To purchase tickets to events at the Historic Alexandria Museums and to shop online, visit The Alexandria Shop. Visit the Historic Alexandria Calendar for a full list of events.

Free admission.

Suggested donation, $3.00

School groups, senior citizens groups and others may request guided tours of the fort and Museum by advance reservation. School tours usually last 1 ½ hours and cost $5.00 per student (free for Alexandria City Public Schools, up to five chaperones free of charge). Up to 60 students at one time can be accommodated. The fee for adult tours is also $5.00 per person, with a minimum of 12 people. Call 703.746.4848 for information on student and group tours.

A new tour option has been added, called “Meet and Greet.” A 10-minute introduction/orientation by Museum staff is followed by a self-guided walking tour. Available Tuesday through Sunday for groups of a minimum of 12 persons. Suitable for adults and/or children. Works well for home school groups with a variety of student ages, scouts, family groups, clubs. Must be booked in advance. No charge.

The Museum and Historic Fort are located within a 45-acre park, operated by the City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. Picnic areas are available and may be reserved for groups by calling the Recreation department at 703.746.5414. Self-guided tours of the Fort and Museum may be taken any time the Museum and Historic Site are open. Guided tours of the Fort and the Museum are available with advance reservations for a small fee.

Visit the Museum Shop for books, prints, maps, and souvenirs for adults and children. Additional Historic Alexandria Merchandise is available from The Alexandria Shop.

Immerse yourself in the experience: During living history programs, Fort Ward Museum offers visitors the opportunity to meet and converse with reenactors portraying soldiers and civilians in the Civil War era. Most reenactors welcome questions about their activities, equipment and clothing, but strive to stay within the character they portray. Living history presentations give visitors insight into Civil War drills and camp life, as told from a first or third person point of view.

Dress for the weather: Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bug repellant are recommended for outside activities. On especially warm days, water bottles are a good idea - there are no vending machines or snack bars on the premises.

Supervising children: Living history events offer kids a means of seeing camp life activities, but campfires and various pieces of military equipment can present a problem if children get too close. Please be aware of safety considerations and know where your child is at all times. Also, please be mindful that loud noises from artillery and guns might frighten young children.

Pets: With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed in the Museum. Dogs must be leashed in Fort Ward Park, and owners must clean up after their pets. Owners might consider leaving their pets at home on reenactment days when the loud noise from artillery fire and muskets, plus the bustle of activity, can be unsettling.

Cameras and video equipment: Taking pictures is a fun way to preserve your memories of a visit to Fort Ward. Cameras are welcome outside in the historic area, and may be used in the Museum with staff permission. For safety considerations during reenactments, photographers are asked to respect the boundaries of roped off areas.