Mount vernon?

OK we will be traveling up to DC on our way to Ithaca, NY the day after Christmas. We are planning on staying th 26-29th in the DC area then heading up to visit family. Getting there late is not an issue.

Mount Vernon looks so expansive that I figure we will need to plan for the whole day there alone. Here are the logistics.

We are driving from SC - drive time to Mount Vernon is about 6 hours. Unless we leave at 6am (LOL) the day is pretty well gone by the time we arrive. So my thought is drive straight up to DC and arrive by afternoon. Go see the National Christmas Tree and DC at night that evening (we will need to stretch our legs). That leaves Wed and Thu for museums and monuments, etc.

Fri. am check out and drive down to Mount Vernon (backtracking a little I know) tour MV then drive on up to Ithaca (about 6 hours).

Does this sound like a plan? Or is there a better way?

Mount vernon?

That sounds like a good plan to me. Don%26#39;t get your hopes up on the National Christmas Tree--it%26#39;s not nearly as impressive as Rockefeller Center%26#39;s. There may not be a lot to see on the grounds of Mt. Vernon that time of year, but during the holidays they decorate and open up some parts that are normally closed. So the mansion should be really neat.

Mount vernon?

Well Mt. Vernon is probably at it%26#39;s best during the Christmas Season. I always liked it during this time. It%26#39;s decorated nicely.

Your only backtracking about 15-20 minutes. No biggie. The Mt. Vernon tour, if I remembered correctly last abou 1.5 hours. maybe not that long. It%26#39;s been over 10 years since I%26#39;ve been. So this could work out for you.

As stated before the National Christmas tree isn%26#39;t that great. It%26#39;s nice and all but................

If you are driving up to DC from SC what time of day were you planning to leave SC? You don%26#39;t want to get stuck in our traffic.

Which is usually 6:30 am- 9:30 am then 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Just the thought of sitting in traffic and not being familiar (I guess you aren%26#39;t don%26#39;t know if you are) can be a big issue for some.

MsMaryland, hopefully we will be getting into DC by 3, no later than 4. That is our plan. We aren%26#39;t familiar with the roads in DC but are familiar with the traffic. Thanks

Mount Vernon will have its new education center and museum open (opens this Friday, October 27) so there will be plenty to see. The third floor of the Mansion will also be open.

I was at Mount Vernon last week. To look round the estate, the outbuildings, etc, could take an hour if the weather is reasonable but you would not want to do it in pouring rain. The tour of the house was only about 15 minutes. If they are opening another floor as someone said, it could take half an hour.

Mt Vernon has some fun Christmas events like the Moonlight Holiday Tour where the staff dress up in period costume and you are a visitor to meet with George and Martha. They have a big fire in the back yard and cider and ginger cookies at the end of the tour. I went last year and had a blast.

Mount Vernon by Candlelight

November 24, 25 %26amp; 26

December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 %26amp; 10

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Martha Washington hosts an 18th-century Christmas with candlelit walks, fireside caroling, and festive decor. Visitors learn about the Washingtons%26#39; Christmas traditions; tour the candlelit Mansion including the rarely-seen third floor; and meet historical characters. Ticket sales begin November 1 at Mount Vernon%26#39;s Main Gate or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 703-573-SEAT.

VaBelle,

The Christmas activities sound great. Unfortunately we won%26#39;t be in DC during the dates it is offered. It looks like we will prbably be there New Years Day (if open) or on the 2nd.

The Washington Post had a great series of articles on the new Visitors Center at Mt Vernon. It looks spectacular. You can probably find the articles on the www.washingtonpost.com website. I can%26#39;t wait to see it - but I%26#39;ll probably wait until Washington%26#39;s Birthday when admission is free and hoecakes are served!