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Updated 2026
Whether you’re living in Alexandria VA, or visiting for the day, a stop at Mount Vernon is likely at the top of your things to do in Alexandria, VA. The property features iconic, historic, and patriotic flourishes that wrap around a beautiful home with a Potomac River view, which the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association lovingly cares for year after year.
Mount Vernon isn’t part of the Smithsonian Museum collection, so there is a paid entrance fee. However, consider your fee a contribution to the first national historic preservation organization and the oldest women's patriotic society in the U.S. Military members are eligible for a discount with verification through ID.me.
Planning Your Day at Mount Vernon
One of the best things to do in Northern Virginia is to spend the day at Mount Vernon. The simplest way to plan a day on the property is to connect with Mount Vernon on social media and review the website. You’ll find dozens of scheduled lectures, exhibits, tours, and events. You won’t want to miss anything because you weren't aware of the timing!
Mount Vernon is open 365 days a year, but hours vary by season.
- April through October: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The nearby Gristmill and distillery are only open from April 1 through October 1.
- November through March: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- The Museum and Education Center is open for guests one hour after closing.
- America’s 250th birthday continues to be celebrated throughout the property. New structural improvements, celebratory events, and overhauled Education Center are highlights.
Locals note that buying a membership pays for itself after the first visit. Most membership packages include free guest passes.
Now, for more tips to make the most of the day spent at Mount Vernon!
If you plan to live in Alexandria, take advantage of the off-season to visit. School field trips from across the country head to Washington, DC, and Mount Vernon becomes a magnet for tour buses filled with school-aged kids and tourists in the spring and summer.
The two main parking lots are expansive but fill up quickly during peak morning hours. Overflow parking is available if needed. Those with trouble walking the half-mile distance can be dropped off out front; a traffic circle makes it easy. Parking is free.
Mount Vernon offers both indoor and outdoor exploration. The Education Center and museums are located inside, the mansion sits alone, outbuildings such as the enslaved quarters and a blacksmith's shack surround the property; and the remaining farmland and gardens make up the rest of the area. If bad weather occurs, there’s plenty to do inside.
Mount Vernon rests on the banks of the Potomac River, which means the property has a wharf for commercial cruises. A multi-day trip provides enough time to board a boat and tour the DC monuments.
Take advantage of the full-service menu at the Mount Vernon Inn. The food will exceed your expectations both in quality and selection. Casual food (sandwiches, pizza) is also available in a food court-style environment. The area was recently renovated and has more on the menu than ever before, including a bakery with sweet treats.
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Do not miss the award-winning “Be Washington” interactive exhibit. Visitors get to put themselves in Washington’s shoes as he makes important decisions for the country's future. Check the schedule before arriving as access may be restricted due to scheduled improvements.
No museum visit is complete without a pass or two through the gift shop! Both shops rival any competitors in DC. The general public can enter without admission. It's not uncommon for locals to pick up holiday gifts unique to Alexandria. Remember, much of the Fort Hunt portion of Alexandria was once George Washington’s personal farmland.
Mount Vernon is dog-friendly! Miles of walking are open to leashed pets and make for a scenic trek during most months, especially in the fall. Dogs have to stay outside of the buildings, however.
The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon is an easy walk from the mansion site. It’s not typically open to the public, but exclusive special events are scheduled throughout the year, especially for members. Researchers and professionals can make appointments to visit the library.
Many military families choose to live in Alexandria thanks to its proximity to the many military bases in DC. You may receive PCS orders to:
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The Best Routes to Mount Vernon
Unlike many DC museums and memorials, Mount Vernon is located in a suburban neighborhood, so it sits off the beaten path but is still easily accessible via the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Living in Alexandria VA, means that you’ll quickly get comfortable with the George Washington Memorial Parkway and its nuances. But visitors should know that the parkway offers a straight shot from Ronald Reagan National Airport, so your ride-share driver or taxi shouldn’t have any problems. The same goes if you rent a car from the airport.
Biking
If you’re living in the area or staying nearby, bike rides to Mount Vernon are a common way for military families to spend the day. There are bike racks in the parking lots. The property asks that you not ride bikes near the main pathways due to heavy pedestrian traffic.
Public Transportation
Many visitors stay in DC and find their way to Mount Vernon via Metrorail's Yellow Line to Huntington Station. From there, catch a Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon.
Old Town Alexandria Mount Vernon Shuttle
Mount Vernon operates a shuttle leaving from the Embassy Suites near the King Street Metro station. For ten dollars, you can take a scenic 20-minute drive to Mount Vernon. Shuttle hours of operation are May through July, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only.
Boat Cruises
There are multiple boating options on the Potomac to visit Mount Vernon. Some are private operators, but Mount Vernon captains its own 45-minute sail that leaves multiple times a day from the property’s wharf dock.
Attractions near Mount Vernon
History buffs love Mount Vernon’s location because there are multiple museums and properties within a five- to ten-mile radius that are among the best things to do in Alexandria, VA. The sites can easily turn a day trip into a weekend getaway.
Woodlawn Manor and Pope-Leighey House
These properties sit on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail if you like to follow the National Park Service’s resources.
Woodlawn was gifted to Martha Washington’s granddaughter, Eleanor “Nelly” Custis Lewis, and her husband, Major Lawrence Lewis. The Federal-Georgian-style house was designed by architect Dr. William Thornton, who also designed the U.S. Capitol Building.
Pope-Leighey House
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House is a Usonian style house constructed in 1941. The Pope family was the original owner of the home that was relocated to the Woodlawn property as part of the I-66 expansion.
Old Town Alexandria
Exploring Old Town could easily take a weekend by itself, but if you’re hunting museums, make sure to visit Gadsby's Tavern Museum, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, the Freedom House Museum, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, and the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum.
A trip or move to Alexandria is incomplete unless you’ve visited Mount Vernon and the surrounding historical sites and museums. Leave yourself plenty of time to explore and enjoy some of the most popular things to do in Northern Virginia. There is so much to learn and take in from the location’s history.
