Major city · United States
Mount Vernon, VirginiaMount Vernon
Give Mount Vernon one full day, not a base: the estate takes 4–6 h, and you sleep in Alexandria or Arlington. Go at 9:00 opening to beat mansion lines.Give Mount Vernon one full day, not a base: the estate takes 4–6 h, and you sleep in Alexandria or Arlington. Go at 9:00 AM opening to beat mansion lines.
Mount Vernon is a district in Fairfax County, Virginia, on the Potomac River, named for George Washington's plantation home. The estate is the reason to come: the mansion, tomb, gardens, farm site and museum sit on one compact site 13 miles south of Washington, DC. Almost everyone visits as a day trip from DC or Alexandria; there is little else to hold you overnight.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late-Dec–Feb (short hours, cold)
- Airports
- DCA · IAD
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mount Vernon, Virginia911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Mount Vernon estate main line+1 703 780-2000
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mount Vernon, Virginia, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime, well-patrolled historic district; the real risks are summer heat, ticks and uneven ground on the riverside trails…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 703 780-2000 Mount Vernon estate main line
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 8 miles north via the George Washington Memorial Parkway; taxi or rideshare 20–30 min.).
- Getting aroundThe estate is walkable but has steep hills; no private cars on the grounds.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealMount Vernon Inn Restaurant meal$15–35
- Museum or sight ticketEstate admission, adult / youthchildren free$28$13
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$55 · Mid US$110 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 8 miles north via the George Washington Memorial Parkway; taxi or rideshare 20–30 min.) · IAD Washington Dulles International (About 35 miles northwest; allow 50–70 min by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mount Vernon, Virginia: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The estate is walkable but has steep hills; no private cars on the grounds. A shuttle links the Education Center, Pioneer Farm and Wharf about every 30 min, 9:15–16:45, with an extra hourly shuttle to the Distillery and Gristmill in peak season (Apr 1–Oct 31). Beyond the estate you need a car, the Fairfax Connector 101 bus, or the Mount Vernon Trail by bike.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 45 min–1.5 h
Car via the George Washington Memorial Parkway, tour bus from Union Station, or boat from the DC waterfront
The parkway drive itself is part of the trip.
Door to door: 30–45 min
Car or bike north on the Mount Vernon Trail; 8–10 miles
Pair with the estate on the same day; waterfront restaurants.
Lorton
cautionDoor to door: 20–30 min
US-1 south by car
Workhouse Arts Center and Occoquan are the draws; only worth it if you have a car.
Door to door: 35–50 min
Car via US-1 and the Beltway
County seat with a historic downtown; not a headline sight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Alexandria (Old Town or Richmond Hwy)
Closest practical base: 8–10 miles north, hotels on Richmond Hwy, bus 101 and the Mount Vernon Trail connect.
Arlington / Crystal City
Metro Yellow Line to Huntington, then Fairfax Connector 101; good if you also want DC.
Washington, DC
Doable as a day trip by car, tour bus or boat; 13 miles but traffic can double the time.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $40–70 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–140 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Fairfax Connector 101 bus, one ride2 × US$2 | US$4 |
| Estate admission, adult2 × US$28 · $2 off online 3 days ahead | US$56 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$275 per person per day, bed included | US$550 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; estate admission and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Casual lunch near the estate | $12–20 |
| Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant meal | $15–35 |
| Estate admission, adult / youthchildren free | $28 / $13 |
| Distilled spirits bottle at the gift shop | $100–225 |
| Rideshare Alexandria → estate | $15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mansion tours need a timed ticket (included with admission); lines are longest on weekends, so do the mansion first.
- The estate closes earlier Nov–Mar (9:00–16:00) than Apr–Oct (9:00–17:00).The estate closes earlier Nov–Mar (9:00 AM–4:00 PM) than Apr–Oct (9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
- The Distillery and Gristmill is 3 miles south of the estate and only open Apr–Oct; check before relying on the shuttle.
- Summer heat and humidity on the riverside paths; carry water.
- Weekend and holiday parking fills by mid-morning.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Mount Vernon estate main line
- +1 703 780-2000
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Mount Vernon, VirginiaMount Vernon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Mount Vernon estate main line+1 703 780-2000
Embassy
No embassies here; they are in Washington, DC, about 13 miles north.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fairfax Connector 101, Huntington Metro → estate: about 30 min, roughly every 30 min
- Estate admission, adult: $28, $2 off online 3 days ahead
- Rideshare Alexandria → estate: $15–25, 20–30 min
Say or show
- Where is the mansion tour entrance? — Where is the mansion tour entrance?
- One adult ticket, please — One adult ticket, please
- Is the shuttle running? — Is the shuttle running?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the nearest restroom? — Where is the nearest restroom?
Timed mansion tickets are included with admission; pick your slot on arrival.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mount Vernon, Virginia. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late-Dec–Feb (short hours, cold) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DCA and IAD: last Metro and bus times, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters inside the estate: mansion and tomb, museum and education center, Pioneer Farm and wharf, distillery and gristmill.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and last entry for the estate, tomb, museum and distillery.
- Hostile-arrival fixtures for summer heat, weekend parking and holiday closures.