Charlottesville Virginia

Charlottesville Virginia is a self-regulating city located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2004 it was voted the best place to live. It is the home to many places including the home of the University of Virginia founded by President Thomas Jefferson. The city is also known for Jefferson’s home Monticello. Charlottesville brings in many visitors every year due to its rich history and also the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Charlottesville is the home to three former presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and James Madison. Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello overlooks the city from a top Monticello Mountain; you can tour the home and gardens and step into history. There is also the Monticello Wine Trail which is what Thomas Jefferson envisioned he saw vineyards and wines from his native state standing shoulder to shoulder with the great wines of the Old World. Today, the Commonwealth of Virginia is the 5th largest producer of wine in the United States, with the Monticello Wine Trail as its crown-jewel, truly fulfilling Jefferson’s vision of winemaking in Virginia.

James Monroe’s home Ash-Lawn Highland was originally called the “Highland” but was later called Ash Lawn but both names are used today. You can take a look into how James Monroe lived and the plantation hosts several activities such as a yearly wine fest sometime in May that lets you sample wines from Virginia's notable wineries, hosts live music, hearty gourmet foods, selected handcrafted gifts and tours of the Monroe house.

The mansion of James Madison is called Montpelier which has historic buildings, exhibits, archaeological sites, gardens, forests, hands-on activities, a new Visitor Center, and a freedman's cabin and farm. Here you can you can spend an hour or two—or a day or two—strolling the grounds, picnicking, and learning more about the man whose contemporaries called "Father of the Constitution," and the woman who inspired the title "First Lady."

Charlottesville also is known for the Charlottesville Downtown Mall which is considered one of the finest urban parks in the country. This pedestrian mall is home to a vibrant collection of more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants located in the historic buildings on and around old Main Street Charlottesville. In the downtown mall you can stop by the Virginia Discovery Museum which is a great place for families to engage minds, excite imaginations and explore the world around them. The Charlottesville Downtown Mall also is the home to some of the best entertainment venues in Central Virginia such as The Paramount Theatre which was opened in 1931which was the grand movie place for four decades until it was closed and then reopened in 2004. It also is the home of the Live Arts Theatre and the Charlottesville Pavilion which hosts many spring and summer concerts every year.

There are several things to do in Charlottesville weather you are a history buff or would just like to go somewhere to relax and see the beautiful mountains around you. There is something for everyone so come visit sometime.