Just off the Downtown Mall, the Charlottesville City Market is open Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Water Street. In addition to fresh farm produce, the market offers handmade artwork and craft products and lots of homemade baked goods and other foods and beverages.

Take a tour of Thomas Jefferson’s “academical village” given by UVA student guides, or just walk around “grounds” yourself. Beginning at the iconic Rotunda, make sure that you check out the Lawn and the gardens between the Lawn and the Range, the room where Edgar Allen Poe stayed, and the memorial to the university’s enslaved laborers.

Morgan's parents, Sue and Dave, met while attending UVA.

After touring the historical part of the campus, walk across University Avenue to a street filled with shops and restaurants frequented by UVA students.

The Downtown Mall is the crown jewel of downtown Charlottesville. It is a lively and historic pedestrian-only mall filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. Huge trees and outdoor seating at many restaurants add to the charm.

Charlottesville is within a half hour of many hiking trails. You can find several different recommendations at www.visitcharlottesville.org. Two close-by hikes are the Ragged Mountain Natural Area and the Rivanna River Trail.*

Ollie pictured on a hike at the Rivanna River Trail :)

Virginia is known as the “mother of presidents” as four of the first five presidents were from the Old Dominion, and a total of eight, more than any other state. Three of those first presidents had homes near Charlottesville:

—Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

—James Madison’s Montpelier

—James Monroe’s Highland

Monticello is a wonderful place to visit. However, you need to plan ahead and reserve space on a tour. After your tour, you might want to have lunch at nearby Michie Tavern, a historic tavern serving Southern fare. There is also a beautiful walking trail nearby.

This mountaintop orchard minutes from downtown Charlottesville offers amazing views, a Bold Rock taproom, and melt-in-your-mouth apple cider donuts.

This museum is the only museum in the United States dedicated to indigenous Australian art. Admission is free, and free 30-minute tours are available every day at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.