Charlottesville : A Beautiful City in Virginia Teeming with Wonders Worth Sightseeing

Charlottesville is a city situated in the central portion of the state of Virginia in the United States. With lots of attractions to offer, this charming university town has lots of places you could go to for sightseeing. On this article, we will cover the best sightseeing destinations in Charlottesville.

1. Thomas Jefferson's Montecillo

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Thomas Jefferson's Montecillo, or simply Monticello, is one of the attractions in Charlottesville that you should visit. It served as the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. At age 26, Jefferson has begun designing and building the Montecillo after inheriting the land from his father. Because of its historical significance, the Montecillo has been recognized as one of the country's National Historic Landmark. In 1987, it was also formally listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When sightseeing around the place, you will get to appreciate its Neoclassical and Palladian architectural style.

2. University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. The University of Virginia is known for its honor code that is run by students, its secret societies, and its historical foundations. When sightseeing around the university, you could witness the renowned Jeffersonian architecture. Together with the Montecillo of Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a matter of fact, it is the first American collegiate to be recognized as such.

3. Carter Mountain Orchard

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If you are into sightseeing attractions which showcase the products of Charlottesville, perhaps you might want to visit the Carter Mountain Orchard. The orchard is defined with its gorgeous views, their friendly staff, and their delicious food. There are a lot of things that you could do when you go sightseeing at the Carter Mountain Orchard. Primarily, you could try picking your variety of apple from their plantations. Just be sure to check what fruit is in season. After a long day of sightseeing, you can taste their wines and enjoy the beautiful view of the orchard.

4. James Monroe's Highland

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Another historical attraction in Charlottesville is the Highland. This destination served as the official residence of James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, and Elizabeth Kortright Monroe, his wife. You could avail of a guided tour which would allow you to go sightseeing around the house for approximately two hours. The tour showcases an excellent collection of furnishings and other artifacts from the 18th and early 19th century. Many of these collections originally come from the Monroe family. Aside from the house, you could also enjoy its gardens and grounds.

5. Trump Winery

The Trump Winery is situated on Trump Vineyard Estates in Charlottesville, Virginia. Formerly known as Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, the place was purchased by now US President Donald Trump in 2011. It was re-opened as the Trump Winery in October 2011. The winery produces at least 60,000 cases of wine every year. When at the winery, you could go to their charming Tasting Room where you could order from their seasonal menu while you enjoy their warm atmosphere and beautiful vineyard views. You could also go sightseeing in their designated picnic area.

6. Downtown Mall

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The Historic Downtown Mall is considered as one of the longest pedestrian malls in the United States. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, it extends with a total length of eight blocks. There are a lot of things to experience while you are sightseeing around this historic place. The mall is home to a wide selection of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and offices. It also consists of the Sprint Pavilion, an outdoor concert venue, the historic Jefferson Theater, and the newly renovated Paramount Theater. You should stop by the mall when you are in Charlottesville.

7. Jefferson Vineyards

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The Jefferson Vineyards is a winery and vineyard that is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Now a family-owned establishment, the place used to be where Thomas Jefferson and Philip Mazzei first started the American wine revolution. The winery offers several wines which are of high quality. You could go sightseeing around the vineyard and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere in such attraction. Aside from the aforementioned things, Jefferson Vineyards also hold concerts on their hillside, together with small reserve wine tasting and special wine dinners. They also host events such as weddings and birthday parties.

8. Blenheim Vineyards

Charlottesville is home to a lot of vineyards and wineries. The Blenheim Vineyards is one of them. Established in 2000, the said vineyard is one of the most trusted establishments in Charlottesville for their production of superior wines that reflect the climate, soil, and the beauty of their surrounding landscape. The Blenheim Vineyards is located just 20 minutes southeast of Charlottesville. At present, it comprises of three vineyard sites which are growing seven varieties. Such destination consists of a Tasting Room where you could try their products.

9. The Glass Palette - Interactive Glass Art studio

If you want to try the other side of Charlottesville, you should visit The Glass Palette - Interactive Glass Art studio. It is a fun destination where people of any age could explore the limitless possibilities of creating various objects and designs using glass. The place supplies materials, tools, and instructions. You only have to bring yourself, your creativity, and an open mind. You could walk in at any time and make your own glass art. They have a wide array of projects to choose from. They also hold classes and workshops about glasses.

10. Jefferson Theater

The Jefferson Theater is a historic theater found in Charlottesville, Virginia. Established in 1912, the theater served as one of the major performing venues in the city. It combines the elements of a cinema and a vaudeville house. It reopened in 2009 after some renovations. At present, this sightseeing destination regularly hosts various events which feature local and national artists alike. When sightseeing in Charlottesville, you could try to stop by the Jefferson Theater and visit its historic grounds. You will surely enjoy your visit at the theater.

◎Closing

Indeed, Charlottesville is a beautiful city in the state of Virginia that offers a wide array of charming wonders which are worth sightseeing. From historical attractions such as the Montecillo to vineyards and wineries such as the Trump Winery, you will surely have a lot of fun exploring the different sightseeing destinations across Charlottesville.