Mount Vernon - Alexandria, VA Area Guide

Named after the Mount Vernon Plantation, home of Martha and George Washington, this neighborhood teaches of the historical significance of the plantation. After a majority of the plantation was sold off following the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Washington, the historical significance of the house was recognized by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, who preserved the house. The house was transformed into a museum, including a gift shop. A holiday festival occurs annually in Mount Vernon, complete with fireworks choreographed to Christmas music. If you love wine, you may enjoy the annual Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour. Relax with friends as you taste wine from various wineries.

Families of this cozy neighborhood love the assortment of dining options available. Alexandria remains the prime place to enjoy fantastic nightlife and a great deal of restaurants, but you can still grab a bite to eat a little closer to home. A simple drive down Richmond Highway can lead to a cozy breakfast, a lunch of Italian food or a Korean dinner. Start your day off with a comfortable breakfast consisting of an omelette and coffee brewed to perfection at Elsie's Magic Skillet. If you’re in the mood for Italian, try Pemas. Traditional Italian dishes, such as bruschetta and lasagna, as well as others such as baked crabmeat and shrimp cocktail appear on the menu. After an interesting tour of George Washington's previous home, relax with a nice meal at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. Start your meal off with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes or a cup of peanut soup. Complete the southern meal with a dinner of southern fried chicken, or, for a different taste, order a plate of freshly grilled salmon with sambal sauce. No music venues call Mount Vernon home, but locals head out to Alexandria to satisfy their craving for music. Live music completes a magnificent dinner at The Carlyle Club, a well known dinner/concert spot located near the Pentagon Mall. Artists that perform range in genre from R and B, to rock and roll, and country. While Mount Vernon doesn't house bars or clubs, the nearby city of Alexandria does. Port City Brewing Company serves up an interesting selection of beer, including seasonal beer options such as Oktoberfest. Port City Brewing Company guides guests through the process of how beer makes the journey to your glass on their interesting and informative tours, often providing a sample of barley and tasting tickets to participants. Tasting different brews and the tour itself both rank as fun way to enjoy a Saturday night. If you see a pineapple on the door, it means they're open.

Many people that live in the Mount Vernon prefer to use their cars, but public transportation, taxis and Uber provide alternative options. The Richmond Highway Express bus travels along Richmond Highway with stops located in Mount Vernon. Hailing a taxi from the side of the road doesn't prove an easy task, but calling one for transportation works well, or just give Uber a call. If you choose to drive, plenty of public parking remains available around the neighborhood. If you would rather walk or ride your bike, that’s an option too. While not all streets provide a bike lane, bikers and those that choose to walk still feel safe on the streets of Mount Vernon. Richmond Highway runs through the town of Mount Vernon. Follow Richmond Highway north to head straight to Alexandria. Highway 95 remains easily accessible from Richmond Highway, but no other major highways are in the immediate area surrounding Mount Vernon.

Surrounded by beautiful scenery, it's no surprise that Mount Vernon has gorgeous parks. The parks of Mount Vernon are both kid-friendly and dog-friendly. Typically centered around nature, you can enjoy the surroundings of Hillcrest Park while you let your dog run in the woods. Children enjoy the jungle gym and playsets available at Edgewater Park. Hiking at local parks provides an exceptional exercise outlet. Residents of Mount Vernon that prefer to stay in shape frequent Mount Vernon CrossFit Gym, a great place for both individuals in search of a professional lifting atmosphere, or those that have been away from the gym scene for years and wish to get back in shape. George Washington's Mount Vernon, the mansion previously owned by George Washington, hosts a variety of annual events, such as Independence Day at Mount Vernon. With fireworks lasting from the daytime hours well into the night, this event continues to be popular. Live music provides guests with entertainment, and refreshments ensure that you don't go hungry or thirsty as you enjoy Independence Day at the former home of one of a president.

Mount Vernon has a cost of living that hits 7.5 percent higher than the national average, yet the cost of living remains 3.8 percent less than the average for Washington D.C. Gas costs you a little more due to gas prices being 7.8 percent higher than the national average. Most items, such as beer, pizza and coffee, cost slightly higher than the national average. A pint of beer costs $6. If you’re looking to rent a place, the average rental rate costs $1122.35.

A majority of the stores and shops in Mount Vernon can be found along Richmond Highway. Discover a variety of retail stores and salons here, both in the lower price range as well as more upscale boutiques. Current Boutique, closer to Alexandria proper, sells contemporary fashions on consignment. In addition to deals on the latest fashions, the store offers limited edition pieces at a bargain price. When looking for something to help with a new art project or a unique gift, check out Tri Dee Arts. This art store sells supplies designed for the artist. In addition to the vast amount of art supplies available, gifts such as retro games and children's art kits can be purchased. Tri Dee Arts also sells unique trinkets. A variety of grocery stores service the area. The Walmart Supercenter supplies a majority of your grocery needs. Skagit Valley Food Co-op provides residents with another alternative. Shop here for an amazing deli or any specialty health food needs. For Mexican food, visit Tienda Y Carniceria or Carniceria Los Compadres. Grocery Outlet remains another option for more cost-effective shopping. Visit one of the many farms or farmers markets for local, fresh food. Mount Vernon's Farmers Market sells fresh produce. Support the market and community by eating locally with fresh chives, strawberries and a multitude of other fresh produce in season. Old Town Farmers' Market runs year-round every Saturday morning as one of the oldest such marketplaces in the United States. Old Town Farmers' Market has sold locally made goods for more than 260 years running.