There are several bus tours from Washington, D.C. to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. The full-day tour includes a visit to Mulberry Row, where slaves who worked on the plantation once lived, and a drive past the University of Virginia, founded and designed by Jefferson. The Gray Line tour includes a stop at Highland, the home of James Monroe, and lunch at the historic Michie Tavern. The DC Trails tour includes a live narrated tour by a guide and access to a hands-on activity centre and museum shop and cafe.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Tour Operator | Gray Line DC, DC Trails, TakeTours, Viator |
Starting Point | Union Station, Washington, DC |
End Point | Starting Point |
Departure Time | 8:00am |
Return Time | Not stated |
Duration | Full-day |
Frequency | Once a week, Daily |
Capacity | 25 |
Price | Varies by group size |
Inclusions | Admission to Monticello, Professional Driver/Guide, Lunch (optional), Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off |
Additional Stops | Michie Tavern, Highland (Home of James Monroe), University of Virginia |
What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson's home
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is a plantation, museum, research institute, presidential library, and non-profit organisation. The name 'Monticello' is Italian for 'little mountain', and the house sits atop an 850-foot peak.
Jefferson began designing the house at 14 years old after inheriting the land from his father. He drew on neoclassical design principles pioneered by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, as well as design elements popular in 18th-century Europe. The house features a central hallway, two large rooms, and an octagonal dome. The interior decoration reflects Jefferson's personal ideas and ideals. The house has approximately 11,000 sq ft of living space, with alcove beds and a dining table that was only erected at mealtimes to save space.
The plantation was originally 5,000 acres, and Jefferson used the forced labour of Black slaves for tobacco and mixed crop cultivation. Cabins for slaves were built farther from the mansion, with quarters for those who worked in the home located closer by. Mulberry Row, a one-thousand-foot road of slave, service, and industrial structures, was located three hundred feet south of Monticello.
Today, visitors can wander the grounds and tour rooms in the cellar and ground floor. More expensive tours include sunset hours and access to the second and third floors, including the iconic dome.
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University of Virginia
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, it is known as Mr. Jefferson's University or simply The University. It was ranked 24th in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges in the National Universities category.
UVA offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Darden Graduate School of Business, the Curry School of Education, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Law, and the School of Medicine. The university has a strong focus on research and has produced many notable alumni in various fields, including politics, literature, science, and sports.
The campus, referred to as the "grounds," covers 1,682 acres and includes the historic Academical Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Jefferson. The central quad is known as the "lawn," and students are referred to by their year of study rather than their class. Greek life is prominent at UVA, with approximately 35% of the student body involved. The university's athletic teams, the Cavaliers, are well-known for their success in various sports, especially lacrosse.
The University of Virginia has a rich history and has played a significant role in the development of academic disciplines and student life. It was the first university to separate higher education from religious doctrine and establish an honour code. The university has also been a site of civil rights activism and was involved in the integration and coeducation movements in the 1960s.
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Michie Tavern
There are bus tours available from Washington, DC, to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. The journey is approximately 2.5 hours each way.
Now, here is some information about Michie Tavern, a Virginia Historic Landmark located 0.5 miles below Jefferson's Monticello.
Today, Michie Tavern is a collection of historic buildings, including a museum and a restaurant. It has retained the atmosphere of an 18th-century inn, pub, and set of stores, such as The General Store and The Artisan Shop. The tavern offers a buffet of Southern dishes, including fried chicken, marinated baked chicken, and hickory-smoked pork barbecue. The 1784 Pub, located within the oldest section of the tavern, serves local wines, beers, and hard ciders. The tavern also features unique shopping opportunities in restored period structures.
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James Monroe's Highland
Highland was a plantation, with 30-40 enslaved people working there. Evidence suggests that the current building was a guest house and that Monroe's residence was a much larger home, which has since been lost. The property includes the 1818 guest house, an 1850s addition, and a Victorian-style farmhouse from the 1870s. There is also a reconstructed slave quarter, a reconstructed gable-roofed ice house, a smokehouse, and other buildings.
Today, the estate is owned and operated by Monroe's alma mater, the College of William & Mary. It is open to the public year-round, with an admission fee of $18 for adults, $13 for youth, and free entry for children under six. The site offers tours, events, and a museum shop. Highland's mission is to educate the public about US history, with a focus on the lives of those who lived and worked on the property.
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Washington DC to Charlottesville
There are a few options for travelling from Washington DC to Charlottesville, Virginia. Charlottesville is about 100 miles from DC and is known for being the home of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States.
By Bus
You can take a bus from Washington DC to Charlottesville. Flixbus offers daily rides that take around 2 hours and 55 minutes. Buses are equipped with large and comfortable seats, a toilet, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. Tickets can be purchased online, on the Flixbus app, or in person at a FlixShop. Prices start at $24.99.
By Train
There are also 3 daily trains from Charlottesville to Washington DC, which take around 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Amtrak Northeast Regional train is the fastest option and makes the trip in 2 hours and 27 minutes. Tickets start at $11 one-way.
By Car
It takes about 2.5 hours to drive from Washington DC to Charlottesville. You can also take a taxi from Charlottesville train station to Monticello, which is about 5 miles outside of the town.
Tour Options
There are several tour companies that offer day trips from Washington DC to Charlottesville and Monticello. These include:
- DC Trails: This company offers charter bus trips to Monticello with live narration from a guide.
- Viator: This company offers a full-day guided bus tour from DC to Charlottesville and Monticello. The tour includes a stop at the historic Michie Tavern for lunch and a visit to Mulberry Row, where Monticello slaves once lived.
- Gray Line: This company offers tours from DC to Monticello.
- DC Tours: This company offers tours from DC to Monticello on Wednesdays only, from March 16 through November 9.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several companies offering bus tours from Washington, DC, to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.
Popular stops on the bus tour include the University of Virginia, which was founded and designed by Jefferson, the historic Michie Tavern, and Highland, the home of James Monroe.
The bus tour typically includes a professional guide/driver who provides narration and insights into the history of Monticello. Some companies offer additional amenities such as Wi-Fi, adjustable footrests, and high-resolution monitors for watching documentaries or movies.
The bus tour from DC to Monticello is typically a full-day tour, including the time spent on the bus and exploring Monticello. The drive from DC to Monticello is approximately 2.5 hours each way.