Is Captains Row safe?
Alexandria, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Captains Row as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Captains Row
“Go. Captains Row is one of the most picturesque, historically preserved, and remarkably safe residential blocks in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Visitors can stroll the historic cobblestones day or night with minimal concern beyond uneven footing.”
About the area
Captains Row comprises the iconic 100 block of Prince Street in Old Town Alexandria, celebrated for its 18th-century cobblestones and historic sea captains' rowhouses. Located just a block from the Potomac River waterfront, it combines rich maritime history with manicured residential elegance.
- Historic / Cobblestone
- Waterfront Adjacent
- Upscale Residential
- Safe & Scenic
Walking and biking in Captains Row
Walk score: 92/100 · Bike score: 81/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are located nearby at Prince & Union and King & Union, with direct access to the scenic multi-use Mount Vernon Trail running along the river.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are negligible and well below state and national averages
- Affluent neighborhood with median household incomes exceeding $160,000 and minimal poverty
- High residential property values and immaculate historic preservation create an exceptionally stable environment
- Constant, gentle foot traffic from tourists and local residents provides natural community surveillance
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins or package theft in the surrounding waterfront area
- Historic cobblestones and uneven brick sidewalks create tripping hazards, especially when wet
- Weekend tourist crowds can crowd the narrow block and surrounding sidewalks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal on this residential block, though occasional panhandling may occur around nearby commercial intersections on King Street or near waterfront park benches.
What Captains Row is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet as locals walk dogs and morning joggers head toward the riverfront trail.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Lively with sightseers, photographers, and couples admiring the historic architecture in broad daylight.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Charming and warmly lit with gas lanterns, feeling completely secure for a post-dinner stroll.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Calm and residential with occasional foot traffic from nearby waterfront dining, remaining safe throughout the night.
Transit, parking and getting around
The King Street-Old Town Metro station (Blue and Yellow lines) is about a 20-minute walk west, supplemented by the free King Street Trolley and DASH bus service connecting the waterfront directly to transit hubs.
Street parking on Captains Row and adjacent blocks is strictly permit-only or metered with tight 2-hour limits; paid public parking garages on Union and Fairfax Streets cost roughly $10 to $20 per day.
Things to do in Captains Row
- Stroll and photograph the historic 18th-century cobblestone streetscape and preserved Federal-style rowhouses
- Walk one block east to Waterfront Park to enjoy scenic views of the Potomac River
- Explore the nearby Torpedo Factory Art Center and historic Old Town Alexandria boutique shops
Local favorites
- The Wharf · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (1650)Long-standing seafood destination serving fresh catches in a historic 18th-century merchant building.
- Virtue Feed & Grain · American Tavern · 4.5★ (3100)Sprawling, upscale tavern set in an airy restored 1800s feed house serving modern American fare.
- Chadwicks · American Restaurant & Pub · 4.5★ (2200)Beloved neighborhood pub by the waterfront offering casual American classics and a relaxed bar scene.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.