Operating Schedules & Hours

Mount Vernon is open 365 days of the year!

	Mount Vernon	Museum & Education Center	Distillery Gristmill
November- February	9:00AM-4:00PM	9:00AM- 5:00PM	Closed
March	9:00AM-5:00PM	9:00AM-6:00PM	Closed
April- August	8:00AM-5:00PM	8:00AM- 6:00PM	10:00AM- 5:00PM
September- October	9:00AM-5:00PM	9:00AM-6:00PM	10:00AM- 5:00PM

Click here for shopping and dining schedules.  

 

Trip Planner

Trip Planner (Recommended Tour Times by Attraction)
Ford Orientation Center with "We Fight to Be Free"	30 minutes
Mansion & Outbuildings	1.5 hours (longer during peak time)
Gardens & Grounds	1.5 hours
George Washington: Pioneer Farmer Site	1 hour
Donald W. Reynolds Museum	1.5 hours
Donald W. Reynolds Education Center	2 hours
Distillery & Gristmill	1 hour

 

Insider Travel Tips

Allow Plenty of Time: We hear from visitors every day that they wished they had given themselves more time to tour! With the historic area, dozens of acres, and 25 galleries and theater experiences, you can easily spend an entire day at Mount Vernon!

Dress Comfortably:

Be sure to bring comfortable clothing and shoes, as Mount Vernon is a walking experience! There are uneven pathways and gravel in addition to some steeper hills.

Plan for the Weather:

Be mindful of the season, and dress in layers during cooler months. The Mansion is air conditioned and heated, as are the modern buildings with their galleries and theaters. You will be spending time indoors and outside!

Best Time to Visit:

During January, February, November and December, there is usually no wait to enter the Mansion, although the holiday weekend after Thanksgiving can be a busy time at Mount Vernon. Lines tend to be the longest in April and May. Weekends are busier than weekdays, and mornings are usually more crowded than afternoons.

Photography:

You are welcome to take photos outside and in most of the Education Center galleries, with the exception of the dentures in the Leader's Smile Gallery. Photography is prohibited in the Mansion and all of the galleries in the Museum.

Food Policy:

No food or beverages, except bottled water, is allowed on the estate. No chewing gum is permitted on the estate.

Dining Suggestions:

The Mount Vernon Inn does not take lunch reservations, but dinner reservations are accepted. The Food Court at Mount Vernon offers convenience and variety with seating for 250.

Traveling with Children:

Be sure to save at least an hour for the interactive Donald W. Reynolds Education Center, which includes a dynamic hands-on history room for youngsters under eight! Mount Vernon is home to many farm animals, with most born in the spring. Ask a Guest Services representative to direct you to their locations. Ask for a free Adventure Map with each youth ticket.

Accessibility:

Mount Vernon welcomes visitors with special needs. We recommend that you speak with Guest Services at the Ford Orientation Center for personalized advice to make the most of your visit. Please be aware that pathways in the historic area can be uneven as they consist of gravel, dirt, and bricks. The estate includes hills, some steep. A shuttle between the Pioneer Farmer Site and the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center is available March 11 through November 2.

Strollers:

Strollers are not permitted in the Mansion. You may park them near the Servants' Hall at the beginning of the Mansion tour.

Wheelchairs:

Motorized wheelchairs, sometimes called scooters, are not allowed in the Mansion. Visitors may choose to borrow a conventional wheelchair at the Ford Orientation Center. The first floor of the Mansion is accessible to visitors with wheelchairs and walkers.

Pet Policy:

Mount Vernon welcomes visitors to bring dogs on leashes during daytime visitation hours. Please clean up after your pet.