Things to See & Do: Activities & Tours
Hike the Forest Trail:
A Fun Way to See Natural Mount Vernon
This quarter-mile trail provides a glimpse of the wilderness that supplied firewood, lumber for construction, and posts and rails for fencing. It also supplied wild game for the dining table and provided a source of entertainment and exercise for Washington and his guests. Open daily, weather permitting. Nature enthusiasts and kids alike rank the trail among the things to see and do at Mount Vernon!
Sightseeing Potomac River Cruises:
A Washington, D.C., Must-Do Experience
Forty-minute narrated excursions on the Potomac River show Mount Vernon from a new view. Water sightseeing tours depart Tuesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., April - August and weekends in September and October. Schedule may vary. Tickets available at the Ford Orientation Center or on the boats. $9 for adults, $5 for youth.
Walking Tours:
Guided Tours of Mount Vernon
Costumed Character Encounters:
A Fun Way to Experience Washington's History
See George Washington through the eyes of his family, friends, fellow revolutionaries, slaves, employees, and business associates. Meet real people telling real stories of George Washington and the world he inhabited through special presentations in the Greenhouse. March - October at 3:00, 3:30, and 4:00 p.m., and November - February at 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30 p.m.
Tribute at the Tomb:
See Washington's Final Resting Place
Washington died at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. In his will, he directed that he be buried on the estate. He selected a site for a new brick tomb to replace the deteriorating original burial vault. The tomb was completed in 1831, and Washington's body was moved there along with the remains of his wife, Martha, and other family members. A tribute is held daily April - October at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Audio Tour:
Enhance your experience with the lively narration of the Audio Tour. Featuring 30 stops and stories on the estate and more than 25 in the museum. Child-friendly information is included. Available at the Ford Orientation Center. $6 each.
Distillery & Gristmill:
George Washington as Entrepreneur
The Distillery & Gristmill showcase the ultimate in 18th-century technology as costumed workers demonstrate how both buildings work. See the giant waterwheel power gears that grind corn. Learn the fascinating process of making whiskey with mash tubs and copper stills! The site is located just three miles from the estate and does require that visitors provide their own transportation. Open April through October. Wheat-treading demonstrations daily through Labor Day; after Labor Day demonstrations occur Fridays-Sundays only.
