Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Gadsby's Tavern Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Learn about early America at Alexandria’s five-star hotel of the 18th century! Gadsby’s Tavern Museum consists of the c. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel. John Gadsby propelled the buildings to fame, managing operations with his enslaved staff. It was the center of political, business, and social life in Alexandria and hosted the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
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Neighbourhood: Old Town
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
267 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
99
Average
20
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Sonja H
Oklahoma City, OK10 contributions
Oct 2022
We got there about 45 minutes before closing so we took the self guided tour after speaking with the delightful docents in the shop. They were so informative and told us what not to miss. Then when we came back down, they answered all of our questions, and we had lots of questions! Very knowledgeable staff and educational-hands on museum. Kids and adults will love playing the games and getting to touch items that is a no-no in other museums. Small, but well worth the stop!
Written 20 October 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.
Dave C
Alexandria, VA1,589 contributions
Jul 2022
This is a very interesting museum in a rare colonial survivor that several founding fathers ate and stayed at. Very neat space to sort of recreate the time in your head. Nice displays, cool stories. It was free for my wife and I because we are residents, but it would be worth a moderate musem charge. Fantastic location, of course, central to much in Old Town.
Written 3 July 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.
swearengen
Colonia, NJ854 contributions
May 2022
Great tour. The guide made it very interesting, explaining the history, the people, and how the tavern was used back in the day. Fun tour. Recommended.
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.
Kate Illinois1
Illinois4,722 contributions
May 2022
We should have done the self guided tour and saved money and time. Everything the guide said was written all through the building, but she left out many items. We went back and read all the placards. That is when we discovered George and Martha Washington attended the 1798 & 1799 Washington Birthnight Ball. Only thing she told us it was where Thomas Jefferson inaugural banquet took place and the room hosted the annual Washington Birthday celebration.
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.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Oct 2021
Gadsby's Tavern Museum in Alexandria, Virginia, consists of two buildings, a 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel. In those seven years, the young Republic began to take shape through the conversations and choices being made in these tavern spaces. Named for Englishman John Gadsby, who operated the tavern and hotel from 1796 to 1808, the businesses were central to Alexandria's port-based economy, offering spaces to dine, entertain and spend the night. Notable patrons included George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette. Located at 134 North Royal Street, the museum tells the story of all people who interacted within these spaces as they negotiated daily life in the early United States. Guests can walk through the buildings at their own pace and immerse themselves in the stories of the tavern or enjoy the interaction of a guided tour that delves into the complexity of the times. Outside the museum see the historic Ice Well, which provided the tavern with a ready supply of ice to cool beverages or help to make the new dessert of the day, ice cream. The collections are wide and varied, from ceramics to furniture, each object telling the story of the evolution of hospitality in the 18th and 19th centuries. Showcasing the 20th century, the photographic collection documents the journey from run-down buildings to world-class museum. Marvel at John Gadsby's silver, which consists of cutlery, serving platters, chafing dishes and wine chillers.
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.
Leslie30542
Flowery Branch, GA26 contributions
Oct 2021
We popped in maybe 30 min before closing? Hostess was very gracious and our food was delightful. I enjoyed looking at the paintings and am so glad so much if not all the building and interior is orgininal
Written 3 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.
Group_Hotel_Pro
Alpharetta, GA71 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a very intimate museum, and is priced affordably. My favorite part was the focus on which sorts of food and drinks were commonly served and consumed by travelers in the late 18th century Revolution era. If you are visiting Alexandria, you will walk right past this place, I guarantee it. So stop in and take a look.
Written 3 July 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.
JMKrebs
Dover, PA130 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Very interesting to see the history of this place. Not a bad little tour for $5. Parking garage right next door!!
Written 14 May 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.
byteforbyte
Accokeek, MD123 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Gadsby’s offers self tours and staffed tours depending on what you like. During the summer on Sundays they have Jr Docents who take you through the tavern. I have been through the tavern many times for different events.
Written 29 January 2020
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.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York2,687 contributions
Jan 2020
This museum tells the story of this historic tavern over three floors of exhibits. See a recreation of the grand ballroom which played host to George Washington. Definitely worth a visit of you are in Old Town Alexandria.
Written 16 January 2020
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.
Frugalmama57
Warren, IN1,055 contributions
How much does the museum cost?
Liz W
Alexandria, VA
Adults: $5.00
Children (ages 5 -12): $3.00
Children under 5 are free with a paying adult.
Discounts are available to AAA Members and to visitors who have dined at Gadsby's Tavern Restaurant.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Gadsby's Tavern Museum
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Gadsby's Tavern Museum:
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