Charlottesville Area Attractions

Discover all there is to see and do around Charlottesville

CHARLOTTESVILLE VISITOR INFORMATION

Nestled in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is a blend of cultural, natural and artistic history. Omni Charlottesville Hotel puts you close to everything. Located on the historic Downtown Mall, the hotel is steps away from live theatre, music, and cinema and is surrounded by a collection of 120 shops and 30 restaurants and outdoor cafes.

No trip to Charlottesville is complete without a visit to five historic sites that have played a unique role in American history: Monticello, the University of Virginia, Ash Lawn-Highland, Historic Court Square and Michie Tavern. If time runs short and you must choose, Monticello and Montpelier are musts, Ash Lawn is amazing and the Blue Ridge Parkway offers glimpses of heaven on earth.

Arts & Culture

Paramount Theater, historical theater built in 1931 with a variety of live art performances – 3 blocks
Charlottesville (N'Telos Wireless) Pavilion – 7 blocks
Virginia Discovery Museum, family museum designed to excite the imagination – 6 blocks
McGuffey Art Center, three galleries, resident artists with open shops and gifts for purchase – 0.5 mile
University of Virginia Art Museum, diverse works featuring special exhibitions – 1.5 miles
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art, the only US museum dedicated to the exhibition and study of Australian Aboriginal art – 3 miles
Moss Museum, displays works of Patricia Buckley Moss, tours are provided – 25 miles
Art Galleries
Museums
American Frontier Museum, self-guided tour, enjoy costumed interpreters of historic sites and learn about daily life in the Old and New World – 40 miles

Nearby Dining

Downtown Grill (upscale steak/seafood) – 0.5 block
The Nook (American cuisine) – 0.5 miles
South Street Brewery – American cuisine & microbrews) – 0.7 miles
Ten (upscale Japanese/sushi) – 0.5 miles
Bizou (homestyle menu) – 1 block
Hamilton’s (upscale/romantic) – 1 block
Blue Light (seafood/cocktails) – 2 blocks
Citizen Burger Bar – 4 blocks
Maya's Restaurant (southern) – 4 blocks
Rapture (dancing) – 3 blocks
Christen's Pizza (American cuisine) – 1 block

Attractions

Historic Downtown Mall, limitless dining and shopping options along seven blocks of historic brick-lined streets – connected
The Glass Palette- Virginia’s only create-your-own glass art studio for all ages that will even ship your creations home for you – 1 mile
University of Virginia – 8 blocks
Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson – 4 miles
Michie Tavern, created in 1784, this tavern provided travelers with food and lodging, epitomized the 18th-century life style, and still serves traditional southern fare to this day – 4 miles
Carter Mountain Orchard (seasonal), established in 1974 in an old apple barn, visitors can pick apples, nectarines, peaches, and fresh veggies; the apple cider and apple butter are not to be missed – 5 miles
Ash Lawn-Highland, home of the 5th U.S. President, James Monroe – 15 minute drive
Leander McCormick Observatory Museum, check calendar for availability, reservations required – 13 miles
Montpelier, lifelong home of James Madison – 45 minute drive

Breweries

South Street Brewery, Charlottesville’s longest-running brewery and pub – 2 blocks
Brew Ridge Trail, features self-guided brewery tours – 3 blocks
Three Noth’d Brewery, within the state’s history this brewery focuses on the beer journey – 0.6 miles
Champion Brewery, Charlottesville’s most progressive brewery with outdoor seating and food trucks – 0.6 miles
Starr Hill Brewery, free tours of the brewery with 16 beers on tap – 15 miles
Blue Mountain Brewery, family and pet friendly, this brewery boasts a comprehensive food and beer menu – 21 miles
Wild Wolf Brewing Company, known for their beer brined and smoked meats and high quality beer on tap – 31 miles

Wineries

Wine Loves Chocolate, daily wine tastings, chocolate and wine pairings and more in the downtown mall – 0.7 miles
Jefferson Vineyards, family owned and known as “one of the region’s most consistent track records” – 5 miles
Monticello Wine Trail, comprised of 30 vineyards with a wine-making heritage and wine samplings – 10 miles
Trump Winery, Virginia’s largest vineyard and award-winning white and red wines – 10 miles
Blenheim Vineyards, with a unique history and environmental consciousness, you can enjoy the tasting room while peering through glass floors into the production facility below – 11 miles
Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyards, offering vineyard-to-table cuisine and tasting room – 13 miles
Barboursville Historic Ruins and Vineyards – 18 miles

Outdoor Recreation

Nature

Rivanna River, 26 acres bordering the river a great spot for a picnic, bird watching, or hiking – 5 miles
Chris Green Lake, offering swimming (seasonally), canoe rentals – 11 miles
Hiking and walking trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway – 20 miles
Rafting on James River (seasonal) – 25 miles
Shenandoah National Park – 30 miles
Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway – 30 minute drive

Orchards

Carter Mountain Orchard (seasonal apple picking) – 5 miles
Chiles Peach Orchard (seasonal) – 18 miles

Fishing

Beaver Creek Lake, open all year with an ample supply of sunfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass – 10 miles
Chris Green Lake, offering fishing and canoe rentals (seasonally) – 11 miles
James River, small mouth bass fishing (April-Sept) – 19 miles
James River, small mouth bass fishing (April-Oct) – 24 miles

Adventure

Ice Skating, connected on Downtown Mall, scheduled indoor public skate times
Hot Air Ballooning – various locations
Skateboard Park – 1 mile
Road and mountain bike on Walnut Creek Park or Sherando Lake – 2 miles
Bird Watching on the Rivanna River, 26 acres bordering the river – 5 miles
Rock climbing on the Moorman Boulders along the Moorman river – 13 miles
Float the historic James River (April-Sept) – 19 miles
Rafting, canoeing, tubing, kayaking on James River (April-Oct) – 24 miles

Golf Courses

Birdwood Golf Course – 3.7 miles
Meadow Creek – 4 miles
Stoney Creek – 37 miles
Devils Knob – 43 miles

Shopping

Downtown Pedestrian Mall, directly connected to more than 120 specialty shops and restaurants along historic pedestrian walkways – connected
Gearhart’s Chocolates, using the finest Cacao from Venezuelan plantations blended with local sweet cream and other quality ingredients – 3 blocks
Spice Diva, offering the finest rubs, herbs, sauces, spices, teas, and preserves – .31 miles
City Market (seasonal), Saturday mornings offering handcrafted ceramics, living herbs, artisanal cheeses, wines from local vineyards, unique jewelry and gifts – 3 blocks
Barracks Road boutique shopping center, more than 80 distinctive shops, boutiques, and restaurants with outdoor dining options and fountains – 3 miles
Fashion Square Mall, dozens of upscale shops and restaurants – 5 miles