The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Charlottesville, Virginia Now
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED AUGUST 2022 • 4 min read
Centrally located in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is rich in cultural and artistic history. You’ll find spectacular natural scenery, charming boutiques, first-rate museums and 40 wineries located along the Monticello Wine Trail.
Image courtesy of Visit Charlottesville
1. THE SHOPPING
As a premier outdoor shopping destination in Charlottesville, The Shops at Stonefield is an elegant mix of retailers such as Sephora, Brooks Brothers, Lululemon, Pottery Barn, Vineyard Vines, and L’Occitane—blended in with many local boutiques and retailers such as Splendora’s, and Whimsies.
Barracks Road Shopping Center welcomes shoppers with a charm that is both sophisticated and relaxed. With the best of local and national brands in one convenient spot, retailers include J. Jill, Madewell, Anthropologie, J. McLaughlin, and Banana Republic.
2. THE ART
The Fralin Museum of Art exhibits art from around the world in a collection of nearly 14,000 objects in its permanent collection, which includes European and American paintings, photography, works on paper, African art, and American Indian art.
The Fralin Museum of Art in Charlottesville, Virginia
In addition to its permanent collection, The Fralin Museum of Art presents an ongoing schedule of changing exhibitions, accompanied by related programs and publications. Admission is free and the museum is located one block north of the rotunda on the grounds of the University of Virginia. From street graffiti art to formal neighborhood-themed murals, Charlottesville is covered in public art.
An interactive map is provided by the Charlottesville Mural Project. Follow this walking tour of the Mural Mile for an hour-long introduction to Charlottesville’s colorful streetscapes.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
At TONIC, casual food can be excellent. With an outdoor patio created into an urban oasis in downtown Charlottesville, take a seat at the breezy outdoor bar (or the cozy indoor bar), where you can enjoy seasonal craft cocktails, and wines from their organic and biodynamic wine list. For your artisanal cocktail fix crafted by Lead Mixologist Cris Morales, we recommend trying the low-ABV Café Americano—concocted with dark espresso, campari and vermouth, with a spritz of Koloa rum.
Pickling and fermentation is a big part of what TONIC does, so they are always preserving the best of the season to be enjoyed year round. Specializing in dishes that are both simple and bold, while utilizing locally-sourced ingredients—favorites include River Oak Chicken with baked hominy, curly kale, buttered bread crumbs and red wine demi glace, Tempura Mushrooms with Sharondale Farms lion’s manes, mushroom gremolata and herb aioli, as well as Lowcountry Seafood Boil with fresh, North Carolina shrimp, smoked sausage, littleneck clams, corn, and red potatoes.
Take the time to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy one of their locally made desserts such as Blueberry Limoncello Almond Cake. Hungry yet?
4. THE GARDENS
The gardens at Monticello were a botanic showpiece, a source of food, and an experimental laboratory of ornamental and useful plants from around the world. The West Lawn, which features the "Nickel View" of the house, is an icon of American landscapes. The winding walk defines the perimeter of the leveled, oval-shaped West Lawn. Perennial bulbs continued to flourish along the border after 115 years and so outlined its location. The Flower Garden is composed of two elements: the twenty oval beds immediately around the house and the winding flower border that defines the West Lawn. Documentary evidence suggests that Thomas Jefferson grew approximately 105 species of herbaceous flowers.
Image courtesy of Monticello
The Vegetable Garden at Monticello evolved over many years, beginning in 1770 when crops were first cultivated along the contours of the slope. The 1,000-foot-long terrace was hewed from the side of the mountain with slave labor, and it was supported by a massive stone wall that stood over twelve feet in its highest section, creating a dramatic "sea view" across the rolling Piedmont countryside. Perched atop the wall is the garden pavilion with its double-sash windows, Chinese railing, and pyramidal roof. The pavilion was used by Jefferson as a quiet retreat where he could read in the evening.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Dive into the history of American democracy at the circa 1794 Montpelier, home of James and Dolley Madison—Father of the Constitution, Architect of the Bill of Rights, and America’s 1st First Lady. It was at Montpelier where Madison studied 400 years of democracies past to create the U.S. Constitution, one of the most important political documents ever written.
Montpelier in Orange, Virginia
Montpelier welcomes the general public to access and enjoy its grounds and museum shop, and offers guided tours. With 2,650 acres to explore and over 8 miles of walking trails, this historic American estate and its grounds have something for everyone.
WHERE TO STAY IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
Perfectly situated on West Main Street and just steps away from the University of Virginia and the UVA Medical Center, The Draftsman, Autograph Collection Hotel is a pet-friendly boutique hotel that evokes the spirit of Virginia’s original voices and visions of 3 Presidents—Madison, Monroe and Jefferson. From the stylish accommodations to the artwork from local artists, every aspect is meticulously crafted to ensure relaxation and to invigorate the spirit.
