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If it's your first visit to Mount Vernon, these are the can't-miss sites and activities. We recommend allowing 3 hours or more for your visit. 

Visit George Washington's Tomb

Visit the final resting place of George and Martha Washington.

A brief wreath-laying ceremony takes place daily.

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Explore Mount Vernon's Four Gardens

George Washington's visitors were delighted by bountiful offerings of fresh vegetables and fruits from Mount Vernon's gardens and reveled in after-dinner walks amongst all manner of plants. Today visitors can stroll through Washington's four gardens

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Explore the Outbuildings

In 1799, more than 50 enslaved men and women were trained in specific trades

Today, you can visit the outbuildings where much of this work was done, including the blacksmith shop, wash house, slave quarters, and spinning house.

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Take Our Audio Tour

Hear details about the estate's history as you tour the grounds with our audio tour.

While exploring the estate, the device tracks the stops you visit. When you turn in your audio tour device at the end of your visit, enter your email address to receive a recap of the stops you visited and information about the stops you missed.

Mount Vernon's audio tour is available in multiple languages. 

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Meet the Animals

Visit with all the animals living at Mount Vernon, including breeds raised on the estate in George Washington’s time.

Ossabaw Island Hogs, Hog Island Sheep, Dominique Chickens, and Red Devon Cattle can be found around the Farm, in the Paddock area, and elsewhere.

Mount Vernon is also home to horses, mules, and oxen. 

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Tour the Mansion

Tour the Mansion that George Washington shared with his wife, Martha.

Due to preservation work, some rooms may be off-view during your visit. You can take a virtual tour of those rooms inside our theater in the Orientation Center.

The Mansion tour will also cover some of the outbuildings in the historic area, where enslaved workers performed trades that were vital to the success of the estate.

Learn about OUR Preservation Work

Take the Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour

During this free one-hour tour, listen to the stories of the enslaved people who built and operated Mount Vernon.

This tour is free. You can also take a self-guided tour using the printed guides in the Ford Orientation Center.

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Visit the Slave Memorial

The Slave Memorial at Mount Vernon marks the site where both free and enslaved people were buried in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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Take Our Preservation Tour

This 60-minute specialty tour highlights the history of preservation at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Learn about our preservation efforts to return the estate to its 1799 appearance – the last year of Washington’s life – and about the discoveries that have transformed our understanding of Mount Vernon and those who lived at the estate.

Please note that this tour does not enter the Mansion.

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Take Our Staff Favorites Museum Tour

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

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See George Washington's Terracotta Bust

Inside our museum, see an original bust of Washington, created from a life mask in 1785. 

The bust is considered one of the most accurate representations of George Washington's face.

The museum is included with admission.

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See Washington's Presidential Chair

George Washington used this chair throughout his presidency and for the remainder of his life. Following his return to Mount Vernon in March 1797, he placed it in his study. 

The museum is included with admission. 

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Shop at our Gift Shop

The Shops at Mount Vernon offer reproductions of Mount Vernon treasures, home decor, books, and toys and games from a bygone era. 

Every purchase from the Shops at Mount Vernon helps to support our mission of preserving George Washington's legacy.

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Dine at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant

Taste our signature dishes, such as skillet cornbread, at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner. Brunch is served on weekends. Reservations are recommended.

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View more things to do at Mount Vernon, and check our calendar of events to find out what's happening on the day of your visit. 

laptop Online Event group On-site event
whiskey barrells
Scots at Mount Vernon
Dec 7–8
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The Washington Family
Legacies Family Day
Dec 14–15
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Winter Glow Greenhouse
Winter Glow
Dec 15–19
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holly tree
Holiday Entertainments
Dec 21–22
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Winter Glow Greenhouse
Winter Glow
Dec 23
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Chocolate making
Holiday Traditions
Dec 28–29
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Whiskey Tasting
May 16–18
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Buy Your Tickets Online

Order online for faster access to the estate.

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Mount Vernon is located in northern Virginia, just a short drive from Washington, D.C.

For more information about things to do in Virginia, visit Virginia.org, the official tourism website for the state of Virginia. You’ll find an overview of each region in Virginia, as well as information about cultural attractions, upcoming events, and where to stay. You can also purchase merchandise featuring the official Virginia slogan, “Virginia is for Lovers.”