How to spend the day at Mount Vernon with kids
Planning a trip to Washington DC? If so, add a day trip to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate and learn about our first President up close and personal.
Situated on the banks of the Potomac River, George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon is a top tourist attraction in the area, and is an easy day trip from Washington D.C.
On the blog, I will share how to spend the day in Mount Vernon with kids, so you can plan your visit to George Washington’s estate in Virginia.
A visit to Williamsburg Virginia with kids
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How to get to Mount Vernon
You can easily get to Mount Vernon by car, it’s a short drive from Washington DC, and parking is free.
But there are a few scenic ways to get to George Washington’s estate as well. One of the most scenic ways to get to Mount Vernon is by boat on the Potomac River.
You can easily get here from Washington DC, Alexandria, and the National Harbor on a boat cruise aboard the Potomac Riverboat Company.
You can also take a round trip cruise from Washington DC aboard the Spirit of Mount Vernon, departing from the SW Waterfront. This tour includes general admission to Mount Vernon.
Where to purchase tickets to Mount Vernon
Make sure to purchase your Mount Vernon tickets online to avoid lines. Tickets costs $28 for Adults, $15 kids ages 6-11, and FREE for kids ages 0-5.
Your timed entry ticket takes you on a tour of George Washington’s Mansion and entrance to his estate.
There are other Mount Vernon tour add-ons that you can add to your visit to Mount Vernon as well. Here are a few that require an additional admission:
- Hamilton The Musical Tour– This tour is an additional $10 on top of the admission fee. This one hour tour starts from April-October 2022 Daily at 10am, and explores the ties between the Hamilton musical and Mount Vernon.
- National Treasure Book of Secrets Tour– This tour is also an additional $10, and you can go behind the scenes of the movie “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”. This one hour tour starts at 9:30am and 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This tour is offered March – December, daily
- Through my Eyes Tour– Also an additional $10, from March-November Sat-Sun at 10am & 1pm. This one hour tour takes you across the estate as an actor portraying people who lived on Mount Vernon show you what a day in their life at Mount Vernon was like.
- Private Mount Vernon Tours– Enjoy an exclusive private tour with your own guide at Mount Vernon. Prices start at $175, and must be booked two weeks in advance.
Top things to do at Mount Vernon with kids
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
- One way to let the kids enjoy their time at Mount Vernon is to go on a scavenger hunt.
- Pick up your adventure map at the Ford Orientation Center and explore nine locations at the Estate.
- There are written clues and colorful pictures to help guide you to find the answers to clues, and solve the word puzzle, which ends with a prize.
- Once you finished, have your answers checked at the Guest Services desk in the lobby of the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center and Museum.
- You can also download an I Spy Scavenger Hunt here for kids ages 3-7, or pick one up at the Orientation Center.
Download the Revolutionary Spy Adventure App
- Let the kids explore Mount Vernon and see what it takes to be a spy!
- First pick up your Code book at the Ford Orientation Center, which contains clues, then download the Agent 711 Spy App where you will solve ciphers, decode messages, and take on eight challenges, and earn the title of Spy Master.
- Once you complete your mission show a Mount Vernon staff member to receive your Spy Master bracelet. This activity is for kids 11 and up.
Take the Photo Quest
- Pick up a free Photo Quest here and follow the clues to discover great places to take photos. For kids 11 and up.
Visit the Discovery Stations
- Visit the Discovery Station and learn more about George Washington and Mount Vernon, and grab a craft activity to take home. Thurs-Sun 1:30-3:30 p.m. Visit the calendar here for daily offerings.
Be Washington Interactive Theater
- See if you have what it takes to be like George Washington in this fun interactive experience for kids 10 and up!
- There are four challenging scenarios, and each one takes about 18 minutes to complete. This experience runs continuously from 9AM-4PM, and is located at the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center and Museum.
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Top things to do at Mount Vernon
Visit the Gardens at Mount Vernon
On your visit to Mount Vernon with kids, make sure to visit the Gardens. George Washington loved farming and his gardens.
There are four perfectly landscaped gardens on Mount Vernon and are absolutely beautiful!
The Lower gardens are where George Washington planted fruits and vegetables for his estate and for sale at the local market.
The Upper gardens were intended as a formal garden, showcasing George Washington’s skill as a gardener.
In the center of the garden you will find the greenhouse, which housed exotic plants, as well as the slaves quarters.
This was one of the most picturesque gardens in the estate, and a great place to unwind while you wait for your tour to start.
Visit George Washingtons tomb at Mount Vernon
When planning a visit to Mount Vernon, don’t miss a visit to George Washington’s tomb. In his last Will and testament, George Washington desired to be buried at his estate.
During your visit to Mount Vernon with kids, you can pay homage to the Father of Our Country and the first First Lady. It was such an honor to pay our respects to our first President!
Visit the Slave Memorial and Burial Grounds
Just a short walk from George Washington’s tomb is the Slave Memorial and burial grounds. The memorial marks the site where both free and enslaved people were buried.
The graves were either unmarked or the markings did not survive, and the identities and numbers of those buried remain largely unknown.
Explore the outbuildings at Mount Vernon
One of the most fun things to do in Mount Vernon with kids is exploring the grounds, especially the outbuildings.
The essential operations of the plantation were performed in numerous buildings scattered throughout the estate, and it was quite interesting learning about them.
Here you will also find his stables, composting hut and George Washington’s horse drawn carriage, which our little one thought was cool.
The kiddos will have an amazing time exploring the many different buildings in Mount Vernon, and learning more about farm life back in the days!
Visit the Farm
Another place the kids will love is the Farm at Mount Vernon.
The Farm is located along the banks of the Potomac and you can watch live demonstrations as costumed interpreters demonstrate what farm life was like back in the day.
Live demonstration vary day to day and includes farming and fishing practices, how to shear sheep and harvest crops and more.
The kids will love all the farm animals especially the sheeps! You can also explore the replica slave cabin and Washington’s 16-sided treading barn.
Tour George Washington’s Mansion
Mount Vernon’s top attraction is of course George Washington’s mansion. Your timed entry ticket takes you on a self-guided walking tour of George Washington’s mansion.
As you enter his home, you will notice most of his decor was farm themed. George Washington loved farming and it’s evident throughout his home.
We also learned about how the Mansion was built to look like it was made with stone, but is actually wood, which was impressive!
On your self guided tour of George Washington’s Mansion, you will learn more about the mansions history with the very knowledgeable attendants located in every room.
They were very helpful and answered whatever question you may have had about the property.
The Mount Vernon Mansion tour follows a path that takes you to the many different rooms, and was the perfect amount of time, especially with kiddos.
The best part was the back patio, where you can sit on one of the rocking chairs and get the most amazing views of the Potomac river.
Visit the Museum and Education Center at Mount Vernon
At the end of your Mansion tour, make sure to visit the Museum and Education Center to learn more about George Washington- the man, his life-and becoming president.
This is one of the top things to do when visiting Mount Vernon with kids. They will have an awesome time learning about our first president with the many fun exhibits.
You can trace George Washington’s life story through state-of-the-art gallery displays, videos and exhibits.
Visit Mount Vernon on George Washington’s Birthday
One of the best times to visit Mount Vernon with kids is on Presidents Day, or George Washington’s birthday celebration.
During this FREE event at Mount Vernon, the kids will have an amazing time watching the Continental soldiers conduct a marching drill, fire their guns, and charge at the enemy in this fun military demonstration.
You can also listen as the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps play patriotic music on the lawn on Mount Vernon. You can’t miss the wreath laying ceremony at George Washington’s tomb.
It was such an amazing experience, and definitely worth the visit if you happen to be visiting on President’s Day.
- When: February 21 (8am-5pm) & February 22 (9am-4pm)
- Tickets: Admission is FREE for Presidents Day and George Washington’s birthday.
- Tickets must be reserved online in advance, and will be released to Mount Vernon members on February 11, and to the general public on February 15. A limited number of tickets are available.
- Parking is free but they fill up pretty fast. I recommend that you arrive early for the best parking, and to avoid the traffic getting here!
Visit George Washington’s Grist Mill and Distillery
At the end of your Mount Vernon tour, take a shuttle or drive nearby to George Washington’s Grist Mill and distillery, which comes with your admission ticket.
The Mill was used to produce flour and cornmeal for the plantation, as well as high-quality flour for export to the West Indies, England and Europe.
Since entrance is free with your Mount Vernon tickets, make sure to add a tour of the fully-functioning reconstructions of Washington’s gristmill and whiskey distillery.
Visit Mount Vernon in the Fall
Make sure to visit George Washington’s Estate during the fall.
There are so many wonderful fall festivals, including a fun Mount Vernon Halloween event for the kids, complete with trick or treating and chocolate making demonstrations.
Seeing the fall foliage around the estate makes it look so much more beautiful, and makes the perfect backdrop for your Mount Vernon photos!
*Read our blog on some Fun Fall activities in the Washington DC area here. I share more fall events at Mount Vernon, including a few in Alexandria.
Where to eat at Mount Vernon
On your visit to Mount Vernon with kids, there are a few places to grab a bite.
There is a food court that offers many options for breakfast, lunch, and snacks on the go, including salads, deli sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza.
You can even dine at the Mount Vernon Inn, located right next door from the estate.
Enjoy the flavors of early America in this sit down restaurant on Mount Vernon. I suggest making a reservation to avoid the long waits here.
I hope this guide to Mount Vernon with kids inspires you to visit George Washington’s estate.
It was such an amazing experience to learn more about our First President and his life at home.
The museum alone was worth the visit and very informative!
Mount Vernon also hosts various events throughout the year, and is a good idea to check the website before visiting to see if there may be anything of interest on your visit.
If your ever in the region, make sure to visit George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon, it was one memorable experience!
*Read our blog on visiting Old Town Alexandria Virginia, and explore George Washington’s old stomping grounds. We also have a blog post on visiting Old Town Alexandria during the holidays as well!
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