Mount Vernon
 

I'm curious as to whether or not people who have visited Mount Vernon are glad they did or if they would put it at the bottom of their list should they be in the area. We'll be in D.C. next week and are a mixed group of toddlers, teens, young and "old". We have never been to Mount Vernon and are toying with whether or not we should try to squeeze it in on a 3 1/2 day visit, 1 of which is Easter.

Nothing really THAT special about the house or the interior itself. However, it is built on a beautiful ground overlooking the Potomac. The drive down there along the GW Parkway is also pretty.

But of course, you go there because it's the house our first President. I think most people in the modern and even not-so-modern world would be curious to see how what the house of the first president of currently the longest continuous democratic country and the world's biggest power is like...

We were at Mt. Vernon over Christmas. Our kids are 11, 14, 16 and they really enjoyed it....but they like history. I remember going there as a child and wanted to take my kids. I think it's a special place..beautiful grounds and views. It was so interesting to see the home and learn about the life of our first President. It did not take long to get there or visit, but we made sure we arrived early so we didn't get stuck waiting for a tour.

I think most people go there because it's where George Washington lived. However, there's much more of interest that just that. The tour of the house was interesting, the grounds are beautiful, there's a working farm on the grounds, and various outbuildings. Visitors get a glimpse of life in the 1700s, and specifically, what plantation life was like.

Darn! I hit the post button too fast. I meant to say that it will probably be very busy there at Easter.

Yes, it is a very pretty drive down and a great vista from the front of the house.

Fortunately George the slaveholder was a bit more modest than some of the posters above.

I've visited it twice and was glad I did both times!

I've visited MV twice too (glad I spend a few $ more for an annual pass) but that was only after I had visited DC several other times.

I love MV but I think you can easily find enough worthwile activities within DC to keep you busy for the 3 1/2 days. Save it for your NEXT trip.

I agree with the previous poster. Mount Vernon is worth a visit but I wouldn't put it on the top of the list for such a short trip. With so much to do and see in D.C. and with such a mixed group, I think I'd save it for another time.

I'd put Mount Vernon on the top of my list for D.C. I use to live in the D.C. area and Mount Vernon was very close by, not exactly an out of the way place. Its recommended because after a day or two of touring D.C. you'll want some space in the country to visit for a few hours.

We visited Mount Vernon with our kids a few years ago, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. I guess it depends on whether you're interested in history. If not, it probably wouldn't be as interesting. I think it's fascinating to find out how people lived in different times. We would definitely go back.

Thank you for all of your responses about Mount Vernon. I think we still might try to go there this trip just to escape from the city bustle for a while. (We are only hitting a handful of major things this time: namely The Holocost Museum (not all of us), American History Museum, Jefferson/Lincoln Memorials, Vietnam Memorial and Arlington Nat'l Cemetary. How early do we need to be at Mount Vernon to beat the majority of the crowds. Also, how long of a drive is it. (We have a car and are staying at the Marriott Metro Center). Thanks again! Hopefully the weather warms up a bit.

It's only about 20-25 minutes to get from downtown DC to Mount Vernon. Traffic shouldn't be a problem except during PM rush.

Also, Old Town Alexandria is on the way. Good place to walk around, have lunch, whatever...

Dear DWS:

We did a Greyline tour to MV last year. The bus, along with all the other busses got there about 9:30. We had 2 hrs to see the house and grounds. There was a line to get into the house. It wasn't too bad since we were there in the off season. When it was time to leave, the place was deserted. All the bus groups had already left. I wished we had more time and stayed later. Next time, we will go on our own to set our own schedule.

BYW: we loved it, also a highlight of our trip.

MY