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Monticello ( MON-tih-CHEL-oh) was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father and the third president of the United States, who began designing Monticello after inheriting land from his father at age 14. Located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Piedmont region, the plantation was originally 5,000 acres (20Â km2), with Jefferson using the labor of African slaves for extensive cultivation of tobacco and mixed crops, later shifting from tobacco cultivation to wheat in response to changing markets. Due to its architectural and historic significance, the property has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1987, Monticello and the nearby University of Virginia, also designed by Jefferson, were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The current nickel, a United States coin, features a depiction of Monticello on its reverse side.
Jefferson designed the main house using neoclassical design principles described by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio and reworking the design through much of his presidency to include design elements popular in late 18th-century Europe and integrating numerous ideas of his own. Situated on the summit of an 850 ft (260 m)-high peak in the Southwest Mountains south of the Rivanna Gap, the name Monticello derives from Italian meaning "little mountain". Along a prominent lane adjacent to the house, Mulberry Row, the plantation came to include numerous outbuildings for specialized functions, e.g., a nailery; quarters for slaves who worked in the home; gardens for flowers, produce, and Jefferson's experiments in plant breeding—along with tobacco fields and mixed crops. Cabins for slaves who worked in the fields were farther from the mansion.
The staff here are extremely knowledgeable about Thomas Jefferson, the time period, and geography. Well worth the cost for the tour which was about 30 minutes. I wish it were double that! Such rich history this welder nation has. Oh! I almost forgot! Buy a few bottles of wine from their gift store. It's locally produced from the estate's vineyard! Great stuff!
Kevin ShelbyMay 23, 2018
Super cool place! The house is incredible and very well thought out. The gardens and grounds are even more amazing, be sure to take the garden tour while you are there! There is also a cool historical museum as well as informational video theatre. There is also 2 gift shops where you can by jams, jellies, and seeds from Thomas Jefferson's gardens. The tulips were amazing!
Brad HawksMay 12, 2018
It was a beautiful day during tulip time! We had a great house tour guide. We toured the garden and other areas on our own but you can choose to have a guided tour for those as well. I recommend at least the house guided tour. There is also a 15 min movie that you might enjoy prior to your tour. There is a shop, shuttle, and cafe. If you like to get your national park book stamped ask the people in the shop for the stamper. Pictures can be taken outside but not inside the home.
Sherri CApr 29, 2018
Very busy on the Saturday we went but amazingly well run. Museum talks about the history of the site and the people. The mansion is more interesting than you would imagine. Don't miss the slavery tour, so much detail about the folks who actually built the place and kept it functional. They need to be remembered too!
Adrienne BurnsJun 5, 2018
The Jefferson estate is an essential historic site for all visitors to the Chesapeake region. Located two hours southwest of the D.C metro area Monticello offers sprawling views, unique architecture, intriguing stories, as well as a plethora of walkable area. Visitors should be advised tours can be somewhat crowded on weekends. A single admission consists of the house, garden, and slavery tours. While the house is disabled accessible the outdoor tours are marginal for wheel chairs. I highly recommend the short film at the visitors center first. It resonates the impact of the Declaration of Independence throughout the world in the subsequent two centuries.
Marshall McCraryMay 26, 2018
We took the after hours house tour, definitely worth the extra money. The tour included a tour of the two top floors of the main house. Which was mostly bedrooms. However the group was smaller and the tour began around closing time, so it had a more intimate feel. The entire staff was very helpful, friendly and engaging it seems with everyone. Wonderful experience and can't wait to go back and see certain things that we missed.
Joseph WheatleyJul 7, 2018
This is close to 5 stars but we didn't realize the tours would be backed up so we had to wait longer than we had planned. Definitely plan ahead! The tour guides here were wonderful and included in the price. We saw the house tour and slavery tour. I'm glad they didn't try to white wash the slavery issue. The house was beautiful and it was great to get our "nickle picture" since Monticello is on the nickle.
Tamie HeatonJun 20, 2018
Great day of history. There are guided tours through the house and grounds but you can also roam freely about the grounds. There are good paths all over the gardens. It can be a lot of walking for the day but there are places to sit and rest all over. Beautiful views looking over the valley. Gardens are always pretty to see.
Lisa CreightonJun 21, 2018
What can you say about this place. This is what the great state of Virginia is all about. I love the stories from the guides. They shuttle you to the house which was great because it was 99 degrees in the shade. The entire experience was just wonderful. The newest experience was the Sally Hemings display. It was just a PowerPoint display but just the fact we now talk about the real Jefferson was refreshing. I would recommend this to everyone.
Sharon BilesJul 7, 2018
The staff here are extremely knowledgeable about Thomas Jefferson, the time period, and geography. Well worth the cost for the tour which was about 30 minutes. I wish it were double that! Such rich history this welder nation has. Oh! I almost forgot! Buy a few bottles of wine from their gift store. It's locally produced from the estate's vineyard! Great stuff!
Kevin ShelbyMay 23, 2018
Super cool place! The house is incredible and very well thought out. The gardens and grounds are even more amazing, be sure to take the garden tour while you are there! There is also a cool historical museum as well as informational video theatre. There is also 2 gift shops where you can by jams, jellies, and seeds from Thomas Jefferson's gardens. The tulips were amazing!
Brad HawksMay 12, 2018
It was a beautiful day during tulip time! We had a great house tour guide. We toured the garden and other areas on our own but you can choose to have a guided tour for those as well. I recommend at least the house guided tour. There is also a 15 min movie that you might enjoy prior to your tour. There is a shop, shuttle, and cafe. If you like to get your national park book stamped ask the people in the shop for the stamper. Pictures can be taken outside but not inside the home.
Sherri CApr 29, 2018
Very busy on the Saturday we went but amazingly well run. Museum talks about the history of the site and the people. The mansion is more interesting than you would imagine. Don't miss the slavery tour, so much detail about the folks who actually built the place and kept it functional. They need to be remembered too!
Adrienne BurnsJun 5, 2018
The Jefferson estate is an essential historic site for all visitors to the Chesapeake region. Located two hours southwest of the D.C metro area Monticello offers sprawling views, unique architecture, intriguing stories, as well as a plethora of walkable area. Visitors should be advised tours can be somewhat crowded on weekends. A single admission consists of the house, garden, and slavery tours. While the house is disabled accessible the outdoor tours are marginal for wheel chairs. I highly recommend the short film at the visitors center first. It resonates the impact of the Declaration of Independence throughout the world in the subsequent two centuries.
Marshall McCraryMay 26, 2018
We took the after hours house tour, definitely worth the extra money. The tour included a tour of the two top floors of the main house. Which was mostly bedrooms. However the group was smaller and the tour began around closing time, so it had a more intimate feel. The entire staff was very helpful, friendly and engaging it seems with everyone. Wonderful experience and can't wait to go back and see certain things that we missed.
Joseph WheatleyJul 7, 2018
This is close to 5 stars but we didn't realize the tours would be backed up so we had to wait longer than we had planned. Definitely plan ahead! The tour guides here were wonderful and included in the price. We saw the house tour and slavery tour. I'm glad they didn't try to white wash the slavery issue. The house was beautiful and it was great to get our "nickle picture" since Monticello is on the nickle.
Tamie HeatonJun 20, 2018
Great day of history. There are guided tours through the house and grounds but you can also roam freely about the grounds. There are good paths all over the gardens. It can be a lot of walking for the day but there are places to sit and rest all over. Beautiful views looking over the valley. Gardens are always pretty to see.
Lisa CreightonJun 21, 2018
What can you say about this place. This is what the great state of Virginia is all about. I love the stories from the guides. They shuttle you to the house which was great because it was 99 degrees in the shade. The entire experience was just wonderful. The newest experience was the Sally Hemings display. It was just a PowerPoint display but just the fact we now talk about the real Jefferson was refreshing. I would recommend this to everyone.
Sharon BilesJul 7, 2018
The staff here are extremely knowledgeable about Thomas Jefferson, the time period, and geography. Well worth the cost for the tour which was about 30 minutes. I wish it were double that! Such rich history this welder nation has. Oh! I almost forgot! Buy a few bottles of wine from their gift store. It's locally produced from the estate's vineyard! Great stuff!
Kevin ShelbyMay 23, 2018
Super cool place! The house is incredible and very well thought out. The gardens and grounds are even more amazing, be sure to take the garden tour while you are there! There is also a cool historical museum as well as informational video theatre. There is also 2 gift shops where you can by jams, jellies, and seeds from Thomas Jefferson's gardens. The tulips were amazing!
Brad HawksMay 12, 2018
It was a beautiful day during tulip time! We had a great house tour guide. We toured the garden and other areas on our own but you can choose to have a guided tour for those as well. I recommend at least the house guided tour. There is also a 15 min movie that you might enjoy prior to your tour. There is a shop, shuttle, and cafe. If you like to get your national park book stamped ask the people in the shop for the stamper. Pictures can be taken outside but not inside the home.
Sherri CApr 29, 2018
Very busy on the Saturday we went but amazingly well run. Museum talks about the history of the site and the people. The mansion is more interesting than you would imagine. Don't miss the slavery tour, so much detail about the folks who actually built the place and kept it functional. They need to be remembered too!
Adrienne BurnsJun 5, 2018
The Jefferson estate is an essential historic site for all visitors to the Chesapeake region. Located two hours southwest of the D.C metro area Monticello offers sprawling views, unique architecture, intriguing stories, as well as a plethora of walkable area. Visitors should be advised tours can be somewhat crowded on weekends. A single admission consists of the house, garden, and slavery tours. While the house is disabled accessible the outdoor tours are marginal for wheel chairs. I highly recommend the short film at the visitors center first. It resonates the impact of the Declaration of Independence throughout the world in the subsequent two centuries.
Marshall McCraryMay 26, 2018
We took the after hours house tour, definitely worth the extra money. The tour included a tour of the two top floors of the main house. Which was mostly bedrooms. However the group was smaller and the tour began around closing time, so it had a more intimate feel. The entire staff was very helpful, friendly and engaging it seems with everyone. Wonderful experience and can't wait to go back and see certain things that we missed.
Joseph WheatleyJul 7, 2018
This is close to 5 stars but we didn't realize the tours would be backed up so we had to wait longer than we had planned. Definitely plan ahead! The tour guides here were wonderful and included in the price. We saw the house tour and slavery tour. I'm glad they didn't try to white wash the slavery issue. The house was beautiful and it was great to get our "nickle picture" since Monticello is on the nickle.
Tamie HeatonJun 20, 2018
Great day of history. There are guided tours through the house and grounds but you can also roam freely about the grounds. There are good paths all over the gardens. It can be a lot of walking for the day but there are places to sit and rest all over. Beautiful views looking over the valley. Gardens are always pretty to see.
Lisa CreightonJun 21, 2018
What can you say about this place. This is what the great state of Virginia is all about. I love the stories from the guides. They shuttle you to the house which was great because it was 99 degrees in the shade. The entire experience was just wonderful. The newest experience was the Sally Hemings display. It was just a PowerPoint display but just the fact we now talk about the real Jefferson was refreshing. I would recommend this to everyone.
Sharon BilesJul 7, 2018
| Monday | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
Wander is a travel search engine that allows you to find the perfect travel destination that fits your budget and preferences.
Cheap flights to Charlottesville
Vacation packages to Charlottesville