Tour George Washington's Mount Vernon in Washington, DC

Washington After Dark Tour

Capitol at Night

When the lights go down in DC, the beauty of the monuments and buildings are brought out when they are lit with their own special spotlights.

Mt. Vernon, George and Martha Washington's estate and gardens, is America's most visited home and provides insight into the man who is known as "America's First Hero." During the 40 years that the Washingtons lived in this beautiful mansion, the estate was George Washington's passion and inspiration, as he expanded the plantation and the house with his own sweat and hard work. Visitors can even see 13 trees that were planted by Washington himself.

MOUNT VERNON ESTATE MANSION

• The main attraction at Mt. Vernon is the mansion that was home to the Washingtons for 4 decades, and in which they entertained many famous guests and visitors. Through the mansion's 3 floors, visitors get an idea of the personality and style-preferences of George Washington.
• The first floor features the Central Passage with its walnut staircase and wood-paneled walls, the little parlor where George Washington enjoyed one of his favorite pastimes, listening to music, and the large dining room, the largest room in the house, where many elegant dinners were served, and also where Charles Thomson informed George Washington that he had won the Presidency.
• The second floor contains 5 separate bedrooms that were used to house the steady flow of guests who came to Mt. Vernon. The Master Bedroom, designed largely by the First Lady herself, also served as an "office" and retreat for Martha. Legend says that upon her husband's death, Martha closed the door to this bedroom forever, and adopted a smaller bedroom on the third floor as her own.
• The third floor contains the Cupola and its "Dove of Peace" weathervane, as well as the small bedroom where Mrs. Washington lived much of her life after George passed away.

MOUNT VERNON ESTATE GROUNDS

• While the mansion is beautiful, the immaculate and historically-accurate grounds and gardens should not be missed. There are four gardens to visit, filled with heirloom plant varieties known to have flourished at Mt. Vernon during George and Martha Washington's time, as well as the Forest Trail, slave quarters, stables and greenhouse.
• Located just three miles west of the mansion and its grounds is the Pioneer Farm, a 4-acre working farm with a 16-sided treading barn and a water-powered mill. Costumed millers demonstrate how the mill worked and explain its significance to the Mt. Vernon estate. The farm also includes an excavation of George Washington's whiskey distillery.

OTHER MOUNT VERNON HIGHLIGHTS

• Other highlights of the Mt. Vernon experience include the George Washington Museum, the Archaeology & Restoration Museum, sightseeing cruises on the Potomac River, audio tour of plantation life, the Shops at Mt. Vernon and two eateries.

TOURS OF THE MOUNT VERNON ESTATE

• Mount Vernon / Washington After Dark Combo Tour
• This nine-hour tour will allow guests to spend the day exploring the rolling grounds that belonged to the Father of the United States. In the evening, a nighttime tour will take guests along a beautifully lit tour of the city.
• Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Tour
• Enjoy a journey to the sprawling historical home of President George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. This four-hour tour will give you the chance to explore the grounds and mansion of Mount Vernon, as well as to take a look around Old Town Alexandria for step back to America's formative years.