We knew going into our stay in Washington D.C. that we wanted to spend a day at Mt. Vernon, home to George Washington. What we didn’t know was that we’d end up taking a 10 mile bike ride out to Virginia to get there! The simple google search tours to mt.vernon yielding bus, boat or bike options. Hey that’d be fun, let’s bike there! We rented bikes from Bike and Roll DC in Old Town Alexandria. After being fitted for our bikes, we were off on a 10 mile ride. What we didn’t know was just how beautiful a ride it would be.
A mile or so out of town, (which by the way, Old Town Alexandria is so charming!) we found ourselves on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. A two lane walking/biking path that would be so much fun for our family. It was mostly flat with some short rolling hills that were just right a challenge for our 9 year, no problem for our 12 year old, and our 6 year old was on a trail-a-bike just in case the 10 miles was too much for her. Our family bikes almost every single day around town at home, but there is something really wonderful about doing it while traveling, I don’t think we’ll ever go back!
Mt. Vernon ended up being only half of the amazing day. The bike ride was so much fun we were on a bit of an adrenaline high when we arrived! The grounds were in bloom and the gentle hillside to the Potomac River was bright green with spring. We’ve also been picking up the short chapter book series “Who was” at a few of our stops this trip. It’s been so fun and educational, even for us grown-ups that needed a refresher course in U.S. History during our stay. I would read them aloud as we stood in line at the various monuments or while we waited for meals in restaurants after a visit to a National Museum. Fun Fact: George Washington’s favorite dog was named Sweet Lips My kids love that tidbit!
The fun didn’t stop after the bike ride or the afternoon at Mt.Vernon, as part of the package we hopped aboard a boat to cruise the Potomac River back to Old Town Alexandria. It was a great way to round out our visit to Virginia. We found a charming little french restaurant, Fontaine Caffe + Creperie that evening in Alexandria. I literally looked down a side street and saw fairy lights, that’s how we came to have our best meal in D.C., simple food, casual ambiance, great wine, everyone is happy.
