[CarrieK]

My next history vacation, 2014, is going to be Mount Vernon-Monticello-Montpelier. When are gardens at their height in Virginia...and are there any horsey-events that would coincide?

Any suggestions are appreciated!!

[Hunter's Rest]

March - foxhunting, point to point season/witch hazel, spice bush, lenten roses
April - point to point season, Morven Park CIC/cherry blossoms
May - Virginia Gold Cup, Virginia hound show, hunt trail rides/all sorts of flowers
June - Upperville Colt and Horse Show, Colonial Downs race meet, hunt trail rides, polo/""
July - Warrenton Pony Show, local shows every day of the week, polo/""
August - hound walking, polo/roses!
September - Warrenton Horse Show, cubhunting season/fall flowers
October - Virginia Hunt Week, International Gold Cup, Washington International Horse Show, Morven Park CIC/fall colors
November - Montpelier races, foxhunting - many opening meets/fall colors

[Beverley]

HR, you didn't mention which flowers are in bloom for those COTH hunting weekends.

(Seriously, I would add that Memorial Day weekend, in addition to hound show, the barn tour in Upperville is worth the detour, I assume it still occurs?)

[Martha Drum]

Virginia Historic Garden Week is usually in April. Google it; each regional chapter has its own tours; some are more interesting than others; some are more house tours, some are more historically oriented, some are more garden-oriented.

I would recommend last two weeks of April through May. I was at Monticello with friends visiting from Massachusetts week of April 20, and it was just beautiful. Not too hot yet, and bugs aren't too bad. The gardens at Monticello would be lovely in April too. Avoid UVA graduation weekend!

Both Montpelier and Monticello have beautifully done Visitor's Centers that are good starting points, even if you are already up to speed on your history. You should also throw in visits to Civil War sites in Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Chancellorsville, and maybe Guinea Station, where Stonewall Jackson died, as they'd sort of be on the swing down from Mount Vernon toward Montpelier.

Maybe consider adding Stratford Hall, the Lees' home (2 signers of the Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War generals, before that guy Bobby E.), a really unusual house in a huge park like setting with a working grist mill. They have a big equine driving event there every year. It's off the beaten path, but magnificent, and just a few miles from George Washington's birthplace, too.

All of these historic homes have great Christmas observances, also.

Kid in a candy store!

[Hunter's Rest]

ETA --
May -- Memorial Day weekend includes the Hunt Country Stable Tour

[CarrieK]

Thank you both, Hunter's Rest and Martha Drum!! So many great ideas!

When I mentioned this vacation idea to my sister, she suggested I go to facebook for ideas. A good suggestion, but I knew of greater fonts of wisdom!

[Event4Life]

Also in April, Foxfield Steeple chases take place in Charlottesville, which I assume is where you'd stay at least some of the time given the places you want to visit. Definitely avoid UVA grad weekend - its usually the first weekend in May, and the town center is impossible then.


I have great memories of visiting Appomattox Court House as part of a Civil War study in 7th grade. Its not too far of a detour from C'Ville depending how much time you have, and the drive is beautiful.

[CarrieK]

Since you're all familiar with terrain and travel times: would you suggest a central base of operations, as it were, or a few days up by DC and a few days further south?

Thanks again.

[anmoro]

Foxfield races in April is WONDERFUL!!!! Also check out the Polo matches at King Family Vineyards. Opening weekend is usually Memorial Day weekend and they have them every Sunday (weather permitting). Wine and horses! What could possibly be better? There are several wonderful vineyards throughout the state. It is definitely worth visiting a few of them while on vacay. As for the UVA graduation, definitely avoid at all costs. Here are the dates through 2016 for final exercises so you can avoid them!

Final Exercises
Final Exercises 2014: Sunday, May 18.
Finals 2015: May 17
Finals 2016: May 22

Can't wait to hear what you plan! Keep us posted!

[Event4Life]

Since you're all familiar with terrain and travel times: would you suggest a central base of operations, as it were, or a few days up by DC and a few days further south?

Thanks again.

I would do a few days in DC, and spend one touring Middleburg/The Plains/Upperville which is beautiful horse country. Spend a night in Middleburg then drive to Charlottesville through Keswick, which is also stunning horse country with views of the Blue Ridge. You could also hit up Mount Vernon en route. It is just about an hour out of your way.

C'Ville is a great base for Monticello and Montpelier (home of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation which is a very cool organization). Appomattox is not far from C'Ville if you decide to head there...it would be a good day trip. Also make sure you do a tour of UVA - you could probably combine that with Monticello, so do Monticello in the morning and UVA in the afternoon then dinner on the downtown mall. I'd save a day for the Blue Ridge Parkway too, especially if you make the trip in Spring or Fall (check best dates for leaf colors, but usually late October - early November).

Oh, PS - if you go in the summer check for outdoor plays/musicals/concerts at Mount Vernon. Such a fun evening, and everyone brings picnics to have on the lawn before.

[Martha Drum]

Mount Vernon/Manassas battlefield stuff/Middleburg/Warrenton/Morven Park/if you go in Virginia Garden Week, things in that area, Fairfax County/Loudoun County are vaguely one area. Mount Vernon a little off to the east side, but could strike all these from one location.

Then, take 29/15 South -- be sure to stop at the Moo Thru -- and stay closer to Charlottesville and Montpelier, Keswick, Monticello, Charlottesville/UVA, Foxfield, Appomattox (which is worth the trip, wonderfully recreated village, also a funky historical sign on the way there commemorating the man who was the "Popularizer of the Banjo") and any Albemarle/Madison/Orange Garden Week events there. Also, a few miles from Monticello is Ash Lawn/Highland, once home of James Monroe (you can't swing a dead cat without hitting the home of a founding father or president here), and they have some outdoor concerts there too. There are farm tours in Keswick in early June, the date this year is June 8 (Grace Church Farm Tour). All good stuff. Lots of great restaurants in Charlottesville.

[whicker]

Carrie, Please let us know when you plan on coming. The Hunting Princesses would love to see you!
By the way, Gunston Hall, near Mount Vernon, is the home of George Mason, author of the Virginia Resolves, which became the Bill of Rights. George Mason University is named for him. He is a relative of ours, so I can tell you some of the family stories to go with that tour...

[sm1]

Take a look at the Morven Park in Leesburg. There's a newly-restored historic mansion, gardens, and the Equestrian Center which has something horsey almost every weekend, including the aforementioned hound show, horse trials and dressage shows.

[Event4Life]

I'm jealous of this vacation, I love Virginia and haven't been since last August .