The independent city of Charlottesville is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Albemarle County, Virginia and named after the consort of King George III of England, Princess Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. This destination is renowned for being home to the University of Virginia, which was founded by Thomas Jefferson. With a captivating mix of colorful history, characteristic architecture and small city sophistication, this region attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.
This city is quite an exceptional place, home to Thomas Jefferson, his famous mountain-top retreat, Monticello and a great university. Both are architectural treasures and registered on the World Heritage List. The city also features the homes of the nation’s fourth president, James Madison, author of the Constitution, and James Monroe, fifth president. Tourists can obtain the President’s Pass, a combination ticket for visiting Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland and the 1784 Michie Tavern.
Lying in the foothills of the well-known Blue Ridge Mountains, this beautiful area offers a variety of attractions, events, activities and accommodations. It is furthermore rapidly becoming an entertainment and shopping destination featuring the restored Paramount Theater and the recently built Charlottesville Amphitheater as well as a number of festivals that draw tourists from around the globe.
Highlights
Monticello: Thomas Jefferson’s summit home is America’s only home on the privileged United Nations’ World Heritage List.
Ash Lawn-Highland: adjacent to Monticello, this plantation was the estate of James Monroe, where he and his family permanently settled in 1799 and lived for 24 years.****
University of Virginia: founded by Thomas Jefferson and established in 1819, this is North America’s only university designated as a World Heritage Site.
Michie Tavern: built in 1784, this sight is part of a bigger complex of historic buildings which house the museums and tavern; included in the living-history tours is the Virginia Wine Museum.
Paramount Theater: built in 1931, the theater was formerly a venue for movies and community events but was closed for 30 years before recent restoration and re-opening in December 2004.
Shenandoah National Park: best known for its popular Skyline Drive, the dog-friendly park features over 500 miles of trails, above all the renowned Appalachian Trail and the thrilling Old Rag Mountain, and presents a wide range of fauna and flora as well as numerous waterfalls.