Home to three founding fathers – the private residences of U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson (Monticello); James Monroe (Ash Lawn) and James Madison (Montpelier) still stand among the most visited historical attractions in Albemarle County.

The City of Charlottesville is rich in history and one of the oldest municipalities in the country. The city was incorporated in 1888 but was founded in 1762. The first American settlements around Charlottesville date back further still. For years, pioneers and travelers had worn a Monacan Indian hunting path into what became the Three Notch’d Road from Richmond to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was also in Charlottesville that Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819.

Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of one of the nine parks scattered throughout the county offering over 2,000 acres for swimming, picnicking, canoeing and fishing. A recreational trail system offers an additional 28.5 miles of paths for walking, running and hiking. Walnut Creek Park recreation area in North Garden also boasts 15-miles of single-track trails for mountain bikers.

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