Ryan Belmore is a journalist based in Alexandria, Virginia. He served as Publisher of ALXnow from March to October 2025. He can be reached at [email protected].
Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Tuesday, Sept. 2, the 245th day of 2025. There are 120 days left in the year.
☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78 degrees. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 57 degrees. Light and variable wind.
Fall festival season is heating up in Alexandria, with signature events, new restaurant openings, and unique experiences highlighting the best of local arts and historic charm this September.
Looking to kick off autumn with some culture? These events offer perfect opportunities to enjoy Virginia’s beautiful fall weather while exploring Alexandria’s artistic and historic treasures. Plus, recently named a Top 5 Best U.S. City by Travel + Leisure, Alexandria is bringing fresh openings and local flavor to the season.
Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunshine and a high around 81 degrees with a northwest wind at 5-10 mph. Friday night will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of around 57 degrees and a north wind at approximately 6 mph.
The annual Taste of Old Town North will return Thursday, Sept. 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Montgomery Park, featuring local restaurant tastings, live music and family-friendly activities.
The free event at 901 North Royal Street will showcase neighborhood restaurants, including Jula’s on the Potomac, Hank’s Oyster Bar, MacMillan Spirit and Ale House, Hank’s Pasta Bar, Hotel AKA Alexandria’s a.lounge+bar, and St. Elmo’s Old Town North Coffee Pub.
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum will host its final Family Day with Young Historians of the summer season on Sunday, Aug. 31, from 2 to 5 p.m.
The interactive program at 134 N. Royal Street features Junior Docents — students in grades four through seven — who lead museum tours and share stories of early Alexandria. Activities include chocolate making and period clothing demonstrations.
Alexandria residents and visitors have plenty to choose from this weekend as the city’s popular Summer Restaurant Week extends through Labor Day weekend, offering diners special menus and pricing at participating establishments. The long weekend features a mix of outdoor markets, cultural events and live entertainment across the city’s neighborhoods.
Saturday highlights include the weekly Old Town and Del Ray farmers markets, while Sunday adds the West End and Four Mile Run markets to give shoppers multiple opportunities to browse local produce and crafts. Music lovers can catch performances ranging from jazz at The Birchmere to traditional Irish sessions at Daniel O’Connell’s, while families can explore history at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum’s Family Day with Young Historians on Sunday.
Numerous venues in Alexandria are ready for football fans as the 2025 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, September 4.
Need a go-to spot this season? These local sports bars and restaurants offer happy hour deals and screens aplenty for watching with friends, in addition to hosting local fanbases and alumni groups.
Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Aug. 28, the 240th day of 2025. There are 125 days left in the year.
☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 80 degrees. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 62 degrees. South wind 3 to 6 mph.
The City of Alexandria will host the second Duke Street Land Use Plan Community Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 25, at Bishop Ireton High School cafeteria to discuss draft guiding principles based on community feedback.
The meeting will take place at 201 Cambridge Road beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation and question-and-answer session, followed by facilitated discussion on draft principles from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. The presentation portion will also be available online via Zoom.
A commercial property at 1503-1505 Mount Vernon Ave. that currently houses The Garden restaurant is being marketed for lease with availability starting Sept. 1, according to a listing from PVIM LLC, a commercial real estate brokerage based in Old Town Alexandria.
The property features 1,100 square feet of interior space on a 10,706-square-foot lot with 100 feet of street frontage and three parking spaces. The asking rent is available upon request, according to the marketing materials.
The City of Alexandria is accepting applications for Virginia’s Farm Market Fresh program, which provides eligible older adults with $50 benefit cards to purchase fresh produce from local farmers.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program offers one benefit card per qualifying resident aged 60 or older. Cards can be exchanged for fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs at approved farmers’ markets and roadside stands throughout the region.
