A trip to the nation’s capital should definitely include a visit to George Washington’s estate, which is why I take all my out-of-town guests to tour Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon gets a shout-out for being one of the most family-friendly historical sites you can enjoy with children of any age. My two-year-old loves running around the grounds as much as my teenager enjoys the interactive museum.
When to Tour Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is open 365 days a year, so pick your day! Spring is the busiest season, with many school groups touring from mid-March until the end of May. If you plan to go in the spring, most school groups come early and leave by lunchtime so an afternoon tour might be better.
The busiest day of the year at Mount Vernon is President's Day, which is a free day. Holiday weekends, such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's are usually very busy times. Typically, Mondays are the least busy day of the week.
Mount Vernon handles crowds well, and timed ticket entry to the house saves guests hours of standing in line on busy days. On busy days, guides will move you through the mansion tour more quickly than on slower days.
Related: 3 Days in Washington DC With Kids
Save on tickets
There are a couple of ways to save on your Mount Vernon tickets. The first is to buy your tickets through the official website in advance. You'll save $2 per ticket over gate price and get a better selection of times to tour the house. You'll also find a lot of additional tour options and add-ons online.
The Go Washington DC Pass is another good way to save up to 47% at Mount Vernon and other popular DC attractions. For $59, you can take the Round Trip Mount Vernon Cruise from Alexandria, spend a few hours at Mount Vernon and then take a Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour the next day. You'll save $28 with the 3-Choices option.
Click the button below to learn more about the Go Washington D.C. Card.
Related: How to Get the Most from Your Go Washington DC Pass
Getting there
We usually drive our own car from our home in Northern Virginia, but if you are visiting Washington D.C., there are several good ways to get to Mount Vernon. Allison's family took a water taxi from National Harbor, Maryland. You can also bike to Mount Vernon, take public transportation or take a bus tour from Washington D.C.
The official Mount Vernon website gives more information on all these options. If you visit by bus or water taxi, your Mount Vernon ticket and tour time will likely be included in the tour price, so you won't need to buy another ticket online.
Related: Best Museums in Washington DC for Families
Where to eat
Bottled water is the only food you can bring in with you, so I usually feed my kids a snack in the car on the way there or buy lunch at the food court.
Yes, Mount Vernon has a food court. You won't find familiar chains, but you will find a variety of reasonably priced food available for purchase.
What to do
Start in the visitor’s center with the 18-minute movie about General George Washington. When you purchase your ticket, you will get a timed entry ticket to the tour the house, so you can plan your day around it. Depending on when your entry for the house is, wander through the outbuildings and see the nearby gardens before touring the mansion.
Make sure to spend a few minutes in the comfortable rocking chairs on the back porch overlooking the Potomac River to enjoy a view you will never forget.
Walk down to the tombs of George and Martha Washington, the slave memorial, and to the wharf on the Potomac. You will find a working farm with a few farm animals near the water. The paths are generally stroller friendly (I’ve taken one down and back up many times), but prepare to sweat a bit or take the shuttle back up the hill.
Related: 15+ Ways to Save Money in Washington DC
Highlights of the Museum and Education Center
Mount Vernon has a beautiful new Museum and Education Center with lots of interactive exhibits and audio-visual features. Here are some of the highlights.
- 3 theaters and 10 short films. I teared up watching the tender film about the Washington's love letters.
- George Washington's false teeth. They aren't made of wood.
- Hands-on History room for young children, with dollhouses, hand puppets, storybooks and puzzles.
- Wax models of George Washington at ages 19, 45, and 57.
Crowds at Mount Vernon
If the visitor’s center is crowded, see the grounds first and then come back to watch the 18-minute show about General George Washington at the end of the day. The upside of the busy season is that they often set up their living history tents, which are enjoyable if you can elbow your way in. We watched chocolate made from roasted cacao beans and also saw a demonstration on different herbs and spices grown on the grounds.
Related: 10 Fun Things to Do in National Harbor, Maryland
Mount Vernon at Christmas
After several visits, I was excited to tour Mount Vernon at Christmas to see the home decorated for the holidays and see the 3rd floor of the mansion, which is only open between Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. Expect period decorations on the mansion, such as greenery and a few extra candles. I was glad to see the 3rd floor of the mansion, but it looks quite similar to the 2nd floor, which is open year-round. You can see every room in the house in a detailed miniature in the visitor’s center.
The amazing gingerbread house in the visitor’s center was the highlight of my holiday visit to Mount Vernon. The aroma of gingerbread and the intricate candy detail on the house was definitely worth seeing!
What to Bring
- Wear good walking shoes.
- Dress for the weather as most of your time at Mount Vernon will be outdoors.
- Bring bottled water. Plan to purchase other food and drinks in the food court.
- Bring a stroller, but be prepared for rugged terrain.
Good to Know
Where: George Washington’s Mount Vernon is located roughly 15 miles south of Washington, D.C. and 8 miles south of Alexandria, Virginia on the banks of the Potomac River, at the southern end of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
When: Mount Vernon is open 365 days of the year. Hours vary by season.
How Much: $20/adult (ages 12-61), $12/child (ages 6-11), children 5 and under are free. Specialty tours are available for an additional cost.
How Long: Minimum of 3 hours, but I would recommend 4-5 hours, or perhaps an entire day.
Amenities: Free parking, bathrooms, food court, and the best gift shop in all of D.C. Plan to buy souvenirs here.
Website: www.mountvernon.org
Jana
When I visited the D.C. area as a teenager I didn’t get a chance to go in, we didn’t have time. It sounds really fantastic! Since you’re a local I’d be interested in what else you consider a “must see” when visiting the area, including restaurants. Also, how far is this from downtown? Great post!
Katie
Hi Jana. Mount Vernon is about 30 minutes outside of Washington D.C. by car. I will work on a “must-see” post for visiting D.C. So much to see and do here!
zayira
Does anyone know how much a cab/taxi charges to take you from hotel Harrington to Mount Vernon? Its a 30-40 min drive. Thanks
Allison
Hi Zayira. I can’t say for sure what a taxi charges, but Uber and Lyft estimate about $32 one way via UberX or basic Lyft (not shared, standard vehicle) for Hotel Harrington to Mount Vernon. In Washington D.C., we found that taxis didn’t charge much more than Uber/Lyft. Have a great trip!
C Louie
Thank you for such a thorough and helpful review!
Franco
Its so nice to be able to see where George Washington lived after all these years, you are still able to come into his home and experience a bit of what life was like back then, and is definitely a must-stop destination if you are visiting Virginia!
Aljurf
Nice tips, I will try to follow these tips for new Family Trip.
Thanks!!!