The park's name refers to a windmill that stood near the site in the late 1700s, originally constructed by the merchant John Carlyle.
The waterfront area currently occupied by the park was once the location of the Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation during World War I.
The park design utilizes a bulkhead and riprap stabilization system to manage shoreline erosion along the Potomac River.
The site hosts a notable tiered landscape design intended to provide flood resilience while maintaining unobstructed sightlines to the water.
Windmill Hill Park is a Potomac River waterfront park in Alexandria, Virginia, characterized by its reclaimed industrial space now utilized for public recreation. The park features a prominent riverside pathway that serves as a section of the longer Mount Vernon Trail. Its topography includes open lawns and tiered grassy sections that provide views across the Potomac toward National Harbor. The area was formerly the site of a 19th-century steam-powered sawmill and coal wharf before being converted into public green space. It maintains a distinct residential buffer between the waterfront and the historic Old Town Alexandria neighborhood. The park includes a designated dog run and multiple benches positioned for river observation. It serves as a connector for pedestrians moving between the Jones Point Park area and the Alexandria marina district.
The southern end of the park path looking back toward the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
Bring a portable chair or blanket, as the tiered stone walls are the primary seating and can be uncomfortable for long stays.
The park is exposed to direct sunlight; consider visiting during early morning or late afternoon if you are sensitive to heat.
Check the local Alexandria Parks and Recreation tide reports, as the lower pathway near the water can experience minor flooding during extreme high tide events.
Attempting to swim in the Potomac River, as water quality and currents can be hazardous.
Dogs must be leashed outside of the designated off-leash dog area; dispose of waste in provided bins.
