Memorial Day 2020: Alexandria Service Changes, Things To Do

ALEXANDRIA, VA — It's not the typical start to summer, but nevertheless Memorial Day weekend is approaching. Alexandria and the rest of Northern Virginia remain under a stay-at-home order, which means residents are urged to only leave for essential purposes like obtaining food and exercising.

Many services are already closed until further notice in Alexandria, but residents should be aware of schedule changes. We're also rounding up restaurant and other business specials and entertainment to keep your family busy.

City of Alexandria government offices: Closed to the public except by appointment until further notice.

State offices: The Alexandria Courthouse at 520 King Street (Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, the Alexandria Circuit Court, the Alexandria General District Court and the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court) remains closed to the public until further notice. Courts and clerks are available for certain emergency proceedings and appointment-only services; for more information, see alexandriava.gov/Courts. All Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations in Northern Virginia (including 2681 Mill Road, Alexandria) remain closed to the public until further notice.

Alexandria City Public Schools: Schools and administrative offices are closed until further notice.

Animal shelter: The Vola Lawson Animal Shelter will be open on Monday, May 25, by appointment only. To make an appointment, email info@alexandriaanimals.org or call 703-746-4774.

DASH and King Street Trolley: On Monday, May 25, regular DASH bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule. The free King Street Trolley is suspended until further notice. For more information, visit dashbus.com.

Health facilities: The Alexandria Health Department (4480 King Street), the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard Street) and the Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams High School (3330 King Street) will be closed on Monday, May 25.

Historic sites and museums: All city museums remain closed to the public until further notice. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline at 703-746-5800; the domestic violence hotline at 703-746-4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline at 703-746-3401; the adult protective services hotline at 703-746-5778 and the sexual assault hotline at 703-683-7273. For immediate police, fire or emergency medical assistance, call or text 911.

Impound lot: The city’s impound facility (5249 Eisenhower Avenue) will be closed on May 25.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches and the Alexandria Law Library (520 King Street) remain closed to the public until further notice.

Metrorail: Metrorail operates from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. The Eisenhower Avenue and Van Dorn Street stations are among the 19 closed stations due to the pandemic. Starting on May 23, the following Orange and Silver Line stations will close for the platform improvement project: Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, East Falls Church, Wiehle-Reston East, Spring Hill, Greensboro, Tysons Corner and McLean.

Metrobus: Metrobus operates from 5:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. on a modified Sunday schedule.Visit www.wmata.com for more details on specific routes.

Parking: On Monday, May 25, the Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions for metered spaces, residential permit parking districts and other areas with posted parking time limits. This suspension of enforcement applies only to the restrictions at legal parking spaces and does not permit parking in any location normally prohibited, including no parking zones, loading zones or spaces for persons with disabilities). Temporary no-parking signs will be enforced on May 25.

Pools: All city pools remain closed to the public until further notice. Visit alexandriava.gov/Aquatics for more information. Great Waves Waterpark will not open on Memorial Day weekend as previously planned.

Post offices: Closed on Monday, May 25.

Recreation and arts centers: All City recreation, nature and art centers remain closed to the public until further notice.

Trash and recycling: Residential refuse and recycling will not be collected on Monday, May 25. Collection services will be moved one day later during the week of May 25. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Center (3224 Colvin Street) is open on Saturdays only (including May 23) until further notice.

Residents can continue to find coronavirus-related service changes at alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus.

Things to do

• Visit a park: Alexandria's unfenced parks remain open. Pack a picnic, take the dog for a walk or play catch with the family while practicing physical distancing from others.
• Watch the National Memorial Day Concert: The concert will be broadcast on PBS stations and live-streamed via Facebook and YouTube.
• Order takeout: Enjoy a holiday meal at home with your family from local restaurants. A few of the places offering special Memorial Day menus include Chadwicks, Hummingbird, Mount Vernon Inn and Union Street Public House.
• Play yard games: AR Workshop Alexandria is selling DIY yard games to go.
• Order from local boutiques: Businesses such as The Dog Park, 3 Sisters and The Lucky Knot have Memorial Day weekend sales.
• Take a virtual tour: Explore digital resources from landmarks like Historic Alexandria museums and sites, Smithsonian museums and Mount Vernon.
• Play Del Ray bingo: Complete challenges on the Del Ray Business Association's bingo card for a chance to win $50 in Del Ray Dollars.