Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, George Washington’s plantation on the banks of the beautiful Potomac River, offers visitors a chance to understand America’s first hero and the fascinating world in which he lived. Since the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association bought the nearly empty Mansion in 1858, it has gathered Washington objects and used archaeology and research to piece together clues about the buildings and gardens of a bygone era. Over 1 million visitors come to walk in Washington's footsteps each year, making Mount Vernon the most popular historic estate in America.
Guests to Mount Vernon can visit the Mansion, a dozen original structures, Washington’s Tomb, and nearly 50 acres of his extensive plantation, which include beautiful gardens and restored landscapes. The estate also includes a working blacksmith shop and the George Washington: Pioneer Farmer site, a 4-acre demonstration farm with a reconstructed slave cabin and 16-sided treading barn.
April through August, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
March, September, and October, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
November through February, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Historic Area of Mount Vernon is cleared a half-hour after the posted estate closing time.
The Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center is cleared one hour after the posted closing time.
General admission cost $17.00 for adults, $9.00 for youths (6 to 11 years old), $16.00 for seniors (62 years and over), free for children (5 years and under).
The sightseeing cruise, Gardens & Groves Tour, and the Enslaved People of Mount Vernon Tour are free. The audio tour costs $6 per handset and other tours cost $5.
The Ford Orientation Center features an inspiring film, We Fight To Be Free, and a miniature replica of the Washingtons’ iconic home.
Just 3 miles down the road from the Mansion, George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill have been reconstructed and are open seasonally. Both fully functioning, Washington's fascinating mill and distillery tell the story of Washington as a master entrepreneur.
Visitor parking is always free at Mount Vernon. There are parking lots on the east and west sides of the George Washington Memorial Parkway as you approach the entrance. If these parking lots are full, you will be directed to an overflow parking lot.
Enjoy classic American favorites in a colonial-inspired setting at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant or quick meals and snacks to go at the Food Court.
Mount Vernon welcomes guests in need of assistance. Audio devices are available for the blind and hard of hearing. Additionally, standard, non-motorized wheelchairs and wheeled walkers are available free of charge inside the Ford Orientation Center on a first-come, first-served basis.
Designated, accessible parking spaces are available at the front of the east and west visitor parking lots on each side of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which are owned and maintained by the National Park Service, and at the front of Mount Vernon's overflow parking lot.
The Ford Orientation Center, Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center and Mount Vernon Inn complex are wheelchair accessible.
George Washington devoted his life to the improvement of American agriculture. While his initial interest in farming was driven by his own needs to earn a living and improve Mount Vernon, in later years Washington realized his leadership and experimentation could assist all American farmers. Initially growing tobacco as his cash crop, Washington soon realized that tobacco was not sustainable and he switched to grains, particularly wheat as a cash crop in 1766. Washington read the latest works on agriculture and implemented the new husbandry methods using a variety of fertilization methods and crop rotation plans on his five farms.