Mount Vernon

Location: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway; Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121
Phone: (703) 780-2000
Website: http://www.mountvernon.org/
Hours: April – October: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; November – March: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ticket Price: Adult (12 and older): $20, Ages 6-11: $12, and Children 5 and younger are free.
Note: if you buy discounted tickets online in advance, the prices are: Adult: $18 and 6-11: $11.
Homeschool discount? No
Visited: Friday, May 25, 2018 11:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bags and containers larger than 16x16x8" are prohibited, and all bags are subject to inspection. No food or drinks can be carried in except water.

Mount Vernon was the home and estate owned by George Washington, the first president of the United States. He resided there with his wife, Martha, and her children from an earlier marriage, until his death in 1799.

We purchased our tickets online in advance, which I highly recommend. It saved us from having to wait in line – we simply walked through the door and someone scanned our tickets (and checked our bags, of course).

Visitors are able to tour the mansion, grounds, and outbuildings. We happened to visit on the Friday before Memorial Day, so it was busier than it would normally be on a weekday. We were still able to see most everything without feeling crowded.

We also opted for one of the “behind the scenes” tours, which costs extra ($4 per guest). The extra cost was well worth it, though!

We chose the “National Treasure” tour, which tells guests about the filming of “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” - the second movie in the “National Treasure” series.

We have never seen the sequel, but a few of the movie's scenes were set at Mount Vernon, and it was fun to hear about how different locations were used in the film.

It was also interesting to be able to go places not normally available to the public – like the basement and areas along the river. Photographs aren't allowed in the basement or in the mansion itself.

Other tours are available as well - one even includes a cruise of the Potomac River!

Every room held so many amazing treasures – we were awed by the fact that so many founders of our country had stood in the same spot as we were, but over 200 years ago.

After the tours, we took a break from the heat to explore the Museum and Education Center.

We thoroughly enjoyed the 4D movie about the American Revolution – I won't spoil it, but the weather effects were amazing!

No historical site would be complete without a visit to the gift shop, and Mount Vernon's was large and almost as interesting as the mansion and grounds! Be sure to visit it on your way out – your purchases help support the mission of preserving George Washington's legacy through the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.