Home to three founding fathers and named in honor of Queen Charlotte of England, Charlottesville, Virginia is steeped in history. Whether or not you are a history buff, these sites will keep the entire family entertained.
We visited Charlottesville as part of a media trip. It’s the second year we’ve returned because we enjoy it!
6 Must Visit Historical Sites in Charlottesville, Virginia
Michie Tavern– Have you ever wanted to step back in time and experience the past? You can at Michie Tavern. They have been welcoming guests since 1784 and continue the tradition today. Built by William Michie, a canny businessman, after his exile from Scotland, you can visit the original tavern for a self-guided tour. Filled with antiques and hands-on activities, it truly feels as if are in the 18th century. A docent is available to answer questions and give details about the Michie family. (Be sure to ask them how to play “Shut The Box” and have them show you the cabinet where Mr. Michie kept his candles, which he rented to patrons by the inch.) The kids will be entertained by an 18th-century treasure hunt throughout the site.
After the tour, visit the other historic building on the site, including the Armory, which sells antique weapons, coins and bills and newspapers, and the Metal Smith Shop, which sells beautiful jewelry and other metal goods, many sourced from Virginia artisans. Finish with a meal from Michie Tavern, where you will enjoy traditional Southern cooking, with selections including Southern Fried Chicken, Stewed Tomatoes, Homemade Mashed Potatoes and gravy, and a delicious Peach Cobbler. Once you’ve eaten in the restaurant, you’ll want to stop by the gift shop and pick up a copy of The Michie Tavern Cookbook for yourself. Be sure to check their website for monthly coupons for lunch specials for adults and children.
Monticello– The former home of President Thomas Jefferson is a highlight of Charlottesville. Begin the day with a 15-minute film presentation to learn the history of Monticello, then take the tour bus to explore the home and grounds. Day passes are available which cover the first floor of the home along with a slavery tour and garden tour. You can also purchase the “Behind the Scenes” Tour, which covers the 2nd and 3rd floor, including the bedrooms and dome room. If possible, I recommend taking the Behind the Scenes tour to get a more in-depth look at the family. You’ll see such sites as Jefferson’s daughter’s bedroom, who because her father did not believe in closets, hounded him until he allowed her to have her own.
After the house tour, be sure to explore the grounds, including the area under the house, which now includes a gift shop where you can purchase the heirloom seeds Jefferson used in his garden. If you prefer to explore the grounds on your own, you can download the Slavery at Monticello App, which introduces visitors to the enslaved people who lived and worked on Mulberry Row, the industrial hub and “Main Street” of Thomas Jefferson’s 5,000-acre plantation. Before leaving the grounds, stop by the family gravesite to visit the grave of Thomas Jefferson. Insider Tip: Jefferson believed in steep and narrow staircases as he believed stairs were a waste of space. The Behind the Scenes tour involves climbing steep staircases and is not handicapped accessible. Plan to spend most of the day at Monticello if you want to see and explore all the sites.
Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center– Did you know Charlottesville is the home of Merriweather Lewis (of Lewis and Clark fame) and the home of the Lewis Family Farm? The Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center is now open on the site of the original family farm and offers hands-on activities for the entire family. Inside the building, you’ll find exhibits from the Native American tribes Lewis and Clark met during their voyage of discovery, historical artifacts from the Lewis Family and interactive exhibits for children which change on a monthly basis. Outside you can visit three replicas of ships used during their voyage, and during the summer, visit the garden featuring heirloom seeds from Monticello. Finish your visit by hiking the scenic trails around the nature center, providing a beautiful view of the Ravana river.
The Exploratory Center is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays and offers a variety of workshops and classes on a rotating basis, including classes in carpentry, model boat building, nature observation and journaling, hiking, and compass and GPS games. Group reservations are available during the week.
The Rotunda– Located on the grounds of the University of Virginia, the Rotunda was designed by Thomas Jefferson to be the “heart of the architectural and academic” experience. Recently renovated, the Dome Room has been redone to reflect Jefferson’s original design and the statue of Thomas Jefferson has been returned. Free tours of the Rotunda are offered daily at 10 AM, 11 AM, and 2 PM. While visiting the Rotunda, be sure to check out the exhibits in the basement, which include a tribute to the enslaved people who once worked there. After you leave the Rotunda, wander through the lovely gardens and stop by Edgar Allen Poe’s room for a quick peek at how the University looked during the 19th century.
The Albemarle and Charlottesville Historical Society– is located on second street, approximately two blocks from the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. While recognizing the importance of the Founding Fathers, they share the “other side” history of Charlottesville. During the one hour “Downtown Charlottesville Tour” you’ll see the oldest house in Charlottesville, hear the little-known story of Jack Jouett, who rode to Charlottesville to warn Thomas Jefferson and members of the General Assembly of a plot by the British to capture and imprison them, and see the old jailhouse, the site of one of the last hangings in the state. You’ll want to ask about the story behind that too!
Paramount Theater– Opened in 1931, the Paramount Theater was an immediate success. Dedicated to luxury and comfort, the theater operated in the Downtown Mall for many years before being closed and abandoned in 1974. In 2002, remodeling began to restore the theater to its original grandeur. The theater reopened their doors in 2004, restored to the luxury of the past (but with more comfortable seating and more aisle room.) Today the theater can be rented for events and weddings, but it’s also open to the public for all sorts of productions, from ballet to live theater to movies.
When you stop by to see a show or movie, be sure to go out of the 3rd street entrance. During segregation, this was used as an entrance for African Americans and has an informative tribute, telling of the history and discrimination of the past.
Have you visited Charlottesville? What are some of your favorite sites?
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Good article. Please check the spelling of the Rivanna River in the Lewis & Clark section. It is a beautiful location.
I am from the Midwest and have never visited this part of the country. I’m a huge history buff, so this looks like the perfect vacation highlight for me!
I have always wanted to go to Monticello. It is high on my list of places I want to see!
We are planning a Williamsburg, VA trip this summer. I will have to stop by here on our way back!
I’d love to see all of them. We have been to the area, but only when visiting my son who was in the military so we didn’t really take time to sight see.
I had no idea Thomas Jefferson had such a specific though on stairs. Very interesting to know!
We haven’t seen the Rotunda yet. We’ve seen most of the other places mentioned and we love every one of them!
We love visiting Virginia specifically for its history. It’s such a fun place to visit!
I haven’t been to Charlottesville and if I ever do, I would want to visit the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center. How cool it would be to see the Native American Exhibits. The Monticello and Paramount Theater would be nice places to see too.
Our family has never been to Charlottesville but it sure does look like a wonderful place to visit! Great historical sites that seem so educational.
I have always wanted to visit Montecello! So much history. I would enjoy seeing all the artifacts.
I would love to visit these sites. I’ve always enjoyed learning about a place’s history and it sure would be nice to see this in person.
Hoping we can move up north to see more of the history. I hope we can visit Charlottesville one day!
These are awesome historical places to visit in Charlottesville, Virginia. My family and I love visiting places like this for sure. We will have to visit Charlottesville here in the near future to see all these amazing sites. Thanks for sharing the information.
My family loves historical places! Adding this to our next trip!
If and when I get the chance to get to Charlottesville VA, I’d visit the Montecillo first. I love places that speak so much of history. My husband would be thrilled to be there. He’s such a history buff himself.
I didnt know Charlottesville was such a historical place to visit. I am highly interested in the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center and learn about the Native American findings.
Oh I would love to visit historical sites like this and learn a little about history. Our history is beautiful yet ugly at the same time. Good to educate ourselves.
Charlottesville sounds like a great place. I love historic places like this. I would probably have a great time visiting here.
One place that is still on my bucket list to bring our kids. We were just in Boston and got a great taste of some of the rich history on the east coast. Will be back and would love Charlottesville to be part of a trip.
It’s been ages since I traveled Virginia. I saw some of these sites, but would love to go back and spend a month revisiting and expanding the experience.
I used to go to Virginia with my parents when I was a kid. If I’m ever back in this area, I will check out some of these sites.
Never been to that region in the states but looks like there are lots of places to enjoy regarding its history.
I have never visited any of these. I know my kids would love these for a homeschool field trip.
It’s really cool how much of a historical experience you can have in Charlottesville. I think learning about the Monticello is so interesting.
I have never been to Charlottesville! It looks like it has so much interesting history.
I think I need to take a trip to Charlotesville. There is so much history to explore. I would love to visit Moticello. It would be great to learn a little more about Thomas Jefferson.
These all look like interesting sites to visit. I would love to check out Michie Tavern if I am ever in the area.
So many sights to see. These are really great photos, and looks like Charlottesville would be a great place to visit!
I know there are so many historical sites to see on the East Coast. I want to take a week or two and just Road trip all over that said United States and enjoy the history. I cannot wait to see stuff like this.
These are great pictures! I’ve never been to Charlottesville, but I see that I’m going to have to add it to my long weekend list. Thanks for sharing!
I have never been to Virginia, but these look like some cool places to visit. I’d love to make a road trip out that way.
I am a big historical fan and love to visit places like this in Virginia. Love seeing how people lived years ago. Virginia is such a wonderful state to visit for so much history.
These are all so cool! I’m a huge fan of historical sites, especially southern historical sites. They have an ancient feel that you don’t see in my neck of the woods.
I love the southern historical sites, too. I live in the Northeast and the south is so different from the history here.
I have to say, I really love all the historical sites you showcase on your blog. There are so many interesting places to see across the south. It’s so rich in history.
I’ve never been to Charlottesville, Virginia before. Oddly enough I was born and raised in different parts of Virginia. I need to check them out.
I have always wanted to visit Monticello. I love visiting historical sites and try to go to as many as possible.