Arrive at the wharf where you’ll meet your expert guide, ready to take you on the ferry. You’ll be the first to board, giving you access to the best seats in the house before your guide introduces you to the area and the sights you’re about to see. After a relaxing hour and a half spent soaking up these iconic sights from the water—and enjoying a light breakfast—you’ll arrive at the Mount Vernon ready to continue your exploration.
For the most comprehensive tour of the estate and grounds possible, you'll be in the capable hands of your expert Walks guide. According to George Washington himself, “no estate is more pleasantly seated than Mount Vernon” and you'll soon see just what he meant!
Your first stop will be the estate’s farm, where Mount Vernon produced food, textiles and more. This was only possible because Mount Vernon, like most of the country’s estates during the time, was run by enslaved persons. You’ll gain an insight into their life on the farm, seeing where they lived, slept, ate, and the forms of resistance they took against the estate owners.
Next, you’ll get your first view of Mount Vernon's stately mansion. Get an up-close view of areas like the blacksmith’s shop, the overseer's quarters and the greenhouse (which Washington built himself!). Admire the family portraits adorning the walls, explore George Washington’s private study, and lay your eyes on the bed where he died.
Continuing your tour outside, discover the storey behind the “haha wall” and the fruit garden where Washington experimented with various produce. Despite reserving a crypt for him in Washington DC, George Washington told Congress he wished instead to be laid to rest at Mount Vernon. See the Old Tomb where he and Martha were buried until 1831 when the new tomb was built. Their final resting place makes for a thoughtful conclusion to your visit.
By the end of your tour, you’ll make your way back to the ferry to enjoy the scenic cruise back to the nation's capital. A picnic lunch will be available on the boat for purchase or your guide can provide recommendations on where to eat back in DC. By the end of the tour, you'll have incredible insight into America’s most prolific founding father and be better able to reflect on the man behind the legend.
