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Mount Vernon Excursion Cruise – from Washington

Key facts

Where: Washington DC, U.S.A.

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Duration: 7 hours

Price per person

$47.67

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Open a door onto George Washington’s world
No visit to Washington, DC, is complete without seeing the home of America′s original hero!
Take a stroll through early American gardening history
Gain vivid insights into 18th century plantation life

Tour Information
User Review

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Combine a delightful Potomac River cruise with a fascinating visit to First President George Washington’s beautiful house and gardens.

See historic places like Old Alexandria and important buildings like the Pentagon as you travel the scenic river. Enjoy an informative narration as you go along.

At Mount Vernon you can tour the stately Mansion with its vibrant interiors, decorated just as it was in Washington’s time.

You can also explore the outbuildings and grounds. Here, you’ll discover how an 18th century plantation worked and learn about Washington’s many farming experiments as well as his passion for gardening.

Enjoy the huge museum collections showing everything from survey equipment to the First President’s false teeth! Gain many new insights into the life of an extraordinary man and the dynamic times in which he lived.

This is a great American adventure everyone should experience, especially when you do it by boat.

Itinerary

Make a half-day pilgrimage to the home of America's founding father, George Washington, on the Mount Vernon Excursion Cruise – from Washington. There is no hotel pick-up for the tour. To join your ship you should make your way to Pier 4 at 6th & Water Streets SW. Directions for reaching the start point are given in Additional Information.

To receive your boarding pass, please present your voucher and photo ID at the activity operator’s ticket kiosk at Pier 4. Boarding begins at 8:00am, 30 minutes prior to cruise departure time.

You will enjoy a narrated cruise along the Potomac River. Along the way, you'll see sights both historic and recent, ranging from the pretty seaport town of Old Town Alexandria to the famous Pentagon in Washington DC.

Refreshments are not included in your ticket but there is an onboard snack bar providing pastries, muffins, bagels, hot dogs, pizza, chips, candy, juice, soda and cold beer.

The boat arrives at Mount Vernon at around 1000am. Your ticket includes admission to the beautiful house and gardens and you will have around three hours to explore at your leisure.

Delightfully situated on the banks of the Potomac, Mount Vernon was the beloved plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The large estate stretches over 500 open acres (200 hectares).

The house and grounds provide fascinating insights into life in the 18th century and into the character of George Washington.

Highlights of your visit could include the following:

The Mansion: When George Washington inherited Mount Vernon, the house was much smaller. Washington expanded his home to reflect his status as a Virginia gentleman, personally overseeing every detail of design, construction, and decoration. The interior has been restored to its appearance in 1799, the last year of Washington's life. Notice the surprisingly colorful decor.

Washington's Historic Outbuildings: Visit these to discover all the activities required to keep a large plantation running, such as spinning and laundering, preparing food, curing meats, shoeing horses, and other jobs. A special feature is the new working blacksmith’s shop.

The Museum: Dedicated to the life and death of George Washington, this has a fascinating collection including survey equipment, weapons, and clothing, even his dentures! You can also see Martha Washington’s garments.

Historic and Beautiful Gardens: George Washington had a passion for gardening. The pleasure garden features bulbs, annuals, and perennials, while, in the kitchen garden, you'll discover a delectable variety of fruits and vegetables. There is also a botanical garden where Washington experimented with plants, as well as a fruit garden and nursery.

Historical Farm Site: Washington constantly experimented with ways to improve his farming techniques. Perhaps his most dramatic invention was a 16-sided treading barn for processing grains. The barn has been reconstructed and is used in season as horses tread out wheat at the Pioneer Farmer Site near the river. The four-acre historical farm site also includes a slave cabin, animals, and demonstration crops.

Washington’s Tomb: The remains of George and Martha Washington, as well as other family members, are interred within the grounds. You will see the old family crypt where he was first buried and the new vault where he was finally laid to rest.

Slave Burial Site: On a wooded hill is a slave burial ground marked by a memorial to honor African-American slaves who worked at Mount Vernon. The graves are unmarked, and the identities and numbers of those buried on this historical land are largely unknown.

At about 01:30pm, you will board your boat for the journey back to Washington. You will be dropped back at the starting point at around 03:00pm.

Please note

Please contact the activity operator within 5 days of booking or at least 72 hours prior to your arrival into Washington DC to confirm your cruise reservation. You will not be guaranteed a place on the cruise until you have contacted the activity operator to confirm.
You must print and present your voucher in order to redeem services purchased.
Please present your voucher and photo ID at the activity operator’s ticket kiosk located dockside. You will be issued boarding passes at this time. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to cruise departure time.
Cruises go ahead rain or shine all year long. In the rare event the Coast Guard prohibits cruising because of weather conditions, your activity operator will contact you to make other arrangements.

Inclusions

Cruise to and from Mount Vernon (90 minutes each way)
Admission to Mount Vernon
Narrated Potomac River Tour (in English)

Exclusions

Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Food

What happens after I book?

A booking voucher will be sent to you by email
Print all pages of the voucher
Present the voucher at the tour start point or attraction entrance

Activity schedule

When does it run?
01 Mar - 30 Nov: Daily except Monday

Duration
7 hours

Start time
Boarding: 8:00am, Sailing: 8:30am

Meeting point
Cruise departs from Pier 4 at 6th & Water Streets SW. Directions for reaching the starting point are given in Additional Information.
Please report at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start time. This is mandatory to allow time for pre-departure briefing.

Ending point
The cruise ends at the starting point

Sale price

$123.23

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Additional information

The confirmation voucher includes the local activity operator’s contact details and local telephone numbers at the destination. They will happily answer any logistical questions you may have.
Directions for reaching the cruise office at 6th & Water Streets, S.W., Pier 4:
From Rockville/Gaithersburg Maryland Area:
Take 270 South to 495 Northern Virginia.
Take George Washington Parkway to 395 North.
Go over 14th Street Bridge staying on 395.
Take the Maine Avenue Exit.
Cross over Maine Avenue.
Turn left onto Water Street.
The cruise office is located at the end at 6th & Water Streets, S.W.,
Pier 4
From BW Parkway:
(Baltimore, Greenbelt, New Carrolton and Landover, Maryland)
Take Baltimore-Washington Parkway toward D.C.
Take 50 West Exit . 50 West is also New York Avenue
Turn left on 7th Street, N.W.
Keep straight on 7th Street to the Waterfront
Turn left on Water Street and go down 1 1/2 blocks
The cruise office is located on the right side at 6th & Water Streets,
S.W., Pier 4
From Virginia:
Take 395 North to Washington and keep straight
Go across the 14th Street bridge, staying on 395
Take the Maine Avenue Exit
Cross over Maine Avenue
Turn left on Water Street and go down 3 blocks
The cruise office is located on the right side at 6th & Water Streets S.W., Pier 4
From Downtown:
Go south on 7th Street until it dead ends at the waterfront
Turn left on Water Street and go down 1 1/2 blocks
The cruise office is located on the right side at 6th & Water Streets S.W., Pier 4
From Georgetown:
Go down M Street or K Street
M Street will turn into Pennsylvania Avenue
Follow Pennsylvania Avenue to 17th Street. Turn right on 17th Street and then turn left on Constitution Avenue
Turn right on 9th Street and go straight
Go through tunnel following signs for Maine Avenue
Keep straight
This will end on Water Street at Hogates
Turn left on Water Street and go 1 1/2 blocks
The cruise office is located on the right side at 6th & Water Streets, S.W., Pier 4
From Rt. 66:
Take 66 across the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge
Follow the main roadway and you will be on Constitution Ave., NW.
Follow Constitution Avenue to 7th Street, NW.
Turn Right on 7th Street and follow it south. It will dead end on Water Street.
Turn left on Water Street, SW and proceed past 7th Street.
The cruise office is located on the right side at 6th & Water Streets,
S.W., Pier 4
From Waterfront Metro Station:
Waterfront Green Line Metro is within easy walking distance - just three blocks from the pier.
Walk down M Street
Turn Left on 6th Street
Go one block
Turn left on Water Street
The cruise office is located directly in front of you

Dos & Don'ts
Wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes. Don’t forget the camera!

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We will never charge you any administrative fees for cancellations. For most tours and activities, there is no penalty for bookings cancelled a week in advance.

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