Ins & Outs: Monticello
Monticello is open to the public every day of the year except Christmas, but visit in the spring or fall when the flowers and trees are at their peak colors. General admission is $14, which buys you a ride up the hill in the shuttle bus and tours of the home, plantation, and gardens. During the summer months, Monticello offers special educational tours for children and their families, six times a day.
Beat the crowds by arriving early in the day. To get the most out of your visit, wear comfortable shoes and just explore. Walk the outskirts of the grounds on the roundabout pathway that Jefferson rode daily on horseback. Enjoy the views from the pavilion in the vegetable garden. Walk the shady path downhill to return to your car, so you can see Jefferson's gravesite. For more information about visiting Monticello, go to monticello.org, which includes weekly updates on which flowers are in bloom.
While you're in the area, tour one of the nearby wineries such as the Kluge Estate or Jefferson Vineyards. For a guide to the Virginia equivalent of Napa Valley, visit monticellowinetrail.org. Or you can also drive the two miles into Charlottesville. Stroll the historic pedestrian downtown mall or learn more about Thomas Jefferson's influence by walking the grounds of the University of Virginia. -Megan Barnett
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