Carlyle House
Carlyle House
4.5
12:00 - 16:00
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 16:00
Thursday
10:00 - 16:00
Friday
10:00 - 16:00
Saturday
10:00 - 16:00
Sunday
12:00 - 16:00
About
A Georgian mansion built in 1753 by merchant and City founder John Carlyle. Five governors and General Braddock met here to discuss funding the French and Indian War. This historic meeting influenced the call for American independence in the 1770s, and sparked the concept of taxation without representation. Daily tours, youth programs, special events, exhibits, and lectures offer visitors a chance to experience eighteenth century life. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sunday: Noon-4 p.m. (tours on the hour, last tour at 4 p.m.). Call ahead to schedule a tour!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Neighbourhood: Old Town
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4.5
327 reviews
Excellent
211
Very good
80
Average
32
Poor
1
Terrible
3
letsgo
Jersey City, NJ562 contributions
Jul 2023
Our tour guide Gary was great. We had to take a break due to our infant and Gary was very cooperative. The house has a lot of history and a must-see for anyone visiting Alexandria. The tour is about 45 minutes and you’re encouraged to ask questions.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My sincerest appreciation to you for taking the time to write such a kind letter. I am most pleased to see that you chose to spend some of your day visiting my home. I was happy to read that Gary provided you with such a great tour! Please stop by again when next you are in our fair town.
Best Regards,
J. Carlyle, Esq.
Written 10 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MissLoraLane
Washington, PA300 contributions
Jun 2023
This was a great historical house attraction to visit while in the old town section of Alexandria. It is within the same block as the Alexandria Visitor Center. Easy to park - right across the street from the Carlisle House - in an underground parking facility. The tour starts with a short video in the basement of the house where the entrance is and gift shop. A docent reviews historical information about the house, then takes you on a tour through most of the rooms. Small entrance fee. Note there are steps involved in the tour. You can take non-flash photos. The history of how the house came to be in George Washington's time and to present date is quite interesting. Would go visit it again when in town!
Written 16 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Good Traveler,
I read your letter of 16 June and was most pleased to see that your visit met with your highest approbations. I almost wondered if you had been present during the construction of my home with the expert descriptive thoroughness you exuded in telling of my abode! In a time where more effort is taken to tell of the negativity of things in life, reading of your positive review of my house and gardens has given me the utmost perpetual felicity. If you happen to recall the name of your guide, please feel free to share it with me so that I may recognize the docent accordingly.
Thank you again for your wonderful review of my home.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
J. Carlyle, Esq.
Written 10 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carol P
Denville, NJ16 contributions
Aug 2022
Our docent Pat was very knowledgeable about the Caryle family and the history of the property. We viewed the 2 floors of this historic home going from room to room learning about the decor and furniture of this wealthy merchant getting a glimpse of life back then. Right by Market Square.
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Friend,
I thank you for all the gracious favors mentioned in your letter. Pat is always in great spirit when she volunteers in my home. I am glad that you enjoyed my modest furnishings as I feel that it was money well spent to put my best foot forward. Please stop by home whenever you have the opportunity to be in Alexandria again.
Yours,
J. Carlyle
Written 5 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emily M
United States1,328 contributions
Feb 2022
We really enjoyed the tour. We were the only ones on our particular tour, and were able to ask a lot of questions. Tour guide was great. Definitely recommend the tour. But if time doesn't allow, the grounds and garden area are accessible without the tour and worth a stop.
Written 22 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Huzzah! I received your very agreeable letter speaking well of my home and tour which gave me great pleasure. I thank you unreservedly for the kind words about your visit.
Best regards to you and yours.
Your humble servant,
John Carlyle, Esq.
Written 30 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kate Illinois1
Illinois4,722 contributions
May 2022
The house completed in 1753 by John Carlyle, a wealthy Scottish merchant, who married into the Fairfax family. Enter on left side of the house to the gift shop and museum to purchase tickets for guided tour ($7.00). Restrooms off of the gift shop. You will start your journey by watching a short film. The film provides information about John Carlyle and takes you through the history of the house over the years. We are always grateful for that kind of background information before touring. Our tour guide then walked us through the house while providing more history and stories in each room. A job well done and affordable!
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Your kind favor of May 21st was handed to me just now and I wish to extend my gratitude for taking the time to comment on my home. I take great pride in the individuals who maintain and volunteer in and around my house and I am always pleased when visitors such as yourself mention them. I have heard that the admission is quite a well-spent investment with which to visit my home in Alexandria.
Thank you again for your commentary.
Best Regards,
J. Carlyle
Written 30 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tina S
South Fallsburg, NY300 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Wandered into the side of the house and was greeted very nicely. We watched a short film and afterwards Laura took us on a tour of the house. She keep us interested the whole way through. She told us about the owners of the house and how the house came to be. She told us all the history of the house. It was so interesting. Ticket was $7.00 and there were about 10 of us but she kept us all interested. Would do this tour again. What a great place to learn about the Carlyle family and some of the history of Alexandria VA.
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Friend,
Thank you most unreservedly for the kind words you penned on the 13th May of this year. While I had my home built of the finest Aquia sandstone, I wish that all of my neighbors had the same financial resources to construct an equally sound house such as mine. I also greatly appreciate your compliments of Laura. I take great pride in the passion each of docents has for the history of my house as well as the town of Alexandria.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
John Carlyle, Esq.
Written 16 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Abby
Waldorf, MD13 contributions
Jan 2022
We happened across the Carlyle House on a cold January day and had such a warm greeting walking into the gift shop meeting Jessica who started off our tour with a quick informative video summarizing the house and the original owner, John Carlyle. Laura guided the rest of the tour throughout the house and she had so much interesting and surprising historical knowledge to share with us. We all found ourselves enjoying this tour better than Mt. Vernon because of the more intimate nature of the tour and the relaxed style of tour since it was just me, my husband, and our friend. We would go back in a heart beat with more family and friends who visit the area! This is a great Old Town Alexandria activity to do for everyone in the family!
Written 9 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good Friend,
It gave me high satisfaction when I read your letter dated the 9th of January. I wish to thank you for the kind prose given of your time in my home with Jessica and Laura. I was pleased to read that you chose to stop by the house to escape the cold weather and spend some time with us. When next you are in Alexandria, please do stop in again. Tours with each docent are certainly unique in that they all have personal favorite areas and topics of my home and surrounding area that they are eager to share with special guests such as yourself.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
J. Carlyle, Esq.
Written 12 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vickie K
Columbia, PA121 contributions
Dec 2021
Beautiful 1752 mansion with lots of history. Excellent 45 minute tour for $5.00! It is not Mt. Vernon but don't miss this lovely historic house.
Written 27 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madam, your kind words are succinct and I truly thank you for your visit to my abode. Please return again in the near future, especially on April 9, 2022, when we "celebrate" Braddock Day at Carlyle House. Perhaps the General will not leave my home in such disarray this time.
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/carlyle-house-historic-park/events/the-%E2%80%9Cgrandest-congress%E2%80%9D-the-french-and-indian-war-in
Your most humble and obedient servant,
John Carlyle
Written 12 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Oct 2021
Architecturally, the Carlyle House is the only stone 18th century Palladian Revival style residence in Alexandria, Virginia. Located at 121 North Fairfax Street in the city's historic Old Town neighborhood, between Cameron and King Streets, between the Potomac River and Alexandria's market square, it was built by wealthy Scottish merchant John Carlyle in 1751-1753. In fact, Carlyle moved into the house on August 1, 1753, the day his wife gave birth to their first son. It was constructed with space for entertaining and private family and servant use. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a Virginia Landmark in 1969. It was the focal point for several important events. It served as Major General Edward Braddock's headquarters during the French and Indian War. The Congress of Alexandria convened in the dining room. It was a hospital for Union soldiers after the Battle of Bull Run in the Civil War. On January 23, 1976, the mansion and its gardens were opened to the public as an 18th century museum with about a dozen pieces of original fixtures and furniture believed to have been in the house during the Carlyle family's occupancy on display.
Written 8 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fie! Truer words could not replace those which you have written. I was pleased to have been able to situate my home further from the street, despite its not being in accordance with the town rules. A better town I could not have found to raise my family and operate my businesses!
Thank you for your review of my home and gardens!
Best Regards,
John Carlyle, Esq.
Written 12 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Esther S
Georgetown, Guyana535 contributions
Aug 2021
I could not enter the building. I am not sure if it was because I was there late or if it is closed. The building looks well kept as do the lawns. I was able to look around the front lawns where there is a cannon and some plaques with information. I was not able to see the garden because of a yoga class.
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I certainly hope that your travels bring you back to my humble abode in the near future. My staff would eagerly take you on a guided tour through my home most any day save Wednesdays until 4 in the afternoon.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
John Carlyle
Written 20 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
garnott
41 contributions
Are you open during Covid?
JohnCarlyle1720
Alexandria, VA10 contributions
Good Day. We apologize for the delay in response. We are, in fact, open for tours. We ae open every day except Wednesdays, with tours at the top of the hour. Please call ahead to schedule a tour, if you have not already stopped in for a visit.
Best regards,
J. Carlyle
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Frequently Asked Questions about Carlyle House
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