*Editor's note: All prices reflect the time of publication. 

The word is getting out. If you haven’t traversed the cobblestone streets of Alexandria, Virginia’s historic district recently, it’s time for another visit. Long a bastion for top-quality American and English antiques, Alexandria’s Old Town has become a premier destination for fine art as well. The surge of fine art galleries over the past five years in such a blue-blood antiques town is the crowning achievement of a tight band of gallery owners dedicated to placing Alexandria on the art world’s map. Anchored by the Torpedo Factory, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary and is considered to be the largest and most successful visual arts center in the nation, Alexandria has stepped out of Washington, D.C.’s shadow as a cultural force.

Fittingly, to find the art and antiques jewels of Old Town, you need look no further than the King—King Street, that is—a stretch of a little more than a mile from the King Street Metro station to the Potomac. This walk down King takes you straight through Old Town’s heart and reveals her charm.

When you arrive at the Metro station (it is advisable to take the Metro since parking is scarce), walk about three blocks to The Studio at 1314 King. Lovers of the classical and academic traditions will delight in this treasure trove of the finest talents of today. Founded by sculptor Michael Curtis three years ago, The Studio is a secret that few outside of the D.C. community know about—yet. But just step into this gallery and you’ll be amazed at the stable of artists represented by Curtis and their works for sale (in parentheses): Ray Kaskey, World War II memorial sculptor (“World War II Eagle,” gilded bronze, $16,000); fresco painter Mark Balma, who has painted the official portraits of Presidents Reagan and Bush, and whose work is in the Vatican (study for “Christ Figure,” $1,500); Jay Hall Carpenter, the first sculptor-in-residence at Washington’s National Cathedral where he designed more than 500 statues (“Angel Head,” gilded bronze, $2,400); Priscilla Treacy, whose small, oil-on-board drawings are attracting serious attention (“Study of Vicki,” $600); Robert Liberace, a painter and sculptor unknown outside of D.C., whose masterful and highly expressive figurative studies on toned paper sell before they are even created (starting at $700); and Michael Aviano, who founded the New York Academy of Art (“Mars and Venus,” oil on canvas ).

Broadway Gallery, across the street at 1219 King, hosts themed exhibits of oil paintings, watercolors, pastels and graphite works. The gallery spotlights one artist each month. Australian Ken Strong had a successful show last fall with oil-on-board works such as “High Summer-Belbrook-Macleary River NSW” ($3,300) and “Barge Moorings-Amsterdam” ($4,400).