35 Best Stops Between Purcellville and Charlottesville (2025)

My wife is a history major and had Monticello on her bucket list, so I decided to take her on a special vacation to visit this historical landmark. What a special day we had despite the rain. The facility was very well organized, had a great gift shop and is well maintained. We decided to take the self-guided tour so we could take our time and really take everything in. My wife was in heaven walking room to room and observing all the historical artifacts in the home of our third president, Thomas Jefferson. The home had paintings, Indian relics, antique furniture, books, a poignant scene of children's toys, and unique technical devices from the 1700-1800s. The grounds were amazing and full of beautiful plants, trees and vegetable gardens. Many areas had QR codes that allowed you to pull up a web site on a cell phone, providing written descriptions and audio recordings. There was a great little snack shop on the grounds that offered unusual soft drinks, candy, ice cream and other wonderful treats. We spent over 2 hours taking it all in and enjoying the breath taking scenic views of the mountains and rolling hills. A truly memorable day learning about the history of the home of our third president of the United States of America.

We had the most excellent guide, Ashley, for the Slavery to Freedom tour. She told the story and asked thoughtful questions that drew her audience into the period. She all of the questions that were thrown at her. She was not judgemental. The museum itself was great at giving us a visual of the man Thomas Jefferson and his plantation. This is an experience that we highly recommend for everyone. The main gift shop had a wealth of additional information. The price for the tour is reasonable given that we had the freedom to see other things.All of the staff were very nice. I loved the convenience of the air conditioned shuttle. We didn't take pictures of the house this time. The architecture is amazing. Thanks to the foundation for preserving this history. Good job.

Just incredible! Please take the time to drive here and take the tour. The guided tour was so informative with background on different events.Must see for our children to get a better understanding of our founding fathers and the life they lived.Loved seeing the replica Declaration of Independence, less than 50 still known to be in existence.Lots of walking paths and beautiful views.

A great historical site, highly recommended to anyone who is interested in history, architecture, or agriculture. The house is truly grand and beautiful. I loved hearing the history of the color choices throughout the home, and the many other little stories that help us see Jefferson as a human being and not just a historical figure.

We had a great visit to Monticello. They have done a great job of preserving and restoring a very important part of history. The tour guides are extremely informative. They have an actor who speaks as Thomas Jefferson. He is amazing, he even takes questions.Monticello is beautiful and so educational. I highly recommend a visit!

We took the Wednesday 11.00 "Behind the scenes" tour. Our guide was fantastic. It was a fact filled and interesting narrative delivered with ease, and he fielded all of the questions that were asked effortlessly. Staff at the ticketing office were also really helpful. The building is interesting albeit a bit strange and the grounds are magnificent.

The value of the $42 guided tour depends on how interested you are in history. The extra $20 over a regular ticket is probably worth it because how often are you going to be in Charlottesville, but it probably should not be $20 extra just to enter the building. That said, it was a solid tour, and it is pretty cool to stand in the room where such an important person spent so much of their time. The grounds are bucolic, and the small exhibits accessible with any ticket level are worthwhile.

Absolutely great experience. I had gone as a kid and distinctly remembered not being able to go upstairs. Now there are tickets to walk through the whole house so I bought those. It was a little pricey but worth it. The Tour Guide was knowledgeable and friendly. The building and grounds are well maintained. A true step back in time .

One of the most well done tours I’ve ever been to.Amazing experience from the drive in to the tour. We purchased the Behind the Scenes Tour that takes you into the house and the rotunda—it’s worth the investment! You get to walk through history. We saw the actual books Jefferson owned, his bed, his personal tools, and so much more. The tour guides are insightful, thoughtful, and kind. Getting to walk through history has no substitute! Highly recommend for anyone visiting Charlottesville!

I had one $#@& tour guide send me to the wrong place to wait for our tour, which then started 15 minutes early. Then openly mocked me for bringing me children (6, 9, 11) on the tour. In front of an entire tour group. Despite this guy...this place is fantastic. The gardens, the views, the architecture museum. We spent 4hrs here learning and being awed by the significance and history of it all. My wife and I could have easily spent more time there, but kids.We did the cheapest tour, which is only the ground floor. If it was just the two of us we'd have done the full thing to see the dome. I highly recommend getting there early and doing the architectural museum at the bottom of the hill before going up. Spend a good 45 minutes doing all the reading and learning of what Jefferson did before going to lay eyes on the building.

Spectacular. Monticello is as much a place of learning as it is an architectural feat. I have been over ten times at this point and learn or see something totally new each time. Take an unguided tour if you’re on a repeat visit and linger awhile in the well-appointed rooms. Don’t miss out on the museum next to the bus stop, and by all means go to the store!

An amazing historical site! There is lots of history surrounding this estate to learn and explore. The tour was a great experience. The views of the surrounding area were beautiful and very calming.I highly recommend visiting!

Did the 45-min guided tour; very organized. Definitely worth it. Unfortunately, we had only 2.5 hrs to spare, so not enough time. Recommend at least 3 hrs if you want to soak in the history.Awesome place for history buff. A lot of great history, somber ones too. The guide provided great info about the mansion as well as Jefferson's history, good and bad. The guided tour about slavery at Monticello was a somber one, but a must do. We also attended the "Meet Thomas Jefferson." The gentleman who portrayed Jefferson did an excellent job.The grounds and gardens were immaculate. The trees are beautiful and saved us from the scorching 90° sun. The views were spectacular.

I loved the history tours that you could do. The house itself was amazing! I do recommend going to the tours, which are very fun and educational. They have several tours at different times you can go to throughout the day. Also, get tickets in advance. It really puts you in Jefferson's shoes being there.

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has done a phenomenal job with the aesthetics of the property and restoring the dependencies for their visitors. What I don’t like about visiting here is how commercialized it feels, especially compared to the other historic home tours in Virginia. You pay $42 for the highlights tour, with tours running every five minutes. That means you only have five minutes in each room to hear the guides presentation, look around, and ask questions. Our tour had so many people that we couldn’t see most of the rooms because we were packed in like sardines. We were then shuffled very quickly to the next room. When I asked the ticket counter about other options we were recommended the Behind the Scenes tours or private tours. Private tours start at $750 for four people. I love Virginia history and again, the property was beautiful, I just wish the tour hadn’t felt so crowded and rushed.

Dogs are allowed on the grounds!We enjoyed our Highlights tour at Monticello, although I wish they gave more information about the house and Jefferson's inventions, special home details, and his amazing contributions to American history .. I had watched a documentary about the house and honestly I learned more watching the documentary than the tour guide: The guide was obsessed with his relationships thus we left the tour early because we couldn't listen to Hannah's commentary; maybe there's a guide who is more involved in the details of the house and Jefferson's accomplishments than Hannah? ... Anyway, it's a beautiful home, gardens are enjoyable.

We did the Highlights tour. Very informative. Our guide, Katrina, led a well-paced tour. We enjoyed walking the beautiful grounds of Monticello on our own. Not great for little kids as there’s nothing for them to do. If they have any knowledge of US History, it’s worth it.

Highly recommended - to include booking your house tour in advance if possible, to reserve the slot that you want.We found the 'behind the scenes' house tour to be worth the additional money, to include a smaller group and a lot more time in the house. This tour requires you to ascend and descend a pretty steep and narrow staircase.Free public WiFi by the lower visitor center and the upper house itself. Water refill stations also available by the water fountains.If you want to do the house tour plus the garden and slavery guided tours, it may be advantageous to pack or plan to eat at the onsite cafe.The slavery tour was very informative - the stories about the persons that lived here were moving.

Didn't know it was going to cost around $50 for 2 adults just to walk around the grounds on our own and not get to see inside the house. But we still really enjoyed everything. It was amazing and well worth the money.

The morning I spent at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia was truly unforgettable. The sun bathed the iconic mansion in a warm glow, highlighting its graceful architecture and the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. As I wandered through the lush gardens, I could almost hear the echoes of history, feeling the weight of the past in every step. The guided tour brought Jefferson's vision to life, revealing his passions for philosophy, agriculture, and innovation. Each room was filled with artifacts and stories that transported me back in time, creating a profound connection to the ideals that shaped our nation. It was a beautiful reminder of the legacy of one of America’s founding fathers, leaving me inspired and reflective as I soaked in the serene atmosphere.

It was a great tour. Our guide Don was amazing. Every encounter with the workers was nice except for the lady driving the shuttle and the lady checking tickets to get on the bus.It’s a must see when you are in Charlottesville. The house had incredible views to the blue ridge mountains and nearby fields. I recommend a guided tour because they share interesting stories of the family and items in the house.

We had an awesome visit to Monticello. Our docent Brianna was great! I remember going as a kid. We had the grounds and home tour tickets but there is also an upgrade to visit the top floor and dome room. Plan to spend 3-4 hours for your visit. They have a couple of places to catch a bit to eat. We had a great time!

Did not realize Monticello had so much to see on the tour. You see history come to life with Jefferson’s speech. There is still much to see if you do not take the house tour. One special feature that helped my daughter get around better, was there free wheelchair access. Be prepared to spend a few hours and wear comfortable shoes.

Helpful to plan out your day before visiting.Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father and the third president of the United States. He began designing Monticello after inheriting land from his father at age 14.The house was built in stages over a period of 40 years, and it is a blend of neoclassical, Palladian, and Jeffersonian architectural styles.Monticello is known for its octagonal dome, which was the first of its kind in the United States.The house is also home to a number of innovative features, such as a dumbwaiter, a central heating system, and a water closet.Monticello was not just a residence, but also a working plantation. Jefferson owned over 130 slaves, who worked the land, tended the gardens, and cared for the house.After Jefferson's death, Monticello was passed down to his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph. She sold the property in 1831, and it changed hands several times before being purchased by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in 1923.The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has restored Monticello to its original condition, and it is now a popular tourist destination.Here are some other cool facts about Monticello:The house is made of red brick, which was brought from England.The gardens at Monticello are home to over 6,000 different plants.Jefferson designed his own furniture for Monticello, and he also made many of the tools used to build the house.Monticello was the first home in the United States to have electricity.The house is still equipped with its original dumbwaiter, central heating system, and water closet.I hope you find these facts about Monticello interesting!

Such a marvelous piece of our history warts and all. By now everyone knows Jefferson owned slaves and fathered children with one of his house keepers/nannies. He was a very complex man and very intelligent. I could go on for several pages about him and his estate. The tour was excellent and the gentleman who is on the site who portrays Jefferson was excellent. I wish there was someone like that at Mt. Vernon to portray Washington. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about my experience here. Our tour guide was excellent. She was personable and very knowledgeable. You can tour all of the grounds, the mansion and basement which was very informative and interesting. There are slave quarters and shops so you get a real feel for what it was back then. The large Jefferson burial area was also interesting to view. A very peaceful serene setting not too far from the mansion.There is a great visitor’s center and museum and I highly recommend seeing both along with a short film before you take the shuttle up to the mansion. I learned how intelligent, inquisitive and inventive Jefferson was. I highly recommend reading a biography of Jefferson before you visit. It will bring the entire experience to life.

It's worth the cost to get in. Went in the fall, and there were still plenty of tours and things to see. Our tour guide was amazing, well versed, and knowledgeable on everything from the building of the home to the darker history of Jefferson's story. He made Jefferson out as human and a product of his time and not a hero and mythical being.I am glad to know that although there are a few original pieces, the museum uses replicas as well.Visit the exhibits near the visitor center where you park for a look at how the house was built, Jefferson's life, and the family trees of his decedents, including Sally Hemmings children.Parking was easy, and the shuttle service made the trip easier for our party.

Monticello is a wonderful plantation to visit, especially so when the weather is cooperative. The grounds are incredibly well taken care of and you can learn a bit of what life was like by walking around and exploring the various buildings. I love that the gardens are maintained and that the food isn't wasted from them.I highly recommend doing the guided house tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable of Jefferson's life and Monticello through it's years. There are various other tours you can do, but unfortunately I only had time for the one. There's a lot to learn here outside of what you learn in a grade school history class.If you have any interest in history, and are around Charlottesville, I suggest making a stop here!

First time I have been when there were guided tours. Although the 45 minute tour was very informative, it requires the whole group to be in one room together with the doors closed so the other tour in the next room can not be heard. The rooms here are small and our group was too big to fit comfortably in the rooms. There is a strick no touching or leaning on anything at all policy which made the tight quarters feel even tighter. Tour sizes need to be smaller or maybe our day was just really busy, but I liked it better when we could do self guided tours. I would not recommend this tour for small children. The rooms are just too small with too much stuff.But for history and architecture nerds, it is an amazing and interesting home. Don't miss the museum, it has some great displays that show how he modified and expanded the house over the years. And they have a model of his final renovation that was never completed.

So so pretty and such a gorgeous property. I never knew how much history really was underneath this property until this week and I’m so very glad I got to visit and have the opportunity to become educated. Our tour guide was amazing and the tickets were very well worth it, there are many attractions (that do cost) to walk through which is super cool.

Beautiful, interesting and educational, well managed and maintained. But admission is way too expensive, especially if you only have a couple hours and you only want to tour the main house and not everything else.Also, our tour guide was unable to explain why the underside of the first floor (as seen above the basement) were constructed in an undulating pattern. I asked other staff members and they said it was part of a rainwater collection system, very unusual and clever design.

Monticello offers a step back in time to learn about the history of one of the forefathers of this country. The tour of the home is pleasant and the tour guides are knowledgeable. There are also multiple other tours of the grounds that provide a great historical perspective of the land and of Jefferson. There is even a Thomas Jefferson character that is found on certain days and times. If you get the chance, stop by to see him. He plays the role with great accuracy and the interaction with him is very memorable.

I just finished reading the 1 star comments. Most of them are about the pricey tickets. 😱😱The guided tour ticket is $42, and the ground tour ticket is $22.I bought the guided tour ticket today, 01/20/2024. It was a 45 minutes with one tour guide, his name is Jim. He is a wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide. 👍👍👍Is it worth it to pay $42 dollars and see the third president's house? Well, if you think 45 minutes is too short, you can spend more time exploring the wine cellar, kitchen, and the garden.I would suggest do some homework before you go. It is because the tour guide was a little bit fast taking before you can even understand the whole story.😅😅😅😅However, I do have one feedback which I promised the staff I would write to the owner.It is 26 degrees today with 19 miles per hour wind speed. All of the staffs who worked outdoors today were all shivering 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶.Is it possible to provide the outdoor propane heater for their health issue concern? ❤️❤️❤️❤️

We purchased "The highlights" tour on the day of our visit (not pre-purchased). It was the first Saturday in May. There was plenty of parking in any of their multiple lot selections with many treed areas; no wait and no lines at the ticket counter... But it was a rather gloomy, misty type of morning that later cleared.The ticket agent was very friendly, informative, and provided great assistance in how we could best utilize our time with each area.Our favorite section was definitely the "Meet Thomas Jefferson" segment! He's fantastic! We could have listened to him for hours! He's brilliant and all of his communication is based on the period of the late 1800's. You truly feel like you went back in time with him!The slavery presentation was very interesting as well.

If you’re doing the guided tour (which I highly recommend), it’s best to purchase your tickets online beforehand. The tour gives you a peek into the life of Thomas Jefferson, not only his contributions to history but his shortcomings as well. The house and the grounds have been well-maintained. There is an also a sweet fragrance outside thanks to fragrant blooming trees. The museum gives provides more information and historical context.

Excellent museum docent/ guide. Ashley was extremely knowledgeable about not only the life of the Jefferson family extending several generations. She also shared many facts about the area's history. I bought my ticket for the 90-minute tour the morning that I went. The cost was $99.00. Although there were seats available here and there throughout the house, I stood on my feet for most of the tour. There were about a dozen people in my group. The stairway leading to the second and third floors is very narrow and steep. You must be able to manage these stairs on your own. The grounds are beautiful, especially in the Spring. There is a shuttle bus that will bring you up to the house and then back down to the museum/ gift shop. You have the choice to walk. It takes approximately 15 minutes. Right now, you will find an original copy of the Declaration of Independence on display in the museum. I am glad I went. It was well worth the price of the ticket.

Gorgeous views from atop the mountain in all directions. Interesting and well-presented history, giving insight to Jefferson and the lives of those that lived at Monticello, including the enslaved people. The house and ground are remarkable, and the tours are very well done.

We were very impressed with Monticello! Each of the guides simply presented the history and then let us decide. Thomas Jefferson was quite the scientist, architect, and statesman. We spent close to five hours and didn't feel we saw it all.

A lovely house and grounds that Jefferson designed and lived inMonticello, the famed estate of Thomas Jefferson, is nestled in the rolling hills of Charlottesville, Virginia. There is plenty of parking available in 3 lots next to the visitor’s center. Entering from the parking lot you will go through security. A room to the right offers people that can give you advice on the site and options to get the most out of your visit. The gift shop is on your left and there was a 2 story room directly ahead with more history about the side and founding father. The gift shop had an array of curated treasures, from books on American history to artisanal crafts inspired by Jefferson's era. You can either walk to the main house up the hill or take a bus. I took the bus and got the tickets for the house tour. The house tour is a journey through time, expertly guided by knowledgeable staff. Each room reveals a piece of Jefferson's eclectic personality, from the innovation of his inventions to the sophistication of his taste in decor. Mr Jefferson was a maker/inventor and his house shows it in all the neat items that you find throughout it. Outside, the meticulously maintained gardens and grounds provide a tranquil backdrop for reflection. Overall, Monticello is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and casual tourists alike. Its engaging exhibits, and profound historical significance make it a truly unforgettable experience.

We had a great day at Monticello. So many opportunities to learn. It was a beautiful property to visit and the tour guide and Thomas Jefferson were both really good. The garden area was really nice and well groomed. I recommend taking the bus up and walking the path back down. This could definitely be a full day if you see all the museum exhibits and so the tours.

Whether you are an American citizen or not you must visit Monticello and learn the details of how much history happened on this piece of land.Thomas Jefferson drafted The Declaration of Independence here. He was born and raised here, and in general Virginia has some much history. That is the reason why it is called the Mother State.When visiting Monticello and make the most of your money try to arrive in the morning so you can have plenty of time to visit all the areas of this 5 acres of property. God bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

This was well worth seeing. I did the highlights tour and felt for me, that was plenty. However there is a longer more in-depth tour that also would have been interesting.. Our guide Rogan was spectacular! He explained the history well and encouraged questions. I particularly liked how he addressed the difficult subject of slavery and Thomas Jefferson’s involvement. After the house tour there is an option to tour the slave quarters. Yet again, I was impressed how our guide Louie handled the delicate subject and encouraged thought.The entire staff from check in to the guides did a tremendous job!Thank you!

An excellent place to visit. The tours are very professionally executed. The grounds and buildings are fabulous. The tour guides are very well informed and learned in history and engage you during your tour.

Beautiful place offering a wealth of knowledge and history. Well organized in every respect from the parking to the shuttles to all the tours. We especially recommend the archeology tour to aspiring scientists.

Monticello: A Glimpse into Jeffersonian Innovation and LegacyWith limited time, we opted for the Highlights tour during our midweek visit to Monticello.The grounds and visitor amenities like the museum, cafe, and gift shop are well-maintained, providing helpful context about Jefferson's life and innovations.The shuttle service up the hill to the main house is a convenient option.While not the grandest plantation mansion, Monticello's design embodies Jefferson's pioneering spirit and functional mindset over opulence.The home and surroundings are impeccably preserved.Our guided tour was informative overall, though a bit too centered on family dynamics and slave relations compared to Jefferson's immense leadership and presidential achievements. As a founding father who shaped America's democratic principles, his political vision and forward-thinking deserved more prominence.Still, experiencing this piece of living history firsthand is well worth it for anyone interested in early America's foremost intellectual giants.Just be sure to plan ahead and allocate enough time to properly experience the museum exhibits and take advantage of the property's different tour options beyond just the house itself.Monticello provides an authentic glimpse into the mind of a true Renaissance man and nation-builder. While our tour could have delved deeper into Jefferson's public impact and legacy, it was nevertheless a meaningful visit to one of Virginia's preeminent historic landmarks.

Wonderful experience! Surprisingly, Monticello is an ornate home that was very much lived in and loved. I walked away, realizing Thomas Jefferson truly loved innovation, conversation, and solitude.A man of his times who knew that those times needed to be built upon with new thoughts and ideas. For everything that he wasn't, there were other areas that he was so much more than the average man.Such creativity, such sadness.The building and ground personnel for the tours, etc. do a tremendous job. Our docent was a grandfatherly gentleman who patiently included even the young children.$22 for access to the grounds with the added $20 for access to the first floor with a guide was worth it! Monticello is privately funded and needs to be treasured as the important place in history that it is!Food and gift shops are a little pricey, but hey, are any of us surprised?!

Beautiful and historic grounds and you get very good views of the Virginian countryside. The tickets are pretty expensive for adults, however. The grounds are not as big as one would expect but pretty nice nevertheless. I would recommend to visit here if you are in Charlottesville because there is not much else to do

The guided tour inside the house was excellent. The areas around the house are also very informative. Don't forget to see the museum area. You could easily spend 4 hours in the different areas of the properties.

Amazing historic site. Reasonably priced as the basic house tour, slave quarter tour, and garden tours are all included in the entry price. Start with the movie at the Visitor's Center, then board the bus to the house. We did the house tour first, to get the rest of the story. Then the slave tour. We skipped the tour of the gardens, but could clearly see them.We walked to the gravesite, which is (surprisingly) still in use! Then we took the bus back to the Visitor's Center- although we could have walked. Finished at the expansive gift shop.Also, if you have time, try the actual and cheese. It's delicious!

We had a fantastic day at Monticello. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history to life with their insights. The highlight of our visit was the slavery tour, which was profoundly educational and moving, shedding light on an essential aspect of Monticello's history. It was an enriching experience that we highly recommend.

What an amazing site. Inside and out was so neat and the special care and insight into the lives of enslaved people was great too. Any tour gets you access to the grounds and exhibits. Buy your tickets online ahead of time or you may have to wait a few hours for your tour. Well worth it imo

Great experience! We hiked up the two mile trail with our children. It was very easy to navigate, and all of my children enjoyed the views. The visitor center was great with so many friendly and knowledgeable volunteers. The estate was a lot of fun to visit. We did the highlights tour, which was a lot of great information. Definitely walk the grounds. I would definitely like to come back and do the behind the scenes tour.

Amazing place to spend a few hours! They do have a shuttle to carry everyone from the house to the burial site and back. You can always walk if you choose to.

This is an outstanding property and we were really happy we came up for the day. Thomas Jefferson was quite the architect (along with all his other accomplishments) and this house/grounds has a lot of innovations that you will not see in other houses of that period. Highly recommend the behind the scenes tour and get there early as you can easily spend all day there.

I was in Virginia to visit my brother and we stopped at the Monticello just to visit. It was beautifulplus the property is decently large so there are plenty of places to walk around. The only reason that I rate it at three stars is because I thought it was a little over hyped and over priced. I usually love visiting historical sites but this one was not the most interesting. It was a very lovely walk though, if you appreciate that I would definitely say go to the Monticello! It was a highlight of the area and since we were in Virginia, it was a decent place to visit. Needless to say, I don't think I personally will visit again.Probably more of a 3.5 star location.I don't wish to dissuade anyone from visiting. This is just my honest review. No hate, I'm sure a lot of people love it, just not everyone's cup of tea.

We did the guided tour of the first floor only. The guide was very knowledgeable and answered any questions. We then took the walking trail back, which was very nice. All in all, was a nice little tour. Was expecting the house to be bigger, but informative all the same.

I am a Numbers Nerd first but History comes in at a very close second and the history in this place!!!!!! It just doesn't get much better!The entire estate was beautiful, just amazing but my tour guide…girlfriend nerded all the way out with me and I just couldn't have been any happier.She was such an amazing story teller but also so funny! She had me laughing and at one point when talking about the love between Thomas Jefferson and his wife Martha Jefferson and him losing her only 10 years into the marriage. My heart!!!The grounds are meticulously maintained and it truly has working vegetable and flower gardens!I highly recommend you pay a visit! Highly recommend. As a matter of fact, let me know when you go and ill join you myself!!!