mlm59

My friend and I will be in Washington DC the last week of May. She wants to visit Mt Vernon. I went there a few years ago on a boat tour. The view of Mt Vernon from the river was beautiful, but otherwise I didn't enjoy spending 1 1/2 hours each way on the boat. Plus, the cruise is a much more expensive option.

We are trying to see a lot in the full four days we will be in DC. I have researched traveling to Mt Vernon by metro & bus. It seems we could spend a lot less time traveling and more time enjoying the estate, plus we wouldn't be bound by a schedule.

We are staying in Crystal City, so it's just a short ride to the Huntington metro, where we will pick up the Fairfax connector bus. According to their projection, we can get from Huntington to Mt Vernon in about 40 minutes and the same way coming back, provided we catch the bus according to schedule.

Has anyone tried this way of traveling to Mt Vernon? Thanks for your help.

nytraveler

Sorry - we had a car and drove. But found the visit fascinating and well worth it as long as you have good weather (and get an early start to avoid lines).

kayd

You could rent a car for the day. Walk from your hotel to the Enterprise location at 2020 Jeff Davis Hwy, extremely convenient if you are at Hampton, and not more than three blocks from Marriotts. Hilton and Sheraton.

mlm59

I thought about renting a car, but don't want to drive in DC/VA.

I have checked the metro/bus connection for before 8:00 and returning mid afternoon and the projected times look good. However, I realize projections are just that. I've been to DC before and am familiar with the metro. Just not sure about how reliable the buses are. My friend and I are early risers and we hope getting an early start will allow us to maximum our time at Mt Vernon. We would like to do other things that day and the boat tour from Alexandria lasts from 10:30 to 5:30, with about 3 hours of that on the river. It just seems like we could make better use of our time.

vjpblovesitaly

You won't have to drive in DC for this trip.

NewbE

Don't do the boat tour. Buses in DC are fairly reliable, and even if the projection is off, it won't be off by over 2 hours, which is the time you'd save over taking a cruise you won't enjoy.

Driving would be the easiest option, but if you don't want to drive, skip the cruise and take public transportation.

logandog

I took the bus from the metro. It worked well for me.
I think the bus leaves Mt.Vernon on the hour and it sits across the street from where you are dropped off.

mlm59

NewbE & logandog: Your comments have reinforced our plan to use public transportation to Mt Vernon. Hopefully by getting there early we can maximize our time at Mt Vernon and still have time for other adventures that day. Plus, it is definitely a less expensive option. We want to spend time sight-seeing, not sitting on a boat.

wtm003

I used public transportation via the metro from Alexandria followed by the bus. It was easy & I'd do it again. I agree that it is nice being on your own schedule. The Mt. Vernon website was very helpful for metro/bus planning.

alley

I visited Mt. Vernon 5 years ago, and again last week. Five years ago we arrived on a rainy Sunday just before 8am. We were the first people there, and thus wound up with our own private tour guide who gave us a wonderful tour of the house. Last week, we arrived at 11am on a Monday and found ourselves among busloads of young schoolchildren. The crowd was moved through the tour much faster and the tour was nowhere near as enjoyable. So my advice, if you can, is arrive as early as possible.

cd

You sign up for the tour as soon as you arrive. I enjoyed walking thru the slave quarters and that area while waiting our number to be called.

weimarer

There are 2 FC buses from Huntington to Mt Vernon, the 101 and 152. The 101 is 25 minutes, the 152 about 40, so you'll want the 101. It leaves from the North side of Huntington, which is down the escalator, walking in the opposite direction as the train was moving as it came in (the 152 is South, up the escalator, walking in the other direction)

If you have any interest, there are a pair of nesting bald eagles in a tree right next to the GW parkway about 2.5 miles from Mt Vernon. They have at least 1 chick this year and can easily be seen up close (binoculars and/or good zoom camera needed) The male is often out and about, but the female is usually right next to the nest as they have at least one chick, who is also visible now popping its head up out of the nest. If you're interested, I can give further details of exactly where. About a 15 minute or so walk from the last 101 stop before Mt Vernon.

mlm59

Again, thanks for all of the suggestions. Yes, my friend and I plan to get to MV early. We will be there on May 29 or 30. Not sure if there will still be lots of school tours then, but as I've visited lots of other tourist sites, getting there early is a big advantage.

weimarer - thank you for the details on catching the bus. I'm glad I found transportation that is much more efficient than the boat cruise. Yes, I hope we can see the bald eagles. I saw lots of them when I was in Alaska and they truly are majestic. I'm not sure if my friend has seen them, although there are some around the area where we live in southern Indiana.

bardo1

There is a better option. Have a private cars take you all there and back. Faster and MUCH cheaper (free in fact). Lyft is similar to Über only cheaper.

Here's how: 1) Google "Lyft codes" and get a code for a $25 Lyft credit on your first ride 2) download the Lyft app for your IPhone or android. 3) enter the code in the payment section of the app 4) Request a Lyft when you are ready to go

The "cost" of a one-way from your hotel to MV will be much less than your free credit - essentially making it a free ride for your group. Have another member of your group download the app as we'll and use THEIR phone for the return trip to hotel - again, free!

weimarer

If you want to check them out, here are the coordinates:

38.712994 -77.050297

About a half mile further up the GWP towards MT Vernon, you'll see Vernon View Drive. The 101 bus comes up this road and turns onto the Parkway here. So, walking down the bike path from there you'll first pass the parking area at River Farm Drive. Shortly after, the bike path crosses a wet area over a wooden boardwalk. A favorite perching spot is in a dead tree by the river about 100 ft to the right of the boardwalk, so keep your eyes peeled along here. After the boardwalk, you'll see a couple benches and a long grassy strip between the path and parkway. There are first a couple small trees to the left of the path after the benches, then an open area about 50 yards long, then a cluster of three holly trees to the left of the path. There are several spots along the open stretch between the benches/small trees and the 3 holly trees with a clear view of the nest across the road. You can't miss it if you are looking that direction. Another favorite perch spot is a tree above the river just to the right of the bike path, about 100 ft past the holly trees. If one is there, you can get about 60-70 feet away right below them. They won't fly away.

They have one chick, which by the end of May should be fairly big and will perch next to the nest.