Attractions & Museums

Ash Lawn-Highland is a historic house museum, 535-acre working farm and performing arts site in Albemarle County, Virginia. President James Monroe and his wife, Elizabeth Kortright Monroe of New York, made Ash Lawn-Highland their official residence from 1799 to 1823. Ash Lawn-Highland is owned and operated by The College of William and Mary, Monroe's alma mater. Ash Lawn-Highland provides an authentic view of nineteenth-century life through examples of Early American and Victorian architecture, decorative arts from those periods and craft demonstrations.

Carter Mountain Orchard, next to Michie Tavern and mere minutes from Monticello, is open July to Thanksgiving, seven days a week. The fun starts in the sun with tree-ripened peaches and nectarines, plus summer apples. As summer fades, the action heats up with the spectacular apple season. Pick your own or buy in the barn along with fresh cider, homemade cider donuts, pies and hand-dipped ice cream. Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet is open from early May through Thanksgiving and home to a new farm market. Spring Valley Orchard near Batesville offers cherries for about six weeks starting in June.

The Frontier Culture Museum is a living history museum and educational institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The museum features permanent outdoor exhibits comprised of original farm buildings from England, Ireland, West Africa, Germany and Virginia. The museum tells the story of the thousands of people who migrated to colonial America and of the life they created here for themselves and their descendants. The Frontier Culture Museum's exhibits engage the public with a combination of interpretive signage and living history demonstrations.

America's oldest continuously operated show cave, voted #2 in America by Parade magazine, and a National Natural Landmark, Grand Caverns is a stately and powerful example of nature's handiwork. Gigantic stalactites point down from above. Equally imposing stalagmites thrust upward from the caverns floor. Cathedral Hall measuring 280 feet long and over 70 feet high is one of the largest rooms of any cavern in the east. Massive columns, beautiful draperies, rippling flowstone, and hundreds of rare "shield" formations create a variety of fascinating sights. Come and experience the unique beauty of this cavern and the unparalleled hospitality of park staff.

Open from July through October, Henley's Orchard is your destination for a family-owned peach and apple orchard. We do the picking for you! Select from our finest sun-kissed peaches and crisp, cool apples available on-site at "The Shed" beginning July 1. Also sold and featured at local retailers and restaurants, our fresh peaches and apples are sure to delight. Dating back to four generations, we've nurtured 28 varieties of peaches and 38 kinds of apples, including the Albemarle Pippin. Enjoy the bounty of Henley's Orchard nestled at the base of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia came into being in 1997 through a gift by American businessman, John W. Kluge. The collection comprises over 1,600 objects, including paintings, sculptures and artifacts such as ochre paintings on bark from Arnhem Land and bright, acrylic paintings on canvas from the deserts of Central Australia. Many works in the collection are evocative of the landscape and stories of the Dreaming ancestors. Exhibits are on display throughout the year showcasing artwork from both the permanent collection and visiting exhibitions. A free guided tour is offered each Saturday at 10:30am.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers year-round beauty on a historic property with more than 40 acres of spectacular gardens, dining and shopping. A classical domed Conservatory is the only one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic. A Children's Garden offers a wheel-chair accessible Tree House, WaterPlay, an International Village and more. More than a dozen themed gardens include a Healing Garden, Sunken Garden, Asian Valley and Victorian Garden. With easy access off I-64, I-95 and I-295, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a must-see destination and one of the most-visited attractions in Richmond.

Michie Tavern, circa 1784, served as the social center of its community and accommodated travelers with food, drink and lodging. Located 1/4 mile from Jefferson's Monticello, this Virginia Landmark captures 18th-century Tavern life through bountiful southern fare, continuous self-guided tours and four unique shops. June 1-August 30 children receive $4 discount on lunch buffet per each paying adult.  Coupons required and available at www.michietavern.com under "Coupons." Lunch buffet offered daily 11:15-3:30 April-October, 11:30-3 November-March. Ask about tours featuring Mr. Michie's Treasure Hunt.

Enter the world of Thomas Jefferson by exploring the iconic house and scenic grounds of Monticello, his mountaintop plantation and autobiographical masterpiece, designed and redesigned and built and rebuilt for more than forty years. Experience the renovations to the dining room, kitchen and wine cellar, and the exhibition "The Crossroads." Be sure to watch the introductory film and see the children's discovery room at the Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center. Reserved tickets are available online.

Welcome to Montpelier, home of James and Dolley Madison. James Madison, 4th President and "Father of the Constitution," made his life-long home in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Montpelier. Come take a guided tour of the mansion, participate in hands-on outdoor cooking, stroll the formal gardens, investigate the archaeological digs or hike the 400-acre Landmark forest trails. Just 30 minutes from Charlottesville in beautiful Orange, Virginia. 

Home to quaint, friendly towns, natural, scenic beauty, fine dining, distinctive shopping and an unparalleled selection of first-class accommodations, Orange County, Virginia has something for everyone. Visit Montpelier, the beautifully restored home of James Madison, take a moment to reflect at a Civil War battlefield or museum, or enjoy an afternoon at one of Orange County’s three award-winning wineries. Come, let us welcome you to Orange County, where serenity awaits and a short drive will take you a world away.

Thrilling visitors from around the world, Shenandoah Caverns is the only cavern in Virginia with elevator service. Explorers of every age and ability will discover an underground world of wonder. With level walkways and no stairs, our sights are both convenient and breathtaking! Enjoy an underground world of wonders along a one-mile tour circuit where a comfortable 56-degree temperature is maintained year-round. The Shenandoah Caverns Family of Attractions also includes American Celebration on Parade, The Yellow Barn and Main Street of Yesteryear.

The Market At Grelen is a new destination farm market and garden shop located on Grelen Nursery’s 600-acre farm in Somerset, VA. It boasts spectacular 360 degree views and combines local produce with an exclusive array of flowers, plants and gardening products. The Market is an experience for the whole family, with pick-your-own adventures, and lovely display gardens. Gardening lovers will be in heaven and the picturesque patio is sure to be popular among guests. Please plan a trip to see us soon and be sure to ask about hosting events at this exciting new venue.