Mount Vernon & Old Town Alexandria: George Washington Day Trip DC

George Washington's Home & Alexandria in One Morning from DC

You ride south from DC to Mount Vernon with a licensed guide, watch an introductory video, then take a guided tour of George Washington's mansion before spending free time exploring the 8,000-acre estate on your own. The return includes a drive through Old Town Alexandria passing Robert E. Lee's home, Christ Church, and the waterfront. The whole day is a half-day trip, so you're back in the city by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Lee-Fendall House Museum and Gardenpass by
2. Mount Vernon3h · entry included
3. Alexandria Christ Churchpass by
4. Old Town Alexandriapass by

Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria Tour

• Drive on parkway to Mount Vernon
• Pass by Robert E. Lee's childhood home
• Drive by Lee-Fendall House in Alexandria
• Pass by Alexandria's Christ Church
• Pass by Old Town Waterfront in Alexandria
• Pass by Smallest Town House in Old Town
• Pass by George Washington's Town House
• Pass by George Washington Masonic Temple
• Watch introduction video at Mount Vernon
• Tour George Washington's Mansion
• Explore Mount Vernon estate at leisure
• Return to Washington DC

The experience

The bus pulls away from 400 New Jersey Ave NW and heads south toward Virginia. You're on your way to Mount Vernon, the 8,000-acre estate where George Washington lived for over 40 years, and the half-day trip moves at a steady pace. There's no dawdling. On the drive, you pass Robert E. Lee's childhood home and the Lee-Fendall House in Old Town Alexandria, the guide pointing out the brick facades and narrow streets that still look much as they did in the 1700s. It's the kind of thing you'd miss if you were driving yourself, which is partly why the tour works.

At Mount Vernon, you watch a short introduction video before the guided tour of the mansion itself: the rooms where Washington lived, the furniture, the scale of it all. After that, the estate opens up. You've got free time to walk the gardens, the farm buildings, the grounds at whatever pace suits you. There's a food court if you need lunch, and a gift shop. The licensed guide doesn't follow you around during this part. You're on your own to explore, which means you can linger at the river overlook or skip the barn if you're not interested. Most people spend two to three hours here before heading back to the bus.

The return route takes you past Alexandria Christ Church and the Old Town waterfront: another set of pass-bys that anchor the day in actual places rather than just talking points. You see the smallest townhouse in Old Town, George Washington's own town house, and the Masonic Temple he belonged to. It's a lot of history compressed into one morning, and the drive-through format means you're not stopping at every single site, which keeps the whole thing from feeling like a checklist. Entry fees and the mansion tour are included. You just need to show up at the departure point.

What’s included

• Entry fees to Mount Vernon estate.
• guided tour of George Washington's mansion.
• introductory video upon arrival.
• free time to explore the gardens, farms, and other buildings on the estate at your own pace.
• drive through Old Town Alexandria with pass-bys of Robert E. Lee's childhood home, Lee-Fendall House, Christ Church, and the waterfront.
• licensed tour guide on the bus and mansion tour.
• food court and gift shop access at Mount Vernon.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English11:00

Guide in English14:00

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 14:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meet your tour guide at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (close to Union Station Metro). Address: 400 New Jersey Ave. NW Washington DC 20001 Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tour start time.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by City Tours by LOBA

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria without arranging your own transport from DC: the half-day format and included entry mean you're not spending the whole day on a bus, and the free time at the estate lets you move at your own pace once you're there.

Traveler reviews

4.01★★★★★★★★★★

978 verified traveler reviews

5 ★533

4 ★168

3 ★113

2 ★84

1 ★80

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long is the Mount Vernon & Old Town Alexandria tour from DC?

It's a half-day trip. You depart from 400 New Jersey Ave NW in Washington DC and return the same day, typically finishing by early afternoon.

What's included in the Mount Vernon tour?

Entry fees to the estate, a guided tour of George Washington's mansion, an introductory video upon arrival, and free time to explore the rest of the grounds on your own. A licensed tour guide leads the bus portion and mansion tour.

Do you stop in Old Town Alexandria?

You drive through Old Town Alexandria and pass by key sites including Robert E. Lee's childhood home, the Lee-Fendall House, Christ Church, and the waterfront, but these are drive-by stops rather than walking tours.

Is food available at Mount Vernon?

Yes, there's a food court at the estate if you want to grab lunch during your free time exploring the grounds.

What's the physical fitness requirement?

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour involves walking through the mansion and exploring the estate grounds.

Are wheelchairs accommodated?

Vehicles cannot accommodate wheelchairs unless the passenger is able to stand and board the bus independently.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Tours depart from 400 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C., DC 20001, USA. Your ticket will include operator details after purchase.