Visiting Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello With Kids

Are you planning on visiting Monticello with kids?

Monticello is one of the most well-known presidential estates in Virginia, next to George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

Located in the historic town of Charlottesville, not far from the popular Shenandoah Valley, Thomas Jefferson’s estate had been meticulously cared for by the Levy family for almost 100 years.

Now in the hands of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello celebrates the writer of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States, while also educating visitors on the human cost to run such a large plantation.

We enjoyed our visit to Monticello with kids. There was plenty of things to keep them interested, and they learned a little bit along the way. Their favorite spot was the Discovery Room!

The guide below shares some of the fun things to do with kids at Monticello. Whether this is a stop on a road trip through Virginia, or you just want to enjoy some of the history of the area, you’ll love a visit to Monticello.

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What to Know Before You Visit Monticello With Kids

Security and Bag Check

The main house is located on top of a steep hill, only accessible by bus or walking path. You must have a day pass to board the bus or use the trail.

Before visiting the property, you will have to go through a security check. Monticello does not allow large backpacks or photography inside the house. Keep that in mind when planning your visit.

Heat and Sunshine

As mentioned above, Monticello is at the top of a large hill. Although there are some shaded areas, especially along Mulberry Row, a large part of the property is the sun and un-shaded.

We suggest wearing sunscreen and bringing plenty of water, especially during the warmer months.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Because Monticello was built on a large hill, even the walk from the parking lot to the visitor center can feel like a hike.

Add in the large property and everything there is to explore, you will be doing a lot of walking. Make sure you and your kids have on the proper footwear!

Bring a Snack

Once on top of the hilltop, there are limited in your food options. There is a small store on the north side of the house that sells refreshments, but that is it.

You will be spending a long time on the central part of the property, so be prepared with some snacks for the kids!

Know Your History

Monticello does not shy away from Thomas Jefferson’s use of enslaved people to run his plantation.

Before you visit the historic home of Thomas Jefferson with your kids, have an open conversation about the history of slavery in the United States. It will prepare them to receive more information about the families that were forced to work for the third president.

They may not truly appreciate the ramifications of slavery, but they will have a better understanding when touring the home and the various exhibits on the property.

Things to Do at Monticello With Kids

1. Tour Thomas Jefferson’s Home

There are a few different house tours that are offered at Monticello.

The traditional tour is the Monticello Day Pass, which includes a 45-minute tour of the first floor of the mansion.

There is also a Family-Friendly Day Pass offered during the summer months. This tour also covers the first floor of the estate, but it is specifically geared for families with kids from ages 5-11.

While we did not partake the in the Family-Friendly tour, the kids still enjoyed the regular house tour.

You can order your tickets online ahead of time (and you’ll save a few dollars), or you can purchase them when you arrive at the visitor center.

2. Pick Up the Children’s Activity Book

When you arrive at Monticello, make sure to get your kids an activity book.

It shares information about Thomas Jefferson, the property, and the people who lived there, including the enslaved people.

The book encourages kids to learn about and look for many of the artifacts throughout Monticello. The activity book was an excellent reference for the kids during our tours, as it helped them relate about what we were learning!

3. Explore the Other Exhibits at the House

In addition to the main house tour, visitors can also explore the exhibits in the cellar of the house. Hands-on exhibits in the slave workspaces share about some of the duties of the house.

Kids can feel how heavy the iron to flatten clothing was, and try to send a bottle of wine up to the dining room. It gives them a good perspective on what was expected by the enslaved children who were their age at the time.

Don’t forget to the look for the “Saturday” marker!

4. Make Sure to Visit the Griffin Discovery Room

On the lower level of the Visitor Center (the stairs are near the Farm Table Cafe), is an awesome place for young kids! The Griffin Discovery Room has many replicas of Thomas Jefferson’s mansion that kids can climb on and play with. 

Kids can use Thomas Jefferson’s polygraph, used for making duplicates of his letters and writings. They can decipher a cryptic message. They can even lay down in Thomas Jefferson’s bed!

There are many interactive exhibits in the Discovery Room. Kids can easily spend a good chunk of time in there!

We visited the center after touring the house. The kids recognized many of the items and furniture from inside the house. They enjoyed pretending to be Thomas Jefferson or a member of his family!

5. Join the Other Tours

Included in your Day Pass are two other tours: The Gardens and Grounds tour offered April through October, and the Guided Slavery Tour (provided daily). Both tours last about 45 minutes and run multiple times throughout the day.

Depending on the attention span of your kids, you may want to walk around the grounds on your own

You can visit the same buildings and gardens that each tour offers, but move at your own pace. There are videos and hand-on exhibits in some of the outer buildings. They go into detail about life on the plantation.

6. Pay Your Respects to Mr. Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is buried not too far from the main house. The family still owns the cemetery, and visitors cannot enter the gate. However, Jefferson’s gravesite is front and center, and visitors love to throw nickels onto the bottom of his obelisk to pay their respects. You can access his grave via the walking path, or by the bus.

7. Have a Meal at the Farm Table Café

The Farm Table cafe uses many locally sourced ingredients (some come from the gardens on the property) to serve artisan-style sandwiches and salads.

They sell items that kids may enjoy, like grilled cheese or a hot dog. They also sell organic juices and teas.

We enjoyed some of the sandwiches. However, we brought a picnic lunch for the kids. If you have picky eaters, you may want to do the same.

The cafe offers both inside and outside seating. While the cafe was a decent size, tables may be difficult to acquire during busy times, like weekends and summer. We suggest eating lunch earlier in the day, or later in the afternoon, to avoid the rush.

8. Watch the Movie and Explore the Other Exhibits

It is suggested to watch the 15-minute movie before you head to the main house, to give you a good background of Thomas Jefferson and Monticello.

There are some other exhibits at the visitor center in the Smith Gallery. However, you may want to save these for the end of your visit.

Visiting the main house and plantation will take 2-3 hours at minimum. You don’t want to waste your kid’s energy before you visit the mansion!

9. Hike the Saunders-Monticello Trail

If you are looking to spend a little more outdoors with the kids, the Saunders-Monticello Trail is just what you need. The trail is just over 2 miles one way, and is an out-and-back trail. It is one of the best hikes near Charlottesville!

Where to Stay Near Monticello With Kids

There are many nice hotels in Charlottesville.

We stayed at the Home2Suites Charlottesville Downtown and enjoyed it. It is walking distance to shops and restaurants in downtown Charlottesville and offers free breakfast.

Is a Visit to Monticello Right For Kids?

We had a great time in the Charlottesville area, and Monticello was a highlight! The kids enjoyed learning about our third president.

There were many activities to keep them interested. And spending time outside it always a fun way to spend time together. Overall, we think it’s worth visiting Monticello with kids!

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