Colonial Williamsburg
The Northeast Regional line connects the Eastern Corridor of the United States, from Boston in the north to southern Virginia. The Amtrak Northeast Regional train serves Williamsburg, Virginia, and the station is less than a mile from Colonial Williamsburg's Visitor Center; from there, guests can walk or take a free shuttle bus to Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area.
Colonial Williamsburg is open 365 days a year and advertises itself as "the largest living history museum in the United States." Actors in traditional 18th century colonial costume offer insight into the goings-on of everyday life in Revolutionary America.
Five on-site hotels offer accommodations for families wishing to spend more than a single day there. The Colonial Houses Historic Lodging offers period accommodations where founding families once lodged, or the Williamsburg Inn provides a more modern luxury experience.
Visitor Center
101A Visitor Center Drive Hwy 132Y
Williamsburg, VA
(757) 229-1000
history.org
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is less than a 10-minute drive from the Charlottesville Amtrak station. Amtrak's Northeast Regional serves the Charlottesville train station, as does the Cardinal/Hoosier State line, which goes from Chicago through Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Charleston in the Midwest, and New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore or Washington, D.C., to the north. From the south, take Amtrak's Crescent line, which stretches from New Orleans to New York.
Monticello is open 364 days a year and closed on Christmas. Hours vary by season, so check the website on the day you'd like to visit.
From June through early September, Monticello offers Family Friendly Tours designed for children 6 through 11. These feature special glimpses into the life of children at Monticello as well as plenty of hands-on experiences inside the house.
Monticello
931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 984-9822
Monticello.org
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
Next to the Maryland border sits the home of our nation's first president, George Washington. Mount Vernon is less than a 20-minute drive from the nearest Amtrak station in Springfield, Virginia, on the Northeast Regional line.
At Mount Vernon, visitors can see 20 buildings on over 500 acres as they were in 1799, when Washington lived there. Interpretive performers give first-person perspectives on Washington based on his real-life friends, family, slaves, fellow revolutionaries and others. Mansion tours feature original 18th-century items and furnishings owned by Washington and his family.
In the morning, a flag-raising ceremony is open to the public. Food is available at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant and the Mount Vernon Food Court.
Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, VA 22309
(703) 780-2000
mountvernon.org
