Charlottesville Travel Information
Charlottesville, surrounded by the hazy Blue Ridge Mountains and acres of rolling farmland, bears the mark of Thomas Jefferson. The third president built his home outside town and founded the University of Virginia located here. The Central Virginia town now ranks on many “best places to live” lists due in part to the influence of UVA and the mixture of arts, education and other college-town pluses it inspires. One of the highest rated state universities in the country, UVA’s classic buildings were designed by Jefferson, including the Rotunda which was designed after the Pantheon in Rome. Tours are available. Nearby Bayly Art Museum presents works from the 15th-19th centuries. Charlottesville has two downtowns: “The Corner” near the University and the Downtown Mall. For pedestrians only, the Mall welcomes visitors with trees, fountains and outdoor cafes. Virginia Discovery Museum, full of hands-on exhibits, is located here. Nearby McGuffey Art Center occupies an old school, housing almost 50 artists’ workshops. From coffeehouses to fine cuisine, Charlottesville has an eclectic University town mix of dining opportunities. Southern Culture offers “upscale, down-home cooking” while Blue Moon Diner has a classic diner menu. Nightlife is never boring in Charlottesville with many offerings from the Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra. From jazz to hip hop, nightlife here covers many musical genres. The university town is the home of the Dave Matthews Band. Most tourists come to the area to visit three presidential homes. The distinctive octagonal shape of Monticello, designed by Thomas Jefferson, is still intriguing today. Located three miles southeast of town, Jefferson’s home is set on 1,000 acres of restored gardens and is open daily. Montpelier, home of third president James Madison is located just south of the town of Orange while Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe, is located near Monticello and Michie Tavern, built in 1784. Nearby Wintergreen Resort offers 19 ski slopes plus golfing, tennis, pools, a lake, biking and a 30-mile trail plus a spa. Located in Central Virginia, Charlottesville is about 70 miles northwest of Richmond, VA off I-64.
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