Richmond Travel Guide

Mount Vernon

One of Virginia's most popular tourist attractions and the highlight of any historical Virginia tour, Mount Vernon is the colonial estate of George Washington. The plantation has been restored to look just as it did during Washington's era, having been purchased by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association in 1858 and kept as a historic monument ever since. Consisting of 500 acres situated on the Potomac River, the gardens, mansion, and other buildings are open to the public, and costumed employees demonstrate life in the 18th century. Visitors can even tour Washington's Tomb, which holds ceremonial wreath-layings at 10am and 2pm.

In 2007, Mount Vernon was given permission to reopen Washington's distillery, which now produces its own whiskey, available only at the Mount Vernon Gift Shop. The estate offers tours of the mansion and grounds, sightseeing cruises on the Potomac River, and special tours showing scenes from the movie National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. Mount Vernon is
Address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon
Postal Code: 22309
Website: www.mountvernon.org
Opening Time: Open daily April to August 8am-5pm; March, September and October 9am-5pm; November to February 9am-4pm.
Admission: General admission $15 adults, $7 children 6-17. Other concessions available. Distillery $4 adults, $2 children 6-17. Special tours charge separate fees.