Majestic Mount Vernon
The pretty Palladian-style wings of George Washington's ancestral home make little Mount Vernon one of the most important historical sites on the meanders of the Potomac River south out of DC. And while many will book Mount Vernon vacation rentals with the express purpose of seeing that grand mansion and its manicured plantation grounds, others will come here to enjoy a quiet, cozy base on the edge of the US capital – just 35 minutes in the car reveals the wonders of Washington DC, topped off by the must-see sights of the National Mall and the White House.
Mount Vernon is an attraction in itself
It's no secret that most people flock here to see the old home of George Washington. Known, simply, as Mount Vernon, it's a grand mansion of historic 1700s styles that stands tall above the waters of the Potomac River. You can go there to wonder at the rich interiors and the picture-perfect gardens. You can see the reconstructed distillery buildings once used by Washington's farmhands. And there's the monumental sarcophagi of the first president and his wife, Martha, in the glorious crypt built for him in the 1830s. It's a real living museum.
Mount Vernon offers tours aplenty
You can take all sorts of tours from Mount Vernon vacation rentals. Some delve into the opulent mansion interiors of the erstwhile home of America's first president. Others take to the winding bends of the Potomac River to reveal historical forts. Others showcase the sobering story of Mount Vernon's slave workers. Others deal with the innovative farming techniques applied on the Mount Vernon agricultural fields. Others reveal the musical tastes of the American Revolution, and detail the use of ditties in military movements.
Seasonal changes in Mount Vernon
The handsome mansions and gardens of Mount Vernon are open 365 days a year, which means it really doesn't matter what season you choose to visit. That said, the weather will change dramatically from winter to summer, so be sure to check ahead for average conditions if you're determined to get some sun. Roughly speaking, the colder months are from November to March, and see frequent snow flurries. The warmer months start with May and have temperatures from the 60s to the 80s.
On the edge of the Potomac in Mount Vernon
Just 15 miles south of Downtown Washington DC, Mount Vernon sits on the banks of the widening Potomac River. It's a truly pretty spot, where the suburbs of the capital give way to the wooded hills of Virginia State. On the far banks are the reserves of Piscataway Park, where crooked historic farmsteads still have cattle and sheep, but ospreys and bald eagles fill the skies, too. Meanwhile, the wide green fields of Fort Washington Park offer picnic spots and wooded trails, not to mention oodles of historical reenactments throughout the year.
Transportation to and around Mount Vernon
Fly into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the closest airport, located 9 mi (14.5 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you might consider flying into Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD), which is 24 mi (38.6 km) away.
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