"Home of great farmer and the first US president !" Top 5 Page for this destination Mount Vernon by matcrazy1

Mount Vernon Travel Guide: 190 reviews and 406 photos

MANSION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON - Mount Vernon

He lived here

Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens is large property with the mansion where the first president of the United States, George Washington (1732 - 1799) spent most of his fascinating life, died and was buried.

Apart from very pretty location on a hill by the Potomac River the estate offers great educational value. Did you know?

1. George Washington was a passionate farmer and gardener.

2. He introduced the mule to American agriculture.

3. He was one of US first dedicated composters.

4. There are 13 trees planted personally by Washington in the estate.

5. He was horse lover, avid rider and fox hunter.

6. He is buried in Mount Vernon, not at famous Arlington cemetery.

7. He treated his over 300 slaves far more humanely than do his fellow citizens of Virginia. I do work more now than his slaves over 200 years ago!

Thank you very much for your visit and welcome to a virtual tour around the land where the first US president lived and died.

My wife and I visited Mount Vernon thanks to our friend Nat (b1bob) who gave us his time and great company for two days in Northern Virginia and Washington DC, too. That wasn't part of his original plan. The night before we went up there (to reclaim our lost bags at Dulles) and to join several other VT members (in Arlington), Nat recommended very strongly that we go there. He printed out detailed directions and the whole thing for us, but just before we went to bed that night, we asked him if he would go with us to Mount Vernon and he did :-).

Only 16 miles from downtown Washington!

ALONG THE POTOMAC RIVER

You would think Mount Vernon would be way off in Virginia's countryside (with all the beautiful forests, farmlands and gardens with over 1-mile wide Potomac River downhill). But Mount Vernon is only 16 miles (26 km) from downtown Washington, DC in the middle of Northern Virginia urban sprawl which stretches almost to Richmond.

George Washington was great farmer!

HOG ISLAND SHEEP

George Washington played many different roles in the founding of the new American nation: Commander in Chief of the Revolutionary Army, first President and leader of the Constitutional Convention to name a few. I was surprised to get to know that he was one of the most accomplished farmers in America. He took a scientific approach to farming and was one of the first to practice conservation of natural resource.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great historical and educational value, nature (forests, the Potomac River)
Cons:Crowded tour guides inside the mansion (and ban on photography there)
In a nutshell:Discover the early years of the USA

Last visit to Mount Vernon: Oct 2004
Intro Updated Jan 16, 2005
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Reviews (98)

MY DISCOUNT COUPON BOOKS FOR VIRGINIA - Mount Vernon

General information Hotels (1)

Mount Vernon is a census-designated place with no seperate local government which is in Alexandria. So, whenever you... more travel advice

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MANSION - Mount Vernon

What is Mount Vernon? Favorites (6)

Mount Vernon, Virginia, speaking exactly, is not a city, not a town, not a village but so called census-designated place... more travel advice

Buy Moravian Ginger Cookies Shopping (3)

The Food Court at Mount Vernon, located in glass-enclosed Pavilion is a restaurant (details in my Restaurants tip - do... more travel advice

FOOD COURT AT MOUNT VERNON - Mount Vernon

Don't eat here unless... Restaurants (1)

The Food Court at Mount Vernon is located in glass-enclosed Pavilion with tables put on the terrace as well (open when... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (9)
See All No credit card accepted
Things to Do (30)
See All Slave quarters and shop
Off The Beaten Path (26)
See All Planted by George Washington
Local Customs (13)
See All First residents of Mount Vernon

Transportation (7)
See All By boat
Tourist Traps (1)
Ban on photography in the Mansion
What to Pack (1)
Weather, book to read... SMILE!
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Comments (24)

Diana75 Feb 13, 2007 at 12:56 PM Report Abuse

Just continuing my American tour... and Mount Vernon sounds great. Thanks for the interesting info about the mansion and Washington. Walking down to the Potomac River, this is what I'd love to do.
kyoub Jun 18, 2005 at 10:38 AM Report Abuse

Another one of your fantastic pages. Very interesting, Matt
Nemorino Apr 14, 2005 at 2:32 PM Report Abuse

Too bad about that ban on photography in the Mansion. But even so, you have put together a very informative and comprehensive page. (It's been years -- or rather decades -- since my visit to Mount Vernon.)
ATXtraveler Apr 14, 2005 at 10:09 AM Report Abuse

What a great page into history. I have not been there since I was 12 years old! Next stop for us: Australia!
margaretvn Mar 20, 2005 at 12:35 AM Report Abuse

another great page Matt with so much info. It was very busy when we were there but we had a great time.
easyoar Mar 11, 2005 at 4:19 PM Report Abuse

Great page Matt! Lovely pictures and very comprehensive tips! I especially liked the Sixteen-Sided Barn. The problem with Mules of course is that they are sterile, so can't reproduce!
Helga67 Feb 27, 2005 at 1:34 PM Report Abuse

Very informative page about the first president of the US's house
sim1 Feb 25, 2005 at 5:20 AM Report Abuse

Huge and informative page Matt! Great work!!! :-)) I would love to visit Mount Vernon! Hahaha, but I am glad I didn't live in those days seeing the tip about the "Washing dishes in the past". Hahaha, I can't live without my dishwasher, LOL :-)))
traveldave Feb 7, 2005 at 4:13 PM Report Abuse

I visited Mount Vernon many years ago, and reading your page brought back memories of my visit.
Azhut Feb 7, 2005 at 6:17 AM Report Abuse

I always love your pages, full of infos and beautiful pics!!XXXXXXXXXXXX