Hi,
We are going to Shenandoah NP in August and are wondering if we should take a trip over to see Monticello. Either a day trip or overnight. It looks like the drive is a good 1 hr, 15 min or more. We have 2 boys, age 15 and 12.
Thanks for any advice!

Definitely make the trip. It's well worth the 1:15 hour drive to see and experience a part of America's history first hand.

Absolutely!! Now, I strongly recommend that you purchase tickets in advance online. It does get a lot of visitors, and house tours are by groups who are scheduled in 15 minute increments. The grounds you are able wander at will, and there are casual tours you can attend also. If you can, take the Behind the Scenes tour (extra charge), and you get to go upstairs where most people don't. http://www.monticello.org/site/visit

While you are in the area, see if you can fit in a visit to Montpelier, James Madison's home. http://www.montpelier.org/james-and-...alMaAmo_8P8HAQ

I agree Monticello (and walking around the UVA campus) is worth the trip.

Let me add another comment - consider also visiting James Madison's, Montpelier (45 minute drive between there and Monticello). On our trip we spent the morning at Montpelier and the afternoon at Monticello - it made for a very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable day.

I agree with the recommendation of Monticello, Montpelier, and a tour of the U Va campus.

For a nice contrast to Monticello and Montpelier, visit James Monroe's home, Ash Lawn/Highland, which is just down the road from Monticello. A visit to UVA is a nice complement to visiting Monticello.

I really enjoyed my visit to Monticello and UVA, but did not see Ash Lawn as my late husband (who was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley and went to UVA) said it was not that great compared to Monticello.

..and if you're really keen on Jefferson's homes, visit Poplar Forest, his second home outside Lynchburg. Very cool. http://www.poplarforest.org/

We liked Ash Lawn and poplar Forest, too.

I love all of these places, and if you do an overnight, I would recommend that you visit them all.

It took me a long time to get around to Ash Lawn, which, though it is tiny, is absolutely fascinating. James Monroe became a Francophile when he was Ambassador in Paris, and his daughter's best friend was the daughter of the Empress Josephine, so here is a house the size of a bungalow with amazing French furniture, clocks, and Zuber wallpaper.

There are extensive ruins of a house designed by Thomas Jefferson in Barboursville. Look at the ruins and enjoy a visit to the winery. You are also only a few miles from Gordonsville, home of the Barbecue Exchange, a great BBQ founded by a Culinary Institute of America graduate who came home.

My understanding is that there is lots of construction going on at and around the Rotunda at UVA but that you can still visit the Lawn where the students and faculty were meant to live and som lucky ones still do. Parking is always a nightmare in Charlottesville, but if you go before the students get back.

So: Day 1, Montpellier, Barboursville, Gordonsville, Charlottesville (there is a convenient Hamton Inn in town), Ash Lawn.

Day 2: Monticello, Lynchburg for Poplar Forest, back to Shenandoah? Long day.

The "UVa campus" is called the Grounds. The cornerstone is the Lawn.

The OP is traveling in August and has 12 and 15 YO boys. I wonder if two busy days of historic buildings, grounds and wineries will fit the bill. Perhaps they are oenophiles and history buffs but I know mine at those ages would have revolted at the end of day 1.

Monticello is the main event. The others historic properties are very very worthy but fit one or more in as your schedule, stamina and interest allows. Get the earliest tickets to Monticello that your travel from SNP will accommodate. It will be cooler(ish) and less likely to be interrupted by afternoon thunderstorms.

Virginia is an alma mater of mine but I might pass on touring the campus given that the Rotunda is closed for renovation. If you do go to see the Lawn, wander around the Corner for some university vibe. Good sandwiches at Littlejohn's.

Better, in fact, some of the best sandwiches in the state are at Bellair Market, a short drive away. Yes, it's a gas station that sell sandwiches.

Thanks everyone!!!