Mount Vernon Day Trip & VIP Potomac River Cruise from Washington, DC

Begin the day at The Wharf, where guests meet their expert guide and board first for priority seating on the Potomac River cruise. Reserved VIP seats offer open-air views with shaded comfort as the journey begins south toward Mount Vernon. The guide introduces Washington’s riverfront history while pointing out landmarks such as the Titanic Memorial, the waterfront restaurants and marinas along the Washington Channel, and the runways of Ronald Reagan National Airport.

Passing Old Town Alexandria, founded in 1749, guests learn about its colonial role in maritime trade and its more recent appearances in popular films and television shows. The cruise continues past Fort Washington, once the capital’s main line of defense and now a striking riverside ruin that marks the gateway to Virginia’s shores.

After roughly ninety minutes on the water, the boat docks at Mount Vernon Ferry Landing, where the guided exploration of George Washington’s estate begins. The tour covers the working farm, animal pens, and blacksmith shop, illustrating how the plantation once operated as a self-sustaining community. The guide shares personal stories of the enslaved men and women whose labor sustained the estate and highlights the quiet forms of resistance that emerged within it.

Guests continue to the mansion exterior, gardens, greenhouse, and the famous “ha-ha wall.” A lunch voucher is provided for use at the Mount Vernon cafeteria before visiting the Washington family tombs, where George and Martha Washington are interred. The tour concludes with scenic views across the Potomac before the return cruise to Washington, D.C.

Note: Mansion interiors remain closed for renovations until June 2026. The itinerary may vary by season or group size to ensure every visitor enjoys a curated and informative experience.