Mount Vernon vs Arlington — Which Washington DC Trip Is Right for You?
Both sit just outside the city, but they're different experiences: Mount Vernon is George Washington's riverside estate, Arlington is the nation's military cemetery. Here's the side-by-side.
Available
6 options
Avg. rating
4.7 - 6,946 reviews
From
$21 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Mount Vernon vs Arlington: what to know before booking
Both sit just outside the city, but they're different experiences: Mount Vernon is George Washington's riverside estate, Arlington is the nation's military cemetery. Here's the side-by-side.
- Availability
- 6 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $21 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.7 stars across 6,946 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Mount Vernon (Virginia, ~16 mi south on the Potomac); Arlington (across the river in Arlington, VA)
- Best time
- Morning for both — to beat Mount Vernon's afternoon crowds and to catch Arlington's Changing of the Guard
- Ticket note
- Date-specific tours; Mount Vernon's estate admission is often included, Arlington entry is free
Mount Vernon vs Arlington in Washington DC
Sorted by review signal, price, and availability. Tap any card to book through the provider checkout.
Side-by-side: Mount Vernon vs Arlington National Cemetery
Choose Mount Vernon if you want founding-era history and a relaxed estate-and-gardens day on the Potomac — it's the more immersive, self-contained trip but needs a tour for transport since there's no Metro line. Choose Arlington if you want a moving, reflective visit centred on the Changing of the Guard and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; it's free, faster, and reachable on the Metro Blue line. With a spare day you can do both, as both are short hops from the city, but they set very different moods, so don't rush them back to back.
Everything you should know before you book
Mount Vernon and Arlington are Washington's two classic short trips, and travellers often choose between them. Mount Vernon is George Washington's riverside estate about 16 miles south — a mansion, working gardens, and the first president's tomb, reachable only by car or a guided day trip. Arlington National Cemetery sits just across the Potomac and is the country's most important military burial ground, anchored by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the hourly Changing of the Guard.
If you want history and gardens, pick Mount Vernon; if you want remembrance and the guard ceremony, pick Arlington. Arlington is free to enter and easy to reach on the Metro, while Mount Vernon charges admission and needs transport, which is why most visitors book it as a day trip. The table below breaks down distance, time, cost, and highlights so you can choose fast — or fit both into a longer stay.
Frequently asked questions
Mount Vernon or Arlington — which is the better trip from DC?
Mount Vernon for founding-era history, the mansion, and gardens on the Potomac; Arlington for a solemn visit centred on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard. Mount Vernon is more immersive but needs a tour for transport; Arlington is free and Metro-reachable.
Can I visit both Mount Vernon and Arlington in one day?
It's tight but possible if you start early — they're in different directions, so a guided tour that combines them, or a very early start, helps. Most visitors give each its own half-day, as the two set very different moods.
Is Arlington free and Mount Vernon paid?
Yes — Arlington National Cemetery is free to enter, with tours and the trolley charging only for transport around the large grounds. Mount Vernon charges estate admission, though that fee is usually bundled into the day-trip tour price.