We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Carlyle House

121 N. Fairfax St, Alexandria, VA 22314
703/549-2997
Website
Update attraction details
Ranked #6 of 33 attractions in Alexandria
Type: Museums
Owner description: A Georgian Palladian manor house built in 1753 by merchant and city founder John Carlyle. Here, five royal governors and General Braddock met to... more » Owner description: A Georgian Palladian manor house built in 1753 by merchant and city founder John Carlyle. Here, five royal governors and General Braddock met to discuss funding of the French and Indian War. Daily tours, youth programs, special events, exhibits and lectures offer visitors a chance to experience eighteenth century life through the eyes of one man and his family as he made the journey from English citizen to American patriot. The story of Carlyle House parallels the early history of Alexandria, colonial Virginia, and America and is brought to life through costumed interpreters, guides and fun family programs. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. (tours on the hour and half hour, last tour at 4). « less
Write a Review

38 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    26
    7
    4
    0
    1
Date Rating
Alexandria, Virginia, United States
1 review
1 of 5 stars Reviewed May 12, 2013

I made reservations for their Mother's Day afternoon tea and they cancelled without notice. This was a very special Mother's Day for me considering I am getting married and moving to Wisconsin and will not be close to my mother anymore. The only explaination I was given was "I only work here once a month, I don't know what happened".... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Jackson, NJ
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 29, 2013

The Carlyle House is a lovely restored home dating back to Alexandria's early days. This house is worth seeing. Beautifully reconstructed, and well managed, this is a home worth visiting. The tour is long enough but not too long, the movie gives enough detail to enable one to appreciate the history of the home and the docents know enough to... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
New Zealand
Top Contributor
78 reviews 78 reviews
26 attraction reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 24, 2013

Took the guided tour. We were pressed for time but they accommodated us with a shortened tour. Did not see the video but they gave us a potted version of the family history. Excellent historian guide who brought it all alive. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by SGGNZ for Alexandria
Lake Grove, New York
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 18, 2013

My friend and I visited The Carlyle House last week and it was so lovely! Our guide, Shelley was very kind and knowledgeable. She took us through the home and shared so many interesting facts. This was truly the highlight of my visit to Alexandria! I can't wait to come back again someday with my entire family.

Was this review helpful? Yes
Palmetto, Florida
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 9, 2013

All people there that fateful day were wonderfully represented by locals in period costume and stayed in character the whole time. They interacted with the visitors, answered questions and shared what they were doing and who they were. The Generals were eating period food and happy to explain the dishes.,

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by Suzette B for Alexandria
Middlebury, Vermont
Top Contributor
55 reviews 55 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
80 helpful votes 80 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 4, 2013

We enjoyed seeing the Carlyle House. The visit started with a decent movie introducing the house and the family. We had a guide who was well-informed and able to answer most of our questions. (I was a bit disturbed about his calling the house slaves 'servants.' If you aren't free, and you aren't being paid, you're a slave, not a... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 4 more reviews by JMA07 for Alexandria
Northern Virginia
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 29, 2013 via mobile

I took my 5 year-old who has been to many historic sites and loves them. He can sit through a PBS documentary with no complaints but the tour guide here was dry and spoke in a low, soft voice. The house has interesting history but the guide didnt focus so much on that but rather on the period-when the house... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 7 more reviews by momopinion for Alexandria
winchester, va
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 12, 2013

This is a great stop in Alexandria - located in the center of the tourist area. There is a film and then a guided house tour. Adds context about the history of Alexandria - from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. Pretty patio and gardens.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by trarvelchica for Alexandria
Tacoma, WA
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 23, 2013

This is a great house that is in the downtown Alexandria area, but it's also an attraction that is often missed. Admission was only five dollars a person (or four with the coupon on their website), and the tour includes entrance to a small museum, a video, and your own personal tour the house. Our guide was not only informative... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Gold Coast
Senior Contributor
49 reviews 49 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 32 cities Reviews in 32 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 21, 2012

We wandered into the Carlyle house knowing nothing about its history, aside from the fact that it was old. We had our own guide for the tour, who was very knowledgeable and finished the tour knowing a great deal more about the history of Alexandria.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by Papa_Panda for Alexandria

Travelers who viewed Carlyle House also viewed

 

Been to Carlyle House? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Carlyle House, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing