Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia always ranks high when it comes to best places to live. The city is refined yet vibrant thanks to the campus of the University of Virginia. This, together with a historic past, makes for a great vacation destination. To find the right Charlottesville vacation book, browse and book on FlipKey.

About Charlottesville

Charlottesville is named after British King George III’s wife, Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and is located in the center of the State of Virginia.

Sitting along the Rivanna River in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is 70 miles from the state capital Richmond and 115 miles from the nation’s capital Washington DC.

Home to both Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, the town owes much to the legacy of the former presidents.

Playing only a bit part in the Revolutionary War, Charlottesville was spared the destruction and burning that the State of Virginia suffered at the hands of the Union Army during the Civil War, except for a skirmish with General George Armstrong Custer in which the Yankee fled after thinking he was up against a superior force.

Today, Charlottesville is a trendy university town with a pedestrianized center full of hip restaurants and bars.

What to do in Charlottesville

The number one spot on any tourist’s itinerary has to be a visit to Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello. Built and then re-built over 40 years, Monticello and its gardens are a reflection on what life was like for a plantation owner during the Revolutionary period.

After seeing how Jefferson lived, the next logical step is to visit his greatest achievement, the University of Virginia. Founded in 1819, the nearly 1,700-acre campus is a colonial work of art surrounded by majestic lawns.

Being so close to the Blue Ridge Mountains, you cannot go home without taking Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. The scenery is so spectacular that the speed limit along the 105-mile route is posted at 35mph to help avoid accidents.

Shenandoah is also the place to go for hiking, biking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching, and astronomy.

Top Charlottesville travel tips

With four distinct seasons, the best time to see Charlottesville at its best is during the fall when the students are back on campus following summer vacation and the leaves are changing color along Skyline Drive.

With the town having no professional sports teams nearby, the U. Va Cavaliers have a huge following. Try to attend a football game and join in with the crowd as they link arms and sing “The Good Old Song” following a hometown touchdown.

During the summer, Charlottesville’s downtown brick lined shops come alive for “Fridays After Five” with live music and festivities throughout the night.

Whether you visit as a couple or as a family, Charlottesville is the American South at its best. Full of history and ideally suited for mountain excursions, make this your next vacation destination. You can find a wide range of Charlottesville vacation rental properties to suit all needs by visiting FlipKey.