Potomac Rriver

Welcome to another in our series of travelogue articles about America's presidents and the historical sites dedicated to their lives and careers. Just 16 miles south of Washington, D.C., overlooking the Potomac River, is America's most visited historic home...

Visiting Mt. Vernon

In northern Virginia, a scant 16 miles south of Washington, D.C., is Mount Vernon, the estate home of America's first president, George Washington.

Situated on a bluff with a commanding view of the Potomac River below, Mt. Vernon is a must see for everyone visiting the D.C. area. One unique way to visit Mt. Vernon is to arrive by boat, as sightseeing tours from downtown Washington, D.C. provide a leisurely trip down the Potomac and back.

The historic home and the land that surrounds it were only a small part of George Washington's estate during the late 1700's. Even still, the expansive grounds contain a working farm, representative of life 225 years ago. There are more than a dozen buildings apart from the home itself, and the entire estate is a snapshot of the time when our first president lived here.

To start your Mt. Vernon experience, we recommend your first stop should be at the orientation center, where various films chronicle Washington's life and administration. You will then have the opportunity to branch out on your visit, depending on your personal interests.

Four unique gardens await, as does a hike through the forest trail. Of course, the home itself is the major draw. A guided tour will showcase numerous original furnishings and a splendidly restored 21 room interior. Near the home is a four acre working farm, tended to by staffers using implements from Washington's day.

Washington lived here for forty years, including much of his time as president. One of America's oldest historic sites, it has been open to the public since 1860. During the past 150 years, Mt. Vernon has been visited by over 80 million people.

To make your visit easier, we recommend buying tickets online in advance. You will be able to bypass any crowds at the ticket window and assure yourself a tour. As you might imagine, weekends are particularly active and busy, so try to visit during the week if you can.

For a real insiders tour, ask your state representative or congressional office about the Congressional Tour, held daily at 8:45 a.m. during spring and summer months. This tour includes a 45 minute walk of the estate grounds and a special ceremony at Washington's tomb.

Mt. Vernon is easy to reach by car and there is plenty of parking on site. Most city tours include a stop at Mt. Vernon in their full day agendas, and most tour operators offer specific tours to the estate. You can even reach Mt. Vernon by public transportation via the Metro line and connecting bus route.

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