Visit Alexandria previews what's new in 2026: America's 250th, waterfront experiences, restaurants and hotel upgrades
The tourism organization's annual roundup highlights semiquincentennial celebrations, public art installations, dozens of new and upcoming restaurants, retail openings and hotel enhancements across th
Alexandria is preparing a year of programming, new public spaces and business openings as the 277-year-old city marks the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026.
Visit Alexandria released its annual “What’s New” roundup Tuesday, highlighting developments across the historic waterfront city, which Travel + Leisure recently recognized as one of the best cities in the U.S.
Commemorating America’s 250th anniversary
Celebrations kick off Feb. 14 with the George Washington Birthday Parade, the oldest and largest parade of its kind in the country. The city’s signature event, Sails on the Potomac, will welcome tall ships June 12-14 as Alexandria serves as a Sail Virginia 2026 Affiliate Harbor with waterfront festivities including ALX Jazz Fest performances.
The City of Alexandria and USA Birthday Celebration on July 11 will feature fireworks and music along the waterfront.
New exhibitions will offer visitors opportunities to connect with local and national history. The city’s Time & Place 2026 temporary public art installation will be on view from May through November as part of Alexandria’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In June, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum will debut “Stories of U.S.: Collections Capture Our History,” showcasing rarely seen objects reflecting diverse narratives that shaped Alexandria and the nation.
Eight miles south of Old Town, George Washington’s Mount Vernon fully reopened its mansion in December following a multi-year renovation. A new exhibition, “George Washington: A Revolutionary Life,” debuts in March. Fireworks at Mount Vernon will illuminate the Potomac over two nights for the Fourth of July.
Alexandria is participating in the Virginia 250 Passport and offers its Key to the City attractions pass, both available at the Alexandria Visitor Center at 221 King St., which will also feature 250-themed merchandise.
New along Alexandria’s waterfront
Returning to Waterfront Park this spring, the City of Alexandria’s Site See: New Views in Old Town series introduces its eighth temporary waterfront public art installation. Debuting in March, “Now or Never” by interdisciplinary artist Alicia Eggert uses shifting perspectives of the words “NOW” and “NEVER” to explore themes of urgency, time and shared responsibility.
“Just like the waterfront has shifted over time, this piece encourages folks to think about the longer view of time because we won’t always be in this exact situation, despite a moment seeming inescapable,” Eggert said.
In Old Town North, the city unveiled the Pendleton Street Promenade in fall 2025. The design connects visitors more closely with the waterfront, complete with swings for relaxing and enjoying the view.
Alexandria debuted its first public ADA-accessible Potomac River paddling access late last year with a kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood. The launch features a raised boardwalk, gangway and floating dock within the park’s 51-acre setting.
The pedestrian zone on lower King Street was permanently extended in September to include the 200 block.
New shops
DCanter, a D.C.-based wine boutique offering sustainably sourced libations, is coming to Old Town in early 2026. Ulta Beauty will open in Potomac Yard.
Recent Old Town openings include perfume shop Arielle Shoshana in November, featuring niche fragrances including the boutique’s own line; Georgetown Olive Oil Co. in October; modern homeware store Interior Instincts with Mediterranean-inspired decor in November; and jewelry shop Eliana Curated in May. National yoga retailer ALO opened in the fall.
Dining trends
Several openings are on the horizon for 2026. Coming to Old Town are Finn & Fire, a seafood and steak restaurant opening in spring; D.C. favorite Floriana, an Italian restaurant debuting in summer; and Live Alive, a national fast-casual organic cafe. Grazie Nonna, an Italian restaurant, is coming to Old Town North. Mudhouse Coffee Roasters is also coming to Old Town.
Wonder Food Hall opened in January in Potomac Yard, bringing its multi-concept dining experience to the city. In Old Town, HomeGrown opened inside the Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria in August, followed by the December opening of Maman, a cafe known for its coffee, baked goods and French-inspired fare. Old Town North welcomed Pupatella pizzeria, serving VPN-certified Neapolitan pizza, in September and Tortas y Tacos La Chiquita Taqueria last summer.
Continues Arcade opened last summer in Old Town North with 50 vintage arcade cabinets, skee-ball and pinball alongside a full-service restaurant and bar from Iron Chef America alum Brian Lacayo with guidance from Top Chef’s Spike Mendelsohn.
Bar 86 opened in October inside Café du Soleil in Old Town, blending vintage and modern elegance in a speakeasy atmosphere.
LaPluma Coffee & Wine serves Guatemalan- and Salvadoran-inspired dishes alongside coffee and wine in Old Town. Cherry on Top, blending coffee and wine, and For Five Coffee are coming soon.
Asian-inspired dining continues to grow. Akeno sushi bar opened in Old Town in December. Pak Soii Izakaya brought Japanese small plates to Del Ray in October. Umiya Sushi opened in the West End in August, and 2D Noodles, a Vietnamese-Japanese concept, opened in Arlandria-Chirilagua.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is coming to Old Town. Sweetside Café & Creamery opened in September in north Del Ray, and southern restaurant Milk & Honey opened in Old Town earlier last year with a menu that includes indulgent treats like banana cheesecake pudding.
Hotel upgrades
Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria welcomed several updates in the second half of 2025. HomeGrown opened inside the hotel in August, followed by the October debut of JoyLife SPA, Alexandria’s only in-hotel spa. The hotel also introduced AKB, a neighborhood gathering spot and hotel bar, along with refreshed rooms and public spaces.
Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria partnered with KultureCity, the nation’s leading nonprofit for sensory accessibility and inclusion, last summer to become Sensory Inclusive certified. The hotel now has specially trained staff and on-site tools designed to support guests with sensory sensitivities.
Hotel Heron, which opened in 2024, has joined Hilton’s Curio Collection. Housed in a historic landmark building, the hotel features a tucked-away bar and rooftop lounge with skyline views.
For more information, visit visitalexandria.com/the-best-of/whats-new.