America250 | ALXnow

Visit Alexandria celebrates 30th anniversary as city records $1 billion visitor spending milestone

Published September 17, 2026 at 1:45PM

Visit Alexandria President and CEO Todd O’Leary announces the first-ever Tourism Champion Award (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Visit Alexandria founders, city leaders and businesses from the hospitality industry gathered to celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary and the tourism industry’s achievements Wednesday (Sept. 16).

The milestone came as Visit Alexandria reported strong financial results from visitor spending. At the Visit Alexandria meeting at The Westin Alexandria Old Town, Mayor Alyia Gaskins reported the city had reached a milestone of $1 billion in visitor spending in 2025 for the second consecutive calendar year. The figure applies to visitors coming to Alexandria from 50 or more miles away.

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Visit Alexandria: America250 and World Cup fuel rise in hotel stays

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2026 at 2:45PM

Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary with Vice President of Marketing Vito Fiore, before City Council on Sept. 8, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

What a summer it’s been for tourism in Alexandria.

With tourism boosted by America’s 250th birthday celebration and Alexandria’s participation in a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” hosting a World Cup team, Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary and staff reported to City Council on Tuesday night (Sept. 8) that hotel stays are up, revenue per available room is up and so is the percentage of visitors staying overnight.

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Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary is charting a new path for city tourism

By James Cullum

Published July 22, 2026 at 10:00AM

Todd O’Leary, CEO of Visit Alexandria, in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been a busy summer so far for Visit Alexandria.

Fresh off the heels of Croatia’s national soccer team using the city as a base camp during the World Cup, America’s 250th celebration and the city’s birthday, Visit Alexandria’s CEO Todd O’Leary expects a sleepy August, followed by a busy fall full of parades, art festivals and holiday events.

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Sails on the Potomac and ALX Jazz Fest lead Alexandria’s June 12-14 weekend events

By Emily Leayman

Published June 12, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated June 13, 2026 at 12:54PM

The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park is home to the Tall Ship Providence (staff photo by James Cullum)

As the second weekend of June arrives, Alexandria City Public Schools students are off for the summer and families will be heading out to enjoy events around the city and region.

Sails on the Potomac will coincide with ALX Jazz Fest from June 12-14 at Waterfront Park (1A Prince Street). Highlights of the event include tall ship tours, fireworks, ALX Jazz Fest performances and the VA250 Mobile Museum.

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VA250 Mobile Museum to bring American Revolution history to Alexandria’s Sails on the Potomac

By Emily Leayman

Published June 11, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated June 12, 2026 at 11:19AM

VA250 Mobile Museum (via Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission)

VA250 Mobile Museum has provided an update to ALXnow on the museum’s opening hours.

A traveling museum led by Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission will make a stop at Alexandria’s waterfront for the Sails on the Potomac festival this weekend.

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Volunteers needed to help run four tall ship tours at festival next month in Old Town

By Emily Leayman

Published May 20, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

As Alexandria prepares for a major waterfront festival next month, the Office of Historic Alexandria is seeking hundreds of volunteers to assist with four tall ship tours.

The city put out a call for volunteers to take shifts at the Sails on the Potomac waterfront festival from June 12-14, one of the city’s America250 events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A highlight of the three-day festival will be free timed tours of four tall ships — Swedish Navy warship replica Kalmar Nyckel, Royal Navy schooner replica Sultana, historic fishing vessel Gazela and Alexandria’s own Continental Navy ship replica Providence.

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Spring Maker’s Market and block party among May 2-3 weekend events in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published May 1, 2026 at 2:45PM

Made in ALX Spring Maker's Market at Port City Brewing Co. (via Made in ALX)

There’s much to do in Alexandria on this first weekend of May.

If you haven’t gotten Mother’s Day gifts yet, there are several shopping events to pick something out for Mom. There’s also an America250 concert and Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser at Lee-Fendall House.

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Free timed tours of four tall ships lined up at Old Town’s Sails on the Potomac festival

By Emily Leayman

Published April 6, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Tall Ship Providence sails to its new home, The Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tickets are being released for timed tours of four tall ships at Sails on the Potomac, one of Alexandria’s events celebrating America250.

The festival will coincide with the ALX Jazz Fest from June 12-14 at Waterfront Park (1A Prince Street). The city is planning numerous events for America250, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

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Alexandria commission seeks 250 ‘patriotic gardens’ for America250

By Emily Leayman

Published March 19, 2026 at 10:30AM

White coneflower, a native plant (via Yakov Leonov/Unsplash)

To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Alexandria Beautification Commission is hoping to meet a goal of 250 “patriotic gardens” planted by residents and business owners.

The Beautification Commission is launching a Plant for America250 challenge, seeking to have 250 properties to plant red, white and blue native plants this spring.

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Alexandria to accept entries for new America 250 poster contest

By Katie Taranto

Published March 3, 2026 at 3:17PM

The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Artwork “that reflects civic pride, historical connection, and optimism for the future” is the theme of a new poster contest in Alexandria.

As the City of Alexandria continues to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is joining the America 250 City Art Poster Project, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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African American History Division director discusses ways to explore Alexandria’s vast history

By ALXnow.com

Published February 20, 2026 at 3:30PM

Alexandria Black History Museum (image via City of Alexandria)

Audrey Davis, the first director of the African American History Division in the Office of Historic Alexandria, is at the forefront of preserving and showcasing the city’s Black history.

Black History Month has brought music, historical discussions and exhibits, displays of student art and so much more to Alexandria this month, commemorating a vast history spanning hundreds of years, from the 18th century to the Civil Rights Movement and present day.