Just northwest of Old Town, Del Ray is comprised of notable qualities like its small-town feel, made-for-strolling downtown scene, and being moments away from main attractions like the famous Birchmere music hall and the Braddock Road Metro station.

The Ray Way

Known as where Main Street still exists, Del Ray is an Alexandria neighborhood bounded by Route 1 to the east, East Braddock Road to the south, Russell Road runs along the western end, and W Glebe Road completes the area’s boundaries to the north. Bordering Del Ray to the east is Potomac Yard and finally the Potomac River where Daingerfield Island sits. Other noteworthy destinations within reach include the Washington Sailing Marina, Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, the Ronald Reagan National Airport, and Four Mile Run.

Not a Four Mile Stream

Four Mile Run is a 9-mile long stream which eventually empties out into the Potomac River immediately south of the National Airport. The name does not derive from its length but from an alleged misreading of an old map. In the early 19th century, the stream provided locals with flour ground from corn and wheat that was grown locally and shipped up the stream on flatboats. General George Washington owned property on the southwest side of the stream  which he surveyed in 1785. As part of this survey, Washington made a cut in the trunk of an oak tree to mark a corner of his property where a tributary entered.

Entering & Exiting Del Ray

A portion of this trunk remains preserved in Glencarlyn Library in nearby Arlington. The quickest way there is West Glebe Road which runs along the northern end of the community. Known as Route 120, W Glebe Road also links residents to I-395 which isn’t terribly far. Mount Vernon Avenue bisects Del Ray and driving southbound will lead you directly to the Braddock Road Metro station which services the Blue and Yellow Lines. Route 1 and the George Washington Memorial Parkway are other notable routes with the latter a direct shot to Reagan.

Single-Family Homes are Common

Although the community itself is well diverse and boasts townhouses and condominiums, single-family homes are more common and dominate the listings in Del Ray. These quirky designed homes come in a varied mix of Cape Cods, Colonials, bungalows, and some Victorians. The majority of your neighbors will consist of young families as the area is a hotspot for new home owners, mostly because of its close location to the Metro station. Regardless, if you’re interested in a contemporary suburban lifestyle with a bustling nightlife scene then Del Ray should be near the top of your list.

Old Town & Potomac Yard Center

Old Town isn’t terribly far and supplies plenty of eateries and bars worth traveling for like Restaurant Eve. A multicourse menu full of New American cuisine, Restaurant Eve also offers an elegant setting with banquette seating. Columbia Firehouse is next door and is a remade firehouse serving American eats as well as old-fashioned drinks with an exposed-brick atrium and patio. Virtue Feed & Grain is seaside and is set in a revamped 18th-century granary with elevated pub grub and a lively bar scene.  

However, if you want to stay local then Mt. Vernon Avenue is the perfect spot to stay out as it offers plenty of bars and restaurants like Los Tios Grill. A Mexican staple, Los Tios Grill—or The Uncles Grill—also features Tex-Mex favorites as well as Salvadorian dishes and margaritas served in a colorful space with sidewalk seating. Down the street is Pork Barrel BBQ, a national barbeque champ famed for its oak and hickory-smoked specials. Del Ray Pizzeria and Evening Star Cafe are also notable spots while the Potomac Yard Center is a nearby shopping mall in its namesake town. This one-stop shopping and recreation complex comes with several big-box retail stores, restaurants, and a movie theater. The site is just northwest of Daingerfield Island.

Neighborhood Parks & the Birchmere

Daingerfield Island is located in nearby Potomac Yard and houses the Washington Sailing Marina—a wonderful marina offering sailing lessons, youth sailing day camp, and adult sailing. This spot not only offers breathtaking views of the river and a fabulous experience, but you can also enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking, as well as being able to rent a bike and cycle the Mount Vernon Bike Trail.

Eugene Simpson Stadium Park is the largest green space in Del Ray and is a sizable public park offering fields and courts for numerous athletic sport teams, as well as a playground and a dog park. On the opposite end of the community is Four Mile Run Park. This public area offers great fishing experiences along the stream, athletic fields, a basketball court, a playground and a popular walking trail. Landover Park and Goat Hill Park are other notable parks in Del Ray.

The Birchmere is a famous concert hall separating the neighborhood and the Four Mile Run Park. First opening in 1966, the main stage is mostly known for presenting performers in the bluegrass, country, folk, and jazz genres. Dinner service is also included with the venue able to host over 500 people. The bandstand includes a dance area while the Birchmere is also well-known for its barnlike space and unusual ambiance.

Mount Vernon Avenue is the hotspot road in Del Ray, while the community is very close to Old Town, Potomac Yard and Crystal City. Public transportation is provided by the Braddock Road Metro station with the area also well-known for its young residents and diverse housing units.