This year kids will enjoy the 12 themed Christmas trees, one for each day of Christmas. Each professionally decorated with themes relating to George Washington, life at Mount Vernon, and the time when the Washington’s lived there.

And look for the live Christmas camel, just like George Washington had at Mt. Vernon during the Christmas season of 1787, two years before he became America’s first President.

Besides a gingerbread recreation of the Mount Vernon Estate created by a former White House pastry chef; watch historical chocolate-making demonstrations, and 18th-century period dancing.

Tour the rarely-seen third floor of the Washington’s mansion and if you’re lucky, meet the always charming "Mrs. Washington" along the way.

Christmas at Mount Vernon 
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy.
Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121  (map it)
703-780-2000

Dates and Times – November 28, 2008 through January 6, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily

Tickets – Adults – $13.00, Seniors – $12.00, children 6-11 – $6.00 with adult,  Kids under 6 with an adult are free.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Huntington – Yellow line, then catch the Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon or take a 6 mile cab ride.

Parking – Free parking is available.

Image – Flick _________________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

Images – from personal collection – © 2008 – Jon Rochetti
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Post from: The DC Traveler

The 3 indoor decks of the ship are surrounded by windows, and provide room for over 500 dining guests.  Each level also has a dance floor and popular dance music spun by the ship’s DJ.  Lunch and dinner cruises usually have live music reviews, that get the crowd involved and up to dance.

The 2-hour Potomac Cruise offers views of the Washington Monument, Fort McNair, planes taking off and landing at National Airport, colonial era Admiral’s Row town houses and Old Town Alexandria.

The Mount Vernon Cruise, takes the same route and  down the Potomac to Mount Vernon, but does not include dining.

All cruises include a multi-item buffet dinner, except for the Moonlight Cruise which includes light “hors d’oeuvres” (wings, pizza, cheese and veggies, meatballs). 

The dinner menu on the Potomac Cruise includes roast beef and smoked ham carving stations, roast chicken, salmon, vegetable lasagna, and jambalaya, along with seasonal vegetables, sides, and dessert.

My experience on a Spirit dinner cruise was enjoyable, as long as you set your expectations. First, go primarily for the views; yet most people seem to never step outside on to the deck.  Second, the rather typical buffet offerings are nicely prepared, yet rather bland and uninspired. But again, they are cooking for the masses, so don’t expect five-star food.

The seating arrangements can be a bit cramped, with tables closely positioned near each other.

Spirit Boat Cruises
Pier 4 at 6th & Water Streets, SW
Washington, DC  (map it)

Dates and Times – Daily summer cruises, including lunch, early dinner, dinner & dancing, and moonlight cruises.  No Mount Vernon cruises on Mondays.

Tickets – Lunch and dinner Potomac Cruises range from – $32.90 – $81.90 and are available online.  Discounts for kids under 13 are available. Cash bar for beer, wine and mixed drinks.

Mount Vernon cruise include round trip boat ride (1½ hours each way) to Mount Vernon, and included admission to the estate, and 3 hours to tour.  Food is not included on this cruise. Adults – $38.95, $31.95 for kids 6-11, under 6 are free. An onboard snack bar is available.

Try to check the weather forecast for the day of your cruise before making reservations, as a rainy day will not enhance your experience.

Both ships are handicap-accessible. Must be 21+ for the moonlight cruises. 

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Waterfront, Green line, then a 3-block walk.

Parking – paid lot and limited metered street parking is available.

Images -  from personal collection – © 2008 – Jon Rochetti, 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

And the annual Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour at George Washington’s Mt. Vernon Estate is once such event.

The gardens at Mt. Vernon will be in full bloom and the views of the Potomac River from the lawn, accompanied by live jazz, should make for a perfect evening of relaxation.

An evening Candlelit Mansion tour is also available and includes a visit to the rarely-visited basement cellar. The ground’s outbuilding can also be toured, but not the wharf, Washington’s tomb, the pioneer farmer site, or the gardens. 

Expect an appearance by the General himself, George Washington.

Tickets for all three nights go on sale tomorrow.

Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway – 16 miles south of DC
Mount Vernon, VA, 22121 (map it)

Dates and Times – Friday, May 16 – Sunday, May 18, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. nightly

Tickets – $30.00 and are available online at Ticketmaster or by phone at or 703-573-SEAT. This event sells out quickly, so order your tickets ASAP.

Note - No outside food or beverage is allowed. You can purchase a variety of food, desserts, snacks and beverages at Mount Vernon. No tables, pets,  Event occurs rain or shine. Designated drivers and under 21 visitors will receive free soft drinks.  ID required for purchasing alcohol. This event is designed for adults, not families.

Nearest Metro subway station – Huntington – Yellow line, then catch the Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon.

Images – Flickr – people on blanket, all others – personal collection – © 2008 – Jon Rochetti _____________________________________________

Post from: The DC Traveler

In both the first and second election for President (1789 and 1792) after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, General George Washington received only 69 votes. But at that time, it was a landslide.

Since there was no popular vote for president by citizens at the time, only members of the elected electoral college cast votes, making Washington the only president to win 100 percent of the vote. 

Congress set the president’s salary at $25,000, (worth about $500,000 in 1789), a sum that remained unchanged until after the Civil War.  Their thought was that the office should be available to any man, not just the wealthy who could afford to work for little or no pay.

Washington, as the president of a new nation and a new democracy, wanted his title to be less formal and to avoid resembling any of the titles that might be used on European royalty. Suggestion as to how to address the president ranged from "His Exalted High Mightiness", to "His Highness the President of the United States and Protector of their Liberties. He preferred simply "Mr. President".

Surveyor, farmer, revolutionary, soldier, statesman, president, whiskey maker, and finally country gentleman, Washington set the standard for future presidents.

His image is on the U.S. quarter and $1 bill, he’s honored on Mt. Rushmore, and the nation’s capitol city is named after him. 

In the DC area, there are several major monuments to George Washington; the Washington Monument, the George Washington Masonic Memorial Temple in Alexandria, along with many places in Virginia he visited (creating the classic "George Washington slept here" line). But none are more notable than his home and estate in Mt. Vernon.

George Washington’s Mt. Vernon Estate is one of the most well maintained historical homes in America.  I recently took a tour of the renovated museum and education center and it is a must-see site. Besides the house and grounds, the museum completes the story of George Washington, from young man to his death.  With a large collection of personal possessions and images of the president, it is a learning experience for kids and adults alike.

The center includes 23 galleries, ten original videos, and over 500 historical artifacts. There are also three life-size wax models of Washington as a 19-year-old surveyor, a 45-year-old general, and lastly as a 57-year-old president, taking the oath of office.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA, 22121 (map it)

Dates and Times – Daily

• November through February, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• April through August, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
• March, September, and October, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Admission - Adults – $13.00, Seniors – $12.00, kids 6-11 with an adult – $6.00, under 5 – free.  

Nearest Metro subway station – Huntington – Yellow line, the catch the Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon.

You may also reach Mt. Vernon form Washington, DC via Gray Line Bus Tours or on a Tourmobile.

Parking – free parking is available.

Images – personal collection – © 2008 – Jon Rochetti 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

Spring Wine Festival and Sunset Tour
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway – 16 miles south of DC
Mount Vernon, VA, 22121

Dates and Times – Friday, May 18 – Sunday, May 20, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. nightly

Tickets – $30.00 and are available online. This event sells out quickly, so order your tickets ASAP.

Note - No outside food or beverage is allowed. You can purchase a variety of food, snacks and beverages at Mount Vernon.

Nearest Metro subway station – Huntington – Yellow line, the catch the Fairfax Connector bus to Mount Vernon.

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Post from: The DC Traveler