Our Family Visits Washington, D.C. - George Washington's Mt. Vernon

Greg and I debated whether to make Mt. Vernon part of our vacation or save it for another time, and we decided we would wait until a day or two before and see what the weather and our energy levels were doing.  When we awoke to beautiful sunshine on our final full day in the area, we knew we were Mt. Vernon bound.


I ordered our tickets online here, and they were sent straight to my smart phone.  This was a huge time saver, and I recommend it.  We even received a discount of a couple of bucks on each ticket!

The visitor's center is a bright open area with nice restrooms, and a small gift shop.  This gift shop's selection is very limited and a bit pricey, so I suggest waiting to make purchases until you've seen the other shops on the premises. 

The various gardens and green spaces were stunning.  We had a few minutes to kill before our tour of the home, so we were able to browse the gardens a bit.  Keep in mind that we could have spent A LOT more time than what we had. 

One of the things that amazed me about this tour, and really the whole place, is the efficiency with which it is run.  Tour guides and staff are obviously well-trained and love their jobs.  There was a short wait once we were in line to tour Washington's home.  It was mostly shaded, and we enjoyed visiting during our wait.  

The tour of the home is thorough, but you do not get to spend much time in any one room.  Because they have a steady stream of tourists and some of the rooms are small, they do keep you moving.  The guides are kind and ready to answer questions.  Our family really enjoyed it.  One of the highlights (and one that I remember well from visiting as a young teen) is stepping out onto the sprawling porch that overlooks the river.  It is a stunning view!

Walking trails allow you to roam the property, and buildings are marked to let you know how each location played into the lives of George and Martha Washington.

The Washington's burial site is a beautiful and solemn space.  There are other relatives buried nearby. 

Further down the property, a working farm has been established.  There are animals and crops, and demonstrations are scheduled.  Allison wanted to see more of the agricultural aspect, and the three older kids were tired and hot, so we rode the transport back to the main attraction area.  Greg, Ryan, Evan, and Kaitlynn spent time in the museum while Allison and I rode back down to finish touring the farm.

Because the museum is relatively new, I haven't visited it other than to quickly walk through while trying to catch the rest of the family who were in the large gift shop.  If you visit, I suggest you allow more time that we did.  We were probably there three hours and we could have spent six.













There is a restaurant onsite, as well as a food court.  We did not utilize either one because our visit was so short, but that would definitely be an option if a day trip were scheduled.  Parking is easy and free.  The website linked above is comprehensive and user friendly. 

This tour ended up being on of the highlights of our trip.  The kids were so impressed and truly enjoyed our time.  That's a win in my book!