ATTRACTIONS

Amusements

• Children's Health Museum
  First floor of the Primary Care Center • Charlottesville, VA 22908
  Located at University of Virginia Medical Center
  434-924-1593
  Children of all ages will enjoy this museum which was designed to teach children about their bodies, health care, and healthy choices in a way that promotes good health and alleviates fears of doctors, hospitals, and medical procedures. more...  map

• Planet Fun
  3005 Berkmar Drive • Charlottesville, VA 22901
  434-975-4386
  A mini amusement park which is complete with bumper boats, a soft play area for the little ones, a miniature golf course, baseball and softball batting cages, a Lightning Speedway Go-Kart Track, and an interactive video game arcade and redemption center.  map

• Virginia Discovery Museum
  524 East Main Street • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-977-1025
  A hands-on children's museum where families are encouraged to explore together through the exhibits on the arts, sciences, humanities, history, and nature. Visitors of all ages are free to touch, play, and explore while at this museum. more...  map

Historic Homes & Buildings

• Ash Lawn-Highland
  1000 James Monroe Parkway • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-293-9539
  Visitors to the 535-acre estate of the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, can see the president's original possessions in the beautifully restored home as well as visit the service yard rooms and explore the boxwood gardens. Slave quarters were reconstructed on site alongside the original smokehouse and plantation office. more...  map

• Monticello, The Home of Thomas Jefferson
  931 Thomas Jefferson Parkway • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  Located on the Thomas Jefferson Parkway
  434-984-9822
  Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece and beloved mountaintop home, this historic property offers daily tours including his intimate private suite of rooms, the sensations of his gardens, orchards, and vineyards, and the stories of slaves who worked and lived on the plantation. more...  map

Historic Sites & Monuments

• Confederate Monument (circa 1893)
  University Of Virginia Cemetery • Charlottesville, VA 22901
  Located at Alderman & McCormick Roads
  434-977-1783
  This monument is in memory of approximately 1,100 Confederate soldiers buried at the University of Virginia. An eight foot bronze statue of a young Confederate solider stands atop this twelve foot high gray granite monument and four encircling bronze tablets carry the names of the soldiers buried at the cemetery. Seventeen blank spaces on the tablets represent unknown soldiers.   map

• Edgar Allan Poe's Room
  Located at University of Virginia, West Range #13
  434-977-1783
  Step back in time to when Edgar Allan Poe was a student at the University of Virginia and see the author and poet's room which has been restored to its 1826 time period. A recording about his life is also available when visiting this site.  map

• Maplewood Cemetery (circa 1777)
  400 Block Lexington Avenue • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-977-1783
  The oldest public cemetery in Charlottesville, this historic landmark provides a glimpse of the lives of past citizens including the graves of at least three Confederate Generals, as well as other local citizens who distinguished themselves in the Civil War.  map

• Oakwood Cemetery (circa 1883)
  Located at Elliot Avenue & First Street Southeast
  434-293-6789
  Many prominent and historic citizens are buried at this cemetery which is the second oldest public cemetery in Charlottesville. A small section, located just north of Oak Street, is the site of the former Daughters of Zion Cemetery, and the Hebrew Cemetery, where Jewish residents of Charlottesville were buried, is located along First Street Southeast.  map

Museums & Galleries

• Dell Gallery, The
  31 Bonnie Castle Drive • Charlottesville, VA 22904
  434-924-6123
  This gallery presents works by UVA faculty, students, guests, and residential artists with rotating exhibits displayed throughout the year.  map

• Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of UVA
  400 Worrell Drive • Charlottesville, VA 22911
  Located off campus
  434-244-0234
  Housing a collection of over 1,800 objects and paintings created by Aboriginal artists from different regions of Australia, the galleries feature thematic exhibitions of art that is rotated out of the permanent collection for display.. more...  map

• Mcguffey Art Center
  210 NE Second Street • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-295-7973
  Founded in 1975, this co-operative, nonprofit art center is home to approximately forty resident artists who offers various forms of art displays including photography, sculptures, paintings, woodworking, stained and leaded glass, calligraphy, weaving, jewelry, glass blowing, and pottery. more...  map

• Second Street Gallery
  115 Second Street Southeast • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-977-7284
  Central Virginia's first state run alternative art space, this gallery is one of the longest surviving nonprofit organizations in the country focused solely on the art and ideas of our time. The gallery was founded in 1973 and houses the best of national and regional contemporary art with exhibitions changing monthly. more...  map

• University of Virginia Art Museum
  Located at University of Virginia
  434-924-3592
  From the polished marble of a Rodin sculpture to the bold pattern of a Native American textile, this museum presents works whose beauty and artistry, colors and media will refresh your spirit, move your emotions, and fill you with wonder. more...  map

Parks, Gardens & Zoos

• Azalea Park
  Located off Old Lynchburg Road
  434-970-3589
  This lovely 23 acre park consists of recreational facilities such as a Junior League softball field, a concession stand, basketball courts, swing sets, over two acres of beautiful gardens, and a children's playground.  map

• Belmont Park
  Located between Stonehenge Avenue & Rialto Street
  434-970-3589
  One of the finest neighborhood parks in Charlottesville, this beautiful park contains a full basketball court, benches, large shady oak trees, a children's playground, and a courtyard with shelter for outdoor concerts.  map

• Darden Towe Memorial Park
  Located on Elk Ridge Drive
  434-296-5844
  There are many features of this lovely 110 acre park including four tennis courts; three softball fields; four multipurpose fields used for soccer, lacrosse, and football; running trails; a children's playground; and a picnic shelter with open grills.  map

• Dorrier Park
  Located on Page Street
  434-296-5844
  Visitors of this small, but lovely two acre park can enjoy two tennis courts, a walking path, a soccer field, a softball field, a children's playground, and a picnic shelter which has a seating capacity of 50 people.  map

• Forest Hills Park
  Located on Forest Hills Avenue
  434-970-3589
  Filled with lofty oak trees and magnificent views of Carter's Mountain, this seven acre park contains a Little League baseball field and concession stand, a number of picnic facilities and outdoor grills, a large children's playground, a horseshoe pit, two full basketball courts, and two wading pools.  map

• Ivy Creek Natural Area
  Located on Route 743, Earlysville Road
  434-296-5844
  Complete with natural beauty, diverse wildlife habitat, and watershed protection, this 215 acre preserve features a mix of pine and hardwood forests, old fields, streams, natural springs, two miles of shoreline, and six miles of walking trails. more...  map

• Meade Park
  Located at Meade Avenue & Chesapeake Street
  434-970-3589
  Best known for the Onesty Swimming Pool which beautifully overlooks a stream dotted with weeping willows, this five plus acre park also contains a large lighted outdoor pool, a wading pool, showers, locker facilities, a children's playground, a basketball court, a softball field, and a picnic shelter.

• Pen Park
  Located on Pen Park Road
  434-970-3589
  Often referred to as the "gem" of the City park system, Pen Park is the largest park in Charlottesville and contains eight tennis courts, a Little League baseball field, batting cages, a volleyball court, three outdoor picnic shelters, and a children's playground. The 18 hole Meadowcreek Golf Course winds through this natural setting toward the Rivanna River and back.  map

• Ragged Mountain Natural Area
  Located on Reservoir Road
  434-970-3589
  Surrounding the Ragged Mountain Reservoir, this 980 acre preserve features approximately seven miles of trails skirting the lower and upper reservoirs through majestic forest along rugged terrain. Small boats, canoes, and kayaks are the most commonly used at this preserve. more...  map

• Tonsler Park
  Located at Ridge Street & Cherry Avenue
  434-970-3589
  One of the busiest parks in Charlottesville, this seven plus acre park was named in honor of Benjamin Tonsler, a local African American educator during segregation. It contains tennis courts, a life-size chess board, a recreation center, lighted basketball courts, softball and soccer fields, and an extensive children's playground.

Tours & Cruises

• Arcady Vineyard Wine Tours
  1376 Sutlers Road • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  Located Near Jefferson Vineyards and Clifton Inn
  434-872-9475
  Provide tours for guests of local wineries including pickup from hotel, transportation, gourmet lunch or appetizer tray. All tour costs included in one price. more...  map

• Bateau River Explorations
  1795 Avon Street Extended • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-973-8642
  Experience the challenge of Virginia upland river navigation on the Bateau, an authentic 50's and 60's style replica of a Colonial period craft designed for hauling tobacco hogsheads and other cargo to market.  map

• Bear Balloon Corporation
  231 Turkey Ridge Road • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-971-1757
  Weather permitting, this balloon company flies everyday at sunrise and guests can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the flight in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Evening flights are also available. The flights average an hour long and all flights are followed by a champagne celebration. more...  map

• Charlottesville Historic District
  Located in Downtown Charlottesville
  434-977-1783
  The town's first taverns, shops, and small businesses evolved around Court Square, an area frequented by Presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. The Albemarle County Historical Society offers walking tours by appointment for groups of six or more of this historic downtown area.  map

Vineyards, Wineries & Breweries

• Oakencroft Vineyard and Winery
  1486 Oakencroft Lane • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-296-4188
  Producing award-winning wines for over 20 years, this vineyard is the oldest in Albemarle County and they also offer private label wines, rental facilities for corporate or private events, and wine related gift items for sale in their antique filled tasting room.  more...  map

• First Colony Winery
  1650 Harris Creek Road • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-979-7105
  Specializing in exceptional, world-class wines in the classic European style, this exquisite winery produces award-winning Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. An inviting, 5,000 square foot tasting room is also on site, as well as a gift shop and picnic facilities. more...  map

• Jefferson Vineyards
  1353 Thomas Jefferson Parkway • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-977-3042
  Situated on vineyard sites chosen and planted by Mr. Jefferson in 1774, this vineyard currently produces nationally recognized, award-winning wines from European varietals and the vineyard manages 50 acres of total production in Albemarle County. more...  map

• Kluge Estate Winery & Vineyard
  100 Grand Cru Drive • Charlottesville, VA 22902
  434-977-3895
  Overlooking Monticello and Thomas Jefferson's first vineyards, this vineyard is one of the East Coast's most prestigious wineries and it contains 50 acres of award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay.  more...  map