Charlottesville VA: Montpelier (May 2011)

My spouse and I visited Montpelier over the Memorial Day weekend in late May 2011. If you plan to see both Montpelier and Monticello, I would save Monticello for last because it’s the best. We would have enjoyed Montpelier more had we seen it before visiting Monticello; seeing it afterwards was a bit of a letdown. The house at Montpelier isn’t really furnished, so the house tour isn't too impressive. The Montpelier restoration foundation is just getting started, though, and I think that in another year or so, the house will be much more complete. (Most of the authentic furnishings are missing, and the foundation is working to reclaim them.) The grounds are expansive, and it was quite warm on the day we visited, so we did not explore them very much. I think that children would really enjoy this estate, because there is an archaeological site, cooking demonstrations, extensive gardens, freedman’s cabins, and a cemetery. As adults without children, it was a pleasant excursion but not a don’t-miss attraction.