Old Town Farmers' Market

Large farmers market in the heart of old town Alexandria on Saturday mornings. Gorgeous fall day with an amazing array of apples, flowers, cheese, bread, pastries,veggies and more. Worth the visit for sure.

Situated at 301 King Street, right in front of City Hall, the Old Town Alexandria Farmers' Market is a historic gem and a Saturday morning staple for those who live nearby. Open every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to Noon, rain, shine, or snow, this is not just a farmers market; this is THE farmers market! Holding the title of the oldest farmers' market in the country held continuously at the same site, it offers a unique blend of history and community spirit. You can stroll through the same market that George Washington sold his produce from Mount Vernon and immerse yourself in a tradition that dates back centuries. From the moment you arrive, the market's lively atmosphere draws you in. With over 70 vendors during peak season, there's a dazzling array of offerings including fresh fruits and vegetables, hot prepared foods, cheeses, specialty sauces, freshly baked breads, pastries and much more. Some of my favorite and regular places that I visit at the market are Coulter farms (which provides high-quality dairy goods, beef, granolas and more from an Amish farm), Baked by Yael (which offers delectable bagels and treats that are perfect for a quick snack as you browse) and Hog Haven Farm which is a crowd favorite (their breakfast sandwiches are so good, there's often a line, but it moves quickly and is worth every minute of the wait). Also I can't forget about MB Bakery On The Go, located along the back side of the fountain, it has a lot of real estate showcasing their variety of baked goods and famous homemade pop-tarts. Chocotenango Chocolate is also great (chocolates handcrafted from bean to bar). Bigg Riggs Gourmet Farm brings some of the freshest fruits and vegetables, and Farm Kettle Corn is perfect for a sweet and / or savory, crunchy treat. If you're looking for something for the home head to Lily Shoppe which sells natural soap bars that are aromatic and sweet, you can browse them while snacking on an Maracas Ice Pop (all-natural fruit popsicles) from the corner. They are a refreshing and delicious way to help keep you cool on these hot DMV Saturdays. There are too many great places to list here but it's a overall a great opportunity to support local businesses all at once! Live musical performances also add to the festive ambiance, making the market experience even more enjoyable (these performances seem to rotate every week). With many public bike racks close to Market Square, it’s bike-friendly too—just remember to bring your own lock as bikes (as well as pets) aren't permitted on Market Square during market hours. The Old Town Alexandria Farmers' Market is more than a place to shop; it’s a place to connect with locals and local businesses, experience history, and enjoy the best local produce and artisanal goods the area has to offer. It’s an essential Saturday destination that promises a delightful experience for everyone. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this market is a must-visit if you are nearby!

This farmers' market is located in Old Town, Alexandria. It offers several fresh items, including vegetables, fruits, flowers, cheeses, honey, and baked goods. Walking from one stall to another can be an enjoyable experience as you can explore what each vendor offers and people at the market are friendly. The prices at the market may not necessarily be lower than those at a supermarket, but you support your local community by purchasing from them.

We love this market. We plan visits to Alexandria and leave Philadelphia at 6am to ensure we're at the market before 9am. Our number one highlight is the Hog Haven Farm stand for their out of this world Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich. A Sage Sausage patti, fried egg & cheese on a Toasted homemade English Muffin topped with a savory slightly secret sauce. It may change your life. It will ruin your any garbage breakfast Sandwich from most other spots. You'll likely go back again. The foil wrapped deliciousness are cooked while you watch and served hot & fresh. There will be a line. They move it efficiently.

Jammed packed with great vendors. It’s a short walk around the square. You can easily create a favorite list of vendors. Delicious fruit, baked goods, great dairy products. I have much to explore. 🤙

This is the best Farmer’s Market I have been to in my entire life and I have been to many of them across the US. I definitely suggest coming during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. All my photos below were taken on Small Business Saturday the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Coulter Farms—an Amish dairy farm in Pennsylvania—has the best jack cheeses!

Fun Farmers Market with a large variety of produce and items I haven't always seen at a Market, including fresh pasta and seafood.

Amazing place with fresh items! Every Saturday morning you can expect a large crowd of people at this amazing Farmers Market. Delicious food amazing items to buy to decorate your home with and fun people who are willing to greet you and introduce you to what they have for sale. And everything is provided locally so you're supporting your community!

This is the perfect size for a Farmers Market. It was not crowded at all and easy to navigate. When I was there mid September there were a few produce stands, meat, household goods, candles, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, flowers, art, crafts and much more. The vibe here is screams farmers market. They nailed it. People walking around with their cute baskets, coffees in hand, samples through out and so much more. Everyone there whether customers or business owners were courteous, kind and respectful. This can be walking distance. But, I did take an uber. HEHE. This farmers market does have a low amount of seating.

Great ambiance and lots of offerings. I would call this a medium sized farmer's market. Lots of fun things and wish I had known I could get breakfast there because it all looks amazing

Knowing that Old Town Farmer's Market and most other farm markets in the area close at 12pm, I gotta start going earlier! There's a large variety here at this market, and it's awesome that it's all within an open-air square. I mainly came here to compost my foods and to check out the organ meats. Unfortunately I was too late and the Coulter Farms ran out of organ meats, but I got to sample their moo mocha milk and it was phenomenal. I picked up a half gallon of their milk, got fresh produce from Montoya Farms, and was lured by the gluten free baker Say Vrai. We decided on a soft pretzel (favorite cafeteria snack food as a kid) and my partner got an everything bagel. Everyone was super nice which makes me definitely want to come back. My only wish was that this market was dog friendly. It would be lovely strolling and looking for fresh produce and meats with our four legged friends - THAT would make this market a five star.

I love to give excellent reviews but I just can't do it here. Why?? The "NO Dogs Allowed" rule. I mean, who doesn't bring their four legged family member to an outdoor market on a Saturday morning? Produce and flowers looked beautiful from afar but seeing that I had my pooch in tow, that's the closest I got. I would have loved to partake and support these local businesses. I don't plan to return but hopefully I can come across these vendors at another market in Alexandria.

Not your typical farmer's market but what I want from a farmer's market. Local veggies, flowers, and a few items to eat there. George Washington sold his stuff here if the history lesson was true. Free shuttle from train station. So convenient and close to everything. I was truly impressed and had the pork sausage sandwich at one place that had a line that kept moving the entire time we were there. Delicious. And got flowers there at one stop as well. Just a great way to start our walk around Old Alexandria.

This is an awesome market with plenty of variety from produce to baked goods to meats to pet products to paintings. For produce, I got one poblano pepper and two heirloom tomatoes. The strange part was that the heirloom tomatoes and this one stand were only 50 cents more than the regular tomatoes. At $3.99/pound, it seemed like a good deal. I also snagged a cinnamon morning muffin, basically a cinnamon sugar donut in the shape of a muffin. Had to get one pastry! Street parking isn't the easiest, but usually there are some open spots as you get closer towards the water

We are from out of town, but whenever we visit Old Town Alexandria, we always make it a point to hit up the farmers market. It attracts a large number of people, and there's a great variety of fresh produce, pastries, flowers, and crafts. Easily accessible.

Guess the market doesn't run every Saturday? No farmer's market this bright and sunny Saturday. It seems like an ideal day and weather for an outside market today. Sunny and mid 60s It's still bustling with people walking by and sitting in the sun by the fountain here in the middle of market square.

I love a good farmers market. I love when a good farmers market is open even in the colder months and this one has easily become my go to location on a Saturday morning!! Whatever you may be looking for to get you through the week, you are sure to find it here from fresh flowers, bread and pastries, lots of fresh veggies and even eggs and some meats from time to time you could literally go grocery shopping here for the staple ingredients. You can even get fresh herbs, chocolate and teas alike. There is always a plethora of vendors and the set up is perfect so you can walk around in a circle and easily see each vendor as you pass by. I have yet to come and not get hungry so I am always switching between the hot food vendors who are making everything from breakfast, wraps, soups and bureks. If you are in the area or even if you are not, this is one farmers market worth checking out!

Finally a Farmer's Market that's worth going to! One of the oldest in the country this market offers 70 plus vendors serving fruits and vegetables, fresh pasta, meat, various cheese and bread, flowers, plants, and so much more. When visiting an must stop is the "Hog Haven Farm" tent to treat yourself to a wonderful egg / sausage breakfast sandwich. The line may be long but it's worth the wait. One of the best I've tasted.

We love Old Town Farmers Market! One of the best in the area. There are plenty of pop up tent shops and food options. Parking is free and easy. Our favorite little breakfast spot is the Hog Haven Farms stand with the breakfast sandwiches. I highly recommend one of the sausage breakfast sandwiches with onions!

Old Town Farmers Market is big compared to the smaller markets of the city. It's in the space in front of the city hall. Vendors from across the region gather on weekends to sell produce from honey to herbs to vegetables. There are even stalls selling cheese! It's perfect for kids because there's a little stage for them to play on near the city hall entrance. Parents can grab coffee from a nearby coffee stall. If your kid needs the restroom, there's one in the city hall (AC included).

This was one of the best farmers markets I've ever been to. The produce stand with the two red awnings has a gorgeous display of produce. I was amazed that their salad greens had not wilted in the 95 degree heat, and we got there just before the market closed for the day. Everything still looked so fresh, and whoever arranges their displays has an artist's eye. There were many other fine looking vendors, and if I lived nearby, I would be going there every week. Since we were staying in a hotel room, and I couldn't take advantage of the beautiful produce, I bought a cheese danish at a bakery stand to enjoy at breakfast the next morning. My husband and I have been craving one recently, and it did not disappoint. It was the best cheese danish I've had in a very long time. This farmers market has been in existence since 1752. If you are in the area, it is definitely worth a visit.

Would give five stars on food selection alone. Unfortunately, I was harassed by someone who identified as a committee/board member. I reported it over six weeks ago to market management, and have had no reasonable response. Some portions edited for space, please contact me if you'd like to see the full exchange. 6/6/20, I wrote and reported to management: "...I went to the market and carried my small dog as I always have done. The vendors have told patrons carrying a small dog is fine despite the rule that dogs aren't allowed. ...two of three people standing at the entrance spoke up and said dogs weren't allowed, and we mentioned that we've always carried him. They said the No Dogs rule is being enforced now. We politely agreed and my boyfriend took the dog out and waited. ...sometimes people have legitimate reasons for things and aren't necessarily taking advantage. But I... am not seeking any sort of exception. When I returned to enter, I turned to the men in the orange vests and politely asked, "Can you please help me understand why carrying the dog is no longer allowed?" And although I was clearly speaking to the men, the woman interrupted and yelled, (I'm not kidding, she yelled) - "I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BECAUSE I AM ON THE COMMITTEE BOARD. IT IS AN ADA RULE THAT ONLY SERVICE DOGS ARE ALLOWED BECAUSE THE FDA DOES NOT ALLOW DOGS ***ANYWHERE*** (she yelled louder there) AROUND FOOD. AND THERE IS ***NO SUCH THING*** AS AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL..." I interrupted her there and reminded her, "I never said he was an emotional support animal! I just wanted to understand why it's different now." One of the men in an orange vest intervened and calmly explained, "They're being stricter on everything now because we're under new management." That was the answer to my question. So I thanked the man for answering me, and I certainly had no argument with the rules being enforced. I also need to mention when she was yelling at me, she leaned toward me and was gesturing and shaking her hands at me. She was causing a scene and it was humiliating. When I walked away, she yelled, "I AM SORRY I DIDN'T GIVE YOU THE ANSWER YOU WANTED." I ignored her and shopped, but was horrified that someone would speak to someone else like that, especially in front of others. I... am not entitled to avoid mask wearing, nor to bring my dog somewhere against the rules. I was only asking for understanding... While I am not in need of one, and while my dog is not one, nor did I claim him to be, this woman must be encouraged to understand that Emotional Support Dogs are real and recommended to people with mental health issues, often our veterans. I understand that the ADA does not obligate you to allow Emotional Support Animals, and that's not even my argument. But you really shouldn't insult veterans and others who do depend on their support animals by invalidating it. Just because Support and Service animals are different and are covered differently under the ADA, that doesn't mean "there's no such thing." ...I am too afraid to return to the market at the risk that this woman could humiliate me by yelling again... ...offer her the opportunity to read this message so that she will understand that in this time of great uncertainty and change, people will have questions. People are confused and afraid to be in public. Guarding a gate in an almost violent manner is not any way to welcome customers positively and help them feel safe. Unfortunately, it's your vendors who will suffer most if she continues to scare people away." They responded: "Thank you for contacting us, and we apologize for this experience. We would appreciate your giving us an opportunity to look into this and see who the person was before you post publicly." A week passed and I hoped to return. I asked for follow up. They responded: "We're very sorry for the experience you had, and we can understand how it made you feel. We've looked into your description, and we don't know who the woman was or what commission board she was referring to. She certainly was not an official representative of the Market or the City in general. If you encounter her again, please ask her name or ask one of the City employees (in the orange or yellow vests) to do so." I asked: "May I ask why you cannot ask the two city employees in the orange vests who were working the entrance that morning, (June 6 - 9:45 - 11:00), about the incident and whether they can identify her? She was standing with them, talking to many patrons, talking to the two male employees in orange vests, and addressed me while standing next to them." 6/15, last response: "We're trying to determine, but there were seven staffers wearing vests that day and they all work different schedules. It will take us a few days to see if they know who it was." I believe more than a month is sufficient to have talked to seven employees.

Cute little farmers market that only happens on Saturday's. Good foods and cute vendors. My favorite was the breakfast sandwiches. The line was long but definitely worth it.

I got to Old Town Farmers' Market by 7:15am to beat the heat and large crowd, but a lot of people had the same idea lol. At least it wasn't too hot yet. Soooo many wonderful things to browse through this morning. This is my favorite farmers' market in the area for sure.

Loved the vendors. Great vibe. Crowded but easily navigable. Parking was slightly tricky but it worked out well. I will definitely go again when I'm in town. Highly recommend.

One of the best Farmers Markets in the tri-state area and conveniently located in Old Town. From breakfast tacos, locally grown vegetables and craftsman to the fresh breads and numerous food stands, this place is a favorite. On days with beautiful weather, the square gets packed full of people.

This is one of my favorite old town places to be on the weekends. It's just a couple miles from Potomac yard west so you can definitely enjoy the market, try some new fruits and vegetables, view historic buildings and walk/drive on over to get your shopping done. If you stop by during the holiday time, make sure to take a picture next to the beautiful Christmas tree !

One of Alexandria's best traditions is "Old Town Farmers' Market", a historical fixture on Market Square since 1753-which makes it not just the oldest Farmers' Market in the D.C. region, but also one of the oldest continually operating markets in our country! President George Washington is said to have sent harvest from Mount Vernon to be sold at the Old Town Farmers' Market. The market features rows of vendors selling coffee, fresh produce, meat and poultry, dairy, and cut flowers, as well as bakers, pasta makers and spice merchants. There are also a smattering of artisans selling handmade soaps, lotions, paintings and unique jewelry. My favorites are the vegetable pickles vendor and ZuZu, the Middle Eastern food making shawarma, fatayer, baqlawa, falafel and ma'amool. I can't pass either without stopping.

This neighborhood staple has drawn crowds for years and years. I enjoy coming here on Saturday mornings to buy local fruits or vegetables. You can always find baked bread, pastries or Amish dairy products at a reasonable price. Handmade textiles are also on offer.

We love shopping here, we love live the atmosphere, we love the selections --- but, the merchants cheat on the weight, price, and change. So many times we got "honest mistakes" with the change. Some accept only cash for this exact reason. If you go there, be alert, and if the price is way high... question and count your change before you walk away.

This takes place on the plaza on King Street with the water fountain. It makes things a little packed, since they're squishing as many vendors as they can around said fountain. It's even more chaotic now with covid and having to follow one way paths. That being said, it's got so many awesome things to check out. If you buy something and can't wait til you get home to eat it, you can find benches outside of the market away from people to eat.

This is definitely my favorite farmers' market in the area and I've been coming here for years. It's also everyone else's favorite, so it gets quite crowded. It opens at 7 a.m., which is great, and that is the time to go. There's many produce vendors to choose from, so if one doesn't have an in-season item, another should. There's a juice vendor that I love, because a huge cup of green juice is $3. Most green juices run $7 or more, so I usually get two as a nice start to my morning. Also, you can find bread, cheese, pastries, coffee, etc. here, so I love the variety. Occasionally, you can find vendors selling jewelry and housewares, as well. Most stands are cash only, so make sure to go to the ATM before heading here. When I have the time, I definitely do my produce shopping here.

Great! Tons of fresh fruits, delicious breads, and etc... Food: Delicious! Many kinds!! Even kimuchi!!! And many samples. Price: $-$$ Parking: The one under the venue is free -12:30. Awesome! Location: At the heart of Old town;)

Good for produce and drinks, but not for ready-made food like the markets in DC and Mosaic District. This is a small market in the square, around the perimeter of the fountain. There are about 20 or so vendors - mostly selling veggies and some fruits. I bought fresh produce - carrots, peaches, kale, apples, cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, blueberries. The quality is good and about the same across vendors. There are a few vendors that sell fresh-squeezed juice that I would recommend - Senzu Relax juice and Fresh Joseph's orange juice. I also bought maple pecan granola from Ester's granola. As a tip, come early! Vendors start packing up at 11:45am, and by 12 they are all packed up! Street parking can be tricky, isn't too hard to find if you're patient.

Open year round, the Old Town Farmer's Market is a consistent choice during all seasons when you want to shop local. I've been here several times and notice the vendors are mostly the same on every visit. There is a wide variety of produce, baked goods, and "save for later" eats as I like to call them. I enjoy the Kiwi pie co. pies (chicken curry and spicy pork are bomb), the khachapuri and Pkhlovana from a Russian/Eastern European stand, and the Hungarian mushroom Soup from a mushroom stand. I also enjoy the cheeses and kefir from the Mennonite stand that is on your right when you first enter the market from King Street. Despite the bitter cold this past Saturday, all of the stands seemed to be up and running. Oh, and Hog Haven has their breakfast Sammies which are delicious too! Open from 7am-12pm, the hours are widespread enough that you can go and leave early or go and stay late. I'll continue to shop here as long as I live in the general area!

I was so happy to finally visit the Old Town Farmer's market in Alexandria. There is plenty of free parking during the farmer's market hours in the garage beneath the market. I was impressed with the amount of stands even in the winter. There is a great mix of local vendors including vegetables, dairy, bakeries, meat, mushrooms, microgreens and prepared food. This market also had some different vendors than others I have been to in the area. Everything I bought was excellent (especially the focaccia and smoked mozzarella). Can't wait to return soon.

I've been to this market several times, and I have to say that it is excellent. In fact, it is so popular with the locals that you will have to fight the crowds on most weekends. Two stands that are my absolute favorites the Dimitri Olive stand and the Coulter Farms cheese stand. The olive stand offers freshly pressed virgin olive that is quite delicious. On busy weekends this stand often sells out of olive oil that is just about as good as anything that I've had in Greece. And if you save your bottle, they also provide a discounted refill service. It is hard to choice between the myriad of flavors, but I am a bit partial to a garlic infused version. Yum! Their olive salads are also quite yummy and not to be missed. The cheese stand serves up a medley of scrumptious cheeses that are sure to please the most discerning cheese aficionado. I love their mild cheddar, but their muffaletta cheese conjures images of New Orleans. It is a yummy diversion that is perfect with some baguettes from the market's bread stand. This is superb market that will turn your weekend Old Town trip into a gastronomic delight.

This review is for the Old Town Farmers' Market in the town hall square of Old Town Alexandria, VA and is only open on Saturday mornings from about 7am-12noon. We've been here multiple times and usually go early in the morning to avoid the "tourist crush" of people clogging the walkways. No pets are allowed in the vendor areas, so, patrons choose to tie them off nearby on the public sidewalks. Overall, a very good selection of produce, walk-away edibles, baked goods, and some non-food product vendors. The prices are higher than other regional weekend markets; however, the number of vendors is large by comparison. Several vendors come from Pennsylvania and Maryland to hawk their goods. We have had poor experiences buying from seafood-type vendors at this location; and baked-goods vendors, which wildly overprice ($12 loaf of artisan bread and $6 muffins!!!) on some items. No reflection on the market itself being the venue. If you have a 'difficult-to-please-you-thrill-me' set of relatives or friends in town to make you a tour-guide; this is an option for about 1-hour of walk-eat-look and nearby business choices. Overall rating: (****) Yay! I'm a fan.

We have lived in Old Town for over 10 years now, and have seen the famers market continuing to improve. Now, there are more vendors selling made-to-order food items, a welcome relief for those hungry for a hot breakfast. Big fans of the breakfast sandwich at Hog Haven, the cinnablob by the bakery table near the fountain (can't remember name), and the mushroom vendor. Very pleased that this is closeby, and looking forward to new food discoveries.

I am a fan. This place can get a little crowded, so I know I am not the only fan out there, but it is so worth the visit. The produce is amazing, the vendors are all having a good time and enjoying interacting with their customers. Sample just about anything you like and find your favorites. This past weekend I picked up some goat's milk lotion from a vendor called Amalthea Ridge and I was an almost instant addict to their lotions. My friend gave their facial a go... But, that is what is so great about this Farmer's market! You can find so many cool things in addition to the phenomenal produce. Think olive oils and vinegars and flowers and cakes and oh my. The best part about the whole thing? You are steps away from a boozy brunch at any number of wonderful restaurants. Heck, make a day of it and take a nap in the grass down by the river. Yup. This Farmer's Market is about as good as it gets.

Solo good! Everything about it is excellent! From the selection of foods to the service!!!

Cool place, full history and culture everywhere you look everywhere you turn. There's live music in the background, no bugs, dog-friendly and minimal homeless. Everyone you interact with is pleasant, and genuinely just happy to be there.

I went to this market again this past weekend, and it was much better! Because more vendors were out, the atmosphere was more energized. I had the opportunity to talk to people from each booth and learned some interesting stories. After waxing poetic over a sample of Asian pear I tried, the farmer let me have the pear for free! I absolutely love the free parking, close proximity, and the fact that it's year round. The only thing that is keeping it down is the lack of variety. I love apples and peaches like everyone else, but I want my farmers market to have some interesting and unique things that I can't find other places. Where else am I going to get squash blossoms and daikon sprouts if you don't provide them to me? Alexandria needs to bring it so that it can compete with the DC markets.

The fruit, the veggies and all the other things are always perfect! I have never had a bad experience with any vendor... I've seriously never been disappointed with anything. Definitely visit Hogs Haven...

I used to live in Alexandria, not Old Town (actually the other end of King Street) and this Farmers' Market is worth the trip. The market is held year round in Old Town on Market Square every Saturday. You can find the typical farmers' market stuff like fruit, veggies, plants and flowers. There are usually baked goods being sold like pies, bread, cookies,eggs, muffins, scones and cakes. I also found some pretty handmade quilts, jewelry and dolls at this market. There are also some snacks for sale to munch on while you browse.

I think it's ok but I am comparing it to farmers markets that are massive in size, a bang for the buck and large amount of variety and well I am in a big city not a little farming town!! 2 totally different feels. It's located down in front of the hotel Monaco in Alexandria. They offered a bunch of variety and the produce was beautiful. I feel pricing was high but again I am in the city!! There is everything from produce to flowers to juices and dried vegetables. Happy hunting

My rating is more for the aesthetics of this market on the plaza in front of the Alexandria City Hall. We came as the stalls were being dismantled, but bought some wonderful peaches grown in Pennsylvania, and very good mango-peach and three berry tarts made from organic ingredients made by Taste of Eurasia in Alexandria. A flower vendor gave my companion a beautiful long stem white rose. And, we met and chatted with a woman selling wild Alaskan salmon from Bristol Bay; what a treat that conversation was because my companion commercially fished for Bristol Bay salmon, and the vendor's daughter now commercial fishes for the salmon sold at this farmers market.

There's not a terrible amount of farmer's markets in the area, so going to this one is not only convenient because I live close to it but it's also kind of fun. They've got enough to choose from, everything from breads, to cheeses. They've also got an Amish vendor which is donating that many farmers markets do not have. Unfortunately there are a couple of things about it that make it not always worth while to come here. One, it's rather expensive for it being a farmer's market, and two, the food often looks like the vendors merely bought some of their merchandise at say a Costco's and simply brought to the market to sell at higher prices to make a buck. It's certainly not a bad market but those two giving factors make it questionable. Still, there are a few other things that do make it worthwhile. The Amish vendor is great, offering some items that are otherwise hard to obtain. So that's a definite plus. And there is often a nice selection of flowers and herbs that you can grow yourself. But again, it does feel a lot more commercialised than it should for being what its supposed to be. Regardless, it's a nice experience anyway you look at it.

No dogs allowed, which is annoying but I guess I can understand why. The steps going up to the city square get really crowded with men standing around with dogs while their wives shop around in the market. It can be a funny sight. All sorts of things are sold here - fruit, vegetables, pastries, candles, small furniture, knitware, jewelry, juices, flowers. I would say my favorite reason to come here though is for bread. There is an incredible bread stand near the Fairfax/King corner of the market that has amazing croissants and fantastic rosemary foccacia flat bread - yum yum yum! Everything I have tried there is delicious. So the dog thing is annoying and sometimes there are some political hecklers here and crowds, but it is generally a pleasant place to walk around and I like the city hall backdrop. Please try the bread stand, I don't think you will be disappointed!

I'm not a morning person by any means but I'll get up early to visit this farmer's market. I visited the first time this summer and keep coming back. I was curious to see what the winter selection was like and while it was slim it was still delicious looking. We picked up some apples (they had about 6 different varieties), some fresh baked bread and pastries, and some hot chocolate (it was darn cold!). All in all happy I trekked out for it.

This market is so worth waking up early on a Saturday morning. The environment is immediately inviting, as you're walking up to the Market Square you're senses are intoxicated with live music, smells of cooking breakfast foods and flowers and tons to look at. One of the vendors informed me that this market is the longest running in the country with George Washington sending his produce to the market from his amount Vernon estate. There's a great selection of food and coffee to enjoy on site, plenty of the regular fruits, vegetables and bakery items and a more than usual selection of unique items. Highly suggest you visit this market at least once.

Decent produce. Very limited crafts vendors. Go right when they open if you want to have room to walk around. Otherwise, long lines and limited mobility.

If you don't live here, and you wander over to Market Square on a Saturday morning, this appears to be a great market. Lots of people milling around, buying coffee and pastries, and oddly made baby clothes. But the truth is, if you are looking for an actual farmer's market to get delicious fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, you should go elsewhere. This market isn't producer only. Who knows why not, but it means that in July those tomatoes the guy on the corner is trying to sell you probably came from California, and not down the street. There are about 2 vendors I would actually buy from here knowing that they actually grow the stuff and pick it fresh. That's not where I want to buy my weekly veggies. It's better, and often cheaper, to just go to Whole Foods or MoM's. I do love Number One Sons pickles and Big Rigg's always will tell you how recently they picked their veggies. But for a great selection, I'm heading to other markets in the area- Arlington or Falls Church have much better, locally grown and sold foods. If you want to pay more for less, ok. But Alexandria really needs to re-evaluate itself as a city and start moving to become a more sustainable, eco-friendly town in more ways than one.

So this will be my go to market on Saturdays. It was very nice. I did drive around looking for parking but then found out that there is free parking underneath the actual market. When I first started/ came in, I walked around a few times to check out what they had. I very nice variety of items. I like the fact that it just wasn't food there. There was a candle guy, and a lady with bags. It was pretty cool. i purchased some aspargus, a pepper, and green beans from one vendor. I also purchased some blueberries for my father. When I got home, I tried a few of his blueberries and I almost ate the whole container. They were so sweet and juicy. My goodness, I will be getting some for my son and I. It was a little chilly, but the weather was sunny and bright. Great produce. I will be back for more of the goodies that this market has to offer.

I've lived in Old Town for a long time, but have been to this market on less than a dozen occasions. That's mainly because Saturdays are for sleeping in, but when I do get up early enough I sometimes walk the few blocks over to check it out. While I love making it rain, I am not a morning person. Paying $5 for fresh eggs when they're not even organic is an Old Town move--one I am not willing to make, no matter how much of a baller I was being the night before. I will pay those kinds of prices for honey and flowers, though. Highlights: Honey. There are a couple of local farmers who sell honey--one even sells great beeswax hand cream for $7. Good stuff. Cupcakes. There is a cupcake woman there who doesn't have her own shop yet for you cc lovers (I'm one of them), but they're nothing to jump up and down about. Pies and pastries. One stand--it always runs parallel to the city hall building or whatever that is, facing it--has awesome pies, tarts, buns, etc. Worth the money. Inventive and delicious. Lowlights: Expensive, non organic offerings. Inconsistent participation from vendors. Expensive, watery, fresh-squeezed juice. Vera Bradley sighting overload. For the most part, I don't find anything phenomenal about this market. Not much is organic, even if it is local. However, farmer's markets rock, and this one is close to home. I might look down my nose at it from time to time, and I certainly don't take enough advantage of it; two things I'm sure to rue once I move to C.Heights/Mt. Pleasant in September (though I hear the market in Dupont is pretty onetime).

I avoided the Alexandria Farmer's Market for quite a while since it gets super crowded and ruins what I qualify as a very zen shopping experience. However, on one recent weekend, I had an itch to scratch, so I gave the market another shot. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised, and have been frequenting it more and more. Granted, the market is still very crowded, even when I arrive at 9am (I have always been a morning person, what can I say), but I manage to see past the throngs of people to the amazing produce that abounds. One advantage of the market being so large is that it can accommodate more vendors than a place like the Del Ray Farmer's Market, thus there is greater variety. My favorite vendor sports corn, tomatoes, and the usual suspects, but also items you might not otherwise see, such as yellow watermelon, poblanos and tomatillos (he is right at the end of the market on the corner of King and Fairfax). I don't usually frequent the bread man or florist stands, but it's nice to know I have the option. There is also a man with the most beautifully handmade rolling pins and cutting boards, and when I have $80 lying around, you better believe I will be purchasing a cutting board for my kitchen. The farmers here are especially nice; probably the nicest I have come across in the area. That and the fact that people can make change at the farmer's market make the experience all the more pleasant. Seriously, no one with a register can make change anymore, it's ridiculous. Just work up to the next quarter-it's so simple!! Granted, some of the vendors are a bit pricey, but it's worth it. The quality of the produce is truly unparalleled. That alone is worth the visit.

The market looked great from the outside. My friend and I were stopped for having dogs and had to turn around... we traveled from fairfax on a gloomy rainy day. This market will lose a lot of customers for suddenly not allowing dogs.