Day Trips from Washington DC — Mount Vernon, Arlington & Beyond
The best escapes from DC are short: George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, Arlington National Cemetery across the river, and Loudoun County's vineyards an hour west.
Available
7 options
Avg. rating
4.7 - 8,366 reviews
From
$21 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Day Trips & Mount Vernon: what to know before booking
The best escapes from DC are short: George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, Arlington National Cemetery across the river, and Loudoun County's vineyards an hour west.
- Availability
- 7 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $21 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.7 stars across 8,366 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Mount Vernon (Virginia, ~16 mi south); Arlington (across the Potomac); Loudoun County (~1 hr west)
- Best time
- Morning departures beat the afternoon crowds and catch the Arlington Changing of the Guard
- Ticket note
- Date-specific; meeting times are strict, so arrive about 15 minutes early
Day Trips & Mount Vernon in Washington DC
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Everything you should know before you book
Some of Washington's most affecting sights sit just outside the city limits. Mount Vernon, George Washington's riverside Virginia estate, is the classic half-day trip with its mansion, gardens, and tomb. Arlington National Cemetery — the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy gravesite, and the Changing of the Guard — is right across the Potomac and often paired with a DC tour.
Pick Mount Vernon for history, Arlington for solemnity, and Loudoun for a relaxed day out. Private day trips give you the estate or cemetery at your own pace; small-group and trolley options keep the cost down. Loudoun County's wine-country tours trade monuments for vineyards an hour from the city — the easy choice when you've already done the Mall.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Vernon worth the trip from DC?
Yes — it's the best-preserved founding-era estate near the capital, with Washington's mansion, working gardens, and tomb on the Potomac. Plan a half-day, including travel.
Can I visit Arlington National Cemetery on a tour?
Yes. Tours cover the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Changing of the Guard, and the Kennedy gravesites — useful given the cemetery's size. Private, small-group, and trolley options are all sold here.
What's the Loudoun County day trip?
It's a wine-country escape about an hour west of DC, with vineyard visits and tastings in the rolling Virginia hills — a slower-paced alternative to the city's monuments and museums.