Thomas Jefferson's Monticello MENU Search Visiting Frequently Asked Questions What procedures does Monticello have in place to minimize the spread of illness? What are you doing to ensure cleanliness? Will you be asking for vaccination cards? Do I have to wear a face covering? What about when I’m outdoors? Can I take a guided tour? What outdoor offerings are available? Is the shuttle the only option for traveling from the David M. Rubenstein Visitor to the mountaintop? Will hand sanitizer be available? What food is available and what measures are being taken to ensure safety? Is contactless checkout available for all food and retail purchases? What happens if I can’t make my reservation? Why is the self-guided tour experience great for families? Mobile Scavenger Hunt for families What procedures does Monticello have in place to minimize the spread of illness? Monticello follows recommended protocols for continuous cleaning and disinfecting, and hand-sanitizing stations are readily available for guests and staff. What are you doing to ensure cleanliness? Monticello staff will be regularly cleaning and sanitizing public spaces throughout the day. Will you be asking for vaccination cards? While Monticello will not require proof of vaccination, no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days, is permitted onsite. Do I have to wear a face covering? What about when I’m outdoors? All guests ages 5 and up must continue to wear a face covering when indoors and on shuttle buses. Fully vaccinated guests are not required to wear face coverings outdoors. Can I take a guided tour? Yes, Monticello is offering two types of private, guided tours: The Private Behind-the-Scenes Tour and the Monticello Private Guide tour. The Private Behind the Scenes tour takes guests through the first floor of Monticello and up the narrow staircase to explore the private quarters on the second and third floors, including the iconic Dome Room. The Monticello Private Guide tour includes not only the portions of the house but the gardens and grounds as well. What outdoor offerings are available? Guests will find plenty of outdoor offerings at Monticello. We offer two guided outdoor tours, each offered throughout the day and included with all ticket purchases. The guided Slavery at Monticello Tour focuses on the experiences of the enslaved people who lived and labored at Monticello. The guided Gardens & Grounds Tour explores Monticello’s restored gardens, discusses Jefferson’s lifelong interest in botany and the enslaved gardeners who maintained the landscape. Guests can also Meet Thomas Jefferson (as portrayed by veteran historical actor-interpreter Bill Barker) at regular times on the mountaintop most Tuesdays through Saturdays. And starting May 29, families can visit our Outdoor Family Friendly Station to explore mystery objects and learn about the daily lives of the free and enslaved people who lived at Monticello. Monticello is excited to announce its first mobile Scavenger Hunt for Families! Use your smart phone to snap photos, test your knowledge, and share your thoughts to complete the challenges. You can walk along Mulberry Row and learn about the enslaved people who lived and labored on the plantation through interpretive signage and virtual resources. Our highly trained guides are stationed throughout the grounds to answer guests' questions. You can also explore the flower and vegetable gardens and take a scenic hike on the Saunders-Monticello Trail, which begins at the bottom of Route 53 and extends all the way up to the historic mountaintop. Back to top Is the shuttle the only option for traveling from the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center to the mountaintop? No, it is not. Many guests enjoy taking the trail the relatively short distance (roughly half a mile) from the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center parking area to the house. Be sure to purchase your ticket(s) online first; a Monticello ticket is required to walk up this trail. Will hand sanitizer be available? Yes, hand sanitizer stations are conveniently located in all visitor areas. What food is available and what measures are being taken to ensure safety? Our on-site café, Monticello Farm Table, offers grab and go menu with sandwiches, salads, snacks, baked goods, and drinks. See the full menu. To ensure safety, indoor capacity is limited. Outdoor tables are available in the visitor center courtyard and in the picnic area adjacent to bus parking and the Saunders-Monticello Trail. Is contactless checkout available for all food and retail purchases? Yes, contactless checkout is available. Back to top What happens if I can’t make my reservation? If you have a fever, are symptomatic or feel ill, please stay home and reschedule your visit. We are happy to reschedule your visit to another day.  You may also request a refund prior to your scheduled event. Why is the new tour experience great for families? The self-guided tour experience is self-guided, which means you can move at your own pace. Your family will enter the house as your own group and explore the rooms with the help of a mobile guide accessed on your smart phone. In each room, the mobile guide will point out an object of particular interest to kids. You are welcome to take photos, and if you have any questions, just ask one of our staff members for an answer! Back to top Tickets & Tours Behind-the-Scenes Day Pass Holiday Evening Tours Highlights Tour Self-Guided Pass Gardens and Grounds Pass Scavenger Hunts Gardens & Grounds Tours Slavery at Monticello Tour Private Guide Live Virtual Tours Local Discount Annual Pass VIP After-Hours Monticello Tour Tips for Visiting Hours of Operation Calendar of Events Food & Shopping Directions & Parking Groups & Fieldtrips Private Events The Saunders-Monticello Trail Family Friendly Activities Thomas Jefferson's Monticello ADDRESS Monticello 1050 Monticello Loop (Mapping and Directions Only!) Charlottesville, VA 22902 GENERAL INFORMATION (434) 984-9800 HELPFUL LINKS MAILING ADDRESS GET EMAIL UPDATES CONTACT US PRESS JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS ABOUT TERMS OF USE & PRIVACY POLICY HOURS OF OPERATION ACCESSIBILITY A WORLD HERITAGE SITE A SITE OF CONSCIENCE Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest TripAdvisor YouTube Flickr monticello.org - Charlottesville VA Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization