Accessibility Information

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Plan Your Visit
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George Washington's Mount Vernon is committed to providing exceptional customer service to all guests who visit us. Get an overview of the many services and accessibility options available at Mount Vernon.

Parking

  • Parking is free
  • Designated accessible parking spaces are available at the front of all our parking lots.
  • For visitors with limited mobility we suggest taking advantage of the curbside drop-off area on the traffic circle and nearby benches. Transportation is not provided between the parking lots & the main entrance to the Estate.

Access

  • The accessible route to our main entrance gate is equipped with hand rails, intermediate landings and is located on the far left hand side path.
  • Ford Orientation Center & Donald W. Reynolds Museum & Education Center are fully accessible
  • Historic area
    • The most accessible path to the house is located along the north lane
    • The first floor of the Mansion is accessible
    • Please be aware our historic area has many areas with uneven terrain and steep inclines
  • Sightseeing cruises are provided by partner company boats, which may or may not be accessible to those with different needs, depending on weather, equipment & tides. Please inquire on the day of your visit for more specific accessibility information.
  • Seasonal Shuttle Busses are available to the wharf, Pioneer Farm Site, & Gristmill & Distillery and will drop off and pick up at the edge of the Historic area. The Shuttle does not go directly to the Mansion or any of the historic sites. (April-October) Our Shuttles are equipped with a wheelchair lift and can accommodate up to 2 wheelchairs.
  • The Mount Vernon Inn is accessible through the gift shop during open hours or through the bar entrance in the evening.
  • Motorized electric scooters used as mobility devices are welcome on the Estate. Please contact us about the use of other mobility devices on the Estate.

Wheelchair & Walker Checkout

  • Standard, non-motorized wheelchairs and wheeled walkers are available free of charge inside the Ford Orientation Center on a first come, first-served basis.
  • Our Shuttles are equipped with a wheelchair lift and can accommodate up to 2 wheelchairs.

Descriptive Tour

Descriptive Listening

  • Audio tour through the Podcatcher app which can be downloaded to a personal device or devices available onsite 
  • Devices available onsite for descriptive Estate information 

American Sign Language (ASL)

  • Guests interested in a tour with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter can do so by contacting accessibility@mountvernon.org or by calling 703.780.2000
  • ASL interpreters are third party contractors and services are based on their availability. We ask for one-week minimum to make arrangements. 
  • ASL interpreters are available for Mansion Tours, visiting the Washington family tomb, and for our public specialty tours. 

Captioning

Captioning services are available with:

  • All onsite films
    • For the introductory film in the Ford Orientation Center please inquire with the usher for rear window captioning device
  • Tours upon request. We can provide live transcription services for the Mansion tour and for Specialty tours.
  • Audio tour through the Podcatcher app which can be downloaded to a personal device or devices available onsite

Assistive Listening

  • Devices for amplification upon request for
    • Onsite films
    • Selected evening programs 

Large Print Maps/Braille Books

  • Large print maps available onsite
  • Brail books available at Guest Services desk for orientation purposes

Restrooms

  • Accessible Restrooms are located
    • Ford Orientation Center
    • North Lane in the Historic Area
    • Downald W. Reynolds Museum & Education Center
    • Vaughn Lobby
    • Mount Vernon Inn
  • Family Restrooms are located
    • North Lane in the Historic Area
    • Mount Vernon Inn
  • Other Restrooms are located
    • Pioneer Farm Site
    • Lower level in at the Mount Vernon Inn

Service Animals

  • Service animals are welcome at Mount Vernon.

Sensory Experiences

Entering Mount Vernon via the Ford Orientation Center:

  • When you arrive at Mount Vernon, please purchase admission at the ticket window. If you have purchased tickets online, then your group may proceed directly to enter the ford orientation center.
  • A Mount Vernon staff member will inspect each bag upon entry to the estate. If anyone in your group has difficulty waiting, you are welcome to bring fidgets, music headphones, a manipulative toy or other equipment your child needs. If you do not bring a bag, you will not need to undergo bag inspection. View bag inspection policy and a list of prohibited items.
  • The Ford Orientation Center is a large open space with big windows. Some of the floor spaces are marble and some are carpeted.
  • This building can be incredibly busy and loud. Occasionally, the orientation film will be announced on the speaker system. The film is about 25 minutes long and is has loud moments. You are welcome to skip this experience.

Floor spaces and paths:

  • In the historic area, there are brick and gravel paths. Both the brick and gravel paths vary in evenness.
  • If it is raining, the gravel path may become muddy and the bricks can be slippery.
  • In Mansion, the floors guests pass through are carpeted. The first floor of the Mansion is wheelchair accessible. Additionally, portions of the second floor are dark and tight. If anyone in your group is not able to or is not comfortable with visiting the second floor, they may wait on the first floor.
  • The buildings that guests pass through to exit the estate have both marble and carpeted floor spaces.
  • Near the exit by the food court, the marble floor is in the design of a map of the estate.

Quiet Spaces

  • While Mount Vernon does not have a permanent sensory break space, if anyone in your party needs a quiet space for a break, please ask a Mount Vernon staff member where an appropriate location would be.

Noise

  • Mount Vernon has many animals, which may make noises without notice. Animals are relocated throughout the Estate seasonally, check with Mount Vernon staff should you wish to find them or avoid them during your visit.
  • The Donald W. Reynolds Museum & Education Center exhibits have varying noise levels. Throughout both exhibits, there are films for guests to watch. Films such as Be Washington and the Revolutionary War Theater are extremely loud.

Lighting

  • Light levels in the Museum & Education Center exhibits will vary in brightness. Some areas contain video, as well as flashing lights.
  • Light levels in the Mansion will vary by time of day and season.

Restrooms

  • Restrooms are available throughout the estate. Please note that the hand dryers in the restrooms are very loud.
  • While there is no designated family/companion care restroom, two first aid rooms are available for guests who may need companion care. One is in the historic area and one is located near the estate exit by the Food Court Pavilion. Please ask a Mount Vernon staff member for access to either room.

Other safety information:

  • Please note that the Pioneer Farm Site and the Wharf are adjacent to the bank of the Potomac River. In the interest of safety, guests are not permitted to step past the rope line along the riverbank. If you would like to avoid the river while visiting the farm, please consider approaching the farm via the guest shuttle and requesting to stop by the 16-sided barn. Alternatively, guests are welcome to use the Forest Trail, which is not wheelchair accessible.

Social Stories

Let’s go to Mount Vernon – Arriving DOWNLOAD PDF
Let’s go to Mount Vernon – North Lane DOWNLOAD PDF
Let’s go to Mount Vernon – The Mansion DOWNLOAD PDF
Let’s go to Mount Vernon – Leaving Mount Vernon DOWNLOAD PDF

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Visit the home of America's first president, George Washington, just a short drive from Washington, DC.

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