Candlelight Tours in the DC Region

With the Christmas season in full bloom, many of us are looking for a break from the crazy shopping season. We all need a chance to slow and enjoy the simple things. One of them is enjoying candlelight tours. It's a chance to know what Christmas was light before Televisions and wireless phones. Here are some great candlelight tours in the region.

Mount Vernon by Candlelight: Want to know how they celebrated Christmas in the 18^th Century America? At this event, Martha Washington hosts an 18th-century Christmas with candlelit walks, fireside caroling, and festive décor. Visitors are treated as holiday guests of the Washington family. During this event, the rarely-seen third floor will be open to the public, where visitors can see Martha Washington's garret chamber. The refurbished room was unveiled in 2005 after new curatorial research transformed this sparse space into an accurate restoration of the elegant room used by the Lady Washington after her husband's death. On the grounds, guests can enjoy caroling and free cookies and hot cider around a roaring campfire. This is the only time of the year that Mount Vernon is open exclusively for public evening tours. Tickets are on sale now, but they're selling fast. This event runs from November 23 - December 9, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tours: Alexandria has a rich history, and you can see it for yourself and your family during the Candlelight Tour of Historic Alexandria. You and your family will enjoy evening candle-lit tours of each site (some in period costume), live musical performances, seasonal greenery and displays, and hot cider. The tour involves 4 Alexandria historic sites. The sites on this year's tour include: The Lee-Fendall House, Carlyle House Historic Park, Gadsby's Tavern Museum and Christ Church. This tour happens on December 8^th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adult and $15 for seniors, $5 for children (ages 6-17). You can buy them online on this website.