Charlottesville Travel Guide

There are many places to choose between when onevisitor too much money, but that doesn’t mean the
thinks of going on a vacation, but the deciding factorfood, or the service suffers.
often has to do with what the person taking theAnother point of interest, that is part historical, but also
vacation wants to do, which in turn, makes them lookhas much going on at the present time, is the
for specific places to do whatever they wish.University of Virginia, which is one of the
Charlottesville, Virginia is a great place to take ahighest-ranked schools in the nation, and was founded
vacation. Not only does it have its share of Americanby Thomas Jefferson, who instituted many of the
historical sites, but it also has a great number ofprograms that are still functioning today. One of the
upscale shopping locations, serene views of thegreatest feats that can be seen at the University is
Appalachian Mountains, and a diverse sampling ofthe architectural school, which has many structures
ethnic restaurants. Charlottesville has a ton offorming a square, around a common, and is used by
affordable hotels, but also has a good number of ritzyprofessors, to teach their students about early
hotels, along with bed and breakfasts, which makes itAmerican architecture, while also instilling a great deal
an ideal location for honeymoons, or a short, romanticof knowledge about the Roman and Greek ways of
getaway.construction. Many of the school’s buildings were
One of the most alluring qualities that invoke manydesigned by Jefferson himself, and are highly valued
people to travel to Charlottesville is its vital role inby both visitors and students alike. The University is
American history. The town served as a vital resourcevery easy to reach, as is any other location in the
for the Patriots during the American Revolution, andtown, all of which can be gotten to via the
was even considered home for Thomas Jefferson,Charlottesville trolleys, which are ideal to anyone
James Madison, and James Monroe. It also played adesiring a free ride.
vital role in the Civil War, and was considered a majorCharlottesville’s surrounding areas have much to
point of interest for the Confederacy. The mainoffer in the same diverse nature that the town itself
historical attraction would have to be Thomasoffers a vast array of pleasures to its many guests.
Jefferson’s Monticello, which brings in many touristsThere are a great number of high class resorts
each year, and is considered to be a greatlocated in Charlottesville, along with some that are
architectural model. Monticello is not located far fromlocated only minutes away. Many of these resorts are
Montpelier, which was the site of James Madison’sknown for various atmospheres of dining and lodging,
home, so it is quite easy for visitors to make the trip tobut most of them are highly ranked by travel guides.
both wonderful dwellings in one day.Some are even ranked internationally. Bed and
Another advantage of Charlottesville’s lushbreakfasts also seem to be a great way to spend a
landscape is the ability for many in the area to ownvacation in Charlottesville, and while many of them can
vineyards, which are another huge hit among thebe located in town, the more prestigious ones are
tourists, and tend to attract more couples to the area,located out near the wineries, and the more hilly
especially in the summer months. Many different typesregions of the area. Many packages are often offered
of wine are produced in the mountainous regionsby wineries and bed and breakfasts, which sometimes
surrounding Charlottesville, and some of the wineriesmay work together to provide deals on wine tasting
are even included in the more upscale editions of theevents, along with discount lodging that can be very
Monticello, and Montpelier tours. Many people knowbeneficial as well.
California to be a great location for the production ofCharlottesville is also a great place to take the whole
wine, but Virginia’s middle region is also well-knownfamily. Many know the town as a place for more
for such delicacies.romantic rendezvous, but Charlottesville does have its
One of the greatest places for tourists to visit, when infair share of attractions that the whole family can
Charlottesville, is the town mall, which is not a shoppingenjoy. Many of the attractions, along with the historical
center, but half of the whole town’s main streetdisplays, are the gracious amounts of lakes and parks
area, which has been bricked off and turned intoin the area, which can be a perfect way for families to
pavilions, which can be used by surrounding stores,connect with nature. There are also some wildlife
along with the surrounding restaurants, many of whichattractions in the area, along with Jefferson National
are known to be the best in the area. The area isPark, which is not very far away from Washington
superbly constructed, and stretches over a third of aNational Park, both of which are very scenic parts of
mile in length, which does not make it seem boring, butthe Shenandoah Valley.
only accentuates the many avenues of creativityAn excursion into Charlottesville is a very peaceful
found in Charlottesville. The town mall is not the usualway to enjoy the summer, and is meant as a location
shopping joint, but instead has many stores ranging infor relaxation, which is what it is primarily used for.
taste. Many of these stores have their productsCharlottesville hosts one of the best higher learning
shipped from other countries, which tends to add anfacilities in the nation, but it also hosts some of the best
international feel to the city of Charlottesville. Thespots that nature has to offer, along with offering
restaurants do much of the same, and have dishessome of the best food, and one of the richest historical
from all around the globe, most of which will not cost alocations that any buff could ask for.