Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is famous for its natural beauty, local wines, historic downtown and landmark architecture dating back to the days of Thomas Jefferson.
 
UVA Inn at Darden on the University of Virginia grounds is one of the best hotels for exploring everything Charlottesville has to offer. Enjoy shopping, restaurants and popular things to do just minutes from our front door.

The Barracks RoaD
​Shopping Center

1 Mile From Hotel
The Barracks Road Shopping Center offers a unique combination of national stores and local boutiques. Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind items alongside name-brand apparel, jewelry and home furnishings. There are also plenty of great restaurants, from local grills and cafés to fast food and coffee shops.

The John Paul Jones Arena
​(Or JPJ)

0.7 Miles From Hotel
Home of the UVA Cavaliers basketball team, the John Paul Jones Arena is the largest state-of-the-art arena in the Commonwealth of Virginia. With nearly 15,000 seats, JPJ plays host to some of the biggest acts in entertainment, as well as exhibits, trade shows and community events.

The Rotunda At
​The University Of Virginia

1.5 Miles From Hotel
About 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson designed the Rotunda at the University of Virginia as a library, placing it in the heart of his fledgling university. Repurposed over the years, the iconic Rotunda remains the architectural centerpiece of UVA and is now a World Heritage Site. (Please note: The Rotunda will be closed for renovation through Summer 2016.)

Historic Downtown Charlottesville Mall 

4.6 Miles From Hotel
At the heart of historic downtown Charlottesville is a beautiful pedestrian mall filled with restored and renovated buildings that house over 120 shops and 30 restaurants. From theaters to museums to shops, there’s something for everyone along these brick-paved streets.

Monticello

10 Miles From Hotel
Located just outside of Charlottesville on what was originally 5,000 acres, Monticello served as the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson. The house is situated on an 850-foot summit, and its name means “little summit” in Italian. Jefferson designed and began building Monticello when he was 26 and was buried there at his request. Today Monticello is designated as a National Historic Landmark. 

Historic Michie Tavern 

9.2 Miles From Hotel
The historic Michie Tavern was built around 1784 and once served as the community’s social center, provided lodging, food and drink to travelers. Today, visitors can experience the past through historical tours, a colonial lunch and four unique shops housed in historic structures.

Montpelier

5.2 Miles From Hotel
Montpelier is a 2,650-acre estate that was the home of James Madison, fourth President of the United States, and his family. Located four miles south of Orange, Virginia, the 22-room manor house underwent major renovations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Visitors to the estate can view the extensive restoration process in the “Restoration Room.” 

The Ragged Mountain
​Natural Area

5.2 Miles From Hotel
The Ragged Mountain Natural Area is a 980-acre preservation area located within the Ragged Mountains. This was the setting for Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, “A Tale of the Ragged Mountains,” with which he became familiar while studying at UVA. The forested area surrounds two lakes with more than four miles of shoreline. Seven miles of trail lead through the forest, offering a unique opportunity for wilderness hiking within minutes of town.

 Veritas Vineyard And Winery 

23.7 Miles From Hotel
Veritas Vineyard and Winery is a locally owned family business with an idyllic setting at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy wine made using classic, old-style principles and state-of-the-art technology that captures varietal and regional character.

Barboursville Vineyard And Winery

20.6 Miles From Hotel
Located on 830 acres of lovely rolling hills, the Barboursville Vineyard and Winery produces 21 wines, including Chardonnay, Barbera, Malvaxia, Pinot Grigio and Sparkling Brut. Bring your own wine glass and taste 16-20 wines, free of charge.

UVA Academical Village

1.5 Miles From Hotel
Thomas Jefferson believed higher education should take place within an “academical village,” so he incorporated one into his design of UVA grounds. It consisted of ten pavilions – which housed both faculty living quarters and classrooms – two rows of student dorms, a central lawn and a library rotunda. Visitors can still see this Academical Village in use at UVA today.

Shenandoah National Park

23.3 Miles From Hotel
Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park is home to more than 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. This is a great place to camp, view waterfalls, go horseback riding, observe wildlife and much more. 

Paramount Theater 

4.5 Miles From Hotel
Located in downtown Charlottesville, this beautifully restored historic theater is a must-see. Paramount Theater was built in 1931 and served as a movie theater for much of its history. Following an $18 million renovation, the theater now hosts a variety of local and international performers.

james monroe's Highland

12.6 Miles From Hotel
Situated near Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland was the home of the fifth President of the United States, James Monroe. Today, Ash Lawn-Highland is owned by the College of William and Mary, and visitors can tour the 535-acre estate and museum year-round. 

Wintergreen

42 Miles From Hotel
Take a day trip to Wintergreen Resort and enjoy fun activities like tubing, zip-lining, archery, mountain biking and golf. Parents can even pamper themselves at the spa while the kids have fun in the Kids in Action summer childcare program.