Mount Vernon is fun for the whole family
If you’re looking for fun for the whole family during your trip to Washington, D.C. and Fairfax County, Virginia, look no further than George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the home of our nation’s first president. And there’s a great reason to visit during your stay in the national capital region: Mount Vernon has a special offer just for WPFG attendees and volunteers. Save 30% on your tickets when you present your WPFG credentials.
Just minutes from downtown D.C., you can step back in time for a tour Geore Washington’s Mansion and its beautifulgardens and grounds. Learn more about Washington’s life and legacy in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, with 25 galleries and theaters—including a theater where it snows every day of the year. And, get a taste for life on an 18th-century plantation at the Pioneer Farm site.
Start your journey by downloading the Mount Vernon app, your one-stop shop. On the app, you’ll find interesting tours, a plant finder feature that shows what plants are in bloom on the estate, fun facts about Washington, and more.
While you’re at the app store, be sure to get our newest offering, the Agent 711: Revolutionary Spy Adventure app (launching in late June). Does your pre-teen or teenager want to solve mysteries? This app is for them. Agent 711 lets you solve ciphers, decode messages, and tackle challenges as you explore Mount Vernon’s grounds. Using Mount Vernon’s estate-wide free wifi and iBeacon sensors, players get new messages when they near certain locations on the estate. Once a player’s completed all eight challenges, they will receive a personal message from Washington and a special prize.
If you’re traveling with young children, make sure to pick up a Mount Vernon Adventure Map inside the Ford Orientation Center. Kids can use the map to solve puzzles while learning fun facts about George Washington and his home. Once the young adventurers solve the puzzle on the map, they can claim a special prize at the gift shop.
Your littlest explorers won’t want to miss a stop at the Hands-on-History Center in the Education Center where history comes alive for children ages 8 and under. In Hands-on-History, Mount Vernon’s tiniest tourists can play with colonial era toys, color patriotic images, and dress up like our nation’s first president and first First Lady. Mount Vernon also offers Story Time on weekdays and storytelling on the weekends.
Animals played an important role during Washington’s time, and they continue to delight and educate visitors today. While roaming the estate see heritage breed sheep, cattle, pigs, and chickens—the same types of animals Washington would have known in his lifetime. Make sure to stop by the Pioneer Farm to see horses tread wheat in the 16-sided treading barn!
When your kids are ready to run around and roam, take them to the east lawn overlooking the Potomac River. You’ll enjoy the same beautiful view the Washingtons enjoyed more than two centuries ago. River cruises are also available every day, showing you the view from a different perspective.
Located in Mount Vernon, Virginia, our first president’s house is roughly 16 miles south of Washington, D.C. For more information visit: www.mountvernon.org
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