Day Trips to Mount Vernon from Washington

Take advantage of your trip to Washington DC to explore some of the most popular sites around the capital on a fun excursion, such as the charming town of Alexandria or the Mount Vernon estate, owned by President George Washington and a popular National Historic Landmark in the country.

Washington DC is surrounded by history and unique landscapes that are worth discovering during your trip. One of the highlights is Mount Vernon, the estate where George Washington, the first president of the United States, lived. This bus tour to Mount Vernon from the capital will take you directly to Mount Vernon, following a beautiful riverside route through Old Town Alexandria.

During the tour, you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will tell you the most important details about George Washington's life and legacy. Once at Mount Vernon, you will have free time to explore the property at your own pace: the gardens, the nursery, the square, and of course, the interior of the mansion, where original 18th century artefacts and furniture are preserved. The atmosphere will take you back to the years of the country's independence.

Before arriving in Mount Vernon, you will stop in Alexandria, one of the oldest cities in the country. Its famous Old Town Waterfront, lined with bars and entertainment along the Potomac River, is a major tourist attraction. You will also see some of the most emblematic monuments of this colonial city, all in a pleasant stroll through its historic streets.

At the end of the visit, you will even have the option of adding a night tour of Washington DC, ideal to end the day with an illuminated panoramic view of the capital. If you are interested, you can request it during the booking process. Don't miss out on this tour that combines history, architecture and unique landscapes in a single day.

Details of interest

• Duration: Approximately 5 hours
• Price: - from £75.
• Recommended if...: You want to learn more about the history of the Founding Fathers in a natural and peaceful environment.

If you're already familiar with the bus tour to Mount Vernon, there are other ways to visit this historic residence depending on your preferred travel style. Some travellers opt to rent a car to travel the route at their own pace, allowing them to stop at points along the way such as the George Washington Memorial Parkway or the riverside parks along the Potomac.

There are also options for private or customised tours, ideal for those who wish to delve more deeply into specific aspects of history or visit in a small group. In some cases, these tours combine Mount Vernon with other historic Virginia stops, such as Arlington House or the National Cemetery.

Another alternative is to purchase only general admission to Mount Vernon and take advantage of the audio guide service or the museum's resources for a self-guided tour. This is a flexible option that allows you to tailor the pace of your visit to suit your interests.

Whichever option you choose, a visit to Mount Vernon is an immersion into the legacy of one of the nation's founders and a must-do experience if you are exploring the Washington DC area.

Although you can visit this National Historic Landmark on your own by renting a car, in my opinion the best way to visit Mount Vernon from Washington DC is to book your place on an organised tour from Washington DC where you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will explain the history of this place and the figure of George Washington.

In addition, this type of activity usually includes visits to other nearby sites such as the city of Alexandria, one of the oldest in the country, so it is an excellent opportunity to discover several interesting places on the east coast in one day.

A trip to the capital of the United States is not complete without a trip to Mount Vernon and historic downtown Alexandria.

Not only will you enjoy doing something different during your stay in Washington DC by seeing other places close to the city and seeing other landscapes, but you'll also learn more about the origins of the country, the context in which independence from Britain came about and the role of personalities such as George Washington in the events.

Although you could visit Mount Vernon on your own, in my opinion it is more comfortable and entertaining to join one of the organised tours departing from Washington which vary in price.

Depending on factors such as the length of the tour, the size of the group, the locations you visit on the route or whether you have the services of a guide, prices can vary. You can find options from as little as 70 euros for a tour of this popular site.

Absolutely. It's one of the most visited historic sites in the United States, not only because of its proximity to the nation's capital but also because of its beautiful scenery and historical significance as the home of the nation's first president.

In fact, many people consider Mount Vernon to be the historic heart of the country, so it's interesting to step inside the house where George Washington lived and wander around the grounds, taking in the views and imagining what life would have been like on the estate in the 18th century.

If you're taking the Mount Vernon tour as a family, the kids will have a great time during the visit as the original setting is very well preserved and for added authenticity there are even actors in colonial costume working in a blacksmith shop and on the farm, so it's like a fun trip back in time for the little ones.

Mount Vernon is located 30 kilometres south of Washington DC and takes about half an hour to reach by car.

So it's an ideal excursion to do on a Washington holiday given its proximity to the nation's capital.

You can easily do it in half a day and then return to the city to continue your schedule with other tourist attractions or other plans such as a cruise on the Potomac River.

On a day trip to Mount Vernon you can see some of the following places: