George Washington's plantation estate, 24 km south of central Washington DC on the Potomac shore, is the most-visited historic house in America. The mansion itself is a graceful colonial building, enlarged and remodelled by Washington over his lifetime; the rooms are carefully furnished to reflect the 1790s. The piazza overlooking the river is one of the finest views in the region.
Beyond the house, the 200-hectare estate includes the outbuildings Washington himself used — the greenhouse, the distillery, the gristmill — and extensive gardens. A slave memorial on the upper grounds acknowledges the labour that built and maintained the estate. The museum and education centre adds deeper context. Allow at least three hours; the grounds alone take more than an hour to explore.
Open year-round, 365 days a year, 9 am to 5 pm (later in summer). Admission around $28 for adults. A scenic 16-mile bike/walking trail from Old Town Alexandria reaches the estate directly.