Monticello - reviews,open hours,photo spots,things to do | WanderBoat AI Trip Planner

A Day Trip Destination for UVA Students in Charlottesville

Maja Bell

412

When your physical therapist comes in looking like a pirate or a founding father…I tried #thomasjefferson #Monticello

southernistgirl

292

I visited Monticello in Jan. 2023. I was able to gain an immersive first-hand view into the mind of one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. From the beautifully preserved architecture to the in-depth historical insights, every moment at Monticello felt like stepping back in time. Jefferson was a man of vision and as multi-faceted as great historical figures can get. A visit to Monticello reveals and highlights many of those facets, as close as one can get to meeting him. On meeting Jefferson, my absolute highlight was the opportunity to interact with the professional Jefferson impersonator / historian. His depth of knowledge, eloquence, and mannerisms made it feel as though we were truly speaking with Jefferson himself. He engaged visitors in discussions about everything from the Declaration of Independence to Jefferson’s scientific pursuits, seamlessly weaving in humor, wit, and historical context. I was glad to have got to receive very nuanced replies (and not just one-sided answers, but back-and-forth conversaion) regarding Jefferson's drafting of the declaration, and his personal views on slavery. The buildings and grounds themselves are a masterpiece. The main house is an architectural wonder, with its iconic dome and intricate designs reflecting Jefferson’s love of innovation and classical influences. The gardens, slave quarters, and outbuildings provide an honest and thought-provoking look into both the brilliance and complexities of Jefferson’s legacy. The tour, and especially interaction with the impersonator, did excellent job of balancing admiration for Jefferson’s achievements with a candid discussion of his contradictions, particularly regarding his personal views and actions surrounding slavery. Perhaps the most rewarding part of the visit was learning more about Jefferson’s many roles — as a president, architect, scientist, and philosopher. The museum and visitor center provide fantastic exhibits that further enrich the experience, offering original letters, artifacts, and interactive displays. I was able to pay respects at his burial place, where his epitaph leaves to the world what the man himself felt was the achievements he would like to be remembered as – curiously, and tellingly, leaving out the title of him as the third President of the U.S.. For history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, or anyone curious about early American life, Monticello is an absolute must-visit. The combination of expert storytelling, breathtaking scenery, and immersive historical interpretation makes it one of the best historical tours in the country.

Zi Heng Xu

00

I have been wanting to visit Monticello since I was in high school. As a lifelong Thomas Jefferson fan, this trip was a dream come true. The house and the grounds are absolutely breathtaking. Walking the same paths Jefferson once strolled is a surreal experience, and the meticulous preservation of this site is a true testament to its historical significance. The gardens are a masterpiece, showcasing Jefferson’s ingenuity and love for horticulture. The panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the hilltop are nothing short of awe-inspiring. It's incredible to think how close we came to losing treasures like this in our history. It must truly be providence that Monticello still stands today, defying time and progress that often lead to the destruction of such historical gems. This is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates American history, architecture, or simply the beauty of a well-preserved landmark. I left feeling inspired and even more in awe of Jefferson's vision and legacy. Monticello is not just a destination—it's an experience you'll carry with you forever. While my visit to Monticello was an incredible experience, I must admit that I was disappointed with our tour guide. Rather than providing a balanced perspective on Thomas Jefferson's life and legacy, the guide seemed overly focused on criticizing Jefferson for his ownership of slaves. While this is an important and undeniable part of his history, the presentation felt more like a one-sided condemnation than an exploration of the complexities of Jefferson’s time and his efforts to address the issue of slavery. Jefferson lived in an era when slavery was legally sanctioned under the rule of the British Crown and early America. While he owned slaves—a fact that cannot be ignored—he also made significant attempts to challenge the institution, even drafting proposals to abolish it. He famously acknowledged that the timing wasn’t right and that society wasn’t ready, but his efforts laid groundwork for future progress. I would have appreciated a more nuanced discussion that acknowledged Jefferson’s flaws while also recognizing his contributions to liberty, governance, and the founding of our nation. History is complicated, and reducing such a pivotal figure to only one aspect of his life does a disservice to visitors seeking to understand the full scope of his legacy. Monticello is a place of immense historical importance, and I hope future tours provide a more balanced and educational approach to interpreting Jefferson’s life and times.

Jay Weaver

00

This review is focused on the accessibility of this location for the mobility challenged. First, they have a few walkers and wheelchairs that guests can borrow to use. This location is huge, there is no way someone who is mobility challenged can navigate it without some kind of assistance. I travel with my electric scooter which was still a challenge. When you first arrive you will have the museum and theater. You will have to go through a security checkpoint. Then there are elevators to take you to the museum area. The museum is a good size and you will have to navigate a decked area. The bathrooms are accessible. They do have a family/handicap bathroom as well which is well appointed. When you are ready to go up to the house you take yet another elevator to get to the shuttle. The shuttle has a lift or those in a wheelchair or scooter. My ride up was good, the ride back I had a driver that was not as attentive and my scooter almost tipped. One of the time in straps also popped off on my way back. When you are up at the house there are brick paths and small gravel paths. The brick paths were good, however, many of the bricks were uneven and difficult to navigate. The small gravel paths were fairly packed but not enough for my scooter to go over smoothly. It was very difficult, I’m not sure how well as wheelchair would work. I was able to get around enough to where I didn’t feel like I missed out on too much. The house tour only included the bottom floor and even that required staff to let me through different areas to be able to get through. It was disappointing not to be able to see more but they do their best with such an old house. We also went to their cafe for lunch which was super expensive and was ok. They have pre made cold sandwiches and salads. The food was made with all locally grown food. The staff had difficulty managing the busy crowd. Overall, for a place that had so much going on and so many different things to see, I think they do well taking care of their mobility challenged guests. Every time I saw a staff member they asked if I needed anything. They really do try to make proper accommodations. We had a really nice day and spent well over 5 hours there. I could’ve stayed longer if it wasn’t near closing time. Leave time for the gift shop! It is really nice and has a variety of goodies. They also have a Farm Shop with snacks and refreshments up behind the house. We enjoyed a cup of coffee from there during our visit.

Cat Lady

00

This really is a beautiful place to go as far as the landscapes. I don't like part of the history here but it is what it is and none of us can change that. It isn't a good feeling hearing about the slavery back then. I enjoyed going to this place for the scenic views. You weren't allowed to take pictures on the inside of the house - not exactly sure why. We got to go on the first floor and actually some down below since there was bad weather. We saw Jefferson's bedroom which was unique to say the least. When we first walked into the house I wasn't expecting how it looks I was expecting something more grandeur but it just wasn't in the entrance way. The There were animal antlers, European/Indian looking stuff on the wall, etc. We enjoyed the walk outside - grounds, pond, garden/slavery tours, etc. They have little exhibits where they brought up the wine in the wine cellar, the iron they used to use, some history downstairs under the main house of sally and other slaves and people from back in the day. All of the tour staff were very knowledgeable. The visitor center staff was friendly. They do have bathrooms near the visitor center and bathrooms near the Jefferson house but they are on the outside of the house so you have to walk around. Near the bathrooms near the house they had demos of some items from back in the day such as you could write with a calligraphy pen. We did that and it was cool to do. I think this was a unique place to go to given its history. I don't really have any interest in going back but it was good for a one time visit. If you walk everything I think you'll be here for 3 hours or so. There is a shuttle to take you from the visitor center to the Jefferson house. Also, the tours are timed so you get a ticket from the visitor center and then you can get on the shuttle. There is a farm shop gift shop place on the house grounds nearby the restrooms that you may want to check out for some goodies. They have a gift shop near the visitor center too that we checked out before we left. Enjoy your visit! Plenty of pictures of the landscape were the best part.

Andrea Grumbles (cat)

00