Visit Virginia: Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Virginia is full of historic places to visit, and one National Historic Landmark is Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

The third President of the United States is most commonly remembered as the author of the Declaration of Independence.

He inherited the 5000-acre Monticello plantation from his father, and it was home to not only his family, but also to many slaves who worked on the grounds.

There are several different types of tours you can opt for when visiting Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and we chose the Family Friendly Tour and Day Pass, which is designed for families with children ages 5-11.  This guided 40-minute tour took us through the home, while our guide explained interesting features of the home and shared information about Thomas Jefferson's life.  Slavery is touched upon briefly during this tour, and for those who wish to learn even more about this aspect of Jefferson's life, a Guided Slavery at Monticello tour is included with this ticket type (also included in the Family Friendly Tour is a Guided Garden and Grounds Tour, and Summer Archaeology Walking Tours).

I thought the this tour was great for my kids (ages 11, 9, and 7).  There were a handful of other families on the tour, and our guide was great in engaging all of the kids with questions and props, as well as answering all of their questions.  Kids are also given an Exploring Monticello guide with all sorts of fun facts.

Photographs are not allowed in Monticello, but we did get to see so many fascinating things, such as the Great Clock that displays both the time and day of the week, his Book Room, where he kept over 6,000 books, and an ingenious door that Thomas Jefferson built to not turn his back to his guests when closing it while entertaining.

Shuttles take visitors between the Visitor Center and mountaintop, the site of Monticello, and all tours are timed.  Before or after your tour, you are free to explore other areas of the property.

We went through the cellar passages and saw the Kitchen and Wine Cellar, and the kids tried their hand at ironing and delivering wine by dumbwaiter.

I took a stroll next to the Vegetable Garden.

I also took a peek into a reconstructed servant's house.

The kids also spent some time at the Mountain Top Activity Center to color, play with fun toys, and write with quill pens!

Back at the Visitor Center is a cafe, gift shop, and more exhibitions, but one that is really great for kids is the Griffin Discovery Room.  Several hands-on stations, including replicas of the Monticello house, give kids a chance to learn even more about this historic home.

Our entire family learned so much on the Family Friendly Tour at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.  It was such a great history lesson!

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy

Charlottesville, VA 22902

Mahalo to the sponsor for the complimentary admission.

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Pu`u o Mahuka Heiau - A Stop on Our Circle Island Tour in 24 Custom Tour

Although I've been to Pu`u o Mahuka Heiau, a Registered National Historic Landmark, when I was in high school, I had no idea there was a short trail close by which leads to a scenic view of Waimea Bay until we stopped there on our Custom Tour with Circle Island Tour in 24.

In ancient Hawaii, a heiau was a sacred place to honor the gods Kanaloa, Kane, Ku, and Lono through offerings and prayer, and was also a place of ceremony, as well as sacrifice.

Built on a bluff above Waimea Valley, the heiau would have consisted of various features, such as an `Anu`u, or oracle tower, a Lele, or platform where offerings to the gods were placed, and Ki`i, or wooden images of the gods, but now just the rock wall enclosure remains.

One very impressive aspect of the heiau is that the stone wall was built without any mortar.

Just beyond the heiau, towards the ocean, is a quick and easy trail leading to a gorgeous (despite the power lines) view of Waimea Bay.

A visit to the Pu`u o Mahuka Heiau offered both a peek into ancient Hawaiian history, as well as stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Stay tuned for more of our Custom Tour with Circle Island Tour in 24.

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Visit Las Vegas: Hoover Dam and the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge

When my husband and I first visited the Hoover Dam, the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge was not built yet, so on this visit with the kids, we made sure to take the kids to the bridge to get some great views of the Hoover Dam.

The view of the Hoover Dam and the Colorado River from the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge was simply spectacular.
 

Hoover Dam

At 880 feet over the Colorado River, and 1905 feet in length, the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (named after O'Callaghan, the former Nevada Governor and Tillman, who played for the Arizona Cardinals before enlisting in the US Army and being killed in action) spans between Nevada and Arizona.

While we were there, we noticed most people walked to the middle of the bridge and turned around. 

My oldest son wanted to walk to the end of the bridge, so he and I walked the entire length while the rest of my family went back down and waited for us.

The Arizona State sign is in the distance

The walk didn't take very long, and a handful of other people walked the entire length at the same time.

After walking the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge we decided to drive over the Hoover Dam.

We got some great views of the bridge from below...

as well as the High Scaler Statue, which was built in dedication to the Hoover Dam builders.

High Scaler Statue

A variety of paid tours are offered, but our family simply decided to traverse the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge and drive over the Hoover Dam, and those were great ways to see this National Historic Landmark.

Hoover Dam
30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, on the Nevada-Arizona border

Click here for directions, as well as tour and parking information.

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