What a gorgeous place! I went in the late winter/early early Spring and even though there were no leaves on the trees, it was still gorgeous. Monticello is the estate of Thomas Jefferson and there is so much history packed into the tour but the beauty is what captivates you. The woodwork, the flooring, the artwork...I could go on and on. The tour guides are excellent! Very knowledgeable, engaging, friendly and they keep history honest. I loved that they stuck to the facts and told the history as it should, the good, the bad and the ugly. The estate is still kept immaculate and holds so much history in every detail. The view alone overlooking the mountainside takes your breath away. It immediately sets your mind to wandering and fantasizing of a time long ago and how spectacular it must have been to live surrounded by such beauty. I highly recommend and would recommend going in late Spring or early Summer or Fall when the leaves have changed color. read more

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Monticello is probably the most famous of all the President houses (Mt Vernon may have it beat). As a self-proclaimed Presidential history nerd, I have been to several presidential homes, libraries, museums, gravesites, monuments, etc. Monticello's history is the most interesting because of many factors including Jefferson's architectural obsession, the atrocities with slavery that occurred with building and maintaining it, and the innovations and experimentation Jefferson used while living here. Monticello is a huge operation. You should definitely get a reservation. You park at the bottom of the hill (or maybe middle of it) then you go through metal detectors and are now in the cafe/gift shop/bathroom area. From there you can take the 1/2 mile walk up hill to the home or take the bus. Once you are up top, you will be put into different huddles depending on your tour time. Oh, there are several different style tours, we just did the general admission tour. Anyway, you can walk around the grounds while you wait. The whole thing is very well organized. Our tour guide took us through various rooms in the house, pointed out various artifacts from Jefferson's past, told stories and was very knowledgeable when asked questions. The group I was in was probably 20 people. The whole tour took 45 mins. Then we walked the grounds independent of the tour including looking at Jefferson's family cemetery plot. My only issue is that I went on July 1st, 2026, so the whole back (or front) had a huge tent set up for the America 250 celebration. Not a big deal just didn't get the complete feel or pics. read more

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Great Historical Site! We went back in 2017, So it's been a minute. We loved it. Ask questions to the guides as they are very knowledgeable! read more

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Wow! Monticello is amazing, and worth a visit for literally anyone and everyone. My husband and I were in the area for a wedding, and had a few hours to kill before the ceremony. We decided to explore Monticello, and booked the 45 minute Highlights Tour. If you read through the website, they'll let you know that you could spend all day here. They are correct! There are several guided tours of different lengths and prices, and the grounds, gift shop, and self-guided exhibits are expensive too. They mean it when they say you need to be on-site 30 minutes before your tour begins, because it takes time to get up to the house from the visitors center! Lauren was our guide for the Highlights Tour, and she was great. A solid mix of informative and engaging. This quick tour was just enough to get a taste of history, and definitely leaves you wanting more. I especially appreciate the steps they've taken in recent years to educate and address slavery at Monticello, including the addition of the Burial Ground for Enslaved People. Instead of taking the shuttle back to the visitors center, we walked through the garden and it was just lovely. We also passed the gravesite of Thomas Jefferson himself, which is a great spot for reflection. The gift shop had a wide variety of books, home decor, and collectible trinkets, and we found everything to be pretty reasonably priced. Monticello is operated by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which is a 501c3 non-profit. read more

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Having been wanting to visit Monticello for years and finally got the opportunity. You can purchase tickets on line however we got them the morning of at the visitor center. First we watched an informative movie then took the shuttle up the hill to the house. Had a 10:40 tour time which was on time. Pretty large group. Many reviews stated that the visit through the home was fast and crowded. Totally agree. Maybe they could have the tour last one hour instead of 45 min giving guests a few minutes in each room to take pictures. Cut out a few tours which could help with timing. We also got in the slave tour, garden tour and the talk with Thomas Jefferson. All tours were very educational and well done. Took the shuttle to Jefferson's grave ands walked back to visitor center. Ended in the gift shop which had an array of items. read more

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Came here for a first date and it was nothing short of incredible. We did the Behind the Scenes tour and it was nice to gain more insight into a president who was known for keeping his personal life private. The house and property are impressive. We also did a slavery tour where we learned more about the slave life at Monticello. read more

This has been on my bucket list for a while and I was so excited to come, but my excitement quickly waned upon entering the house and being crammed in like cattle. Our group was so large, we couldn't all look at the things in the room while the guide was speaking so I figured we'd have a moment or two during the transition to the next room to look at the things we missed/things that were blocked by others in the group. Absolutely no chance of that. We weren't even out of the room and the next group of cattle was being herded in. Here are two examples of photos I tried to take but couldn't because the next group was already coming in or our group was still trying to look at what we didn't get the chance to see during our brief time there. For $40+ per ticket, I expect to see the house and experience it, not be rushed through. Very disappointing. I was also disappointed by the incongruent recount of Sally Hemings. The video exhibit depicts her and her children as having fully black features, but right outside, the description of her is light skinned with straight hair. Considering her genetic makeup, she was probably very white-passing. I would have liked for this to have been made clear across all exhibits because the message that TJ enslaved his own children (they are referred to has her children primarily) and phenotypically white people is often overlooked in history books, but is significant. Anyway, the tour is not great and I don't recommend, but the grounds are lovely and educational. read more

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Plan to spend the full day here! It is well worth it. I attended the Highlights Tour and the Friend and Foe Tour. Both were good. There was some overlap. I recommend just the Friend and Foe Tour. You get a little extra and a nice perspective that doesn't come with the Highlights Tour. Take advantage of the free tours along the outdoor grounds. The best part of the day is sitting with a historian who assumes the role of Thomas Jefferson. You get to ask him questions and he answers as he perceives Thomas Jeffereson would. Monticello offers a military discount for the Friend and Foe and the Highlights Tours. These are free for military! read more

If Thomas Jefferson could see Monticello today, he might be proud--and also slightly horrified. The house itself is nothing short of a masterpiece: a living, breathing testament to Enlightenment ideals, classical architecture, and one man's relentless pursuit of knowledge. Every inch whispers Jefferson's brilliance--his gadgets, his gardens, his geometry. You half expect him to stroll out of the dome room and start lecturing on Roman philosophy. But here's the rub: getting to experience that brilliance feels a bit like trying to read Plato's Republic at a rock concert. The tour was so rushed and crowded that we barely had time to admire the parquet floors before being herded into the next room like Enlightenment-era livestock. Each chamber felt less like a moment of reflection and more like an 18th-century escape room with 20 strangers breathing down your neck. The grounds and gardens, however, redeem the chaos--rolling hills, neat rows of vegetables Jefferson himself experimented with, and views that make you understand why he called this "his essay in architecture." Take your time there; it's where the real spirit of Monticello breathes freely. Historical highlights: Jefferson's revolving bookstand, the dumbwaiter for wine (genius), and the sense that you're walking through the mind of one of history's most complex men. Historical lowlight: Being packed tighter than a shipment of Virginia tobacco. Verdict: Come for the history, stay for the gardens, and maybe bring a fan--and patience. Jefferson mastered design, but apparently, crowd control wasn't in his blueprints. read more

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We had a nice grounds tour (not allowed in the house itself) for $22 pp. We enjoyed listening to Jefferson outside. The gardens were just blooming but the grounds were well maintained. We chose to walk the path to the cemetery and back to the visitors center. There, it had a cafe, gift shop and clean restrooms. The history was interesting but the cost for a family is outrageous. We were on a budget and couldn't do the tours with guides at $44 pp. read more

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I've been here a couple times and enjoyed both! Definitely recommend buying a ticket to see inside the house, though there are some free tours too. I love when they have the TJ actor on site. He's so fun! I learned alot about Jefferson and our country by visiting here. There's also a movie theatre, museum, and gift shop. Recommend! read more

This is not only a great place of American History but also a beautiful setting with gorgeous views. It is pretty neat to be able to walk the same rooms that the third president walked and see where he spent his time. It is also very sobering to see the ugly side of American history that made this location what is was. The estate is very well preserved and has tons of artifacts and items that make the tour so valuable. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and accommodating as well. read more

This is a beautiful and well maintained property with so much history and interest. The military discount made it much more reasonable for our family to visit and the family friendly tour was really good. It wasn't too long for the kids and the tour guide let them sit on the floor in a circle in each room and explained features that were more interesting to them and engaged them really well. read more

Loved the millinery shop and the weaver's house. Both preservationists were enthusiastic and so passionate! read more

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Raw, twisted - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Monticello is absolutely beautiful! This is a great place to take your family during the day, then end your day in Charlottesville at a local winery. The tour guides are so nice and I am a huge history buff so it was just lovely. They have restored and preserved this place so well, and this is just the perfect day trip by yourself or with family. If you're a history buff and you really love learning, I'd probably come solo so you can absorb as much information as possible. read more

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I very much enjoyed my visit to Monticello. There were so many tours that addressed so many of my interests - archaeology, gardening, the lives of enslaved people. Everything was well organized. I was especially happy that the visitors center was built respectful of the environment. It's wasn't a concrete monstrosity. Elliot was a great guide for the highlights tour. read more

Proud to be an American. If you don't know where you come from or who founded your country you're doomed to be a rudderless ship. History is important both the good and the bad. read more

Beautiful landscape and preserved house with 70 percent actual furnishings. Tour guide was polite and helpful with information and story telling. Personally I think it was a tad overpriced but happy I went to check out a piece of history. read more

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Pricey but worth it. Bumped up to 5 stars for offering a discount to locals & veterans. Expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours here. We had 2 tours: a docent led tour of the 1st floor of Monticello, and a short guided stroll of the areas where on-ground slaves worked & lived. Lots of displays integrated into the property (lots about Sally Hemmings) and a comfortable museum for history buffs. Plenty of beautiful grounds and architecture to take pix of. A perfect break from touring the nearby Shenandoah Valley/Blue Ridge Parkway nature areas. P.s. We were looking forward to visiting with the Jefferson impersonator but he took the day off. Not worth losing a star since folks do need to take a day off. But if you wanna see him, might wanna call 1st to see that he'll be there. read more

I really enjoyed my visit here! Great history and wonderful guides. Our main guide was Melissa & she was terrific. She was engaging, interesting and hit a lot of interesting details. She also knew the answer to all questions. The history of the place really struck a chord with me. We did a 45 minute tour and wished the 9 minute was not sold out. If in the area, I would go again and do recommend this beautiful historical site. Do save at least 4 hours. There is a lot to see. Also after the main tour we took a mini tour on the slaves with Kelly. We enjoyed this one as well. So much rich history. There was also a landscaping tour, a museum and many cool exhibits all over the property. Liked the the whole experience a lot. read more

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Beautiful area and so historically rich! The tour guides all know what they're talking about and I swear there's no question they can't answer. I love that there's so much to explore and lots of "mini" tours that you can hop in and out of for free (included with all the tickets)! We especially enjoyed the garden tour. There are a couple of food options: the cafeteria at the visitors center (we didn't get to try) and the cafe/convenience store right under the mansion. The cookies there are DELICIOUS. And it's a nice way to grab a quick cup of coffee or a bite. Their souvenir store is also full of amazing souvenirs and quality old-timey trinkets and tea/kitchen things (which I love). read more

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I've been to Monticello a number of times and it never disappoints. The building is amazing, the grounds spectacular, and the staff extremely knowledgeable. read more

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We really enjoyed our two tours here, which covered the life of Jefferson and history of Monticello, as well as the life of the slaves who worked on the property. The tour guides did a fantastic job of being fair in their assessments of Jefferson, neither disparaging his accomplishments, nor overlooking his failures. All history should be done this way. We spent about three hours on the grounds, which were beautifully maintained. So, it's definitely worth the price of admission. read more

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Jefferson's grave - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Always wanted to see Monticello( bucket list kind of thing) I liked it however I can't honestly put it on a top 10 place, it is not a huge ornate mansion type of place. My biggest complaint would be the cost $42 for a basic tour. I believe your paying for the opportunity to see it versus what you actually see. I guess you can call me fussy, in over 40 yrs I have seen more impressive structures for less money , ie the breakers mansion in Newport RI for $30 something. The guide talked fast and seemed to be going thru the motions. I think they want you to spend more money on more elaborate tours, just my opinion read more

Try Monticello. Not part of the NPS, Monticello is a private foundation whose income goes towards the restoration of the estate, and the investigation of lineage to all those enslaved here in the past. It does not receive federal or state funding. The estate has audio and walking trails, films, Peter Fulton was an incredible fountain of information and delivered the facts with such enthusiasm. We were his last tour and he treated us like we were his first if the day and escorted through the Highland tour so that we still had enough time to visit the store or museum at the bottom of the hill. The building itself houses items and artifacts from Thomas Jefferson life and times. Every item spoke to the history of the third president of the United States. Everything on the wall had a meaning and everything had meaning or relationship to other things on the wall - speaking to Jefferson's deliberateness. 90% of the house is original, 60% of the stuff in the house is original A lot more info is offered at Monticello.org to learn more about the ongoing work of the foundation and the estate. It was a beautiful day at the estate and there was so much left to see or reread. Another visit is a must . read more

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A wonderful stop for anyone looking to learn a bit more American history (and still enjoyable even if you're just along for the ride!). First off, the entirety of Monticello is absolutely beautiful and so well-taken care of. There is so much to see and learn here, but just having the chance to stand and take it all in is also very enjoyable. We did the highlights tour (it was around $42/person). Tour guide was so knowledgeable & encouraged any and all questions. Once the tour is done, you have the chance to peruse the grounds on your own - there's so much to see. We took the bus to Monticello, but then we walked back to the visitor's center. On the way, you will pass the Monticello Graveyard and have the option to see and pay respects to Thomas Jefferson's resting place. Definitely book your tickets in advance to make sure your time doesn't sell out. Highly recommend stopping here. read more

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I enjoy history so this was up my alley when we planned on going. We didn't have reservations and were able to sneak in for a tour of the house (there are options to see behind the scenes, just the grounds, etc). It wasn't an unreasonable price for what you got to see. The house is very interesting and you get a better idea of Jefferson and his mindset as you take the tour. Our guide, Peter, was very good and well versed. The tour can seem a little rushed, considering that it's amazing how old everything is and what all there is to take in. I'd recommend you plan to do this when you have plenty of time to truly take in the experience. That being looking out at out from the plateau at the view, take the time to look through the exhibits under the house, look through Mulberry Lane. There's a lot there to take in. read more

Had a great time here at Monticello. It's a beautiful, great place to learn about the complicated man that was Thomas Jefferson - for an even better experience, watch the History channel miniseries "Thomas Jefferson" before coming! The tour of the mansion is a fascinating walk through history. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable - you could tell that what she was saying was just the tip of the iceberg of what she knew. The little cafe offered a nice place to sit and rest after touring the campus, and they also served Boylan soda, which is a plus for me. read more

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Overall a great experience. The site is completely privately owned by the Jefferson Foundation. Over 3000 of the original 5000 acres have been obtained by the foundation, so over half of the original land is in the preserved site. Overall, it was a very informational experience, the numerous tours were quite fun, with many of them being accessible with the regular grounds pass. The food in the cafe was great, I got the grilled chicken sandwich and their Mac and cheese. My parents shared the flatbread and a salad. read more

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Cool place!!! Love seeing his inventions and architectural design!! Definitely worth the visit! Also, check out Carter Mountain while you're in the area!! read more

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Cool place! Loved seeing his inventions and architectural design - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Despite your feelings on Jefferson, this is an important place to visit and learn about the not so great side of our founders. We arrived about two hours before closing and opted for the gardens only. Despite not being able to enter the house, everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. They must be asked the same questions multiple times a day, but were so quick to help with anything you need. We explored on our own and all of the exhibits were extremely informative and you could tell they spent time really digging into the history. They portrayed not only Jefferson's life, but the people who helped make it run and it is a vital part of our history. We really learned so much here and being able to take it all in was perfect. read more

The tour guide said that we were going to focus on Thomas Jefferson's post politics career. WTF? The tour barely touched on Jefferson's VITAL role in our nation's history and founding. They spoke about the house and the grounds. They spoke about the many dignitaries that visited him at Monticello. Then the focus turned to Jefferson's slaves and where they stayed. Then we were scolded about all the children he fathered with "Sarah Hemings". This was a huge disappointment. Our nation owes quite a bit to Thomas Jefferson and his REAL legacy as a Patriot. This was a pitiful tour. Revisionist history full of woke PC garbage. AVOID. read more

Cool place with so much to see. Very informative and just a humbling experience. Staff were very helpful and all were very knowledgeable. read more

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Nice place to take a tour or take a walk. It doesn't cost anything to enter and park. The trails are well marked. read more

My husband and I visited Monticello in the Spring , and we had a beautiful visit! Everyone was very helpful and friendly. Perry gathered us up and started giving us information on the grounds. Our tour guide was Charlie. Both men did a fantastic job! Charlie was informative, friendly and funny. The grounds were in full bloom and lovely. The 15 minute movie, which is included with the day pass was great! We had a quiet lunch on the back deck and got a visit from a raven. Thank you for making our first impression of Monticello a memorable day. read more

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Purchased the grounds ticket, and well worth the price of admission. Greeted by informative staff upon arrival, and took a quick complimentary shuttle up to the Monticello. They have free tours that run throughout the day. Ashley did such an amazing job guiding us all though the history of Mulberry Row. We learned about several different enslaved families that resided theres. Then we went to take pictures with the Monticello (the building on the back of the nickel) and down to the grave site of Thomas Jefferson. We went late on a Sunday so it wasn't very crowded and were able to take a lot of great pictures. I don't know how the experiences are for the pricier options, but the grounds option was excellent and I highly recommend it. You should give yourself at least an hour and a half, but could do a few hours there if you have the time. read more

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Thomas Jefferson gravesite - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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The grounds and your were amazing. Very much worth the planning a day to enjoy and explore. My only thought upon finishing the tour was the fact that Thomas Jefferson firmly believed in Education, then ALL educators should be able to visit for free or at the least a discount. read more

Stopped by the Monticello while in Charlottesville as it's been on my list to visit for some time. It's a lovely place to visit with tons of history, but visiting once is more than enough. If you decide to do just the Gardens and Grounds Pass (no formal tour of the estate), I'd anticipate staying about two hours. Purchase your tickets at the visitor's center before heading to the shuttle/security area. If you decide not to take the shuttle up to the grounds, you can take a walk there (~15 minutes) and end up at the graveyard. Once you're on the grounds, there's plenty to see. Definitely make sure you check out the vegetable garden and take in the views. We also enjoyed checking out the South and North Wings, where you could see the kitchen, wine/beer cellars, horse carriage, etc. If you have time, you can also meet Thomas Jefferson and take some other tours (like the slavery tour) If you're hungry or thirsty during your visit, you can grab a bite to eat near the visitor's center (also has sandwiches) or on the grounds itself. We ended up stopping at the Farm Shop on the grounds for a snack (they have chips, nuts, ice cream) and a glass of beer/wine. Parking is free and a short walk to the Visitor's Center. read more

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I was profoundly disappointed with my visit to Monticello. First, I felt the cost was excessive. By comparison, Mount Vernon was half the cost with a far more immersive experience. The grounds, exhibits, tour, and general tenor of the experience came across as dismissive, demeaning, and demonizing of Thomas Jefferson - both the man and his legacy. I brought my family there to learn about Jefferson, the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and the founding of the United States. I left demoralized at the distortion to history presented at Monticello. The impression given by my guide and the exhibits were that Jefferson was nothing extraordinary. His accomplishments were waved off as uninspired and irrelevant. He was instead a colonialist; oppressor; capitalist; aldulteror; rapist; enslaver; indebted, etc. No historical context was included in these accusations despite the reality that he was a complex man living in a complex time. There was little to no mention to the vast literature of controversy surrounding these claims, and even less mention of any positive contributions he made to the world. It is disgraceful. Everything at the museum was about slavery. Everything - as if that is the only thing worthy of mention. It isn't. It is of course important to talk about, but in context to the time period. Bulldozing his vast and extraordinary accomplishments and boiling his legacy down this is disingenuous and reductivist history. Never was it mentioned that Jefferson as President outlawed the international slave trade. That he was an outspoken proponent of the gradual emancipation of African slaves. Also disturbing is the presentation (as fact) the controversial assertion that Thomas Jefferson was the proven father of Sally Hemming's children. This is far from conclusive - and even if true we know next to nothing about their relationship or affections. All of this, despite the fact he was born into a British colony in which slavery was legal, he was the son of a plantation owner, and grew up with the day-to-day reality of slavery. Despite all of this, he was an abolitionist. Thomas Jefferson was extraordinary. He was instrumental in the founding of the United States, a country that today is without international equal. His thought and words sit at the heart of Western civilization. The administration of Monticello should be ashamed of their product and take a hard look at their biases. It is a disservice to our country. read more

We enjoyed visiting Monticello. We did the highlights tours. All the staff were friendly and helpful. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the gift shop items were affordable. Looking forward to going back when we have some more time in our day. read more