The Presidents' Tour

A wonderful way to see the local Presidents' homes and travel in comfort. You will see Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home), Ash Lawn (James Monroe's home) and Michie Tavern (18th century tavern). The trip is offered on Tuesdays departing Massanutten Resort at 7:00am and returning at 5:00pm. The price is $75.00 for adults and $65.00 for children 6 and under. There is a $20 discount with the Activity Card.

Monticello

Monticello is the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson, author of the declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, designed and redesigned and built and rebuilt for more than forty years. The gardens at Monticello were a botanical showpiece, a source of food, and an experimental laboratory of ornamental and useful plants from around the world. The Monticello plantation of 5,000 acres was a center of agriculture and industry, and was home not only to the Jefferson family, but to workers, black and white, enslaved and free. The Original building began in 1768 and continued until Jefferson's death. The home shows Jefferson's many facets, from author to inventor. In addition the new exhibit "Framing the West" commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and includes many items brought back by the pair of explorers.

Michie Tavern

Michie Tavern has welcomed travelers for more than 200 years. Imagine arriving by horseback, on foot, or by coach. The rooms would be thick with the scent of cooked venison and tobacco. Voices, some raised in heated political debate, would carry from room to room. As you cross the threshold of old Michie's Tavern you enter another time. A costumed hostess welcomes you into the past as "Stranger," an early 18th-century term for a traveler. Guests will have the option of staying for "Midday Fare" offered by servers in period attire in a rustic tavern setting. The bill of fare features colonial fried chicken, black-eyed peas, stewed tomatoes, biscuits, cornbread, and a variety of hot and cold dishes. Virginia wines and traditional lagers are also available to complement your meal.

Ash Lawn-Highland

Ash Lawn-Highland is a historic house museum, 535-acre working farm, and performing arts site in Albermarle County, Virginia. President James Monroe and his wife, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe of New York, owned Ash Lawn-Highland from 1793 to 1826 and made it their official residence from 1799 to 1823. After the Monroes' death, the name of their farm was changed from "Highland" to "Ash Lawn"; today both names are used. Ash Lawn-Highland continues the tradition begun by the Monroes of welcoming friends, neighbors, dignitaries, and visitors. James Monroe's "place of comfort and hospitality" is the scene of meetings, parties, picnics, a summer music festival, and a variety of educational and special events. It continues to provide an authentic view of nineteenth-century life for our many visitors through examples of early American and Victorian architecture, decorative arts from those periods, and craft demonstrations on the grounds.