Mount Vernon, VA

Travel Guide

Mount Vernon was the plantation house of George Washington, first President of the United States and his wife, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington. The estate is situated on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Alexandria, across from Prince George's County, Maryland. The Washington family had owned land in the area since the time of Washington's great-grandfather in 1674. In 1739 they embarked on an expansion of the estate that continued under George Washington, who came into possession of the estate in 1754, but did not become its sole owner until 1761. The mansion is built of wood in a loose Palladian style, and was constructed by George Washington in stages between 1758 and 1778. It occupies the site of an earlier, smaller house built by George Washington's father Augustine, some time between 1726 and 1735. It remained Washington's country home for the rest of his life. Following his death in 1799, under the ownership of several successive generations of the family, the estate progressively declined as revenues were insufficient to maintain it adequately. In 1858, the house's historical importance was recognized and it was saved from ruin by The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association; this philanthropic organization acquired it together with part of the Washington property estate. Escaping the damage suffered by many plantation houses during the American Civil War, Mount Vernon was restored. Mount Vernon was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is today listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is still owned and maintained in trust by The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, and is open every day of the year. Allowing the public to see the estate is not an innovation, but part of a 200-year-old tradition started by George Washington himself. In 1794 he wrote: "I have no objection to any sober or orderly person's gratifying their curiosity in viewing the buildings, Gardens, &ca. about Mount Verno
Mount Vernon was the plantation house of George Washington, first President of the United States and his wife, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington. The estate is situated on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Alexandria, across from Prince George's County, Maryland. The Washington family had owned land in the area since the time of Washington's great-grandfather in 1674. In 1739 they embarked on an expansion of the estate that continued under George Washington, who came into possession of the estate in 1754, but did not become its sole owner until 1761. The mansion is built of wood in a loose Palladian style, and was constructed by George Washington in stages between 1758 and 1778. It occupies the site of an earlier, smaller house built by George Washington's father Augustine, some time between 1726 and 1735. It remained Washington's country home for the rest of his life. Following his death in 1799, under the ownership of several successive generations of the family, the estate progressively declined as revenues were insufficient to maintain it adequately. In 1858, the house's historical importance was recognized and it was saved from ruin by The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association; this philanthropic organization acquired it together with part of the Washington property estate. Escaping the damage suffered by many plantation houses during the American Civil War, Mount Vernon was restored. Mount Vernon was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is today listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is still owned and maintained in trust by The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, and is open every day of the year. Allowing the public to see the estate is not an innovation, but part of a 200-year-old tradition started by George Washington himself. In 1794 he wrote: "I have no objection to any sober or orderly person's gratifying their curiosity in viewing the buildings, Gardens, &ca. about Mount Verno
Well worth the drive outside if DC.
Mount Vernon
Magnolia Blossom. Huge flower that only lasts a few days.

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Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC

4 out of 5
1001 14th St NW Washington DC
$131 nightly
The price is $147 total per night from Feb 26 to Feb 27
$147 total
Feb 26 - Feb 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,168 reviews)
Good

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2026

Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW Washington DC
$99 nightly
The price is $115 total per night from Feb 27 to Feb 28
$115 total
Feb 27 - Feb 28
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,949 reviews)
Room was spotless. Staff very courteous. Overall very pleasant experience.

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2026

Washington Plaza Hotel
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Washington D.C.

Fairfield Inn by Marriott Washington D.C.

3 out of 5
2305 New York Ave Ne Washington DC
$105 nightly
The price is $122 total per night from Feb 26 to Feb 27
$122 total
Feb 26 - Feb 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,273 reviews)
Clean room and nice place to lay your head at when you experience homelessness

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2026

Fairfield Inn by Marriott Washington D.C.
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The Dupont Circle Hotel

The Dupont Circle Hotel

4.5 out of 5
1500 New Hampshire Ave Nw Washington DC
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,898 reviews)
Clean room, turndown service, helpful staff!

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2026

The Dupont Circle Hotel
Glover Park - Georgetown

Glover Park - Georgetown

4 out of 5
Washington DC
Stay at this aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,832 reviews)
The shower head spurted water out it wasn’t a nice comfortable water flow. The couch was stained and dirty looking. The overall care of the room could have been better.

Reviewed on Feb 22, 2026

Glover Park - Georgetown
ARC HOTEL Washington DC, Georgetown

ARC HOTEL Washington DC, Georgetown

3 out of 5
824 New Hampshire Ave Nw Washington DC
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,665 reviews)
The room was very clean, the staff were great, & the location was very convenient. I would definitely visit again.

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2026

ARC HOTEL Washington DC, Georgetown
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

George Washington\'s Mount Vernon which includes heritage elements and a house

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Gain fascinating insights into the life of America’s first president at this beautifully restored country estate set on the shores of the Potomac River.

George Washington's Mount Vernon
George Washington Masonic National Memorial which includes heritage architecture, a park and an administrative buidling

George Washington Masonic National Memorial

See the views from the observation deck of this iconic memorial, which is dedicated to the contributions of Freemasons, and specifically George Washington, to the United States.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Alexandria Market House and City Hall

Alexandria City Hall

After visiting Alexandria City Hall, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Alexandria. Discover the area's great live music and notable monuments.

Alexandria City Hall
Market Square and City Hall, in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia.

Market Square

You can find out about the history of Alexandria when you stop by Market Square. Stroll along the waterfront or visit the notable monuments in the area.

Market Square

Fashion Center at Pentagon City

During your trip to Arlington, you can do some window-shopping at Fashion Center at Pentagon City. Experience the area's fascinating museums and acclaimed art scene.

Fashion Center at Pentagon City

Birchmere

Enjoy a performance at Birchmere, a storied theater in Alexandria. Add the area's shops or notable monuments to your travel plans.

Birchmere

Things to do

Cruise boat with Capitol Building in the background in Washington DC

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per adult
86% of travellers recommend
City Cruises Washington DC: Signature Lunch Cruise
Discover DC Tour

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per adult
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Capitol

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$68
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
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Ghost and Graveyard Tour

Ghost and Graveyard Tour

$20
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Ghost and Graveyard Tour
DC at Dusk Night Tour

DC at Dusk Night Tour

$69
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94% of travellers recommend
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No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook

No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook

$25
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
No-Wait Washington Monument Direct Entry Tickets & Guidebook
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Cities near Mount Vernon

Alexandria showing street scenes, cafe scenes and a small town or village

Alexandria

Bike and Walking Path to Alexandria, Virginia

Fort Belvoir

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