Old Town

Old Town Alexandria — The Number One U.S. Travel Destination

Alexandria, Virginia is the #1 Best U.S. Travel Destination 2018 according to MONEY magazine. Winners are based on quality, value, and cost coming together for a terrific travel experience. According to MONEY winners are not not necessarily the the most luxurious nor the cheapest — though Old Towners would probably consider us more on the luxe end of the spectrum.

When commenting on the honor, Visit Alexandria succinctly states, “MONEY cites Alexandria’s historic charm, waterfront location, proximity to D.C. and affordable hotel rates among the reasons the city snagged the #1 spot. The article also highlights Alexandria’s vibrant dining and boutique scenes and must-see attractions like the Torpedo Factory Art Center and The Birchmere, and calls Alexandria the “perfect jumping off point” to explore George Washington’s Mount Vernon.”

Citing mostly Old Town charm when referring to Alexandria, MONEY magazine elaborates on the Alexandria experience by stating:

When you hit the cobblestone streets of Alexandria, you may feel like you’re a world away from the hubbub of the nation’s capital—but you’re actually less than 10 miles from national landmarks like the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. Alexandria’s red-brick homes and a historic waterfront promenade make it a surprisingly charming, inexpensive outpost for travelers to the D.C.-area. At $140 per night on average, Alexandria hotels run almost half the cost of their downtown counterparts, according to Hotels.com.

To truly experience the Old Town neighborhood, grab an outdoor table at Hank’s Oyster Bar during happy hour on a Friday night. Hank’s is one of dozens of cafes, boutique shops and galleries that line the walkable mile of King Street that ends at the historic wharf. Art lovers should check out the nearby Torpedo Factory Art Center, a space housing 82 artist studios and seven galleries, featuring everything from pottery to stained glass. On the other end of town stands the legendary Birchmere Music Hall, where greats like Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews once played.

To read the remainder of MONEY magazine’s Alexandria description as well as MONEY’s other pics click here. A complete list of MONEY’s Best in the United States and International Travel destinations for 2018 is as follows:

Best in Travel, U.S. Destinations:

1. Alexandria, Virginia

2. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

3. Stateline, Nevada

4. Glen Arbor, Michigan

5. Pompano Beach, Florida

6. Chicago, Illinois

7. Anaheim, California

8. Lake George, New York

9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best in Travel, International Destinations