Washington DC & Mount Vernon Day Tour with Old Alexandria

Summary

See DC’s monuments then wander Mount Vernon estate and old town streets

You’ll walk where presidents walked in Washington DC, pause at memorials that make you feel small, then wander Old Alexandria’s brick streets before exploring Mount Vernon with an audio guide. Expect real stories from your local guide and enough time to find your own favorite moment—maybe overlooking the Potomac or catching cherry blossoms if you’re lucky.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the White House to look so… regular from the south lawn. We all kind of squinted through the iron fence, trying to spot anything moving behind those windows. Our guide, Marcus, cracked a joke about presidential jogging routes — I laughed, but honestly, I was still waking up. The city felt quieter than I thought it would be for a weekday morning. There was this faint smell of wet grass after last night’s rain, and someone nearby had coffee that smelled way better than mine.

We hopped off at the U.S. Capitol for a quick stop — fifteen minutes goes fast when you’re staring at all that marble. I tried to get a photo without any other tourists in it (impossible). Driving past the Jefferson Memorial, Marcus pointed out how the cherry blossoms make everything look pink in April — he said if you time your day trip right, it’s like walking through a watercolor painting. I’d love to see that someday. The Korean War Veterans Memorial hit me harder than I expected; something about those statues in their ponchos under gray clouds just made everyone go quiet for a minute.

Old Alexandria surprised me — it’s got this mix of brick sidewalks and little shops with people waving as we passed by on King Street. Marcus told us about Christ Church and how George Washington used to sit in pew number 60 (I think? Or maybe it was 62 — my memory’s fuzzy). Anyway, Li from our group tried to pronounce “Masonic National Memorial” in perfect English and then burst out laughing when she realized she’d said “mascot” instead. That broke the ice before we headed to Mount Vernon.

The plantation itself is bigger than I pictured — two hours there barely scratches the surface. You get an audio guide that actually works (which is rare), so you can wander at your own pace. The wood floors creaked under my shoes inside Washington’s house, and outside you could smell boxwood hedges after the rain. At one point I just stood looking out over the Potomac River — there’s this hush that settles over everything out there, even with other visitors around. I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Washington DC and Mount Vernon tour

• Stop at White House south front
• Stop at US Capitol west front
• Drive by Jefferson Memorial
• Visit Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
• Visit Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
• Visit unnamed memorial
• Visit Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Visit another unnamed memorial
• Drive by Washington Monument
• Drive on Memorial Bridge to Alexandria
• Drive by Alexandria Christ Church
• Drive by unnamed site
• View George Washington Masonic National Memorial
• Tour Mount Vernon plantation

Top questions

How long is the full-day Washington DC & Mount Vernon tour?

The tour lasts a full day and includes several stops in Washington DC, Old Alexandria, and a two-hour visit at Mount Vernon.

Is transportation included on this day trip from DC?

Yes, transportation is provided on a comfortable mini coach bus throughout the tour.

Do you actually go inside Mount Vernon during this tour?

Yes, you’ll have an audio-guided visit inside George Washington’s home and plantation at Mount Vernon.

Are there stops at memorials or just drive-bys?

You’ll stop and go inside several memorials including Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is included; you may want to bring snacks or plan for food during free time at Mount Vernon.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Will we see cherry blossoms on this tour?

If you book travel dates in early April, you may be able to see cherry blossoms in bloom along parts of the route.

Is this suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; walking is moderate and there are options for rest along the way.

What’s included

Your day includes all taxes and fees covered up front, guided stops at major Washington DC landmarks plus Old Alexandria highlights, two hours exploring Mount Vernon with an audio guide device provided, easy transportation by mini coach bus between sites, and—if your timing is right—a chance to catch cherry blossoms blooming along the route before heading back into town together.