Replica Boat Launch in the Potomac River, Wine Festival, Trick-or-Treat Event and More!
MOUNT VERNON, VA – George Washington’s Mount Vernon kicks off the fall season with special events for all ages! New: Watch as a replica of one of George Washington’s boats sets sail on the Potomac River on Saturday, October 22 at 11 a.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
Friday and Sunday, October 7 & 9, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Enjoy live blues and spectacular views of the Potomac River while sampling wine from 20 Virginia wineries. Visitors learn about the successes and failures of our Founding Father’s wine endeavors, enjoy live blues music, and meet “George and Martha Washington” on the Mansion's piazza. Guests experience an evening tour of the Washingtons’ home and are invited to visit the basement where he stored his wine. Tickets to the Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour are $36-$48 per person, fruit and cheese boxes are $29.99 each. Ticket are available at the Ford Orientation Center or MountVernon.org/Wine.
Apple Brandy Production at George Washington’s Distillery
October 15-25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Watch as this special distillation project utilizes a variety of apples that were grown by Washington on his Estate, such as Newton Pippin and Hughes. In addition to rye whiskey, George Washington's Distillery produced small amounts of apple and peach brandy. Some of the brandy was sold in the market, while the remainder was taken to the Mansion and enjoyed with guests visiting the Washingtons. Included in general admission.
Dogue Run Tour
Saturday, October 15, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Enjoy private guided tours of the Distillery & Gristmill site and Historic Woodlawn Estate during this tour! Watch demonstrations of the Gristmill's operating system, and our distillers in action as they make apple brandy, in addition to sampling Mount Vernon whiskey.
From the Distillery & Gristmill, guests will move to Woodlawn, the home of Martha Washington's granddaughter, Eleanor (Nelly) Parke Custis, and her husband, Lawrence Lewis. At Woodlawn, guests can tour the Mansion, as well as walk through Arcadia's educational farm, and enjoy a specialty cocktail with light hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $25 per person.
En Plein Air Painting at Mount Vernon
Saturday, October 15, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join Mount Vernon for this rare opportunity to create your own watercolor masterpieces while enjoying the beauty of the estate. Instruction includes how to find and focus on a landscape subject, create a small value sketch, and complete several paintings. Both days conclude with a thoughtful and positive group critique. The class is limited to 15 participants. Tickets are $95 per person. Supplies are not included.
Fall Harvest Family Days
Saturday & Sunday, October 22-23, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mount Vernon celebrates the autumn season with Fall Harvest Family Days! Watch as a replica of one of Washington’s boats launches into the Potomac River with a costumed crew on Saturday, October 22 at 11 a.m. The entire family enjoys autumn activities including wagon rides, wheat treading in the 16-sided barn, 18th-century dancing demonstrations, a straw bale maze, farrier (blacksmithing), corn husk dolls demonstrations and early-American games and music. Potomac River sightseeing cruises are half-price this weekend only. Fall Harvest Family Days is included in general admission.
Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon
Monday, October 31, 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
A historic treat! Mount Vernon opens its doors to trick-or-treaters! Join the costumed cast of interpreters for a special opportunity to trick-or-treat in the historic area. A special scavenger hunt is available for our more adventurous guests. All trick-or-treaters are invited to join in the children’s costume parade around the Mansion at 5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best “George” and “Martha” costumes! Participate in a Halloween craft activity in the greenhouse. Special trade demonstrations, like wool carding, spinning, and fish net making, will take place in the historic area. Listen to Halloween-themed stories in the straw bale amphitheater, enjoy colonial games and dancing demonstrations, and take a wagon ride. The Mansion and Donald W. Reynolds Museum will closed for this event. Tickets are required for all adults and children to attend this event. The cost is $12 per adult and $6 per child (11 and under). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and close at 6 p.m.
Horses & Hounds
Saturday, November 5, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
At this exciting event, watch a simulated fox hunt demonstration on the estate of the Father of the American foxhound! Unlike in Washington’s time, no foxes will be hurt during this demonstration. Observe a cavalry demonstration on the 12-acre field before meeting the breeds that Washington loved so much. Learn about the role these animals played in the American Revolution and even meet Nelson, a horse similar to Washington’s beloved warhorse! Close the day by watching The Washington Cup, where horses and riders compete in series of judged skill competitions. Included in general admission.
Mount Vernon Inn Fall Farm to Table
Friday, November 11, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Join the Mount Vernon Inn for a special dinner featuring products cultivated and produced on the estate. Mount Vernon Inn invites guests to taste the season’s freshest ingredients with a dash of history during its popular culinary event, Farm to Table. Guests will enjoy a flavorful five-course dinner, with wine pairings at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. The dinner features produce and herbs cultivated on the estate, as well as estate-raised heritage breed livestock. $175 per person.
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Events, programs, and activities are subject to change.
Public Information: 703-780-2000; 703-799-8697 (TDD); MountVernon.org
