Best hotels in Charlottesville
Fairfield Inn & Suites Charlottesville North
577 Branchlands Boulevard, VA, 22901
Recently renovated, this modern Marriott sits on US-29 in the northern part of the city. It’s a great base for visiting Monticello, Jefferson Theater, and Scott Stadium, and it’s close to the airport as well. It’s pet-friendly, offers a free fitness center, and every room has a microwave and refrigerator, making it ideal for longer stays.
Oakhurst Inn
122 Oakhurst Cir, VA, 22903
Not so much one inn as several, these restored clapboard houses make for a charming stay close to the university. Rooms are light and bright but cozy. The welcome is warm and there’s even a saltwater pool for a quick dip. The cafe serves up perfect breakfast pancakes and bacon gruyere scones.
The Inn at Court Square
410 E Jefferson Street, VA, 22902
In the heart of the Historic District, this lovely inn occupies two buildings, each with its own fascinating stories. One is the oldest house in Downtown, dating from 1785. Some rooms have four-poster beds and whirlpool tubs, while the breakfasts are the stuff of legend.
Best restaurants in Charlottesville
The Alley Light
108 2nd Street SW, VA, 22902
There’s a distinctly sophisticated, adults-only vibe about this French, small-plates restaurant. Classics like pork rillette, beef tartare and great charcuterie are bolstered by weekly specials that might include duck confit or an onion soup with a strong flavor.
Public Fish and Oyster
513 W Main Street, VA, 22903
The clue is in the name here – expect superb seafood, a raw bar and atmosphere aplenty. Pop in to take advantage of oyster happy hour, or linger over moules frites, swordfish and lobster rolls. This small restaurant is a haven for seafood maniacs.
Zocalo
201 E Main Street, VA, 22902
For the buzz and hum of a happy crowd, head to Zocalo. The menu dances around the south and beyond, with chili-dusted scallops, black bean and corn rellenos with buttermilk honey, and succulent seared duck breast.
Best attractions in Charlottesville
The Rotunda
1826 University Avenue, VA, 22904
The University of Virginia contains many of Charlottesville’s iconic sights, chief among them the Rotunda. Thomas Jefferson drew inspiration from Rome’s Pantheon when designing it, but he didn’t live to see it finished. Restored and renewed in recent years, the Rotunda is a must-see.
The Fralin Museum of Art
155 Rugby Road, VA, 22903
Another gem on the UVA campus, the Fralin was formerly known as the University of Virginia Art Museum and is only steps away from the Rotunda. The Fralin houses some 14 thousand objects, with the collection being particularly strong in terms of American art, but it also takes a detour through the Old Masters and some fascinating Native American artifacts.
Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain Trail, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Within walking distance from Downtown and Monticello, Carter Mountain Orchard offers the most stunning views of Charlottesville. Pack a picnic and hike to the mountain top with family or friends and indulge in crisp apples that you get to pick yourself. The orchard is owned by a family and is open from April through November.
