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There's much to see and do at Mount Vernon.

We remain open during our preservation work, and we recommend that you plan to spend 2-3 hours on the estate to see as much as possible. Only a short drive from Washington, D.C., George Washington’s Mount Vernon is filled with rich history.

Expert-led Tours

Get the most out of your Mount Vernon experience by adding our tours to your visit.
George Washington's study with office furniture, cases and books with a fan chair
Virtual Mansion Tour
January - December
Offered: Daily at 9:20 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.
Duration: 20 min
Cost: Free

George Washington’s Mansion is currently undergoing preservation work. During this Mansion Revitalization Project, rooms will be taken off display for extended periods. Although you can't see some of the rooms in person, you can view them and the objects inside with an interpreter-led virtual tour.

Inside our Orientation Center theater, you'll get an in-depth look at the Mansion and have an opportunity to ask questions of our expert guides.

In-Depth Tour
February - December
Offered: Daily at 9:15 a.m. & 1:15 p.m.
Duration: 75 min
Cost: Free

During this 75-minute guided tour, discover more than 250 years of Mount Vernon history as you explore available rooms of the Mansion, and the surrounding outbuildings and gardens.

This tour provides behind-the-scenes access to buildings typically closed to the public, like the Old Tomb, and an in-depth experience of the estate.

hamilton bust
Hamilton The Musical Tour
April - October
Offered: Daily at 9:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Duration: 60 min
Cost: Free

Look around, look around at Mount Vernon and discover Washington’s role in Hamilton The Musical, and his views on many of the themes that the musical addresses in our new tour.

 

The Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour
February - December
Offered: Daily at 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Duration: 60 min
Cost: Free

Explore the lives and contributions of the enslaved community who built and operated Mount Vernon. In 1799, more than 300 slaves lived and worked on the five farms that made up Washington’s 8,000-acre plantation. Listen to their stories and learn more about their daily life. Visit the slave quarters and view reproduction clothing, tools, furniture, cookware, ceramics, toys, and personal accessories that represent their experiences.

Please budget 10-15 minutes to walk from the Ford Orientation Center to the Mansion Circle to meet your guide.

Gardens and Landscape Tour
May - October
Offered: Daily at 11 a.m.
Duration: 60 min
Cost: $10 per person in addition to Grounds Pass

George Washington spent nearly sixteen years away from home during the Presidency and the War for Independence. Yet, he always had a desire to return home to Mount Vernon, for a peaceful retirement, to rest under the shade of his own Vine and Fig tree. Come take a walk through the General’s garden and see the founding flowers that recreate Washington’s 18th century landscape and gardens. 

Photo Cruise
March - October
Offered: Tues. - Fri. at 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., Sat. - Sun at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
Duration: 45 min
Cost: $6 - 11 per person in addition to Grounds Pass

See Mount Vernon from a different perspective during this 45-minute narrated excursion on the Potomac River. Learn about the river's history and discover how it contributed to Washington's business ventures. Be sure to look for the eagles and osprey that live along the shores.

Staff Favorites Museum Tour
Thursday – Saturday, January - October
Offered: 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Duration: 20 min
Cost: $2 per person in addition to Grounds Pass

This 20 minute tour introduces you to staff favorites in the “Mount Vernon: Story of an American Icon” exhibition on display at the Museum.  See treasured items that tell the full story of Mount Vernon from pre-historic times to today.   

Dr. Craik
Through My Eyes Tour
March - December
Offered: Mon. - Fri. at 1 p.m., Sat. & Sun. at 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Duration: 60 min
Cost: $10 per person in addition to Grounds Pass

Step back in time for an immersive experience and see Mount Vernon through the eyes of the people who knew George Washington best. A character interpreter, such as Washington's granddaughter, personal secretary, farm manager, or enslaved valet, will guide you across the estate as they go about their daily activities, making several stops along the way.

Dinner with the Washingtons
May 24, Jun. 15, Jun. 22, Jul. 13, Jul. 20, Aug. 9, Sept. 20, Oct. 18
Offered: 3 p.m.
Duration: 60 min
Cost: $10 per person in addition to Grounds Pass

Explore how the people who lived at Mount Vernon in the 18th century dined on a tour that takes you to the gardens, salt house, smokehouse, slave quarters, greenhouse, and the Mansion’s kitchen. 

Discover how food was grown, preserved, prepared, and served at Mount Vernon. You'll leave this specialty tour knowing the Washingtons’ favorite recipes, what hired and enslaved servants at Mount Vernon ate, and why Martha Washington wasn’t a fan of Vulcan, Washington’s French hound.

Martha Washington - Constance Shofi
Storytime with Mrs. Washington
1st & 3rd Saturday, July - October
Offered: 10 a.m.
Duration: 30 - 40 min
Cost: $2 per person in addition to Grounds Pass

Step back in time and join the delightful Martha Washington for a special storytelling adventure! Designed for children ages 4-7, this engaging 30-40 minute program offers a unique opportunity to hear a captivating children's story read aloud by Mrs. Washington herself. 

After the tale, young learners will have the chance to ask Mrs. Washington questions and hear fascinating snippets about her own childhood or stories about her children. 

It's a wonderful way to spark imagination, foster a love of stories, and learn a little bit about history in a warm and interactive setting.

Mansion & Grounds

Entry to the Mansion is by guided tour only and requires a Mansion tour ticket (a grounds pass allows access to the estate).

Preservation Work

The New Room, servants’ hall, kitchen, and study are open. All other rooms are off-view due to preservation work. 

Phase 3 image

In the diagram above, rooms in red are currently off-view. 

You can take a virtual tour of the Mansion inside our theater in the Orientation Center.

Learn about our preservation work.

Visit Time

Mansion Tour Time: 10 minutes 

You can also visit our outbuildings, gardensWashington's tomb, the slave memoriala working farm, and more. 

Grounds Visit Time: 1 hour

THE MANSION & GROUNDS

Museum

In the museum, discover the people who shaped Mount Vernon, including Washington and Custis family members, enslaved and hired laborers, and Vice Regents of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which has owned and preserved Mount Vernon since the 19th century.

Museum Visit Time: 1 hour

Learn more

Mount Vernon: The Story of an American Icon

Patriots Path: A Revolutionary War Encampment

Experience the American Revolution as you walk through an 18th-century Continental Army encampment featuring soldiers' tents and an officer’s tent.

At this hands-on attraction, you can touch the items inside the tents, wash clothes in the laundry yard, and examine cooking utensils used by camp followers.

Interpreters will be on hand 7 days a week to share information about the life in the encampment and answer questions. 

Learn More

Education Center

The Education Center is closed. A new George Washington exhibit will open in 2026.

Learn about the upcoming exhibit
 

In the Education Center, trace Washington’s life story through exhibits, a 4D Revolutionary War film, and the Be Washington Interactive Theater.

Education Center

Dining

Enjoy cornbread and other Virginia favorites at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant or get a quick meal or snack at the Food Court.

Restaurant Visit Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Food Court Visit Time: 15 - 30 minutes

Dining

Shopping

The Shops at Mount Vernon offers unique gifts, reproductions of Mount Vernon treasures, books, toys, and more.

You can also shop our online store.

The Shops at Mount Vernon

George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill

Open seasonally: weekends in Apr. - Oct. 

Tour fully-functioning reconstructions of Washington's gristmill and whiskey distillery. Both buildings are located 2.7 miles from the estate’s main entrance. 

Distillery & Gristmill