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Alexandria like the rest of Northern Virginia, as well as southern Maryland, is shaped by its proximity to the nation's capital. Alexandria is largely populated by professionals working for the federal civil service, the U.S. military or for one of the many private companies that contract out services to the government. The latter are known locally as beltway bandits, after the Capital Beltway, a ring road that circles Washington. Alexandria's largest employer by far is the U.S. Department of Defense since The Pentagon is located in neighboring Arlington County. Two other large employers and the Institute for Defense Analysis and the Center for Naval Analysis.

Alexandria is home to numerous associations, charities, and non-profit organizations including the national headquarters of groups such as the United Way and the American Red Cross.

The historic center of Alexandria, known as Old Town, is a major draw for tourists and those seeking nightlife without crossing the Potomac River.  Like Old Town, most Alexandria neighborhoods are wealthy, high-status suburbs. In 2002, an assessed-value study of homes and condominiums found that about 40 percent were in the highest bracket, worth over a quarter of a million dollars.

Alexandria is served by Ronald Reagan/Washington National Airport, three miles to the north in Arlington County, VA, Washington Dulles in Chantilly, VA and the Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Baltimore; the railroad station is served by Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express.

Alexandria landmarks include the George Washington National Masonic Memorial, also known as the Masonic Temple; Gadsby's Tavern; Old Town; Christ Church; the Lyceum; Market Square; and the Virginia Theological Seminary.

Alexandria's public high school, T. C. Williams, and its legendary former football coach, Herman Mad Dog Boone, were featured in the 2000 motion picture,  "Remember the Titans" staring Denzel Washington. 

George Washington's home named Mount Vernon is eight miles to the south along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Alexandria has more than 250 years of history and hospitality to its credit, Alexandria offers an array of historic and cultural attractions. Alexandria's many historic homes, churches, businesses and museums allow residents and visitors alike to experience the hand of the past that makes our city the charming and historic town it is today.

Many of the Alexandria's premier historic sites are owned and operated by the City of Alexandria and fall under the administration of the Office of Historic Alexandria, the department of City government charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past. These sites include The Alexandria Black History Resource Center, Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Fort Ward Museum and Historic Park, Friendship Firehouse, Gadsby's Tavern, and The Lyceum - Alexandria's History Musum. bring Alexandria's varied and storied history to life. Additionally, Alexandria has many more historic sites which are open to the public and tell a significant part of the city's historical tale.