Fodor's Expert Review George Washington's Gristmill and Distillery

Reproductions of these two operations sit near the Mount Vernon estate, on the sites of the originals. In 1799, the distillery was one of the largest American whiskey producers. Today, using an 18th-century recipe and processes—thanks to the excellent records kept by Washington—small batches of his whiskey are made and sold here. During guided tours, led by costumed interpreters, you'll meet an 18th-century miller and watch the water-powered wheel grind grain into cornmeal before seeing the grain being distilled. The mill and distillery are 3 miles from Mount Vernon on Route 235 (Mount Vernon Memorial Highway) toward U.S. 1, almost to Woodlawn. General-admission tickets to Mount Vernon include the gristmill and distillery.