Mt. Vernon
Feb 16th, 1999 | 05:15 AM
#1
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Mt. Vernon
We are planning a trip to Washington DC in June. It sounds like Mt. Vernon would be a good place to incorporate into our plans. We have reservations at an establishment close to the Key Bridge in Arlington. What kind of a drive is it to Mt.Vernon? Is there a lot of traffic? Is there sufficient parking once we get to Mt. Vernon? In terms of traffic congestion and parking, would it be better to drive our own car or take a tour?
Feb 16th, 1999 | 08:56 AM
#2
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Paula, if you have your own car, then you're definitely better of driving to Mt. Vernon. It is about 15 miles from the Key Bridge to Mt. Vernon, and it's a beautiful parkway all the way (the George Washington Parkway hugs the south bank of the Potomac River from Great Falls to Alexandria; the Mt. Vernon Parkway completes the drive from Alexandria to George Washington's home). There is ample, free parking; there is seldom any heavy traffic unless you choose to start your visit at 5 p.m., when you'll join the homeward rush hour raffic out of D.C.
The best reason for taking a car over a tour is that you can stay as long as you like. Mt. Vernon is more than just a house; it's a complete homestead covering several hundred acres. The formal gardens, alone, are worth an hour; the outbuildings and dependencies another hour or more. Most tour buses get groups in and out in an hour and a half, max.
On your way there or back, block off some time for Old Town Alexandria, especially the area east of Washington Street (as the parkway is called as it goes through Old Town) and south of King Street. Old Town is a charming, small town that hasn't changed a lot in over a hundred years, wonderfully picturesque and worth parking and walking a while.
The best reason for taking a car over a tour is that you can stay as long as you like. Mt. Vernon is more than just a house; it's a complete homestead covering several hundred acres. The formal gardens, alone, are worth an hour; the outbuildings and dependencies another hour or more. Most tour buses get groups in and out in an hour and a half, max.
On your way there or back, block off some time for Old Town Alexandria, especially the area east of Washington Street (as the parkway is called as it goes through Old Town) and south of King Street. Old Town is a charming, small town that hasn't changed a lot in over a hundred years, wonderfully picturesque and worth parking and walking a while.
Feb 16th, 1999 | 08:56 AM
#3
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Posts: n/a
Paula, if you have your own car, then you're definitely better of driving to Mt. Vernon. It is about 15 miles from the Key Bridge to Mt. Vernon, and it's a beautiful parkway all the way (the George Washington Parkway hugs the south bank of the Potomac River from Great Falls to Alexandria; the Mt. Vernon Parkway completes the drive from Alexandria to George Washington's home). There is ample, free parking; there is seldom any heavy traffic unless you choose to start your visit at 5 p.m., when you'll join the homeward rush hour raffic out of D.C.
The best reason for taking a car over a tour is that you can stay as long as you like. Mt. Vernon is more than just a house; it's a complete homestead covering several hundred acres. The formal gardens, alone, are worth an hour; the outbuildings and dependencies another hour or more. Most tour buses get groups in and out in an hour and a half, max.
On your way there or back, block off some time for Old Town Alexandria, especially the area east of Washington Street (as the parkway is called as it goes through Old Town) and south of King Street. Old Town is a charming, small town that hasn't changed a lot in over a hundred years, wonderfully picturesque and worth parking and walking a while.
The best reason for taking a car over a tour is that you can stay as long as you like. Mt. Vernon is more than just a house; it's a complete homestead covering several hundred acres. The formal gardens, alone, are worth an hour; the outbuildings and dependencies another hour or more. Most tour buses get groups in and out in an hour and a half, max.
On your way there or back, block off some time for Old Town Alexandria, especially the area east of Washington Street (as the parkway is called as it goes through Old Town) and south of King Street. Old Town is a charming, small town that hasn't changed a lot in over a hundred years, wonderfully picturesque and worth parking and walking a while.
Feb 16th, 1999 | 10:44 AM
#4
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Hi Paula. Used to live there, twice in fact, and go back to visit. From Key Bridge, there is an off ramp to your right JUST before you drive over Key Bridge into DC. This ramp leads down to the George Washington Parkway. Stay on the parkway past Ronald Regan (National) Airport to Alexandria. There you will hit a few traffic lights before the parkway continues on to Mount Vernon south of Alexandria. The drive leads you directly to the parking areas.
I agree on the tour bus angle. I want to linger and enjoy. There is more than just the house to see.
I agree on the tour bus angle. I want to linger and enjoy. There is more than just the house to see.
Feb 26th, 1999 | 03:37 AM
#5
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I agree with the above posts - drive yourself. We were there many years ago, but still remember the afternoon we spent at Mt. Vernon. We actually got in line for a second tour of the home, because we wanted to see it all again. At that time we paid only one fee at the gate, so I don't know if you can still do this now, or not. The second tour was with another guide, and we got more new information. It is a wonderful spot to visit.
Mar 7th, 1999 | 12:44 PM
#7
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I think it's a great idea! We took the Potomac Spirit to Mt. Vernon and had a great time. We had a 3 yr. old and 5 1/2 mo. old with us and it was fine. We did enough driving around D.C. on our visit there, that the boat ride was a nice break from driving around a very big, confusing city. I think you'll like it. There is narration along the way which is interesting.
