Explore Historic Alexandria This July with Specialty Tours

Page updated on July 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Translate icon

Explore Historic Alexandria This July with Specialty Tours

Alexandria’s museums are bringing history to life this July with a series of imaginative and immersive Specialty Tours that go beyond traditional exhibits. Each tour offers a fun and informative way to experience the city’s rich and diverse past. Come curious. Leave inspired.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for Historic Alexandria members. Reserve your spot now at: https://shop.alexandriava.gov/Events.aspx. Advance purchase is strongly encouraged.

Whether you're a history buff, Hamilton fan, Harry Potter devotee, or intrigued by Civil War-era medicine, there’s a tour for you:

JULY HIGHLIGHTS

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

  • Outlandish Tour – July 20, 11 a.m.– noon
    Tour this historic apothecary and learn about herbal medicines featured in Outlander, from cascara to dauco seeds. Discover the role of women and apothecaries in 18th-century medicine. Recommended for ages 18 and up.
  • Science Behind Harry Potter – July 27, 1–5 p.m. 
    Celebrate Harry’s birthday! The Apothecary Museum is offering a special guided tour for families (and adults who missed their Hogwarts’ letter) that will explore the old Apothecary and the historic muggle medicines that inspired the Herbology and Potions of Harry’s wizarding world. At the end of the tour test your skills and make your own potion to try at home.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum

  • Hamilton’s BFF & Frenemies – July 26, 10–11 a.m.
    Inspired by the hit musical Hamilton, explore how Washington, Lafayette, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr crossed paths at this iconic tavern—and how their choices impacted local citizens.

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

  • Civil War Medicine – July 26, 10–11 a.m.
    Go beyond the battlefield to discover Alexandria’s critical role in wartime medicine. See rare artifacts and explore the practices and people behind the frontlines.

Don’t miss your chance to experience Alexandria’s history in a whole new way.

About the Office of Historic Alexandria 

The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the history of the City of Alexandria with eight museums, historic sites, archives, archaeology, tours, exhibits and public programs. Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serve as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960.