Frequently Asked Questions

The estate remains open during our preservation work. Guests can visit the museum, historic grounds, George Washington's tomb, slave memorial, farm, and four gardens.

Mansion preservation work

Preservation work is underway in the Mansion and some rooms may be off-view while during your visit. 

LEARN MORE 

Education Center Renovation

From July 8, 2024, through 2025, the Education Center exhibit on George Washington’s life will be closed for an extensive rebuild. 

The museum exhibit Mount Vernon: Story of An American Icon, located next to the Education Center, remains open.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLOSURE

How much is general admission?

Admission ticket prices are available on our Plan Your Visit page.

What is included with general admission?

General admission includes access to the historic area, gardens, outbuildings, and museums. Admission also includes an audio tour device.

Can I walk the grounds without paying admission?

No. Admission is required for entry onto the grounds. The Mount Vernon Inn restaurant, The Shops at Mount Vernon and the food court are open to the public without a ticket.

Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?

We recommend that you purchase your tickets online in advance so that you can enter the estate more quickly.

Can I buy tickets over the phone?

Yes. Please call (703) 780-2000.

How do I know if you are sold out?

Our checkout screen will tell you if tickets are not available for your selected date.

Do you have a two-day pass?

While we do not offer two-day passes, guests can become Mount Vernon members. Membership includes free daytime admission for one year.

If I have purchased tickets online, can I change the date or time of my visit?

We can usually accommodate requests for changes that are made in advance. Please call (703) 780-2000 or email tickets@mountvernon.org.

Do I need to print out my tickets?

No, you can show the barcode on your phone or mobile device.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes. Gift cards can be purchased on our website.

Do you offer refunds?

Please see our cancellation policy.

I have a National Park Pass. Is Mount Vernon included?

No, Mount Vernon is not part of the National Park System; park passes are not valid for admission. Mount Vernon is owned and maintained in trust for the people of the United States by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, founded in 1853.

Do you offer AAA or AARP discounts?

No, we do not offer these discounts.

Do you offer free admission for employees of other museums or federal government employees?

Yes, Mount Vernon offers free admission to employees of historic homes or museums (with identification).

We do not offer discounts for federal government employees or law enforcement.

Please call (703) 780-2000 or email tickets@mountvernon.org to request tickets.

Do you offer teacher discounts?

Teachers save $4 on admission through ID.me.

Discounts for educators are also available when visiting as part of a student group.

Do you offer military discounts?

Yes, military members save $4 on admission tickets on-site and online with ID.me. See our ID.me Discount page for more information.

Purple Heart recipients receive free admission. 

Military members also save $20 on a Mount Vernon membership, which includes free daytime admission for one year. This discount is available at all one-year membership levels (i.e. individual, dual, family, etc.). To receive the discount, click on the ID.me button when purchasing or renewing a membership. Learn more about membership.

Do you offer reduced admission for EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer Card) holders?

Yes, present your EBT card at the gate to receive daytime admission tickets for $2 each. Available in-person only; this offer cannot be redeemed online.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon participates in the Museums for All initiative that offers discounted museum admission for those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits).

Visit their website to view all participating museums.

How much time should I spend at Mount Vernon?

There's so much to see and do at Mount Vernon. We recommend guests spend three hours or more here.

What if I arrive just before closing?

If you buy your admission at the gate within one hour of closing, we will validate your ticket so that you can come back the next day for free.

When is the best time of year to visit? 

Every season has its benefits and drawbacks.

During the spring, our gardens are in full bloom, and we often have newborn lambs on the estate. However, spring is also our busiest time of year.

During the summer, the Farm is active with 18th-century demonstrations, and visitors can cool off with sightseeing cruises on the Potomac.

In the fall, we see milder weather, lighter crowds, and beautiful autumn colors.

While it can be a bit chilly during the winter, the estate is most peaceful during this time period.

How can I get to Mount Vernon?

Mount Vernon can be reached by public transportation, car, taxi, rideshare, boat, tour bus, or bike. Please see our Directions page for details.

Why is my GPS unable to locate Mount Vernon, VA 22121?

Older GPS devices may not have the address in their database. You may use the address for the U.S. Post Office that is located across the street from the estate (3500 Mt Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria, VA, 22309).

Is parking free?

Yes.

How far is the entrance from the parking lot?

The entrance is a five to eight-minute walk depending on which parking lot you park in. Visitors with mobility issues may be dropped off in the traffic circle.

Can I have a printable visitor map?

Maps are available inside the Orientation Center where you enter the estate. You can also use www.mountvernon.org/explorer on your phone.

Large-print maps are available upon request at the Orientation Center.

In addition to English, print maps are available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian.

Is the estate easy to navigate?

Although the 18th-century pathways in the historic area can be uneven, there is an accessible path linking the Mansion, Ford Orientation Center, and the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.

Accessible paths are highlighted on our estate map, available in the Ford Orientation Center.

Other areas of the estate can be challenging to those with mobility issues.

Is there a shuttle?

A shuttle (with lift) runs continuously between the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center and the Farm (April–October). The shuttle is included with admission.

Do you have wheelchairs and electric scooters?

Standard, non-motorized wheelchairs and wheeled walkers are available free of charge inside the Ford Orientation Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Electric scooters are not available.

What should I bring?

• Comfortable shoes, as there are dirt paths and some uneven walkways
• An umbrella, if the weather forecast calls for rain, as guests must walk outdoors to access the Mansion and historic area
• Bottled water, especially on hot days; no other outside food or drink is permitted
• Sunscreen
• A dog leash, if you will be visiting the estate with your dog. Learn more about bringing your dog to Mount Vernon.
• Strollers are welcome on the estate but cannot be taken inside the Mansion. Strollers may be parked outside of the Mansion prior to your tour.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, leashed dogs are allowed on the property, but they cannot enter the Mansion. Please see our Dog Visitation Policy.

Are strollers allowed?

Yes, but they may not be taken into the Mansion. They may be parked outside of the Mansion prior to your tour.

Which items are prohibited?

• Bags larger than 16x16x8 inches
• Outside food or drink (except water)
• Weapons/firearms

All bags are subject to inspection. View the complete list of prohibited items.

Can I bring outside food or drink on the estate?

Outside food and drink other than bottled water are prohibited on the estate. If you would like to bring bagged lunches, tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis in front of the Shops at Mount Vernon.

Food is available for purchase at the food court and the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.

Can you store my luggage?

We can store your luggage in our gatehouse, which is located near the curb by the main entrance. Ask a Guest Services associate for assistance.

What's going on in and around the Mansion?

From 2023-2026, Mount Vernon's Mansion is undergoing a landmark preservation project. Some areas of the Mansion will be off-display while this work is being done. See what areas of the Mansion are affected during your visit by clicking the link below.

The estate will remain open throughout the preservation work. 

Learn more about Mansion Revitalization

How long is the Mansion tour?

The length of the Mansion tour depends on the number of guests who visit the estate. Tours generally last 15-25 minutes. 

At what time can I tour the Mansion?

When you purchase your ticket online, you will be asked to choose a time for your Mansion tour. This is the time at which you can enter the line for the Mansion. There may be a short wait before your tour.  

If you purchase your ticket at the gate, your Mansion tour time will be assigned at the time of purchase.

Missed your tour time? Please talk to the guest services staff at the Mansion line. They will make every effort to accommodate you.

Should I enter the Mansion tour line early?

No. You should plan to arrive at the Mansion tour line at the time printed on your ticket.

However, you should arrive at the main entrance of the estate at least 30 minutes prior to your tour.

What should I do if there is a long wait for my Mansion tour?

During your visit, you can take a self-guided tour of the grounds, gardens, and museums. On average, guests spend about 4 hours at Mount Vernon. 

What items are prohibited in the Mansion?

• Dogs
• Strollers (these may be parked outside of the Mansion)
• Gum
• Uncapped bottles of water

Is the Mansion wheelchair accessible?

Only the first floor of the Mansion is wheelchair accessible.

What services do you offer for those who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Live Transcribe is available for the Mansion tour, upon request.

ASL tours of the Mansion and other primary learning sites can usually be arranged with two weeks advance notice.

Please see our accessibility page for more details on our Interpretive Assistance offerings.

What are specialty tours?

Specialty tours provide additional information about a particular subject. They generally require an additional fee, although the Enslaved People of Mount Vernon tour is available at no cost.

Our specialty tours can be viewed here. They are also listed in the daily events calendar.

Where do I meet my tour guide?

All specialty tours meet at the Mansion Circle in front of the “Tours Meet Here” sign.

Can I take more than one specialty tour?

You can book as many as your day allows. Please be aware that tours are about an hour-long, and you should allow for 15 minutes between tours.

Are tours available for guests who are blind, deaf or hard of hearing?

We are committed to providing exceptional customer service to all guests who visit us. Please see our accessibility page for more details on our Interpretive Assistance offerings.

Are tours available in other languages?

Private tours can be arranged in select languages. Tour times may be subject to speaker availability. We highly recommend booking tours at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability. To book a reservation email groups@mountvernon.org.

Do you have special rates for homeschool groups?

Yes. View our rates for student groups.

Can I hold my military ceremony at Mount Vernon?

Yes. Please view our military ceremony policy.

Can my school perform at Mount Vernon?

Mount Vernon does allow performances by school groups and other organizations. Please view our musical performance policy.

How do I contact your lost and found department?

Please fill out our lost and found form or email lostandfound@mountvernon.org.

Please see our Membership FAQ.

Read our guidelines for guests.

Contact us at 703.780.2000 or at questions@mountvernon.org.