in more than a decade.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the Caboose Fund for restoration of the landmark, after-school tutoring at Mount Vernon Community School and the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria.
Organizers credited the event's success to participating homeowners, sponsors and more than 60 volunteers who served as docents along the route.
A digital brochure with descriptions of each home is available at delrayalx.wixsite.com/2026-hg-tour.
The Del Ray Citizens Association, founded in 1954, is a nonprofit organization that connects Del Ray residents and business owners on issues including land use, public safety, schools, transportation and housing. More information is available at delraycitizens.org.
