Life in Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Located only 45 minutes from Richmond and two hours from Washington, D.C., Charlottesville fuses the finest aspects of city life with the spectacular topography of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Charlottesville presents an illimitable offering of restaurants and microbreweries that have been featured in national publications, such as The New York Times, as well as a flourishing wine industry.
Charlottesville is a bastion for live music, from large venues such as the John Paul Jones Arena to more intimate settings like the Jefferson Theater. The area further espouses the visual arts with the nationally-acclaimed Virginia Film Festival and Virginia Festival of the Book.
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe all called Charlottesville home. Their residences
are open to the public and provide a fascinating glimpse into the everyday lives of three of our Founding Fathers.
There are abundant cultural attractions and some of the finest golf courses in the country. The region is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast, whether it’s tubing down the James River or hiking through Shenandoah National Park.
Activities and Attractions
There is so much to explore in and around Charlottesville! Discover what’s happening around the University and in the community by checking-out the Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau website.
The University also maintains several online maps, so start your explorations with the Maps & Directions page.
Arts & Culture
- Chroma Projects
- Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Museum
- McGuffey Arts Center
- Second Street Gallery
- The Garage
- UVA Fralin Museum of Art
- Virginia Festival of the Book
- Wine and Design Charlottesville
Music
- Charlottesville Opera
- Fridays After Five
- John Paul Jones Arena
- Starr Hill
- The Jefferson Theater
- The Southern
- Ting Pavilion
Theater & Film
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
- American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse
- Live Arts
- Paramount Theater
- Regal Stonefield Stadium 14 and IMAX
- Violet Crown Cinema
- Virginia Film Festival
Historic Sites
- Ashlawn Highland
- Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center
- Michie Tavern
- Monticello
- Montpelier
- University of Virginia Rotunda
Outdoors & Recreation
- Birdwood Golf Course
- Foxfield Races
- Humpback Rocks
- James River Reeling and Rafting
- James River Runners
- Observatory Hill Trail
- Old Rag Mountain
- Rivanna Trail
Family Attractions
Finding Your Home
For off-Grounds housing options, start your search online through a site maintained by the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®, providing listings in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and other nearby counties.