Mount Vernon day trip from Washington
Discover Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington near the U.S. capital, and learn about the life and legacy of one of the most important figures in the nation's history.
Wharf on the Potomac at Washington Mansion | ©David Baron
Take advantage of your trip to Washington DC to visit some of the most popular sites around the capital on a fun excursion, such as the charming city of Alexandria or the Mount Vernon estate, owned by President George Washington and a very popular National Historic Landmark in the country.
Excursions to Mount Vernon and Alexandria from Washington DC
Washington DC is an exciting city full of history, memorials and culture where there is plenty to do. However, the surroundings of the capital are also very interesting to see during a trip, so it is a good idea to reserve at least one full day for an excursion that will take you to discover other sites and landscapes.
One of the most beloved historical sites for Americans is Mount Vernon, the former family home of George Washington, the country's first president. Touring the sites that marked his life is an excellent way to get closer to the man who led the way to independence and changed the history of the United States.
In this sense, it is best to take an excursion to Mount Vernon with a guide who will show you the mansion and gardens of the estate as well as other interesting scenarios such as the Potomac River, the colonial farm, the museum or the tombs of this hero of the country and his beloved wife Martha. Listening to his commentary will take you back in time to the 18th century and give you a greater context for how and why the Revolution of the Thirteen Colonies took place.
After visiting Mount Vernon the next stop on this tour is Alexandria, one of the oldest cities in the country located just 10 kilometers southwest of Washington DC.
Today, Alexandria is a satellite city of the capital where many of the professionals working in Washington's institutions live.
However, its old town known as "Old Town" is its great attraction, which has many places of interest as it still retains many original buildings of the seventeenth and eighteenth century as well as several beautiful monuments. You can get to know them by taking a bus tour through the streets of Alexandria.
What is the best way to visit Mount Vernon from Washington?
Although you can go to this National Historic Landmark on your own by renting a car, in my opinion the best way to visit Mount Vernon from Washington DC is to book your place on an organized tour in which you travel accompanied by a professional guide who will explain the history of this place and the figure of George Washington.
In addition, these types of activities usually include visits to other nearby sites such as the city of Alexandria, one of the oldest in the country, so it is an excellent opportunity to discover several interesting places on the east coast in one day.
How much does it cost to tour Mount Vernon?
A trip to the capital of the United States is not complete without a trip to Mount Vernon and historic downtown Alexandria.
Not only will you enjoy making a different plan during your stay in Washington DC by getting to know other places near the city and seeing other landscapes, but you will also learn more about the origins of the country, the context in which its independence from Great Britain took place and the role of personalities such as George Washington in the events.
Although you could visit Mount Vernon on your own, in my opinion it is more comfortable and entertaining to join one of the organized tours that depart from Washington which have different prices.
Depending on factors such as duration, group size, locations visited on the route or if you have the services of a guide, prices can vary. You can find options from 70 euros to visit this popular place.
Is Mount Vernon worth visiting during my trip to Washington?
Absolutely. This is one of the most visited historic sites in the United States, not only because of its proximity to the nation's capital but also because of its beautiful scenery and its great historical significance as the home of the nation's first president.
In fact, many people consider Mount Vernon the historic heart of the country, so it is very interesting to enter the house where George Washington lived and walk around the grounds enjoying the views and imagining what life would have been like on this estate in the eighteenth century.
In case you make the excursion to Mount Vernon with your family, the children will have a great time during the visit because the original setting is very well preserved and to give it more authenticity there are even actors dressed in colonial costumes working in a blacksmith shop and on the farm, so for the kids it will be like taking a fun trip back in time to those years.
How long does it take to get to Mount Vernon from Washington?
Mount Vernon is located 30 kilometers south of Washington DC and takes approximately half an hour by car.
So it is an ideal excursion to do during a vacation in Washington given its proximity to the nation's capital.
You can do it perfectly in half a day and then return to the city to continue with your agenda visiting other tourist attractions or making other plans such as a cruise on the Potomac River.
What will I see in Mount Vernon in one day?
During a trip to Mount Vernon you will be able to visit some places such as:
- The tomb of President George Washington built in white marble next to that of his wife Martha inside a memorial.
- The estate - plantation that belonged to his family and where tobacco and other crops were grown.
- The house-museum on the banks of the Potomac River and its gardens, which were designed by the president himself.
- The Mount Vernon Museum that deals with the life and legacy of George Washington.
- The memorial to the slaves in memory of the people who worked on the plantation and were owned by George Washington.
- The colonial farm and greenhouse.
- A whiskey distillery that was one of the largest in America in the 19th century.
- A mill that produced wheat and corn flour.
- And more surprises.