I mainly visited Charlottesville in order to see Monticello, the old home of Thomas Jefferson famous for its innovative design and gardens. The town itself also boasts a lively old town center full of restaurants and cafes down blocks of brick-lined streets. (Unfortunately, it also became synonymous with the racist attack on protesters that happened years after my visit). (2011)
Monticello, the self-designed home of Thomas Jefferson, where one can visit to learn about his legacy.
The Monticello grounds boast a huge garden and vineyard area that Jefferson established in his time to grow varieties of plants and food from around the world that he helped introduce to America.
There are many vineyards in the area surrounding Charlottesville including the Jefferson Vineyards seen here.
The contentious statue in front of the old city courthouse of Charlottesville–a building once used by Madison, Monroe, and Jefferson before their presidencies.