Mount Vernon, VA, August 19, 2025 – As summer comes to a close, George Washington’s Mount Vernon is gearing up for some of its most popular fall events and activities for families, students, history buffs, shoppers, gardeners, runners, and whiskey and wine aficionados.
Visitors can also take advantage of two new value pricing programs to help ensure the iconic historic site remains broadly accessible amid inflation. Visitors who purchase an admission ticket in 2025 at full price now will have unlimited daytime visits to Mount Vernon for the remainder of the year. Additionally, on Tuesdays at the Mount Vernon Inn, children ages 12 and under will receive a free kid’s meal for every adult entrée.
Upcoming highlights are detailed below. Related photos for usage are available here, with attribution to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.
Alexandria Restaurant Week at the Mount Vernon Inn and Restaurant on August 22 -31. Savor delicious dishes at special prices after soaking in the rich history of George Washington’s beloved estate. A perfect pairing of dining and American heritage. Reservations recommended. Learn more.
Situation Room Experience for Homeschoolers on August 29. Homeschool students can step back in time to 1790s Philadelphia with a role-playing experience, the Situation Room. During this 75-minute game, actions will decide the fate of the young nation. Learn more.
Mount Vernon After Hours Exclusively for Members on August 29. Mount Vernon is open late this summer for members. Members and their guests may explore the grounds after hours, purchase a picnic from the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, and dine al fresco on the lawn. Members also receive 10% off on all purchases from the Shops. Learn more.
Virginia Spirits Month and George Washington Whiskey Tastings during the month of September. Virginia Spirits Month is the perfect time to learn the history of George Washington's whiskey made at Mount Vernon, attend a special weekend distillery tour and tasting, and purchase presidential whiskey. Whiskey tastings are available to sample Mount Vernon's one-of-a-kind distilled spirits made using 18th-century distilling methods and techniques. Learn more.
Fall Plant and Garden Sale on September 6. The cooler fall weather makes it a great time to plant perennials, trees, and shrubs. Shop for seasonal color and heirloom plants along with native perennials, trees and shrubs grown at Mount Vernon. And, the exclusive General's Choice line features plants propagated from seeds or cuttings collected from plants growing on George Washington's estate. Learn more.
George Washington Patriot Run on September 7. Cross the finish line with George Washington's Mansion in view. Registration is now open for the annual 10-miler and 5K race. Participants receive a t-shirt and finisher medal, and the Finish Festival offers music, food and beverages, and a free beer for each runner. Learn more.
Colonial Market and Fair on September 13-14. Step back in time for food and wares by colonial artisans, theatrical entertainment, live music, and demonstrations are all included in the regular price of admission. Learn more.
Founding Debates on September 24. The George Washington Presidential is partnering with More Perfect and the Listen First Project to host the 2025 Founding Debates Program. Speakers will include Sam Feist, CEO of C-SPAN; Liz Joyner, founder and president of The Village Square; David McCullough III, Co-Founder and CEO of The American Exchange Project; and John Wood Jr., former vice-chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County. The discussion will focus on bridging divides to strengthen our social fabric and democracy. The evening will culminate with the inaugural awarding of the George Washington Unity Prize from Listen First Project. Learn more.
Ford Evening Book Talk: Celebrating Constitution Day on September 30. In celebration of Constitution Day, join Congressman Jamie Raskin, former Federal Judge J. Michael Luttig, Baltimore University Professor of Law Kimberly Wehle, and Executive Director of the Washington Library, Lindsay Chervinsky, for a conversation on the history of the U.S. Constitution and its continuing importance today. CBS National Correspondent Robert Costa will moderate this fascinating talk. To commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in September 1787, a recently discovered, rare, ratified copy of the Constitution will be on display for this program. Learn more.
Fall Wine Festival on October 10-12. Taste unlimited samples from Virginia’s finest wineries on a blanket overlooking the Potomac River. Guests will also enjoy live music and can explore this historic area after hours. Learn more.
Please note that Mount Vernon has embarked upon a landmark Mansion Revitalization project. During visits, preservation teams are restoring the framing, masonry, drainage, and environmental controls of the Mansion, ensuring America’s first president’s home will be ready to receive millions of guests for generations to come. The Mansion will always remain open during this vital work, with individual rooms taken off display as work progresses. The Education Center exhibit on George Washington’s life will be off display for an extensive rebuild until Spring 2026. However, the expansive estate remains open to visitors, including the museum, more than a dozen historic buildings, the gardens and farm, and the Tomb.
Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, the oldest national historic preservation organization in the United States. The estate is open to visitors and includes the Mansion, a museum and education center, gardens, tombs, a working farm, a functioning distillery, and a gristmill. It also includes the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.
