Things to do in  Charlottesville

Nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is full of wildlife, natural beauty, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. The 105-mile (169-kilometer) Skyline Drive—considered one of the country’s most scenic routes—cuts through the park, offering a great way to discover its scenery. Additionally, hundreds of miles of hiking trails lead to stunning vistas, waterfalls, protected wilderness, and historic sites.

Located along the Monticello Wine Trail in Virginia, Blenheim Vineyards is a family-owned operation dedicated to making high-quality wines that reflect the climate of the surrounding piedmont landscape. The winery’s two vineyard sites produce chardonnay, viognier, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and cabernet sauvignon varieties.

A visit to Virginia’s wine country is a trip back in time to when Thomas Jefferson planted the seeds of America’s first vineyards. Jefferson Vineyards, wanting to continue the Founding Father’s dream of wine in the region, offers visitors a rustic spot to sip chardonnay, meritage, and petit verdot while taking in Virginia’s lush landscape.

A Virginia Historic Landmark, Michie Tavern has offered food, drink, and lodging for more than 200 years—and hasn't changed much since it first opened in 1784. Inside, servers wear period outfits to serve Southern Midday Fare and invite you to the tavern's oldest structures to learn about its history.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Trump Winery is a luxurious wine country estate in the heart of the Monticello Wine Trail. Visit the tasting room to sample award-winning wines, enjoy seasonal fare from the kitchen, and shop for wine, apparel, and gifts. Next door, the Albemarle Estate is a luxury hotel in the style of an English country manor.

Charlottesville’s Monticello, former home of President Thomas Jefferson, is full of living history. Mulberry Row, the industrial hub of the 5,000-acre (2,023-hectare) estate, is arguably one of the most important areas of the complex. Everyone who worked the plantation—including slaves—lived here, just a few hundred feet from the main house.

Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819 to promote discussion, collaboration, and enlightenment through higher education. Today the UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be a “public Ivy,” on par with the Ivy League institutions, making it one of the top schools in the nation serving roughly 25,000 students.

One of Virginia’s most innovative breweries, Champion Brewing Company is home to a 30-barrel brewhouse specializing in craft beers. Flavors range from traditional, such as a chicory IPA, to unique, such as a lavender and coriander wheat ale. The Charlottesville microbrewery features an intimate taproom pouring regular and seasonal brews.