Torpedo Factory Art Center

Top choice in Alexandria


The former munitions factory today houses studios in which 165 artists and craftspeople sell their creations directly to the customer. There are also seven galleries. It is a distinctive setup, and there’s a good chance you’ll head home with a reasonably priced, one-of-a-kind painting, textile or piece of jewelry.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Alexandria attractions

1. Torpedo Factory Art Center

What do you do with a former munitions dump and arms factory? How about turning it into one of the best art spaces in the region? Three floors of artist…

2. Alexandria Archaeology Museum

0.01 MILES

Alexandria is known for its landmark archaeological protection code – one of the first in the US – which encourages local archaeologists and developers to…

3. Carlyle House

0.14 MILES

If you have time for just one historic house tour in Alexandria, make it this one. The house dates from 1753 when merchant and city founder, John Carlyle,…

4. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

0.19 MILES

In 1792 Edward Stabler opened up his apothecary (pharmacy) – a family business that would operate until 1933, when the Depression forced its doors to…

5. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

0.22 MILES

Once a real tavern (operated by John Gadsby from 1796 to 1808), this building now houses a museum demonstrating the prominent role of the tavern in…

6. Christ Church

0.43 MILES

Built in 1773, this brown-brick Georgian-style church has welcomed worshipers from George Washington to Robert E Lee. The cemetery contains the mass grave…

7. Lyceum: Alexandria's History Museum

0.45 MILES

For a quick primer on Alexandria’s history, stop by this small city museum in a beautiful Greek Revival building dating from 1839. A somewhat dusty array…

8. Lee-Fendall House

0.47 MILES

Between 1785 and 1903, generations of the famous Lee family lived in this architecturally impressive house. Guided tours (on the hour) show the restored…