Located just 16 miles south of Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon is the home of President George Washington. He and his wife, Martha, lived at Mount Vernon from 1759, when they were married, until Mr. Washington's death in 1799. The grounds include Washington's mansion, slave quarters, a forest trail and 4-acre working farm. You can visit the Washingtons' tomb as well as a slave memorial and burial ground. Plan about 4 hours to tour the property, which is more than 500 acres wide and sits along the banks of the Potomac River. Twenty-five theaters show films about President Washington and showcase artifacts from his life. A food court and full service restaurant, the Mount Vernon Inn provide on-site dining options. Five shops provide opportunities to hunt for and find the perfect souvenir of your visit. A one-day adult general admission pass costs $15, children ages 6 to 11 cost $7 and children under age 5 are free. Seniors (age 62 and up) cost $14. Package deals are also available, such as the "President Package," which includes admission to Mount Vernon, Washington's Distillery and Gristmill, an audio tour, sightseeing cruise on the Potomac and 10 percent discount at all gift shops, all for $28 (adult) or $16 (children ages 6 to 11).
Smithsonian museums, the National Children's Museum and the National Zoo are all free. So are the National Archives, where you can view the original Declaration of Independence or any of the other three billion plus documents housed there. Group tours are offered, and advance reservations are a good idea. Gardeners and nature lovers will enjoy a trip to the National Arboretum, which is home to more than 400 acres of plants, trees and gardens. Bring along your own lunch for a free afternoon outdoor trip. Additionally, many monuments such as the Washington Monument and Lincoln and Vietnam Memorials are free and provide enlightenment into America's history. Choose the sights you want to see and then walk or use the metro to get around between them for a very reasonably priced, if not completely free, trip to Washington, D.C.
Although it is an expensive place to live, Georgetown is a beautiful place to visit and is home to varied and free attractions. Built in 1850, the C&O Canal (Chesapeake and Ohio Canal) is 185 miles long and was used in the past to ship goods to the Potomac River. The canal runs throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C., and can easily be seen and strolled along from one of Georgetown's side streets. You can also see President John F. Kennedy's house, a brick building commonly called "the Red House" and in which Kennedy lived before becoming President and moving into the White House. Although you can't go inside the house, you can stroll through the neighborhood and admire the house from the outside. Many mansions and sidewalk cafes line Georgetown's streets, offering a free or very reasonably-priced trip not far from Washington, D.C.
