Perched atop a Virginia mountain, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is more than a historic house — it's a place where American history comes alive in ways that genuinely surprise people, young and old.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is a destination the whole family can explore together. From meeting Thomas Jefferson in person (as portrayed by veteran historical actor-interpreter Bill Barker) to watching live archaeological excavations on the historic mountaintop, there's no shortage of things for kids to see and do. Whether your family loves history, nature, or hands-on discovery, a visit to Monticello makes America's founding era vivid, tangible, and engaging for every age.
To help you make the most of your visit, we've put together some practical tips so you can spend less time planning and more time exploring together.
Upon your arrival at Monticello, the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center offers family friendly exhibits like the Griffin Discovery Room. Before you head up to the mountain, newly refurbished and relocated, the Griffin Discovery Room puts young visitors in the role of investigator. Kids will meet four people who lived at Monticello over 200 years ago—Thomas Jefferson, his granddaughter Cornelia Randolph, enslaved chef Edith Hern Fossett, and enslaved blacksmith Isaac Granger Jefferson—through original documents, audio clips, and hands-on objects.
Monticello has no shortage of things that capture a child's imagination. The Family Friendly Tour, Highlights Tour, and Meet Thomas Jefferson program on the Mountaintop will give kids something they won't forget. Don't worry, there's a free shuttle to take the whole family up the mountain.
If you want a specific list of things to do based in your family's interest or the amount of time you have that day, check out our itineraries page. A map of the Mountaintop will help you get a sense of where all the adventure takes place.
There are special rates and discounts available for eligible guests. If you have family members that need assistance, see information for Guests Needing Special Assistance.
Our most popular tour. Explore Thomas Jefferson’s life, Monticello’s iconic architecture, and slavery on the plantation. Includes first floor rooms and outdoor spaces.
Guests can meet Thomas Jefferson (as portrayed by veteran historical actor-interpreter Bill Barker) in person, most Tuesdays through Saturdays during regularly scheduled hours.
These special guided 45-minute tours are uniquely designed for families with children ages 5 to 11.
With the purchase of a Grounds Ticket* or Tour Ticket, you can explore the grounds of Monticello at your own pace with free mobile tools designed to deepen your visit around the exhibits. Free Wifi is available at the visitor center and around the mountaintop.
The free Bloomberg Connects Mobile Guide links directly to signs throughout the site — just scan the QR code to unlock rich details about each exhibit location. Prefer to explore in another language? Foreign language options are available too.
Feeling adventurous? An online scavenger hunt turns your visit into an interactive discovery, perfect for curious visitors of all ages.
*Note: A grounds ticket does not include admission to the house.
Your ticket provides access to Monticello’s historic mountaintop, exhibits, and daily programs. House entry is not included.
Monticello's mountaintop is made for exploring together. The Gardens and Grounds Tour, the Sites along Mulberry Row, and the Mountaintop Activity Center - all included with your ticket - give families a chance to slow down, look closely, and discover stories that go far beyond what you'll find in any textbook. Kids can wander the same paths where Jefferson grew hundreds of plant varieties, where enslaved people lived and worked, and where the rhythms of daily life on this mountain unfolded across generations.
Whether your family loves digging into history or just loves being outside in a beautiful place, there's something here that will spark a real conversation — and probably a few great questions you won't be able to stop thinking about on the drive home.
The Farm Shop, located under Monticello's North Terrace, is open every day and stocked with snacks, pastries, pre-made sandwiches, drinks — and ice cream, which tends to be the crowd favorite. There's outdoor seating too, making it a natural pause point mid-visit.
The Monticello Café back down the mountain at the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center is a fuller option for families ready to sit down and recharge. The menu rotates seasonally and includes grab-and-go items alongside made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and shareable plates. Local beverages on offer include Jefferson Vineyards wines, Blue Mountain Brewery ales made with honey and peaches harvested at Monticello, and Castle Hill Cider.
Located under the North Terrace on the mountaintop, the Farm Shop provides casual fare and refreshments throughout the day.
Stop by the Monticello Cafe for sandwiches, salads, pastries, kid-friendly options, and a variety of hot and cold drinks. No ticket required.
The Shop at Monticello at the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center is one of the most comprehensive selections of Jefferson-related books available anywhere sits alongside Monticello-exclusive reproductions, educational games and toys, Virginia wines, gourmet food products, and souvenirs. Every purchase supports the Foundation's preservation and education mission.
A great option if your family wants to extend the outdoor portion of your day, the Saunders-Monticello Trail is one of Central Virginia's most loved public trails, and it's free and open daily from sunrise to sunset. Within walking distance from the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center, the trail winds through native hardwood forest, deep ravines, and open views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
For adults looking to wind down, there's Live Music at Jefferson Vineyards on Fridays and Sundays — just down the road from the Monticello entrance. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine, a seasonal flight, and sweeping views of the surrounding hills while the kids play. Jefferson himself had a deep interest in wine and the vineyard just down his mountain feels like a fitting coda to a full day. A relaxed, lovely option for adults once the kids have had their fill of history.
The learning doesn't have to stop when you leave the mountaintop. Check out online resources and activities, like building your own digital Monticello; this online activity allows your child to be a self-taught architect just like Thomas Jefferson.
Monticello's Online Shop offers a wide range of books, toys, and games that extend the educational experience for kids long after the visit.
