Roots & Ridgeways

Apologies for the title. I couldn’t help myself.

The Mt. Vernon estate, famously known as the home of the first U.S. President George Washington, is best visited in the springtime. The blooming cherry blossoms, misty Potomac River, and rich smell of Virginia clay immerses visitors in a countryside scenery from long ago.

You might even find fuzzy lambs in the stables and peeking tulips in the gardens.

The 500 acre estate includes the mansion, the tomb of George and Martha Washington, the distillery and gristmill, the farm with live animals, the greenhouse and outdoor gardens, and a wharf on the Potomac River.

There is also a museum with multiple exhibits and a theater, a gift shop, and a food court.

As of now, the Mt. Vernon estate is open 365 days a year. For more information on ticketing, visit here.

The Mansion

Above all else, I recommend taking a tour of the Washingtons’ iconic home. You can buy tickets in advance here. The guided tour includes 21 beautifully furnished rooms.

The Grounds

I highly suggest finding a complimentary map of the grounds. The gardens, farm, and tombstones are fairly spread out. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can get muddy.

It was rainy during my visit, and the gardens smelt of rich earthen soil. The air was crisp and delightful. They had newborn livestock in the barns, including lambs and kids (goats). One particular goat was drawing a crowd with its funny scream.

The Wharf

The Potomac River runs from the West Virginian Highlands to Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. On this particular rainy morning, a heavy fog had settled over the surface. The sky was nearly indistinguishable from the river. It was eerily silent.

In addition to a serene waterfront, the Washingtons utilized their wharf as a dock for guests visiting the estate.

The Museum, Gift Shop, & Food Court

At the very least, stop by the museum first to get a complimentary map of the grounds. I believe this is the only spot that offers public restrooms.

There are multiple exhibits and a theatre within the museum, which is great if you want a complete history of George Washington and the estate.

In my opinion, the food court was overpriced and did not offer much.

Nearby Old Town Alexandria, VA

Mt. Vernon sits right on the outside of Washington, D.C., the capitol of the United States. There are endless activities nearby. You could spend an entire week in Washington, D.C. and barely scrape the surface.

My personal suggestion is visiting Mt. Vernon in the morning, then driving 20 minutes North to Old Town Alexandra, VA for afternoon shopping and dinner.

Old Town Alexandra is my favorite neighborhood in the Washington, D.C. metro. It is a waterfront community along the Potomac River with coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping. Nearly every street is lined with historical brick townhomes.

Old Town Alexandria is extremely walkable. I suggest strolling through Founders Park, along the waterfront, and by the downtown storefronts. The best part – it’s FREE! And at the end of March, the sidewalks are lined with beautiful cherry blossoms.

For the history buffs, there are countless museums. Check out:

1. Tall Ship Providence Maritime Museum (located on a docked ship!)
2. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
3. Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum
4. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
5. Carlyle House Historic Park
6. Alexandria Archaeology Museum

If you love authentic Greek food, eat at Taverna Cretekou. They have been operating since 1973 and serve the best pita bread. Check them out here.

For more activities in Old Town Alexandra, visit their site here.

Final Thoughts

As someone who has traveled to the Washington, D.C. metro five times, I can confidently say that Mt. Vernon and Old Town Alexandria should be at the top of your bucket list.

I hope you get the opportunity to support these National Historic Landmarks along the east coast.

Let’s get back to our roots!