Mount Vernon

Since it's not run by the National Park Service, I suspected Mount Vernon, George Washington's Estate on the Potomac, would be either lame or over-commercialized.  It was only slightly over-commercialized, but it is a great day trip if you've been all over downtown DC already.

 Washington's Mansion

The cost is $15, but you get to tour Washington's mansion, see his tomb, view several gardens, enjoy a brand-new state-of-the-art museum, and be oriented by Pat Sajak in colonial dress.  They also have a farm with animals and a distillery where Washington made a ton from his homegrown whiskey, but we didn't make it that far.  Instead, we were thoroughly schooled in the awesomeness that was our first President.  Nathan was right when he pointed out that the museum was "not exactly balanced".  For instance, an entire room was devoted to Washington's dentures, with no mention that his teeth came from slaves (they were not wooden).  They did talk a lot about the slaves he kept, but continually reminded you that they were freed upon his death.

 View from Mount Vernon

That tree (near the middle) existed during Washington's time.

Lower Gardens - Stocked with heritage plants set-up the way they were in the late 1700s

Upper Garden & Greenhouse - Washington had lemons and oranges year-round

I don't think there is much you can complain about when it came to the personal and political life of George Washington (his wife burned all but three of their love letters to avoid them becoming public in the future).  He was a pretty good guy with hundreds of towns, schools, and monuments named for him.  His true brilliance really came in stepping down voluntarily after two terms.  He could've been King, but decided to set a precedence that only FDR ignored.

Rest in peace Washington, you have a very nice estate, although crowded during tourist season, on which to spend eternity.