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Photo from Heather Whitfield
Too hot, too cold, or too rainy, it doesn’t matter—Alexandria has plenty of things to do when the weather is yucky. Beyond a delicious meal at one of Alexandria's exciting restaurants, this city offers numerous indoor attractions for those less-than-perfect days.
Here are a few popular destinations to get you started.
Curious kids and adults alike are fascinated by the works of 500 inventors showcased in the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Interactive features keep everyone engaged while revealing U.S. history through well-known and lesser-known inventions.
Bonus: This museum offers free admission!
Fairfax County Parks Authority has numerous outlets accessible from Alexandria. While the Mount Vernon Rec Center offers two things that most other centers do not, indoor ice skating and swimming, it is closed for renovations and scheduled to reopen in Spring 2025.
That said, Fairfax County has many rec centers to take advantage of.
At the Fairfax Ice Arena, indoor ice skating and hockey rink are available year-round, making skating perfect both in the winter as a festive outing and in the summer to beat the scorching temps.
In addition to the Mount Vernon location, nine other pools are available to suit casual swimmers seeking relaxation and those training for competition.
Rec Center Locations:
- Audrey Moore
- Cub Run
- Franconia
- George Washington
- Mount Vernon
- Oakmont
- Providence
- South Run
- Spring Hill
Photo from Canva
Painters, crafters, and socializers have a cozy place to call home in Old Town, Alexandria. AR Workshop is a hub of creative ideas like designing home decor using plank wood or treating the kids to a class on how to paint on framed canvases or a bag. There is a project for everyone!
Holiday themes are readily available in case you like to get your gifts in order early. Experience or propensity for the creative arts is not necessary.
Torpedo Art Factory in Alexandria from Flickr user Ron Cogswell
This site was a munitions factory at one point in its history. Today, it's an arts center. It houses dozens of artisans perfecting their craft. Nearly 100 studios showcase paintings, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture.
Fine art is generally available for purchase, and the artists are known to take questions and offer information about their profession. A visit to the Torpedo Factory is a standard field trip during the school year.
Although the estate’s grounds are gorgeous, Mount Vernon's indoor activities are equally exciting. Visitors can spend the entire day inside and still feel completely satisfied. The Education Center is the main draw. Within many exhibitions, there are 4D movies, small TV specials, or scheduled discussions in the auditoriums during the day.
In addition to the traditional museum, there is an amazing gift shop. Visitors can also dine in a full-service restaurant with period decor and dishes.
Pro Tip: Make the most of your time with this guide to your day trip to Mount Vernon.
It may seem counterintuitive to want to walk through Old Town in uncomfortable weather, but sometimes it makes sense. As a local, you have the luxury of scheduling last minute, as you can monitor the weather from home. There’s nothing like a drizzle on a chilly October night to set the stage for a Ghost Walk. Remember, when the weather isn’t ideal, this means popular tours of all sorts are more available because tourists head inside.
Photo from The St. James Facebook Page
The massive sports center is St. James, and it's in Springfield, VA, not Alexandria, but it's an easy trip. The facility offers an impressive list of activities, encompassing almost anything you can imagine playing or competing indoors: court games, fieldhouse sports, pool activities, squash, golf, and gymnastics. The choices are nearly endless under a roof that covers 30,000 square feet. The St. James is a traditional health club and offers memberships, but daily visits to explore and play are available.
These are just seven of the dozens of things to do when the weather is not on your side in Alexandria. As you learn the city even better, you’ll notice which attractions are worth the effort on any given day.
