Things to do in Charlottesville
Albemarle County Historical Society
The Society's research library, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Historical Collection, contains over 2,000 books and bound periodicals, as well as photographs, manuscripts, maps, pamphlets, newspapers, and vertical files relating to the history of our community. The Society's museum collection contains over 1,500 artifacts of historical significance to Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The Albemarle County Historical Society is located in the historic McIntire Building in downtown Charlottesville. Open Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm; Saturday 10am – 1pm. Best Western Charlottsville lodging is nearby. Call 434-296-1492 for more information.
200 Second Street NE, Charlottesville, VA
Ash Lawn Opera Festival
The Ash Lawn Opera Festival is recognized by Money Magazine as one of the international top-20 warm weather summer opera companies, boasting "first rank talent, full summer programs and lots of nearby culture". Established in 1978, the Summer Festival's opera company, a member of Opera America Inc., presents opera and musical events. Call 434-293-4500 for more information.
1941 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA
Ash Lawn- Highland
This is the restored home of the 5th president of the United States and close friend of Thomas Jefferson. James Monroe's 550- acre estate recreates the atmosphere of a working farm, with strutting peacocks, spinning and weaving demonstrations, nineteenth century cooking demonstrations and tours of the house and gardens. Call 434-293-9539 for more information.
1000 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA
Azalea Park
Azalea Park consists of 23 acres of level land. On the north side of the property are trees and natural buffers, which separate the park from neighborhood homes. Call 434-970-3589 for more information.
Barboursville Ruins
Located on the grounds of Barboursville Winery, this dramatic site was the home of James Barbour, governor of Virginia from 1812-1814. The imposing mansion was completed about 1822 and burned Christmas Day 1884. Preserved as a ruin after its destruction by fire, Barboursville was one of the largest and finest residences in the region. Call 540-832-3824 for more information.
17655 Winery Road, Charlottesville, VA
Barboursville Vineyards and Historic Ruins
The present estate winery, vineyards and gift shop are located on 830 acres of beautiful rolling hills close to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Barboursville Vineyard presently has 126 acres of vineyards and continues to expand. Under the direction of Luca Paschina, General Manager and winemaker, Barboursville consistently produces quality wines. Call 540-832-3824 for more information.
17655 Winery Road, Charlottesville, VA
Beaver Creek Lake
This Lake encompasses 115 land acres and 104 water acres. Open 7am to dark year round (6am during peak fishing times). No swimming allowed. Water supply for the Crozet area. Virginia State Fishing License is required. An ample supply of sunfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass are stocked at all lakes. U.S. Coast Guard approved boats & crafts welcome. Call 434-296-5844 for more information.
Burnley Vineyards
One of the oldest vineyards in the Monticello Viticultural area. There are 30 acres of vineyards - Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, Marechal Foch, Norton, Muscat Blanc and Orange Muscat. It is strictly a family operation. Call 540-832-2828 for more information.
4500 Winery Lane, Charlottesville, VA
Chris Green Lake Park
This Lake Park consists of 120 land acres, 62 water acres and 2 beach acres. Open 7am - dark all year (6am peak fishing times). Park Entrance Fee is charged from Memorial Day weekend to Labor day. Call 434-296-5844 for more information.
Confederate Memorial on Court Square
Charlottesville and Albemarle County were among the last communities in Virginia to erect a monument honoring Confederate soldiers from their area. The bronze statue, whose sculptor remains unknown, is most likely a mass- produced copy of a Confederate soldier "at ready." Call 877-386-1102 for more information.
Court Square, Charlottesville, VA
Confederate Monument, University Of Virginia Cemetery
Unveiled on June 7, 1893 this monument is in memory of approximately eleven hundred Confederate Soldiers buried at the University of Virginia. The piece consists of a gray granite pedestal twelve feet high on which stands an eight foot bronze statue of a young Confederate solider, hat in hand and rifle at the rest position. Call 877-386-1102 for more information.
Alderman and McCormick Road, Charlottesville, VA
Darden Towe Memorial Park
Consisting of 110 land acres. Open 7am to dark all year. 3 softball fields, 4 multi- purpose fields used for soccer, lacrosse, and football, 4 tennis courts, and running trails. Playground is wheel chair accessible. Picnic Shelter with a seating capacity 50, electricity, and open grills. Access to the Rivanna River from the Park. Call 434-296-5844 for more information.
Edgar Allan Poe's Room
Author and poet's room restored to 1826 time period, when he was a student. Features a recording about his life. Call 434-977-1783 for more information.
West Range #13, Charlottesville, VA
Fan Mountain Observatory
One of our two observatories is open on the first and third Friday night of each month for about 2 hours. Most public nights are held at the McCormick Observatory on the UVA grounds. Each April and each October, a public night is held at the Fan Mountain Observing Station just 13 miles south of town. Call 434-924-7494 for more information.
Fayerweather Gallery
This Gallery presents the works by UVA faculty, students, guests and residential artists. Open Monday - Friday 9am – 5pm. No exhibits during summer break. Call 434-924-6123 for more information.
First Colony Winery
Owner Randy McElroy bought the former Totier Creek Winery in December 2000, and has since made impressive renovations, including the addition of a 5,000-square foot Tasting Room and plantings of over 1,200 grape vines. The 2001 harvest produced the first wines under the new name and the official release is set for early spring. Call 434-979-7105 for more information.
1650 Harris Creek Road, Charlottesville, VA
Forest Hills Park
Lofty oak trees and a magnificent view of Carter's Mountain highlight the 7.35 acres of rolling land, which make up this popular park, which was originally known as Forest Park. Today there are extensively developed activity areas for individuals of all ages. Call 434-970-3589 for more information.
Fortune's Cove Preserve
Fortune's Cove Preserve (The Nature Conservancy) provides a challenging hike that rewards visitors with stunning mountain vistas. The 755-acres preserve is situated within some 29,000 acres of relatively intact forest habitat and hosts rare plant communities on a series of rocky glades. Call 434-295-6106 for more information.
Greenleaf Park
Greenleaf Park consists of 14-acres of grassy hillsides with hardwood and evergreen trees in a fenced-in area. The land was part of McIntire Park until the construction of Route 250 Bypass cut it off from the rest of the park. At that time it became a neighborhood park with its own identity. Call 434-970-3589 for more information.
Historic Court Square of Charlottesville
Early Charlottesville consisted of 50 acres, bounded by Jefferson Street on the north and South Street on the south. The public square, containing a wooden courthouse and jail, lay on the northeast corner just outside the designated area of the town. Call 877-386-1102 for more information.
Ivy Creek Natural Area
Albemarle County Parks and Ivy Creek Natural Area (ICNA) is a 215-acre preserve jointly owned by Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, and managed by the Ivy Creek Foundation. With assistance from the Nature Conservancy, ICNA was founded by local citizens who valued this former farmland on the Rivanna Reservoir for its natural beauty. Call 434-296-5844 for more information.
Jackson Park
Jackson Park consists of 0.4 acres and includes all of the property bordered by Jefferson Street, Fourth Street N.E., High Street and the Albemarle County Court Building. This property, once known as "McKee's Row", was deeded to the City by Paul Goodloe McIntire in 1919 to be used as a park. Call 434-970-3589 for more information.
Jefferson Vineyards
Thomas Jefferson, America’s first wine connoisseur, convinced Italian Filippo Mazzei to establish a vineyard adjacent to Monticello. With the financial support of Jefferson and several prominent colonists, Mazzei founded an agricultural company on the present-day Jefferson Vineyards. Call 800-272-3042 for more information.
1353 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, VA
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia
This collection came into being in 1997 through a gift by American businessman, John W. Kluge. Mr. Kluge began collecting Aboriginal art in 1988 and compiled one of the foremost private collections of Australian Aboriginal art in the world. Call 434-244-0234 for more information.
400 Peter Jefferson Place, Charlottesville, VA
Leander J. McCormick Observatory
One of our two observatories is open on the first and third Friday night of each month for about 2 hours. 1st and 3rd Fridays, 9:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., Apr.- Oct.; 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Nov.-Mar. Most public nights are held at the McCormick Observatory on the UVA grounds. Call 434-924-7494 for more information.
Lee Park
Lee Park contains all of the land bounded by Jefferson Street, First Street N.E., Market Street and Second Street N.E. (location). The land was donated to the City by Paul Goodloe McIntire in memory of his parents in 1917 to be used as a public park. Dominating the park at its highest point stands an imposing equestrian monument to Robert Lee. Call 434-970-3589 for more information.
Second Street N.E., Charlottesville, VA
Lewis and Clark Statue
The statue in the middle of the intersection is by Charles Keck and commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The three figures are Albemarle County native Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Sacajawea, the Shoshone woman who served as their guide. Local philanthropist Paul Goodloe McIntire commissioned the statue in 1919. Call 434-293-6789 for more information.
W. Main Street, Charlottesville, VA
McGuffey Art Center
The McGuffey Art Center is a co- operative, non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1975 and is housed in the former McGuffey Elementary School building. The schoolrooms were transformed into forty studios, three galleries, and a gift shop. Call 434-295-7973 for more information.
210 Second Street NW, Charlottesville, VA
McIntire Park
McIntire Park contains land originally donated by Paul Goodloe McIntire and continues to be one of the most popular parks in the City. It features rolling land with magnificent views of the mountains to the east, a heavily wooded area with steep and varied topography and winding streams. Call 434-970-3589 for more information.
Meade Park
.2 acres in size. Meade is best known for Onesty Swimming Pool. The pool beautifully overlooks a stream dotted with weeping willows. The pool opened to the public in 1975 and is named in honor of Louis A. Onesty, known as the "Father of Swimming" in Charlottesville for his selfless dedication to the City's youth swimming. Call 434-970-3589 for more information.
Michie Tavern ca. 1784
One of the oldest homesteads in Virginia, Michie Tavern ca. 1784, is located on a mountainside near Jefferson’s Monticello. Visitors dine on hearty midday fare in the Tavern’s Ordinary from 11:30am – 3pm daily where they are greeted by servers in period attire. Afterwards, a tour of the original Tavern features living history. Call 434-977-1234 for more information.
683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, VA
Monticello -- Home of Thomas Jefferson
Monticello of Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. President, author and founder of the University of Virginia. In 1769 at the age of 26, Thomas Jefferson began the design and construction of Monticello. Perched on a mountaintop overlooking the city of Charlottesville, Monticello is a majestic reminder of Jefferson's creativity and talent. Call 434-984-9800 for more information.
Oakencroft Vineyard & Winery
Mid-Atlantic Magazine cited Oakencroft Winery as "one of Virginia's most picturesque wineries." Spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are seen from the vineyards. A lake, home to five species of waterfowl fronts the Winery Courtyard Call 434-296-4188 for more information.
1486 Oakencroft Lane, Charlottesville, VA
University of Virginia Art Museum
The University of Virginia Art Museum, the fine arts museum of the University of Virginia, exhibits art from around the world dating from ancient times to the present day. In addition to its permanent collection, the Museum presents an ongoing schedule of changing exhibitions, accompanied by related programs and publications. Call 434-924-3592 for more information.
University of Virginia Rotunda and Central Grounds
The original Grounds of the University, including the Rotunda and the Lawn, were designed by Jefferson to be what he called an "Academical Village." The Village includes a rectangular, terraced green space known as the Lawn consisting of two parallel rows of buildings called the Pavilions that is connected by colonnaded walkways. Call 434-924-3239 for more information.
Virginia Discovery Museum
An exciting world of education and fun for children ages 1 to 10 and their families. The Museum has two exhibit spaces: the Back Gallery exhibit changes every three months, and the Discovery Corner that alternates every month. Call 434-977-1025 for more information.
Downtown Mall, Charlottesville, VA
Virginia Museum of Natural History - UVA
The Museum offers changing exhibits on natural history, which rotate periodically. The Wachovia-UVA Discovery room engages children, ages 3-93 in hands- on nature-related learning experiences. Young children may crawl into a tree snag (replica) and discover the creatures that make their home inside. Call 434-982-4605 for more information.
104 Emmet Street, Charlottesville, VA