Day - Mount Vernon and Alexandria

Day Trip to Alexandria & Mount Vernon (George Washington's Estate)

• Morning: Head to the Wharf (exit Waterfront Metro) and have coffee.  Meet the boat cruise south to Mount Vernon.  Take a 90 minute narrated boat to Mount Vernon.
• 9:00 AM – Arrival and Orientation: Arrive at the Fred W. Smith National Library and Orientation Center before the crowds. Pick up timed Mount Vernon Tickets or show downloadif you haven't already.
• 9:30 AM – Mansion Tour: Head to the West Front of the Mansion for our timed-entry tour. Expert guides walk us through the 21-room estate, including George Washington’s study and the famous original key to the Bastille. 
• 10:15 AM – Tomb and Enslaved Memorial: Follow the path down to the final resting place of George and Martha Washington. Nearby, visit the Slave Memorial and the cemetery of the enslaved community to learn more about the hundreds of people who lived and worked on the estate.
• 10:45 AM – Outbuildings and Gardens: Explore the dozen-plus historic outbuildings, including the spinning house, blacksmith shop, and the intricately designed Upper and Lower Gardens. Take time to enjoy sweeping views of the Potomac River from the piazza.
• 11:30 AM – Museum and Education Center: Spend the last hour exploring immersive exhibits in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum. Highlights include Revolutionary War artifacts, Washington's original dentures, and the "Be Washington" interactive theater.
• 12:30 PM – Lunch: Head to the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant to try colonial-era recipes, such as the famous peanut soup, or grab a quick bite at the Food Court Pavilion.
• 1:30 PM Distillery and Gristmill:  visit Washington’s operational Gristmill and Distillery, located a few miles away (shuttle service is included with general admission).  
• Afternoon: Head back through Old Town Alexandria to stroll down historic King Street.
• Happy Hour:  Eat at a local pub or waterfront bistro in Alexandria.  I suggest Gadsby's to enjoy an 18th century tavern where George Washington came to dance!
• Exit: Take the scenic water taxi back to D.C. and enjoy dinner at the Navy Yard.
• Possible transports:
• Boat cruise:  
• Pros:  scenic, cool thing to do, pass lots of sites, drop off at entrance, Lynne likes audio tours, 
• Cons:  $65 per person, (includes $25 entry ticket), we'd be on their schedule so we have less time at Mount Vernon, can't do distillery which is new for Lynne
• Metro / Bus:
• Yellow line to Huntington station.  Hop on connector bus #101 (every 30 mins) that brings you to the entrance.
• Metro / Bike:
• Yellow line to Huntington and bike the Mount Vernon Trail.  (I love the idea but it's a long day already)
• Uber:  
• Yellow line to Huntington.  Uber to Mount Vernon ($25 - but we'd need 2 vehicles).
•