Around Town

With summer winding down and students preparing to head back to school, many Alexandria families are making the most of these final weeks with visits to the city’s playgrounds. Now’s your chance to weigh in on which city playground deserves the top spot in our latest ALXnow Readers’ Choice poll.

Alexandria boasts more than 40 city playgrounds scattered across its neighborhoods, from tot lots perfect for toddlers to adventure-filled play areas that challenge older kids. Whether you’re drawn to the sprawling equipment at Ben Brenman Park, the scenic waterfront views at Jones Point Park, or the convenient neighborhood charm of smaller spaces like Mason Avenue Mini Park, each playground offers something unique for Alexandria families.


Around Town

The votes are in, and Alexandria has spoken: Smoking Kow BBQ is the city’s favorite barbecue destination, according to the ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards.

After two weeks of voting that concluded Tuesday night, Smoking Kow BBQ at 3250 Duke Street secured victory with 31.67% of the vote, earning 711 votes from barbecue lovers across Alexandria. The restaurant maintained its frontrunner status throughout the entire voting period.


Around Town

Alexandria has some popular spots for classic barbecue, offering smoky specialties like pulled pork and brisket with satisfying sides.

Here are the nominees for “Best Barbecue Restaurant in Alexandria” as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.


Opinion

Whether you’re craving an egg sandwich or a bagel piled high with your favorite toppings, there are quite a few spots around Alexandria to get your fix.

Here are the nominees for “Best Bagel Shop in Alexandria” as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.


Around Town

Alexandria residents have spoken, and The Dairy Godmother is their top pick for ice cream in the city. The results are from a recent ALXnow reader poll, which concluded on May 27, 2025, with 1,475 local food lovers casting their votes.

The Dairy Godmother (2310 Mt. Vernon Ave.) picked up 23.73% of the votes, while Casa Rosada Artisan Gelato (111 S. Payne St.) received 15.05% of the votes, and Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream (109 King St.) rounded out the top three with 14.44% of the votes.


News

Alexandria residents have spoken, and Taqueria Poblano is their top pick for Mexican cuisine in the city. The results come from a recent ALXnow reader poll that wrapped up on May 13, 2025, with over 1,800 local food lovers casting their votes.

Taqueria Poblano, located at 2400B Mt. Vernon Avenue, snagged nearly 25% of the votes, beating out Taqueria Picoso and Los Tios Grill for the top spot. The restaurant is a local favorite, known for its Southern California and Yucatan-inspired Mexican dishes. It’s no stranger to recognition, having previously earned praise for its margaritas and ranking among the DC area’s top Mexican eateries.


Around Town

Did you know that Forbes named Alexandria the Ice Cream Cone Capital of the United States in 2019?

Whether you prefer it in a cone or a cup, ice cream shops across Alexandria offer a variety of handmade, sugary confections. Here are the nominees for “Best Ice Cream Shop in Alexandria” as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards!


Around Town

Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away, but it’s always a great time to enjoy a margarita and a delicious meal from the thriving Mexican and Tex-Mex food scene in Alexandria.

Here are the top spots for Best Mexican Restaurant in Alexandria as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice Awards. Your favorite Mexican restaurant not listed? Feel free to write it in.


Around Town

With dozens of restaurants serving up pies across the city, deciding where to grab your next pizza in Alexandria can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help navigate this delicious landscape, ALXnow turned to the experts – our readers – with the first-ever Readers’ Choice poll dedicated to finding Alexandria’s best pizza.

After two weeks of passionate voting between April 7 and April 21, the results are in! More than 2,400 individual votes (2,459 to be exact) were tallied from a competitive field of 30 diverse nominees, highlighting just how seriously Alexandrians take their pizza.


Around Town

Alexandria has a vibrant cycling community and offers residents a selection of bicycle shops with expert mechanics and places to shop.

Do you have a favorite bicycle shop you recommend to others? A shop that has knowledgeable sales personnel and/or dependable repair services? Here’s your chance to share your experience and recommendations via our Readers’ Choice Award for the best bicycle shop in Alexandria.


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