As one of the lengthiest pedestrian malls in the country, the Charlottesville Downtown Mall is a busy district with more than 150 bars, restaurants, and shops along its tree-lined streets. Visitors will find specialty vintage stores, along with sidewalk cafes popular for people-watching. Families can explore the Virginia Discovery Museum. There’s also regular live music at the 1912 Jefferson Theater and the Ting Pavilion.

Monticello is the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson—designed and redesigned and built and rebuilt for more than forty years. Its gardens were a botanic showpiece, a source of food, and an experimental laboratory of ornamental and useful plants from around the world.

Shenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the U.S. state of Virginia. The Skyline Drive runs its length, and a vast network of trails includes a section of the long-distance Appalachian Trail. Mostly forested, the park features wetlands, waterfalls and rocky peaks like Hawksbill and Old Rag mountains. Shenandoah is home to many bird species, plus deer, squirrels and the elusive black bear. Worth a visit if you have extra time in town.

The University of Virginia (UVA) was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as a public university to educate leaders and advance human knowledge. It continues to do so today and is a beautiful campus.

Family-owned Carter Mountain Orchard welcomes visitors to enjoy stunning views, peach and apple picking, Carter Mountain Wine, unique gifts, specialty foods, and events. During June there are Thursday night sunset series live music and potentially peach picking.