Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's mountaintop home and working plantation, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the domed house he designed himself, the gardens, Mulberry Row and the story of the people who were enslaved here.
Virginia
Charlottesville
Charlottesville is where American history meets wine country: Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and his University of Virginia, which share a UNESCO World Heritage inscription, James Madison's Montpelier and James Monroe's Highland within an hour, and a brick-paved Downtown Mall that fills with music and outdoor tables on warm evenings.
Around the city, the Monticello wine region offers vineyards from Barboursville to Crozet, orchards pick apples and peaches under Blue Ridge views, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive and Crabtree Falls are all a short drive away. Twenty attractions, eight hotels and six guides cover the history, the tastings and the mountains, with a base to suit every budget from downtown suites to a country-house resort.
Don't miss
Monticello
Thomas Jefferson's mountaintop home and working plantation, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the domed house he designed himself, the gardens, Mulberry Row and the story of the people who were enslaved here.
UVA Rotunda and the Lawn
Jefferson's Academical Village: the domed Rotunda, the grassy Lawn lined with pavilions and student rooms, and the garden walls that make the University of Virginia one of America's loveliest campuses.
James Madison's Montpelier
The Orange County home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution: a restored mansion, the Gilmore Cabin and an exhibit on slavery, set in 2,600 acres of Piedmont farmland and old forest.
The Downtown Mall
Eight brick-paved blocks of restaurants, bookshops, cafes and live music with no cars, anchored by the Paramount Theater, Court Square and the Ting Pavilion: Charlottesville's living room.
Things to do in Charlottesville
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
FreeUVA Rotunda and the Lawn
Jefferson's Academical Village: the domed Rotunda, the grassy Lawn lined with pavilions and student rooms, and the garden walls that make the University of Virginia one of America's loveliest campuses.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
Jefferson UNESCO World Heritage Tour
A guided private tour built around Jefferson's two World Heritage sites, Monticello and the University of Virginia, for visitors who want context and a driver rather than a map and a rental car.
James Madison's Montpelier
The Orange County home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution: a restored mansion, the Gilmore Cabin and an exhibit on slavery, set in 2,600 acres of Piedmont farmland and old forest.
Ash Lawn-Highland (James Monroe)
James Monroe's smaller, farm-like home beside Monticello's mountain: peacocks on the lawn, a modest white house, boxwood gardens and the quieter story of the fifth president.
Michie Tavern
A 1784 tavern at the foot of Monticello's mountain, where costumed servers ladle Southern fried chicken and sides in a log-walled dining room, with a general store, a gristmill and tavern tours.
FreeThe Downtown Mall
Eight brick-paved blocks of restaurants, bookshops, cafes and live music with no cars, anchored by the Paramount Theater, Court Square and the Ting Pavilion: Charlottesville's living room.
1 to 3 hoursDetails →
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
A museum in a historic school building telling the story of Charlottesville's Black community, from Vinegar Hill and segregated schooling to civil rights, through photographs, oral histories and local voices.
FreeKluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection
A free University of Virginia museum with one of the most important collections of Australian Aboriginal art outside Australia, in a hillside house on the edge of town.
1 hourDetails →
Barboursville Vineyards and the Jefferson-Designed Ruins
Virginia's most storied winery: Italian-led reds and whites, a tasting room in a historic estate, the Palladio restaurant and the haunting brick ruins of a mansion designed by Thomas Jefferson.
King Family Vineyards
A Crozet winery with Blue Ridge views, a reputation for Meritage and Viognier, a polo-friendly lawn and one of the most relaxed tasting rooms in Monticello wine country.
Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour
A five-hour guided wine tour that links Jefferson's passion for wine with the Monticello region's best tasting rooms, with transport so everyone can enjoy the glass.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Graduate by Hilton Charlottesville
West Main Street, near UVA
A university-town boutique hotel with collegiate character, a short walk from the Corner and the Rotunda, and a lively base for UVA visits, Downtown Mall dinners and Monticello days.
Check rates →Keswick Hall
Keswick, east of Charlottesville
A Tuscan-style country house hotel in the rolling Albemarle countryside, with a golf course, spa, formal gardens and fine dining, about fifteen minutes from downtown.
Check rates →DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Charlottesville
North Charlottesville, Route 29 corridor
A full-service Hilton hotel on the northern side of the city, with an easy drive to the airport, UVA and Monticello and the reliability of a major brand.
Check rates →Residence Inn by Marriott Charlottesville Downtown
Downtown Charlottesville
An all-suite Marriott hotel near the Downtown Mall, with kitchens, free breakfast in many locations and the space families and longer stays need.
Check rates →Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Charlottesville Downtown/University Area
Downtown and University area
A modern, value-minded Marriott hotel between downtown and the University, with free breakfast in most Fairfield properties and easy access to both the Corner and the Downtown Mall.
Check rates →Hilton Garden Inn Charlottesville
Charlottesville
A reliable mid-range Hilton hotel with an on-site restaurant, a pool in many locations and the loyalty benefits of a major brand, within a short drive of UVA, downtown and Monticello.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott Charlottesville University Medical Center
Near the UVA Medical Center
A modern Marriott hotel near the University of Virginia Medical Center, handy for UVA visits, hospital stays and quick access to downtown and Monticello.
Check rates →Hampton Inn and Suites Charlottesville at the University
Near the University of Virginia
A clean, value-minded Hampton hotel close to the University of Virginia, with breakfast included at many Hampton properties and easy access to the Corner and downtown.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
MonticelloStay
Graduate by Hilton CharlottesvilleWest Main Street, near UVA
Do
UVA Rotunda and the LawnStay
Hampton Inn and Suites Charlottesville at the UniversityNear the University of Virginia
Do
James Madison's MontpelierStay
Keswick HallKeswick, east of Charlottesville
While you are there
What’s on in Charlottesville
100+ concerts, shows and games are on sale in the coming months, from stadium nights to small rooms. Our sister site Purveyor lists them with dates, venues and seats.
Charlottesville guides
Charlottesville in Three Days: Jefferson, Wine and the Blue Ridge
A three-day Charlottesville itinerary that combines Monticello, the University of Virginia, the Downtown Mall, a winery day and a Blue Ridge outing.
Where to Stay in Charlottesville: Downtown, the University Area and Country Estates
How to choose a base in Charlottesville, from walkable downtown suites to university-area value hotels and a country-house resort.
Charlottesville Wine and Cider Country: Vineyards, Tastings and Tours
A guide to wine tasting around Charlottesville, from Barboursville and Crozet to guided tours and orchard cider.
Best Time to Visit Charlottesville: Seasons, Events and Crowds
When to visit Charlottesville for gardens, fall color, wine and quieter sightseeing, with notes on university crowds and weather.
Jefferson, Madison and Monroe: Choosing Charlottesville's Presidential Homes
How to choose between Monticello, Montpelier and Ash Lawn-Highland, three presidential homes within an hour of Charlottesville.
Blue Ridge Day Trips from Charlottesville: Parkway, Skyline Drive and Waterfalls
Easy outdoor day trips from Charlottesville to Humpback Rocks, Skyline Drive, Crabtree Falls and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
