Are you thinking about visiting Charlottesville, Virginia? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Charlottesville worth visiting?
Charlottesville is worth visiting for two to three days so that you can explore everything that the university town has to offer. Charlottesville is a university town near Shenandoah National Park. It's home to the prestigious University of Virginia, which has a beautiful and well-maintained campus. Much of the town is focused around university life. For the best restaurants, head to the Downtown Mall, which is a pedestrian area that's filled with shopping and dining. We first visited Charlottesville in childhood and then I lived in town while attending the University of Virgina. During our time here, we fell in love with its downtown mall and great university town atmopshere.
UVA at Charlottesville, Viginia
Reasons to Visit Charlottesville
Museums
A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.
Nightlife
Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.
Historical Sights
The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.
Hiking
Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.
Authenticity
Charlottesville has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Charlottesville worth visiting in the Summer?
The weather in Charlottesville is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 26°C (78°F). But it can get as warm as 32°C (89°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
The peak season for travel is summer in Charlottesville, so expect to see more tourists than usual. Even though this destination is not very touristy, in the high season it's busier than usual because this is when most visitors come here. Hiking is fun near Charlottesville during the summer months. The town can be a bit quieter during this time as many students leave for the season.
Don't miss the small town charm during summer. Just take some time to wander through the local shops and see the historic landmarks around town when the weather is nice. This is a great time of year to soak up the small town charm, take a hike, and browse the museums. Also, you can experience the historic old town and the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Charlottesville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 26°C (78°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| August | 25°C (77°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| September | 21°C (71°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
Is Charlottesville worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the high season for travel in Charlottesville, so expect more visitors and higher prices. Even though this destination is not very touristy, in the high season it's busier than usual because this is when most visitors come here.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 15°C (59°F).
You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery, browse around the old town, and spend time at the museums. Also, you can admire the quaint atmosphere, go hiking, and take in the local charm.
Autumn Weather in Charlottesville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 15°C (59°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| November | 10°C (50°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| December | 5°C (41°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Is Charlottesville worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Charlottesville. This destination is not very touristy, so in the low season it can become fairly quiet. You may see a beautiful snow covered town if you're timing is lucky during the winter season.
The weather in Charlottesville can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 2°C (36°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the nightlife.
Winter Weather in Charlottesville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 2°C (36°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) |
| February | 4°C (39°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) |
| March | 9°C (49°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Is Charlottesville worth visiting in the Spring?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 14°C (58°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Charlottesville, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is not very touristy, and in the shoulder season it can become fairly quiet.
This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, appreciate the quaint setting, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to explore the small town, admire the historic sights, and dance the night away.
Spring Weather in Charlottesville
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 14°C (58°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 98 mm (3.8 in) |
| June | 24°C (74°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Charlottesville
Food: Charlottesville doesn't top the list for most foodies. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Charlottesville might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Charlottesville here or see if Charlottesville is expensive here.
Related
What is Charlottesville most famous for?
Charlottesville is most famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. People visit this impressive university town for its great museums, nightlife, historical sights, and hiking. It is often described as young, collegiate, southern, proud, and traditional.
What is the most famous sight in Charlottesville?
The most popular sight in Charlottesville is The University of Virginia Campus. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Charlottesville on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The University of Virginia Campus and other attractions here.
How touristy is Charlottesville? Is it a popular university town to visit?
Charlottesville is an off-the-beaten-path university town that many travelers overlook. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Shenandoah National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour: $30
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Charlottetown, PE: $15
- Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
How long should I spend in Charlottesville?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Charlottesville is two to three days. Since Charlottesville has activities such as hiking, museums, and nightlife, most people visit for up to three days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Charlottesville? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Charlottesville?.
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