If driving through snowstorms to crowded malls isn't exactly your idea of holiday cheer, we have a better way to get into the spirit of the season. For those lucky enough to find themselves in Washington D.C. this month, take a ride down to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate for the popular Mount Vernon by Candlelight Tour.

Each night, "Mrs. Washington" welcomes visitors for candlelit tours of the grounds, fireside Christmas caroling, hot cider and ginger cookies. The tour, which is guided by characters from the Washingtons' time, includes the first and second floors of the home authentically decorated for Christmas. Mount Vernon's modern buildings will also be open for live musical performances and shopping until 9 p.m.

The tour continues on December 11 & 12 and December 18 & 19. Adults tickets are $20 while children 11 and under get in for $14. Tickets are still available at Mount Vernon's Ford Orientation Center or at MountVernon.org.

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If you've waited this long to make plans for the Fourth of July, then you've probably already given in to another year of camping out down by the river for the city fireworks display, and this applies to most any city with a river. If, however, you are lucky enough to call Washington DC or Baltimore home, then there's still an option for a day-trip to make it feel as though you did something with your weekend: head to George Washington's old Mount Vernon home for the festivities and the "National Treasure" Tour.

As of this last February, Mount Vernon has expanded their hugely popular tour, based on "The National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets" to offering it four times daily, with 25 people max per tour. It's an extra $5 on top of the $15 admission to the estate, but it's the only way to investigate areas like the mansion's basement and cornerstone. Apparently, fans of the movie "will recognize the space as the location where Nicolas Cage's character kidnaps the president."

Emerge from underneath Mount Vernon for the Fourth's "made-for-daytime" fireworks, a naturalization ceremony, Revolutionary War re-enactments and a birthday cake! The cake will be cut at 1pm, and we recommend bringing Ziploc baggies for some snacking on the ride back to the city.

Related Stories:
· National Treasure Tours Begin [Press Release]
· Mount Vernon [Official Site]
· Fourth Of July Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

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