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Road Trip-Virginia

Updated: May 16, 2021




Virginia is one of the top destination states for visiting presidential sites in general, not to mention gravesites. There are no less than seven gravesites to visit, all of them in the northeastern section of the state. Since there are myriad starting points, I’m not going to advise on where to start. Rather, I’m going to provide information on how to maximize time without rushing through as there are is a lot to see in this state. When discussing cemeteries, I’m not providing directions to gravesites as part of the fun is exploring these amazing places and coming across unique gravesites and other persons of interest, so don’t be in a hurry when visiting as you don’t want to miss out, considering how much time you may be investing visiting these locations. You won’t be able to visit all these sites in one day or two, so aim for a long weekend (but crowds can be a problem at some of these sites) or plan your trip during the week. And take as many pictures as you can or want because, like I mentioned above, you’re investing a lot of time and money (well, maybe you’re not because you sleep in your car or have friends in the area) and getting back to some of these sites make take you a few years or more. Another piece of advice, be aware of hours of operation. Don’t arrive towards closing time for obvious reasons unless all you want is a picture of the gravesite; some sites may not let you in if you’re too close to closing time. The visitor centers at Mt. Vernon, Monticello, Montpelier and Arlington National Cemetery are great places to start and tickets for Mt. Vernon, Monticello, Montpelier can be purchased online prior to your visit, which I recommend to save you a little time. The museum at Mt. Vernon is first rate, too and it has a replica of Washington’s coffin. Virginia has plenty of historical sites to visit, more than you could possibly see in a year of touring, so keep an eye out for sites of interest during your trip.


Let’s begin with Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery. It’s a great cemetery to visit as it has two presidents, Monroe and Tyler. Their adjacent to each other in an area known as Presidents Circle. Both gravesites are obvious, so you won’t waste time looking for them. As a bonus, and if you’re a Civil War buff, not too far from them is the gravesite of Confederate States of America president Jefferson Davis. There’s also tons of cool gravesites to look at and study so familiarize yourself with the layout and notables before trekking through the cemetery. Admission is free and you should be able to drive your car through the cemetery.


About 45 minutes southeast of Richmond is John Tyler's home, Sherwood Plantation. It's wonderfully preserved and worth a visit to learn more about our 10th president and first vice-president who assumed the duties of the president. Although Tyler didn't die in this house he spent 20 years living in it and there is a lot to see. A grounds tour is $10 but a guided house tour is $35! So make sure its worth the visit. Parking is available.


Up the road from Richmond to the northwest is Charlottesville (1h15m), home of Monticello, where you can tour the home of Thomas Jefferson and see the family cemetery. To avoid large crowds, visit on a weekday. While in Charlottesville, you can also visit Highland, home of James Monroe (I’ve not been to it, yet). Tickets are required for both sites.


Time: 2hrs+, home and grounds


Around 50 minutes northeast of Charlottesville is Montpelier Station, site of Madison’s Montpelier, where, like Monticello, you can tour the home and the family cemetery. Unlike Monticello, though, you can enter the Montpelier cemetery and get a close-up picture of Madison’s obelisk, as well as Dolley’s obelisk; they’re next to each other. To avoid large crowds, visit on a weekday. A ticket is required.


Time: 2hrs+, home and grounds.


Continuing northeast from Montpelier Station will bring you to Mt. Vernon (around 2 hours but count on hitting traffic as you approach Washington, D.C.), home of George Washington. This is a great site and one of my favorites. It doesn’t get much better than visiting the home of our country’s first president, the father of our country. It is a pilgrimage. Thus, don’t be in a hurry when visiting. Take advantage of all there is to see and tour. Washington’s family vault is a short walk from the home, and along the way you’ll come across the Old Vault, his former site of rest. A ticket is required.


Time: 2hrs+, home and grounds. You will get a tour time to enter the home.


Forty minutes north of Mt. Vernon is Arlington National Cemetery, where you can visit the gravesites of William Taft and John Kennedy. Parking is available but might be a real pain in the butt so consider parking at a public transport station to take the subway to the cemetery as there is a specific stop for it. However, admission is free. There is a lot to see in Arlington National Cemetery so take your time. But before you start trekking through the cemetery, stop at the visitor center and pick up a guide/map. Avoid weekends, especially if you want a people-free picture of Kennedy’s gravesite otherwise you might be waiting and slowly losing your patience in the process.


Time: 2hrs+. Bring a firm walking shoe.


Sites of Interest:

Arlington National Cemetery-https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#!/


Notables to visit in the state:

Thomas Jefferson-Monticello

John Kennedy-Arlington National Cemetery

James Madison-Montpelier

James Monroe-Hollywood Cemetery

William Taft-Arlington National Cemetery

John Tyler-Hollywood Cemetery

George Washington-Mt. Vernon

*Jefferson Davis-Hollywood Cemetery



 
 
 

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