Things To Do
Monticello
The home of the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Or, as he wanted to be remembered on his tombstone, "Author of the Declaration American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom & Father of the University of Virginia".
The Rotunda
The Rotunda is the central and founding building for the University of Virginia. Founded in 1819, the Rotunda and the accompanying Academical Village are the original UVA as designed by Thomas Jefferson. On the outside of the Academical Village, you can see a mock up of what Edgar Allen Poe's room looked like while he was a student at the University. The Rotunda is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Downtown Mall
The Downtown Mall is an pedestrian only street full of excellent bars and restaurants.
Carter Mountain Orchard and Country Store
A Charlottesville classic during the fall! On top of Carter's Mountain, the orchard overlooks the beautiful vistas of the Charlottesville area. There are wine and cider tasting rooms, as well as the chance to pick your own apples. Don't forget to try the apple cider donuts- a recurring hit year after year. Carter's Mountain is only a short drive from downtown Charlottesville.
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is a great place to visit for those who like nature, whether that means hiking or just looking at beautiful views. There are plenty of hikes of all varieties within the park, to include part of the Appalachian Trail. If hiking isn't your thing, you can take the drive on Skyline Drive. Skyline Drive has plenty of areas to pull off to see fantastic views of the Shenandoah Valley (and hopefully by early October the leaves have started turning).
Vineyards and Breweries
There are plenty of vineyards and breweries around the Charlottesville-all great places to spend a fall afternoon! For a reference and description of your options, please visit this website: https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/wineries/