Life in Charlottesville

Our Department and Residency have achieved national recognition for their educational rigor, clinical excellence, and patient outcomes. However, it’s our location in Charlottesville, Virginia that makes our program truly unique. Rich with history, food, drinks, and natural beauty, Charlottesville is simply a great (and easy) place to live. Charlottesville is a small city with big-time amenities, without the big city traffic.

Our Downtown Mall serves as a main cultural hub, containing a diversity of local shops, restaurants, bars, and music venues nestled within one of the longest outdoor pedestrian malls in the nation. You can attend Broadway shows at The Paramount Theater, check out the birthplace of Dave Matthews Band at Miller’s Bar, see your favorite band at the open-air Sprint Pavilion, catch the latest blockbuster movie at Violet Crown Cinema, or grab a bite to eat at any of the many dining options, ranging from fine-dining French to classic southern comfort and our dynamite diner. Scattered among these attractions, you can find outstanding coffee shops, antique book stores, and a number of other specialty shops and boutiques.

Charlottesville also offers an impressive array of outdoor activities.  From scenic strolls and leisurely kayaking, to strenuous hikes and rock climbing, there is something for every type of adventurer. Enjoy one of the many picturesque trails along the Rivanna River, hike around the base of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, or explore one of the national parks just outside the city. Nearby Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway are short drives and offer a variety of hikes and scenic mountain views. A complete list of trails can be found here.

The only thing better than the views are the drinks at Charlottesville’s many wineries, breweries, and distilleries.  35+ wineries, as well as nine breweries and three distilleries, call Charlottesville and the surrounding Albemarle County “home.” You can also catch a polo match at King Family Vineyards, enjoy the drool-worthy menu at Pippin Hill Vineyards, crush some French cuisine at Dave Matthews’ own Blenheim Vineyards, or take in the breathtaking scenery at Barboursville Vineyards. We recommend them all!

Speaking of “home,” three of our first five presidents called the Greater Charlottesville Area “home,” and their estates have been converted into museums ready to be explored. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello can be found immediately south of the city, while James Monroe’s Ash Lawn can be found just south of Monticello.  James Madison’s Montpelier lies about 25 miles northeast of the city. And of course, Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia, with its iconic Rotunda and campus, add a living component to Charlottesville’s deep historical roots.

The University of Virginia, in addition to being the largest employer in the city, also offers some of the highest quality collegiate sports in the country. The Virginia Cavaliers compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and just in the last five years won the Capital One Cup TWICE after leading the nation in overall athletic excellence. With recent NCAA titles in men’s basketball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and tennis, as well as women’s lacrosse, there’s no shortage of quality (and affordable) sporting events to enjoy. Even our football team won the ACC Coastal Division in 2019 – Wah-hoo-wah!

Don’t just take our word for it: Charlottesville has earned accolades from several media outlets.  Just in the last three years, Charlottesville was named the “Best College Town in America” by both Traveler’s Today and Best College Reviews, the 2nd Healthiest Place to Live by Kiplinger’s, the 3rd Best Place to Live by the NY Post, and the 3rd Happiest Place in America by NatGeo. We were named to lists ranking us among the best cities for entrepreneurs (Entrepreneur Magazine), cuisine (Southern Living), foodies (Wine Enthusiast), and raising a family (Reader’s Digest). Common themes emerging from all these lists paint Charlottesville as a healthy, happy, outdoorsy, artsy city with plenty of great places to eat and drink.

We are plenty proud of our program, but it’s made all the more enjoyable by its location in Charlottesville. Come find out for yourself what makes this city so popular and enjoyable!