Mt. Vernon or Monticello?

Oh! You have to choose? That's terrible! I love them both! But if you absolutely have to choose, you might pick Monticello because Thomas Jefferson was such a multi-faceted person and it shows in his property.

But I say that almost with tears, because Mount Vernon is marvelous. You'll miss the formal parlor with its colorful - is it wallpaper or is it paint? - the beautiful gardens, the farm, the VIEWS...

Both are great places to visit, and both are better than they were thirty years ago.

1 mom found this helpful

Depending on where you live, one might be significantly closer. I've done both and very much enjoyed both. What a hard choice! Mt. Vernon has the museum with the faces of Washington over the years, if that sort of thing is a draw for you. I think Mt. Vernon is more spread out, but that's because there's the barn/farm area (with meandering sheep and 8 sided barn) and there's the waterfront and there's the actual house. They're both very interesting.

1 mom found this helpful

ooooohhhhhh this is hard....

Mt Vernon - actual working farm - you can walk the farm and see people doing JOBS - working the fields, you can learn about it too!! You can walk through the home of our First President...you can view the Potomac River - which the property is in a GREAT Location!!!

Monticello - beautiful home...nice land...good tour...

If you want INTERACTIVE and history - Mt. Vernon
If you want history only - Mt Vernon

They are about 3 hours apart (depending upon traffic) and it's plausible to do both in one day - it would be a long day - but you COULD theoretically do both!!

1 mom found this helpful

Mt Vernon is cheaper.
We just did Mt V and it was just amazing. We haven't done Monticello yet.
In Mt V the chair that he used and the bed he died in are there. THere is the whole farm and this amazing barn that he designed. His tomb is there and there is a wreath laying at certain times.
THe view of the Potomac is beautiful, it's not hard to see why the family chose that particular spot.

We chose Mt V on President's Day because it was free.
Ferry Farm is doing a festival on the Fourth.

We went to both 3-4 years ago. They were both amazing. If I had to choose, I'd see Monticello for its architectural significance.

my 23yo son & my mom just came back from visiting both. When I asked them this ?....they could not choose! They both loved visiting both homes...& had valid points for each. If I remember correctly, I believe there is some restoration work on the main building at Mt. Vernon.....you might want to check!

I think it says a lot that Mt. Vernon & Monticello (equally) held the attention of a 23yo rebel-rouser & a 68yo history buff! But then again, I do believe that my son & my mom are quite phenomenal, too!