Carlyle House
Carlyle House
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
About
A Georgian mansion built in 1753 by merchant and City founder John Carlyle. Five governors and General Braddock met here to discuss funding the French and Indian War. This historic meeting influenced the call for American independence in the 1770s, and sparked the concept of taxation without representation. Daily tours, youth programs, special events, exhibits, and lectures offer visitors a chance to experience eighteenth century life. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sunday: Noon-4 p.m. (tours on the hour, last tour at 4 p.m.). Call ahead to schedule a tour!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
329 reviews
Excellent
212
Very good
81
Average
32
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Carol P
Denville, NJ16 contributions
Aug 2022
Our docent Pat was very knowledgeable about the Caryle family and the history of the property. We viewed the 2 floors of this historic home going from room to room learning about the decor and furniture of this wealthy merchant getting a glimpse of life back then. Right by Market Square.
Written 29 August 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.
Dear Friend,
I thank you for all the gracious favors mentioned in your letter. Pat is always in great spirit when she volunteers in my home. I am glad that you enjoyed my modest furnishings as I feel that it was money well spent to put my best foot forward. Please stop by home whenever you have the opportunity to be in Alexandria again.
Yours,
J. Carlyle
Written 5 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
coombsfamily5
Rhode Island195 contributions
Jan 2020
We visited on a cold rainy day in January and we were so glad we did, from the informative tour to the beautifully restored house, it was a true delight. The curator was very kind to us and provided additional info and additional information about other places we could visit. There is a very steep staircase from the room where the tour begins up to the second floor.
Written 22 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.
Good Day, my Friend,
I thank you for all the gracious favors mentioned in your letter. Our tour guides are almost always in great spirit when they volunteer in my home. I hope that you were able to visit some of the other fine establishments in our fair town and perhaps supped in one of the superb eateries here.
Our servants' staircase is indeed steep and somewhat confining. On those truly inclement wintry or rainy days, our docents hope to keep their guests out of doors to avoid the weather. For future visitors to my home, the servants' stairwell is just one option available to access the main floor as we have railed stairs at the front and back of my home for easier access.
Thank you once again for your kind words. I invite you to stop by again when next you are in Alexandria. We always hope to set a welcoming table to friends such as you and yours.
Best regards.
John Carlyle
Written 28 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2 164 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
What a wonderful, charming historical house! We had some time to spare and decided to wander through this house, and thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the history of the region, and of the Carlyle family in particular. The first floor is free to explore, and the second/third floors require a tour (which is only $8). We only did the first floor, but we did also peek at the gardens (which are gorgeous). This museum really deserves all of the positive attention it earns.
Written 12 March 2024
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.
Dear Friend,
Thank you most wholeheartedly for your kind words about my home and gardens. I am pleased that the visit met with your approbations and hope that you may return again in the near future.
Best Regards,
John Carlyle, Esq.
Written 18 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Virginiavisitor
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Friends
I came to visit my son in Alexandria and we decided to stop in the Carlyle House, not knowing much about it. The tour was the most informative tour I’ve been on. Barbara was a wonderful tour guide, who was very knowledgeable and personable. I enjoyed going into each room and learning the history of what occurred there. The home was most interesting. If you are a history buff, this is a tour for you.
Written 24 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.
Dear Friend,
It warmed my heart to read of your salubrious visit to my home. I will be sure to echo your agreeable tour with my staff, who always enjoy hearing positive reviews from my guests. Thank you most wholeheartedly for your kind words for Barbara. She is truly a valuable part of our docent team.
Sincere regards,
John Carlyle
Written 28 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Abby
Waldorf, MD13 contributions
Jan 2022
We happened across the Carlyle House on a cold January day and had such a warm greeting walking into the gift shop meeting Jessica who started off our tour with a quick informative video summarizing the house and the original owner, John Carlyle. Laura guided the rest of the tour throughout the house and she had so much interesting and surprising historical knowledge to share with us. We all found ourselves enjoying this tour better than Mt. Vernon because of the more intimate nature of the tour and the relaxed style of tour since it was just me, my husband, and our friend. We would go back in a heart beat with more family and friends who visit the area! This is a great Old Town Alexandria activity to do for everyone in the family!
Written 9 January 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.
Good Friend,
It gave me high satisfaction when I read your letter dated the 9th of January. I wish to thank you for the kind prose given of your time in my home with Jessica and Laura. I was pleased to read that you chose to stop by the house to escape the cold weather and spend some time with us. When next you are in Alexandria, please do stop in again. Tours with each docent are certainly unique in that they all have personal favorite areas and topics of my home and surrounding area that they are eager to share with special guests such as yourself.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
J. Carlyle, Esq.
Written 12 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MissLoraLane
Washington, PA589 contributions
Jun 2023
This was a great historical house attraction to visit while in the old town section of Alexandria. It is within the same block as the Alexandria Visitor Center. Easy to park - right across the street from the Carlisle House - in an underground parking facility. The tour starts with a short video in the basement of the house where the entrance is and gift shop. A docent reviews historical information about the house, then takes you on a tour through most of the rooms. Small entrance fee. Note there are steps involved in the tour. You can take non-flash photos. The history of how the house came to be in George Washington's time and to present date is quite interesting. Would go visit it again when in town!
Written 16 June 2023
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.
Dear Good Traveler,
I read your letter of 16 June and was most pleased to see that your visit met with your highest approbations. I almost wondered if you had been present during the construction of my home with the expert descriptive thoroughness you exuded in telling of my abode! In a time where more effort is taken to tell of the negativity of things in life, reading of your positive review of my house and gardens has given me the utmost perpetual felicity. If you happen to recall the name of your guide, please feel free to share it with me so that I may recognize the docent accordingly.
Thank you again for your wonderful review of my home.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
J. Carlyle, Esq.
Written 10 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Casey C
68 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
We arrived for the 10am tour. Tours are limited to 5 people and masks are required for Covid precautions. It was interesting to learn this historic home was hidden from sight for so long before being restored to its former glory. So inexpensive for a little piece of history, and we wandered the gardens for a bit after, lovely!
Written 4 March 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.
Dear Friend,
Huzzah! My sincerest thanks for taking the time to write a review of the time spent in my home during these trying times. I was so pleased that the tour met with your approbations. I will be sure to convey your review to the staff as I am positive that they will find news of your visit to have been most agreeable.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
John Carlyle
Written 24 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
letsgo
Jersey City, NJ580 contributions
Jul 2023
Our tour guide Gary was great. We had to take a break due to our infant and Gary was very cooperative. The house has a lot of history and a must-see for anyone visiting Alexandria. The tour is about 45 minutes and you’re encouraged to ask questions.
Written 2 July 2023
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.
My sincerest appreciation to you for taking the time to write such a kind letter. I am most pleased to see that you chose to spend some of your day visiting my home. I was happy to read that Gary provided you with such a great tour! Please stop by again when next you are in our fair town.
Best Regards,
J. Carlyle, Esq.
Written 10 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emily M
United States1 304 contributions
Feb 2022
We really enjoyed the tour. We were the only ones on our particular tour, and were able to ask a lot of questions. Tour guide was great. Definitely recommend the tour. But if time doesn't allow, the grounds and garden area are accessible without the tour and worth a stop.
Written 22 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.
Huzzah! I received your very agreeable letter speaking well of my home and tour which gave me great pleasure. I thank you unreservedly for the kind words about your visit.
Best regards to you and yours.
Your humble servant,
John Carlyle, Esq.
Written 30 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tina S
South Fallsburg, NY405 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Wandered into the side of the house and was greeted very nicely. We watched a short film and afterwards Laura took us on a tour of the house. She keep us interested the whole way through. She told us about the owners of the house and how the house came to be. She told us all the history of the house. It was so interesting. Ticket was $7.00 and there were about 10 of us but she kept us all interested. Would do this tour again. What a great place to learn about the Carlyle family and some of the history of Alexandria VA.
Written 13 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.
Dear Friend,
Thank you most unreservedly for the kind words you penned on the 13th May of this year. While I had my home built of the finest Aquia sandstone, I wish that all of my neighbors had the same financial resources to construct an equally sound house such as mine. I also greatly appreciate your compliments of Laura. I take great pride in the passion each of docents has for the history of my house as well as the town of Alexandria.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
John Carlyle, Esq.
Written 16 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Good Day. We apologize for the delay in response. We are, in fact, open for tours. We ae open every day except Wednesdays, with tours at the top of the hour. Please call ahead to schedule a tour, if you have not already stopped in for a visit.
Best regards,
J. Carlyle
Written 24 March 2021
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