Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809.

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson motivated colonists to break from the Kingdom of Great Britain and form a new nation.

Monticello derives from Italian meaning “little mountain”.

Work started in 1768 finishing in 1772 with new designs and modifications lasting until his death in 1826.

Thomas Jefferson is buried a very short walk away on the grounds.

Jefferson’s grave
You can walk the grounds and gardens.

You can visit Monticello at 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy in Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. Tickets start at $32. I would also recommend to buy the guide which gives lots of insights and can answer a lot of questions.

https://www.monticello.org/visit/tickets-tours/

Bad Axe Throwing

I recently decided to try axe throwing, crazy right? I wasn’t sure how hard it would be but after a couple practice throws I started getting the axe to stick into the wood. By the time it was over with I was already dying to go back and do it again.

Bulls eye
Axe throwing at Bad Axe Throwing in Fairfax, Virginia.

Starting at $26.98 per person it’s a blast and makes for an excellent date night.

The location I went to was at 2985 District Ave #195 Fairfax, Virginia 22031. https://badaxethrowing.com/locations/axe-throwing-fairfax-mosaic-district/ But there are multiple locations along with many other axe throwing businesses around. But I highly suggest you give it a try and let me know what you think afterwards!!!

USS Constitution

USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides.

USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She is the world’s oldest ship of any type still afloat.

Constitution is most noted for her actions during the War of 1812 against the United Kingdom, when she captured numerous merchant ships and defeated five British warships.

Tickets are free and located at 22 Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129

Boston Tea Party Museum

After the king of England imposed a tax on tea the Sons of Liberty boarded the ships located in the Boston Harbor and threw it into the water. You can now travel back in time to December 16, 1773 and throw the tea into the harbor.

Actors will walk you along the tour and due to COVID-19 wear mask and require you to as well

The museum and boats are located at 306 Congress street Boston, Massachusetts

The cost is $29.95 for adults. They have a nice cafe and gift shop as well

Cabinet Cards

A cabinet card was a style of photograph which was widely used for photographic portraiture after 1870.

The cabinet card was large enough to be easily viewed from across the room when placed on a cabinet, hence the name.
Due to the larger image size, the cabinet card steadily increased in popularity during the second half of the 1860s and into the 1870s.

Dinosaur Land

Dinosaur Land has been a roadside attraction for over 50 years now. The dinosaur park boast over 50 life sized dinosaur/prehistoric statues.

As you walk through the park you’ll have signs posted by each dinosaur with their name and facts.

I first found out about Dinosaur Land by my moms old photo albums. The statues have changed little since my grandparents took her there as a child.

There is also a T-Rex battle scene.

The park is located at 3848 Stonewall Jackson Highway White Plains, Virginia.

Admission is $8

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop/Museum is a historic apothecary’s shop in Alexandria, Virginia. The shop was a family business founded in 1792 and operated in the museum’s location from 1805 until 1933. It represents one of Alexandria’s oldest continuously run businesses.

A loss of sales during the Great Depression forced the owners to close the doors. in 1939, it was reopened as a museum. Today, most of the artifacts inside the shop are original and date to the stores closing.

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum contains a collection of herbal botanicals and medical equipment. It also has a spectacular collection of archival materials, including journals, prescription and formula books, ledgers, orders and invoices.

The address is in historic Alexandria at
105 South Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tickets are $15

MISSION BBQ

MISSION BBQ opened its doors for business on September 11, 2011. Mission has a good selection of bbq items, everything from brisket to spare ribs to sandwich’s (turkey, pork, brisket or pulled pork).

I suggest ordering the Pulled Pork Sandwich and get it North Carolina style (coleslaw on top), trust me you’ll like it!

Mission BBQ also offers catering and has many locations.

Price is $7-$18 and has good size portions.