Monticello questions: help me plan for spring break, please!

[kristilew]

We're looking at doing an historical VA trip for spring break, with a couple of nights in Charlottesville.

I see there is a "president's pass" that lets us do Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern's Tavern museum for one price.

Here's my question - is Monticello an all-day deal? I see that we can reserve our house tour time, and I'm not sure how much time to allow for everything else.

We did Mt. Vernon a few months ago and that was defintiely all day for us, by the time we did the house and grounds, then the National Treasure tour, the visitors center, and ended up eating dinner there. We were exhausted! Is Monticello the same type of deal?

If we plan to do that on a Saturday, would we be able to do the other two on the ticket on Sunday?

TIA for any advice or input!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When we went--we drove same day from where my husband was staying in Falls Church, VA.

I think it was a 3 hour drive. I think we arrived when it opened.

The house is larger than Mount Vernon--I guess it could take all day if you wanted it to. I think we only spent 3 hours there or so.

We purchased tix for Monticello for hte children's tour since we had 2 young children. And then did a short walk around after that. Toured the gift shop.
I don't think there is an elaborate visitor's center like at Mount Vernon.

Then we drove down the hill and had lunch at a tavern and then toured some nearby village--probably with the tavern you mentioned.

We were home by about 7 or 8 that evening.

The same summer we also did Mount Vernon. I went with my girls alone--the home was being renovated and the visitor's center was not yet complete. I think including a sit down lunch, we were only there about 4 or 5 hours. My goal was to arrive after rush hour--and get home before rush hour. I *almost* made it.

I think the time it takes---depends on your interests and how detailed of a visit you plan on taking.

I'm not sure we visited Ash-Lawn Highland.


ETA:
I just googled Michie's Tavern and that is indeed where we had lunch and I forgot abou the general store. Very cool place to explore.

Outside of lunch, we spent an hour there and that included the tour of the old tavern (which takes about a half hour or so if that.)

IF you are a big explorer and if you eat lunch there, I might plan on 2 hours or so just for that.

Also just foudn this for you--so it sounds like you do your tour at Monticello as scheduled, but you can visit the other places on the next day. Michie Tavern is open--I do not know about Ash Highland.

OMG--I so want to go back. We really enjoyed our visit.

The Presidents' Pass is valid for any date at Michie Tavern or Ash Lawn-Highland, but reservations and tickets for Monticello are valid only on the date specified. There will be no refunds unless the tour is canceled by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

 

[kristilew]

Thank you so much! You answered questions I hadn't even asked yet! That will help our planning a lot.

DD is 12 and a complete history nut, so we end up having to explore every nook and cranny of historic places. Her dad and I just insist on there being a good pub or tavern at the end of the day

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The tavern is more of a quick grab kind of place. Not a traditional one. I thought the pubs in Williamsburg and even the sit down restaurant at Mount Vernon were better. But it wasn't bad and the kids enjoyed it. Their menu is on the website. (I'm not even sure they serve alcohol like an ordinary pub might.)

I would certainly plan all day since your daughter enjoys every nook and cranny.