Day Trips to Mount Vernon 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.
Day Trips to Mount Vernon from Washington

Other popular activities in Washington DC

More about: Day Trips to Mount Vernon from Washington

Take advantage of your trip to Washington DC to visit some of the most popular places around the capital, 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.

Mount Vernon and Alexandria tour from Washington DC

George Washington's Mansion| ©Paull Young
George Washington's Mansion| ©Paull Young

Washington DC is surrounded by history and unique landscapes worth discovering during your trip. One of the highlights is Mount Vernon, the estate where George Washington, the first president of the United States, lived. This bus tour to Mount Vernon from the capital will take you directly to Mount Vernon, following a beautiful riverside itinerary through Old Town Alexandria.

During the tour, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you the most relevant details about George Washington's life and legacy. Once at Mount Vernon, you will have free time to explore the property at your own pace: the gardens, the nursery, the square, and of course, the interior of the mansion, where original 18th century artifacts and furnishings are preserved. The ambiance will transport you back to the years when the country's independence was in the making.

Before arriving in Mount Vernon, you will make a stop in Alexandria, one of the oldest cities in the country. Its famous "Old Town Waterfront", full of bars and shows along the Potomac River, is one of the main tourist attractions. In addition, you will see some of the most emblematic monuments of this colonial city, all in a pleasant walk through its historic streets.

At the end of the visit, you will even have the option of adding a night tour of Washington DC, ideal to close the day with an illuminated panoramic view of the capital. If you are interested, you can request it during the booking process. Don't miss this tour that combines history, architecture and unique landscapes in a single day.

Details of interest

  • Duration: Approximately 5 hours
  • Price: - from $100
  • Recommended if...: You want to learn more about the history of the Founding Fathers in a natural and peaceful environment.

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Other tours to Mount Vernon from Washington DC

Mount Vernon| ©OG Productionz
Mount Vernon| ©OG Productionz

If you already know the bus tour to Mount Vernon, there are other ways to visit this historic residence depending on your preferred style of travel. Some travelers opt to rent a car to tour the route at their own pace, allowing them to stop at points along the way such as the George Washington Memorial Parkway or the riverside parks along the Potomac.

There are also private or customized tour options, ideal for those who want to delve more deeply into specific aspects of history or tour in a small group. In some cases, these tours combine Mount Vernon with other historic Virginia stops, such as Arlington House or the National Cemetery.

Another alternative is to purchase only general admission to Mount Vernon and take advantage of the audio guide service or museum resources for a self-guided tour. This is a flexible option that allows you to tailor the pace of your visit to suit your interests.

Whichever option you choose, a visit to Mount Vernon is an immersion into the legacy of one of the nation's founders and a must-do experience if you are exploring the Washington DC area.

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What is the best way to visit Mount Vernon from Washington?

Visit the Old Town of Alexandria| ©Ken Lund
Visit the Old Town of Alexandria| ©Ken Lund

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 from Washington DC where you travel with a professional guide who will explain the history of this place and the figure of George Washington.

In addition, this type 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.

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How much does it cost to tour Mount Vernon?

Colonial Farm| ©Tim Evanson
Colonial Farm| ©Tim Evanson

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 seeing other places close to the city and seeing other landscapes, but you can 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 departing 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 may vary. You can find options from 70 euros to visit this popular place.

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Is it worth taking a trip to Mount Vernon during my trip to Washington?

Experience history| ©Rick Gutleber
Experience history| ©Rick Gutleber

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 18th century.

In case you take the tour to Mount Vernon as a family, the kids 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.

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How long does it take to get to Mount Vernon from Washington?

Washington's Tomb| ©Tim Evanson
Washington's Tomb| ©Tim Evanson

Mount Vernon is located 30 kilometers south of Washington DC and takes about half an hour by car.

So it is an ideal excursion to do during a vacation in Washington because of its proximity to the capital of the country.

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.

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What will I see on a Mount Vernon day trip?

Whasington Mansion Gardens| ©m01229
Whasington Mansion Gardens| ©m01229

During a day trip to Mount Vernon you will be able to see some places like:

  • President George Washington's tomb built in white marble next to his wife Martha's tomb inside a memorial.
  • The farm - plantation that belonged to his family and where tobacco was grown among other products.
  • 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.

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Reviews from other travellers

4.7
· 878 Reviews
  • B
    B.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    Very good excursion. It was worth it, I really liked everything I saw and what I learned.
  • V
    V.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The tour is very complete, I learned a lot and I managed to take some spectacular photos for the social networks. I am happy I chose this tour, it is one of the most complete you will find.
  • J
    J.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Good tour, very high quality.
  • J
    J.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    It was a sensational day, full of good moments and a lot of learning. I really enjoyed the experience.
  • J
    J.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Quite an exhausting excursion. Recommended to get the most out of the day and see many historical points of the United States.