Michie Tavern
Charlottesville, VA (434) 977-1234

When company from Florida caused me to do some local research, I learned some things that I wish I would have known before. Like the unadvertised fact that if local (Charlottesville City or Albemarle County) residents accompany paying guests, the local resident�s admission is free to both Monticello and Ash Lawn. Since we took a family of five, my family of five got in at no charge.

More exciting, Michie Tavern is free to city and county residents whether they take paying guests or not. Of course, we did the tour that very day and had a wonderful time. The tavern has a very interesting history recreating 18th-century life. It was more hands on than either Monticello or Ash Lawn, had child and homeschool friendly guides, and allowed an easier escape to leave the tour if little ones were restless.

The outdoors part of the tour is self guided, allowing you to go at your own pace. During the indoor tour, with our tour guide, we learned square dancing, wrote with a quill pen, heard history, played games, and sampled punch. Our return visit, a week later (with the family from Florida) was a completely different tour that was just as delightful, and contained different historical facts and stories. The kids were thrilled to have totally different information. We also learned that the best time to tour the Tavern is between the months of March through early November because there may not be tour guides available November through February. Michie Tavern offers continuous daily tours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last tour beginning at 4:20 p.m.) Remember the winter months mean the whole tour will probably be self guided. It is open seven days a week, year-round. Packets are available (one per family) which explain tavern life. To receive one, call Cindy Conte at 977-1234 and she will be happy to send you one. Check it out!

Non-residents admission fees are $8.00 for adults, $3.00 for children 6 - 11, free for under 6�s.
Group rates are available.
They also offer a $2.00 discount (for adults) if you eat lunch in their restaurant.

Location: Thomas Jefferson Parkway (between the Visitors Center and Monticello).


QUESTIONS...COMMENTS...IDEAS...
Mary Wilson...
Email: [email protected]

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