An hour and a half northwest of Richmond, Orange County is a quieter alternative to Charlottesville, with rolling farmland, a wine-country landscape and one of the most important historic houses in the country. James Madison’s Montpelier is the anchor of a fall day trip, and its October and November calendar gives you good reasons to pick a specific weekend. This guide covers the route, what Montpelier offers, the dated events we could confirm and how to build a day around them.
Getting There
Montpelier is at 11350 Constitution Highway in Montpelier Station, about 70 miles from downtown Richmond. Most people drive west on I-64 through Short Pump and Goochland and then north toward Orange, or take Route 33 through Hanover County and Louisa County. Either way, plan on roughly an hour and a half depending on your route and traffic, and look at 511 Virginia before leaving. If you are starting from the west end of Henrico, Short Pump is a common jumping-off point, and it is the region’s biggest cluster of restaurants and shopping if you want to stop on the way home.
What to See at Montpelier
According to Montpelier’s visitor page, the site is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It offers signature guided tours, an Enslaved Community Tour and The Great Beyond Tour, and it has more than eight miles of walking trails across the grounds. The site also hosts an exhibition, “The Mere Distinction of Color,” which examines slavery and the making of the Constitution. Ticket prices are on Montpelier’s ticketing page and were not listed on the visit page, so we are not quoting them here; buy in advance if you are going on a Saturday.
Plan on a half day. A guided tour of the house and grounds takes most of a morning, and the trails let you stretch the visit into the afternoon if the weather is good.
Dated Events This Fall
Montpelier lists these fall events, all current as of September 30, 2026:
- October 2: The Enslaved Community Tour.
- October 3: Fall Fiber Festival.
- October 10: Fall Working Woods Walk and Salon 1776.
- October 31: The Great Beyond Tour.
- November 7: The Montpelier Hunt Races.
The Hunt Races fall on Saturday, November 7, so if you are planning a fall calendar of outings, put that date on it and check Montpelier’s site for tickets. For a full look at what is happening back in town on the same weekends, see our Richmond fall events guide.
Like the rolling Piedmont countryside?
Goochland and Powhatan offer some of the same open land closer to Richmond. Browse Richmond-area homes with acreage and see what is on the market now.
Piedmont Wine Country and Farm Stops
Orange and Albemarle counties share the same Piedmont wine country, and many tasting rooms are within a 30-minute drive of Montpelier. Pick one before you go and check its tasting hours and reservation policy, since many require reservations on weekends and some close early on weekdays in the off-season. Farm stands and orchards in the area also sell cider, apples and pumpkins in October. Our Charlottesville guide, Day Trip From Richmond to Charlottesville, covers the wider wine trail, and Charlottesville is a short drive further south if you want to combine both.
What This Says About Living Near Richmond
Trips like this one are part of the pitch for Richmond’s outer counties. In Goochland and Powhatan, buyers can find acreage, horse property and open land within a half hour of town, while staying about an hour from Charlottesville and the Piedmont. If that appeals, our page of Richmond-area homes with acreage is a good place to start, and our Buy With Us page explains how a search works. Prefer Williamsburg? See our Historic Triangle day trip guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Montpelier from Richmond?
About 70 miles to Montpelier Station, roughly an hour and a half depending on route and traffic.
What are Montpelier’s hours?
Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the site’s visit page.
What tours does Montpelier offer?
Signature guided tours, the Enslaved Community Tour and The Great Beyond Tour, plus educational and group programs.
How much are Montpelier tickets?
Prices are on Montpelier’s ticketing page, not on the visit page we reviewed, so check it before you go.
When are the Montpelier Hunt Races?
November 7, 2026.
What fall events are at Montpelier?
The Enslaved Community Tour on October 2, the Fall Fiber Festival on October 3, the Fall Working Woods Walk and Salon 1776 on October 10, and The Great Beyond Tour on October 31.
Are there walking trails?
Yes. Montpelier lists more than eight miles of walking trails.
Can I combine Montpelier with wineries?
Yes. Many Piedmont tasting rooms are within about a half hour. Check hours and reservations first.
Written by the Mission Realty Team – meet the team. Real Broker LLC, 3701 Cox Rd, Richmond, VA 23233. (804) 601-4960.
