Grounds Pass & Gardens and Groves Tour

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Highlights

Historic outbuildings
Museum exhibits
Working farm
George Washington's final resting place
Slave memorial
Gardens and Groves tour

Summary

Tour the estate that George Washington, America's first president, called home. The Mount Vernon grounds pass provides access to the 18th-century grounds and Mount Vernon's museum exhibits.

On the Gardens and Groves tour, get an in-depth look at the carefully crafted landscape that George Washington designed.

Why take this tour?

Take a self-guided tour of the first American president’s historic estate. Stroll through the 18th-century gardens and grounds, visit the Washington family tombs, and meet heritage-breed animals.

During the Gardens and Groves tour, you'll get a closer look at the landscape that Washington designed.

Visit the upper garden teeming with beautiful flowers and the greenhouse that once housed exotic plants.
On the bowling green, trace the path 18th-century visitors traveled to the Mansion and learn how the enslaved workers maintained the grounds and greenery.
As you move into the lower garden where the estate's produce was grown, you'll pass by trees dating to Washington's time.

What’s included?

Access to the historic area, gardens, tomb, farm, trails and museum
Audio tour
Gardens and Groves tour
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Access to the Mansion

Things to know

Before you go

Bring comfortable shoes, as there are dirt paths and some uneven walkways.
The entrance is a five to eight-minute walk from the parking lot, depending on which parking lot you park in. Visitors with mobility issues may be dropped off in the traffic circle.
Standard, non-motorized wheelchairs and wheeled walkers are available free of charge inside the Ford Orientation Center on a first-come, first-served basis.
Outside food and drink other than bottled water are prohibited.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the property, but they cannot enter the Mansion.