Welcome to Belle Haven, Fort Hunt & Mount Vernon
Desirable countryside streets, mere minutes from the city’s action.
Located just south of Alexandria, the communities of Belle Haven, Fort Hunt, and Mount Vernon are some of the D.C. area’s most beautiful suburban neighborhoods. Close enough to the city to still experience its conveniences yet just removed enough to enjoy the tranquility of the mature treetops, these well-planned communities offer ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, close proximity to some of the nation’s most historic sites, and are home to a few of the city’s most impressive, sprawling estates.
These quiet suburbs are fraught with historic sites, none arguably better-known than George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The home of the first president is positioned upon meticulously maintained gardens and farmland boasting well-preserved facilities, museums, and the final resting place of Washington himself. In the surrounding enclaves, locals find themselves living among former battlefields, living works of art, important monuments, and splashes of contemporary culture and luxuries.
What to Love
- Close to the center of it all, yet peacefully feels worlds away
- Fraught with important and fascinating national history
- A well-planned community plentiful with amenities, recreational activities, and entertainment
- Lively social activities are found without needing to leave the neighborhood
Local Lifestyle
Residents of Belle Haven, Fort Hunt, and Mount Vernon enjoy the best of all worlds and an elevated standard of living. Despite its central location across the Potomac from central D.C., these quiet, tree-lined streets feel as if they are worlds away from the “go, go, go” pace of the big city. Riverfront festivals celebrating the region’s heritage, scenery, and varied culture are highly anticipated by all, while parks, preserves, and historic sites are enjoyed each day of the year. Children attend highly rated schools, professionals benefit from close proximity to high-paying jobs, and ample entertainment can be found without needing to wander outside the neighborhood.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
Washington, D.C. is home to some of the finest cuisine in the nation and its suburban communities have not been excluded. European-inspired fare, American cuisine, and fine dining can all be found in the neighborhood without having to head into the city.
Mamma’s Kitchen is a casual, garden-inspired eatery where patrons enjoy fresh Greek and Italian eats. Gyros, homemade pastas, crispy calamari, and brick oven pizzas are served in a warm dining room, or out on the patio, protected by an awning of cascading florals and fragrant greenery.
In the warmer summer months, The Custard Shack is frequented by both locals and visitors looking for sweet frozen treats. Daily specials and limited edition monthly creations consist of cotton candy, Funfetti, mint chocolate chip, and cookie dough, to name a few.
Traditional American cuisine served in a Colonial dining room is found at The Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, situated on George Washington’s estate. Butternut squash soup, Colonial-style hoecakes, and Chesapeake Bay crabcakes are savored in an authentic dining room reminiscent of Washington’s own.
Cedar Knoll serves one of the more popular Sunday brunches in the area on the shores of the Potomac River. In addition to the scenic views, guests come back time and time again for the white glove service, seafood made from fresh Chesapeake Bay catches, and the fabulous atmosphere.
Things To Do
Mount Vernon is best known for being the site of George Washington’s vast estate. Each year, the birthday of the first president is celebrated with a series of events such as live reenactments and parades. When the cherry blossoms bloom, locals run in the Cherry Blossom Parkway Classic, a 10-mile and 5K race featuring gorgeous seasonal blooms, finishing up in nearby Old Town Alexandria. The race consistently attracts more than 20,000 contestants, making it one of the largest in the region. Throughout the summer, Fort Hunt Park hosts summer concerts on Friday evenings, free for all to attend. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic while they enjoy live music performed by talented musicians across all musical genres. A boat cruise down the Potomac River is one of the more unique ways to enjoy the sites of the city, complete with dinner, brunch, or cocktails.
Schools
Some of the finest schools in the metro area are found in the area, both public and private. A few examples are:
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St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, preschool-12th grade; three separate schools offer uniquely curated curriculums to ensure more-than-adequate preparation for the next level of education
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Alexandria Country Day School, kindergarten-8th grade; this small school fosters a close-knit sense of community with their low 8:1 student-teacher ratio
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Fairfax County Public Schools, preschool-12th grade; one of the top-rated public school districts in the nation boasts stellar scores on state standardized exams, high rankings across all schools, and a wide array of extracurricular activities
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