A Day Trip to Charlottesville — is it Worth it?

Just a few weeks ago, I headed with some family to Charlottesville, VA for a day. Although some places were closed for construction, we had a spectacular time, discovering a nibble of history about the city, exploring the unique architecture, getting to know some local shops. Based off the experience, here are some destinations I would highly recommend visiting there:

The UVA Campus

This university was designed primarily by Thomas Jefferson himself, its grounds covering over a thousand acres and including hundreds of buildings. Filled with iconic Greek columns, sweeping arches, vast lawns, and high ceilings, you will become immersed in the awe-inspiring atmosphere of this place almost immediately. It features a blend of mainly Classical and Palladian architecture, utilising red brick, slate roofing, marble, and tin.

One of the major buildings on the campus that is a must-see is the Rotunda. This place features a vast dome, where the library sits, as well as four oval rooms. It is designed based off the Roman Pantheon and greets you with a beautiful array of marble steps leading to a magnificent view over the campus lawns.

Student housing is closed to visitors, however you can register for a guided tour of the main grounds at https://www.virginia.edu/visit-uva/, if you would like. This may allow you to learn more of the history of the campus. Going on a self-guided can be just as great, however.

The Fralin Museum of Art

Technically, this site is a part of the UVA campus, however I wanted to dedicate a whole section to it. Not far from the Rotunda, this art museum maintains a collection of about 14,000 artworks, roughly 200 usually on display at a time. These vary from contemporary paintings to ancient artefacts, featured in European, Asian, African, and American-themed exhibits. At the moment, the museum is closed for exhibition changes, but it will be open to all by mid August, free of charge.

The Historic Downtown Mall

Located about East Main Street in Charlottesville, this is one of the longest pedestrian malls in the United States. It spans eight blocks, paved with a beautiful brick and lined with over a hundred shops. Many of the buildings have been restored to preserve the traditional, colonial-era architecture there, and street dining is provided by a variety of restaurants to give you the chance to take it all in.

The Albemarle County Courthouse

This historic courthouse, currently under renovations, was built in 1803. It is one of the oldest courthouses still in use in the US and is free to visit by the public. Just a heads up, however: you must go through security beforehand and cannot have a weapon, including scissors or a knife, in your possession.

Brazos Tacos

I headed here with my family as our last stop for dinner before leaving, and the food was incredible! This Texan-style taqueria offers a host of taco and burrito options (including for both vegans and vegetarians) and all the food is made from scratch, served fresh. Brazos Tacos’ first permanent site was opened in 2015, and the place now has two locations in Charlottesville. The service is good, everything made with quality ingredients, and I highly recommend!

Overall, Charlottesville is a magnificent place to visit, especially for architecture-enthusiasts and those who just enjoy walking and learning about history. You can travel about downtown for free, utilising the Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) shuttle buses there, and I recommend catching the AMTRAK to the city itself for an all-around, car-free traveling experience!