My wife is a history major and had Monticello on her bucket list, so I decided to take her on a special vacation to visit this historical landmark. What a special day we had despite the rain. The facility was very well organized, had a great gift shop and is well maintained. We decided to take the self-guided tour so we could take our time and really take everything in. My wife was in heaven walking room to room and observing all the historical artifacts in the home of our third president, Thomas Jefferson. The home had paintings, Indian relics, antique furniture, books, a poignant scene of children's toys, and unique technical devices from the 1700-1800s. The grounds were amazing and full of beautiful plants, trees and vegetable gardens. Many areas had QR codes that allowed you to pull up a web site on a cell phone, providing written descriptions and audio recordings. There was a great little snack shop on the grounds that offered unusual soft drinks, candy, ice cream and other wonderful treats. We spent over 2 hours taking it all in and enjoying the breath taking scenic views of the mountains and rolling hills. A truly memorable day learning about the history of the home of our third president of the United States of America.

We had the most excellent guide, Ashley, for the Slavery to Freedom tour. She told the story and asked thoughtful questions that drew her audience into the period. She all of the questions that were thrown at her. She was not judgemental. The museum itself was great at giving us a visual of the man Thomas Jefferson and his plantation. This is an experience that we highly recommend for everyone. The main gift shop had a wealth of additional information. The price for the tour is reasonable given that we had the freedom to see other things. All of the staff were very nice. I loved the convenience of the air conditioned shuttle. We didn't take pictures of the house this time. The architecture is amazing. Thanks to the foundation for preserving this history. Good job.

Just incredible! Please take the time to drive here and take the tour. The guided tour was so informative with background on different events. Must see for our children to get a better understanding of our founding fathers and the life they lived. Loved seeing the replica Declaration of Independence, less than 50 still known to be in existence. Lots of walking paths and beautiful views.

A great historical site, highly recommended to anyone who is interested in history, architecture, or agriculture. The house is truly grand and beautiful. I loved hearing the history of the color choices throughout the home, and the many other little stories that help us see Jefferson as a human being and not just a historical figure.

We had a great visit to Monticello. They have done a great job of preserving and restoring a very important part of history. The tour guides are extremely informative. They have an actor who speaks as Thomas Jefferson. He is amazing, he even takes questions. Monticello is beautiful and so educational. I highly recommend a visit!

We took the Wednesday 11.00 "Behind the scenes" tour. Our guide was fantastic. It was a fact filled and interesting narrative delivered with ease, and he fielded all of the questions that were asked effortlessly. Staff at the ticketing office were also really helpful. The building is interesting albeit a bit strange and the grounds are magnificent.

This is an outstanding property and we were really happy we came up for the day. Thomas Jefferson was quite the architect (along with all his other accomplishments) and this house/grounds has a lot of innovations that you will not see in other houses of that period. Highly recommend the behind the scenes tour and get there early as you can easily spend all day there.

One of the most well done tours I’ve ever been to. Amazing experience from the drive in to the tour. We purchased the Behind the Scenes Tour that takes you into the house and the rotunda—it’s worth the investment! You get to walk through history. We saw the actual books Jefferson owned, his bed, his personal tools, and so much more. The tour guides are insightful, thoughtful, and kind. Getting to walk through history has no substitute! Highly recommend for anyone visiting Charlottesville!

I had one $#@& tour guide send me to the wrong place to wait for our tour, which then started 15 minutes early. Then openly mocked me for bringing me children (6, 9, 11) on the tour. In front of an entire tour group. Despite this guy... this place is fantastic. The gardens, the views, the architecture museum. We spent 4hrs here learning and being awed by the significance and history of it all. My wife and I could have easily spent more time there, but kids. We did the cheapest tour, which is only the ground floor. If it was just the two of us we'd have done the full thing to see the dome. I highly recommend getting there early and doing the architectural museum at the bottom of the hill before going up. Spend a good 45 minutes doing all the reading and learning of what Jefferson did before going to lay eyes on the building.

Spectacular. Monticello is as much a place of learning as it is an architectural feat. I have been over ten times at this point and learn or see something totally new each time. Take an unguided tour if you’re on a repeat visit and linger awhile in the well-appointed rooms. Don’t miss out on the museum next to the bus stop, and by all means go to the store!

An amazing historical site! There is lots of history surrounding this estate to learn and explore. The tour was a great experience. The views of the surrounding area were beautiful and very calming. I highly recommend visiting!

Did the 45-min guided tour; very organized. Definitely worth it. Unfortunately, we had only 2.5 hrs to spare, so not enough time. Recommend at least 3 hrs if you want to soak in the history. Awesome place for history buff. A lot of great history, somber ones too. The guide provided great info about the mansion as well as Jefferson's history, good and bad. The guided tour about slavery at Monticello was a somber one, but a must do. We also attended the "Meet Thomas Jefferson." The gentleman who portrayed Jefferson did an excellent job. The grounds and gardens were immaculate. The trees are beautiful and saved us from the scorching 90° sun. The views were spectacular.

I loved the history tours that you could do. The house itself was amazing! I do recommend going to the tours, which are very fun and educational. They have several tours at different times you can go to throughout the day. Also, get tickets in advance. It really puts you in Jefferson's shoes being there.

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has done a phenomenal job with the aesthetics of the property and restoring the dependencies for their visitors. What I don’t like about visiting here is how commercialized it feels, especially compared to the other historic home tours in Virginia. You pay $42 for the highlights tour, with tours running every five minutes. That means you only have five minutes in each room to hear the guides presentation, look around, and ask questions. Our tour had so many people that we couldn’t see most of the rooms because we were packed in like sardines. We were then shuffled very quickly to the next room. When I asked the ticket counter about other options we were recommended the Behind the Scenes tours or private tours. Private tours start at $750 for four people. I love Virginia history and again, the property was beautiful, I just wish the tour hadn’t felt so crowded and rushed.

Dogs are allowed on the grounds! We enjoyed our Highlights tour at Monticello, although I wish they gave more information about the house and Jefferson's inventions, special home details, and his amazing contributions to American history .. I had watched a documentary about the house and honestly I learned more watching the documentary than the tour guide: The guide was obsessed with his relationships thus we left the tour early because we couldn't listen to Hannah's commentary; maybe there's a guide who is more involved in the details of the house and Jefferson's accomplishments than Hannah? ... Anyway, it's a beautiful home, gardens are enjoyable.

We did the Highlights tour. Very informative. Our guide, Katrina, led a well-paced tour. We enjoyed walking the beautiful grounds of Monticello on our own. Not great for little kids as there’s nothing for them to do. If they have any knowledge of US History, it’s worth it.

Highly recommended - to include booking your house tour in advance if possible, to reserve the slot that you want. We found the 'behind the scenes' house tour to be worth the additional money, to include a smaller group and a lot more time in the house. This tour requires you to ascend and descend a pretty steep and narrow staircase. Free public WiFi by the lower visitor center and the upper house itself. Water refill stations also available by the water fountains. If you want to do the house tour plus the garden and slavery guided tours, it may be advantageous to pack or plan to eat at the onsite cafe. The slavery tour was very informative - the stories about the persons that lived here were moving.

It was a great tour. Our guide Don was amazing. Every encounter with the workers was nice except for the lady driving the shuttle and the lady checking tickets to get on the bus. It’s a must see when you are in Charlottesville. The house had incredible views to the blue ridge mountains and nearby fields. I recommend a guided tour because they share interesting stories of the family and items in the house.

We had an awesome visit to Monticello. Our docent Brianna was great! I remember going as a kid. We had the grounds and home tour tickets but there is also an upgrade to visit the top floor and dome room. Plan to spend 3-4 hours for your visit. They have a couple of places to catch a bit to eat. We had a great time!

Did not realize Monticello had so much to see on the tour. You see history come to life with Jefferson’s speech. There is still much to see if you do not take the house tour. One special feature that helped my daughter get around better, was there free wheelchair access. Be prepared to spend a few hours and wear comfortable shoes.

Helpful to plan out your day before visiting. Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father and the third president of the United States. He began designing Monticello after inheriting land from his father at age 14. The house was built in stages over a period of 40 years, and it is a blend of neoclassical, Palladian, and Jeffersonian architectural styles. Monticello is known for its octagonal dome, which was the first of its kind in the United States. The house is also home to a number of innovative features, such as a dumbwaiter, a central heating system, and a water closet. Monticello was not just a residence, but also a working plantation. Jefferson owned over 130 slaves, who worked the land, tended the gardens, and cared for the house. After Jefferson's death, Monticello was passed down to his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph. She sold the property in 1831, and it changed hands several times before being purchased by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in 1923. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has restored Monticello to its original condition, and it is now a popular tourist destination. Here are some other cool facts about Monticello: The house is made of red brick, which was brought from England. The gardens at Monticello are home to over 6,000 different plants. Jefferson designed his own furniture for Monticello, and he also made many of the tools used to build the house. Monticello was the first home in the United States to have electricity. The house is still equipped with its original dumbwaiter, central heating system, and water closet. I hope you find these facts about Monticello interesting!

Such a marvelous piece of our history warts and all. By now everyone knows Jefferson owned slaves and fathered children with one of his house keepers/nannies. He was a very complex man and very intelligent. I could go on for several pages about him and his estate. The tour was excellent and the gentleman who is on the site who portrays Jefferson was excellent. I wish there was someone like that at Mt. Vernon to portray Washington. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about my experience here. Our tour guide was excellent. She was personable and very knowledgeable. You can tour all of the grounds, the mansion and basement which was very informative and interesting. There are slave quarters and shops so you get a real feel for what it was back then. The large Jefferson burial area was also interesting to view. A very peaceful serene setting not too far from the mansion. There is a great visitor’s center and museum and I highly recommend seeing both along with a short film before you take the shuttle up to the mansion. I learned how intelligent, inquisitive and inventive Jefferson was. I highly recommend reading a biography of Jefferson before you visit. It will bring the entire experience to life.

It's worth the cost to get in. Went in the fall, and there were still plenty of tours and things to see. Our tour guide was amazing, well versed, and knowledgeable on everything from the building of the home to the darker history of Jefferson's story. He made Jefferson out as human and a product of his time and not a hero and mythical being. I am glad to know that although there are a few original pieces, the museum uses replicas as well. Visit the exhibits near the visitor center where you park for a look at how the house was built, Jefferson's life, and the family trees of his decedents, including Sally Hemmings children. Parking was easy, and the shuttle service made the trip easier for our party.

Monticello is a wonderful plantation to visit, especially so when the weather is cooperative. The grounds are incredibly well taken care of and you can learn a bit of what life was like by walking around and exploring the various buildings. I love that the gardens are maintained and that the food isn't wasted from them. I highly recommend doing the guided house tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable of Jefferson's life and Monticello through it's years. There are various other tours you can do, but unfortunately I only had time for the one. There's a lot to learn here outside of what you learn in a grade school history class. If you have any interest in history, and are around Charlottesville, I suggest making a stop here!

First time I have been when there were guided tours. Although the 45 minute tour was very informative, it requires the whole group to be in one room together with the doors closed so the other tour in the next room can not be heard. The rooms here are small and our group was too big to fit comfortably in the rooms. There is a strick no touching or leaning on anything at all policy which made the tight quarters feel even tighter. Tour sizes need to be smaller or maybe our day was just really busy, but I liked it better when we could do self guided tours. I would not recommend this tour for small children. The rooms are just too small with too much stuff. But for history and architecture nerds, it is an amazing and interesting home. Don't miss the museum, it has some great displays that show how he modified and expanded the house over the years. And they have a model of his final renovation that was never completed.

So so pretty and such a gorgeous property. I never knew how much history really was underneath this property until this week and I’m so very glad I got to visit and have the opportunity to become educated. Our tour guide was amazing and the tickets were very well worth it, there are many attractions (that do cost) to walk through which is super cool.

Monticello offers a step back in time to learn about the history of one of the forefathers of this country. The tour of the home is pleasant and the tour guides are knowledgeable. There are also multiple other tours of the grounds that provide a great historical perspective of the land and of Jefferson. There is even a Thomas Jefferson character that is found on certain days and times. If you get the chance, stop by to see him. He plays the role with great accuracy and the interaction with him is very memorable.

I just finished reading the 1 star comments. Most of them are about the pricey tickets. 😱😱 The guided tour ticket is $42, and the ground tour ticket is $22. I bought the guided tour ticket today, 01/20/2024. It was a 45 minutes with one tour guide, his name is Jim. He is a wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide. 👍👍👍 Is it worth it to pay $42 dollars and see the third president's house? Well, if you think 45 minutes is too short, you can spend more time exploring the wine cellar, kitchen, and the garden. I would suggest do some homework before you go. It is because the tour guide was a little bit fast taking before you can even understand the whole story.😅😅😅😅 However, I do have one feedback which I promised the staff I would write to the owner. It is 26 degrees today with 19 miles per hour wind speed. All of the staffs who worked outdoors today were all shivering 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶. Is it possible to provide the outdoor propane heater for their health issue concern? ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Gorgeous views from atop the mountain in all directions. Interesting and well-presented history, giving insight to Jefferson and the lives of those that lived at Monticello, including the enslaved people. The house and ground are remarkable, and the tours are very well done.

This was well worth seeing. I did the highlights tour and felt for me, that was plenty. However there is a longer more in-depth tour that also would have been interesting.. Our guide Rogan was spectacular! He explained the history well and encouraged questions. I particularly liked how he addressed the difficult subject of slavery and Thomas Jefferson’s involvement. After the house tour there is an option to tour the slave quarters. Yet again, I was impressed how our guide Louie handled the delicate subject and encouraged thought. The entire staff from check in to the guides did a tremendous job! Thank you!

An excellent place to visit. The tours are very professionally executed. The grounds and buildings are fabulous. The tour guides are very well informed and learned in history and engage you during your tour.

Beautiful and historic grounds and you get very good views of the Virginian countryside. The tickets are pretty expensive for adults, however. The grounds are not as big as one would expect but pretty nice nevertheless. I would recommend to visit here if you are in Charlottesville because there is not much else to do

Amazing place to spend a few hours! They do have a shuttle to carry everyone from the house to the burial site and back. You can always walk if you choose to.

A+ health standard.

My experience at the Colonnade Club has been one of the best on Grounds. It is a very pleasant place, well kept, and with a most genial staff. They are friendly, greet you warmly, and are willing to chat and make you feel at home. I have been at the University for several years, and this has not been the case all the time. In the last year, however, I have seen a tremendous change with the current staff. It has made the Colonnade a place of respite from daily grind where a cup of coffee, a few cookies, and a warm reception by the staff makes my day. My colleagues and I frequently comment on this pleasant turn of events. Keep it up. Your staff make the place what it is!

Great group of staff. My THANKS to each and everyone.

Pro: Unmistakably a university. Many nice bricks. Has a piece of the Berlin Wall. I am told the libraries work properly. Con: Seems like it may be controlled by secret societies. No, really, there are too many of them and they leave sinister marks all over campus. No joke here.

Depending on the time you get to the ER if they will be busy or not. I have only been on a few floors and what I can tell the nurses are nice and a few really do care about you and and not just here for a paycheck. I have talked to UVA Security and Millennium Security and both work here are are really helpful.

We're from Richmond and we've been listening to families raved about Carter Mt for eons. Hiking nearby, we decided to pay a visit for the first time (Nov 1). We were immediately impressed w the vineyards and the groves as we approached the top. And after we got to the barn/general store, we thought the views of Charlottesville from the picnic area were absolutely wonderful. Worth the trip itself! Instead of venturing out to the groves to pick apples, we indulged in a 1/2 doz hot apple donuts & a slice of apple pie ale mode. Tasting like delicate apple fritters, these donuts were absolutely to die for, especially w dabs of vanilla ice cream borrowed from the pie. I had three and could've gone for more. We're very glad we are now numbered among the faithful who made the pilgrimage to Carter Mt. ☺

We had a wonderful time!! Our first time here. We loved the sample of the apples! Nice platform area where you can take pictures. They had plenty of items to buy, nice local items to support the community and farmers. Have some $$ on you bc the prices are a little high. We liked the ice cream. As for the apple cider donut I have had better at another orchard. Everyone was friendly. They let you sample local wines. Great place for the family! We would definitely recommend!

My wife and I recently made our second trip to Carter Mountain Orchard, and it was every bit as delightful as the first. The orchard, which has been nurtured by the Chiles Family for over a century, is a testament to their dedication and hard work. Our experience was filled with the crispness of freshly picked apples, the sweetness of on-the-spot made donuts, and the creaminess of the ice cream. The apple pie we tasted was the perfect blend of crisp and sweet. Walking away with a bounty of a gallon and a half of apple cider, a bottle of wine, a medium bag of apples, and a dozen donuts, we felt content knowing we had some delicious treats to share with our friends and family. The orchard itself is a haven of beauty, offering breathtaking views that had us immersed for over 4 hours, splitting our time between apple-picking, indulging in the treats, and simply soaking in the picturesque vistas. While there's much to praise, it's worth noting that the lines can be quite long and the prices on the higher side. However, given the exceptional quality and freshness of their produce, it's understandable why so many people are drawn to Carter Mountain. The prices are a reflection of the premium quality, and the lines? Well, they're indicative of its popularity. In conclusion, Carter Mountain Orchard is a gem of a place, steeped in history and tradition, where one can not only relish fresh produce but also create lasting memories. Despite the crowds and costs, it's undeniably worth the visit. We're already looking forward to our next trip!

Absolutely. Stunning. The view from the orchard is amazing, and there are several decks and structures to look over look all of Charlottesville. The Apple donuts are a must purchase. I’ve noticed a lot of folks are saying you have to pay to get in- I didn’t. I went in November and December of 2021. I only had to pay for bags to pick apples or buy the food they offered. Pets are not welcome, and the “orchard” is definitely not stroller territory. The main parts of the park are stroller safe, but if you intend on going to PICK apples, please leave your strollers behind.

We had to buy entry tickets ahead as this is their busy season but just consider it parking fee. The views are beautiful and we had a good time. If you have mobility issues, plan to buy and not pick your own. The walk for the orchard is daunting and steep in places. Lots of buying options and wine shop was cool!

The place was beautiful. We were able to try the cherries they had out and they were amazing. We got an apple and peach pie, turned out amazing. The peaches also amazing. Everyone was very friendly and loved the outdoor spaces. Definitely going to try the apple picking next time.

What a great place! The staff is super nice and the views are stunning. It wasn't that busy on a Thursday afternoon, and the apple donuts are to die for. I also got an apple spice slushy and ghost peppers salsa! There is a bold rock cider bar under the apple farm store, which is really nice.

Great experience at Carter Mountain! We had a great time, the facilities are nice and the view is gorgeous. They are known for their apple cider donuts for good reason. The apples, of course, are excellent. Staff is friendly. Walking on the hill can be challenging at times, and my whole family's shoes got muddy, we will be prepared for that next time.

We were really excited to check orchard out, but we're disappointed to see that we couldn't bring our pup with us. So I let the kids go into the country store to check it out while I hung with the dog in the parking lot and took pictures of the beautiful surroundings. Love where this place is located and would love to fully check it out sometime. But traveling with our dog will make that difficult, it seems.

We bring our kids to experience picking fruit on the field and kids was really happy coming to this place. We came around the peach picking time. The staff told us how to choose the ripe peach from the tree and how to pick the fruit from the tree. After we picked the peach, we went for the donuts, ice cream and smoothies to close the day.

Such a lovely area no matter what time of year! I visited mid winter and they still had plenty of apples a available, although mostly cooking apples rather than the ones you'd eat raw. Plenty of shopping for apple-based products and other tchotchkes. Fresh apple cider donuts with their wine tasting is one of the best ways to spend your cash while here 😉 Friendly and happy staff, I will definitely be back with friends

I went to the apple orchard to pickup some apples to make apple sauce. It reminded me that we used to go out there on a regular basis with my daughter who is now 48 years old. I'm guessing we've been going out there for close to 50 years. Not sure how long it's been around but it's been around a long time and we've enjoyed it every time we've gone out. Back in the old days, It wasn't nearly as fancy as it is now, but it was still a great family outing. It's worth the effort to go there.

Just a short drive from Charlottesville, you'll find this lovely orchard with a huge country store. Depending on the time/day/season it can get very busy here so expect crowds during peak times. Unfortunately I did not do the pick your own during my visit, but I'm sure you could get a great haul from here. The store portion has a huge selection of pantry items, decor/gifts, baked goods, and pre-picked items. I loved the variety in apple butters they offered here and the donuts are fantastic! They also offered samples of the apples available so you could try them out before buying. You can get a meal here, drinks, and finish your trip off with ice cream while you sit outside and enjoy the views. Parking is free but can be a bit tight during busier times. Be mindful of children running around and go slow.

Friendly helpful staff. Be very careful of the wind though, it was very strong when we were there last weekend. Be extra cautious when opening your car door, especially if you park next to someone else.

My wife and I came here for the first time last weekend and for the most part, we enjoyed our experience. The apple picking was fun, the donuts were great, the wine was delicious, and the view was incredible. However, it did kind of dampen our experience when one of the managers (Stephanie maybe?) gave my wife and I a 5 minute lecture about parking before letting us in. It was very rude & unnecessary. The truck at the beginning of the line was completely stopped & talking to the person directing traffic, so cars ahead of us were pulling to the side and parking in the lot right there because they were tired of waiting. We just followed along & went where they were going. (Again, it was our first time here. How are we supposed to know?) So, I hope she pulled aside every other person to lecture them, too. Also, we had to wait 30 minutes just to get a half dozen donuts.. We had a 9am ticket (which is when they open).. you’d think they’d prepare and have donuts available for when people start arriving. Waiting that long for donuts is ridiculous.. it cut into our 3 hour time window we had there, which was not cool. Luckily, my wife and I made the most of things and still had a good time. I will say, it is definitely a cool place to go.

We’ve made the trip to this orchard a few times; picking your own apples is only a part of the experience. They offer plenty of space for kids to run and play while the adults can try some wine or draft Bold Rock Cider - I didn’t know there were so many varieties. The apple cider donuts seem to get better every time too.

Carter Mountain was absolutely beautiful! So much to do there for all ages..apple picking, Bold Rock cider tasting, Carter Mountain wine tasting, shopping, ice cream and small eatery, cornhole, and so much more! It is beautifully designed and laid out very well. The stunning views are just the icing on the cake. Fantastic and beautiful way to spend the day!

Nice place to visit for some history. Even though this wasn't James Monroes actually house. His house burned down, and the people who bought the land from him rebuild. But, there are some artifacts that belong to him that survived the fire. It's worth a stop if you're a history buff. But I think the bigger attraction in the area is Monticello.

Even though his own home burned after he sold it, the reconstruction and his personal artifacts are very interesting. Douglas the historian taught me more about the early presidents than I ever learned in school. Carla in the ticket/gift shop was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Worthwhile visit!

This is a very quaint museum that provides a lot of interesting information. I’m not a big history guy and I certainly am not familiar with the US presidents (besides George Washington of course), so it was fun to learn a lot about President Monroe. The place provides optional “history walks” where a guide can take you around the place while talking about significant history. There’s a handful of buildings that you can visit, each with plenty of exhibits in them. Each info plaque has both English and Spanish translations, which is nice. One thing I liked especially is that many of the exhibits contained open-ended questions that provoked your thinking and reflection. Overall it was a lovely museum and I had a nice time. However, the tickets are a little too pricey ($18) for such a small historical site. Nevertheless it’s a pretty good place to spend an afternoon learning some history.

A very compact yet complete glimpse into the history of this era and Jame Monroe's contributions, the Monroe doctrine, for example. Guides were very helpful. You can view the interior and exterior of the main home, the adjacent guest house, former slave quarters, and nearby farm fields with livestock.

Love it there. Great place to visit if you have the opportunity. Our tour guide Casey was very helpful and knowledgeable. Do support our history and visit.

Great experience, the grounds were very well maintained and Josh at the front desk was awesome!! He was extremely helpful and great with our young kids and making sure they were engaged with their visit. The farm animals were great too!!

This is a gem of a small museum, belongings of President James Monroe and lovely presentation by William and Mary of the plantation. Our docent Roy gave a very informative tour both inside the guest house and on the grounds. Give yourself a few hours to really read the information, understand the history and walk the land. A good part is the slave home and understanding of their life there. Both docents knew their history. Inside the guest house are original furnishings belonging to the Monroe’s. The story of how the home burned down but left the 300 year old tree is very good. And very interesting stories about Mrs. Monroe and how she saved Mrs. Lafayette from the French guillotine. Monroe Doctrine fans will enjoy this bit of history and learning about his relationship with his next door neighbor and dear friend Thomas Jefferson.

The “guide” Jeff was a wonderful addition to our self guided tour!! This was a fun 45 min-1 hour activity. Great to pair with going to a vineyard after!

My husband and I were looking for something to do before Monticello. This was a pleasant surprise. There is not a grand mansion to tour but this place is rich in history. We learned a lot about our 5th president. The tour guides were very knowledgeable, they were willing to answer questions and did not make you feel rushed. There is several really well maintained trails that take you off the beaten path. Would highly recommend a visit.

Good tour. Friendly staff. Trails were nice. Beware- the red trail is strenuous! Nice grounds!

Idyllic setting for a President. Site to this day continues to learn and evolve. Wonderful slice of American History

I had a great experience visiting Monroe’s Highland! The staff are incredible and very knowledgeable with any type of questions! The property is great as it’s all self guided as the staff is located within the house to ask questions as you wonder around the house! I highly recommend doing checking it out!

The actual house burned down, but the guesthouse (2 rooms) and a few other buildings, including the overseer's cabin, as well as some artifacts, are original. Definitely worth a visit while in the area.

History is great, self paced tour, very informative. The employees were very nice, knowledgeable, and suggested other places to visit. Preferred this over Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The price was very affordable.

I had a lovely visit to Highland. The property and rustic trails were beautiful as the leaves were just turning. There was a walking tour led by a docent/interpreter, Douglas, that was really terrific. He was kind and knowledgeable, exactly the sort of individual who can take a visit to the next level. My recommendation: definitely go and visit the home of our nation's fifth President!

I recently moved to Cville area and have a bucket list to see presidential homes and plantations. Visiting James Monroe’s Highlands was absolutely charming. It’s smaller than I anticipated but I still spent a solid 1-2 hours wandering around the grounds and reading the information. It was a HOT July weekend but I arrived early enough before the crowds and enjoyed the tranquility. Unlike Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe’s family didn’t have to sell all his belongings so a lot of the items in the home are original pieces that were donated.

The house isn't original, but there is a nice tour and some good history on the life of Monroe.

This is a hidden gem in Virginia. Just two hours south of Northern Virginia, we booked the cabin and it did not disappoint. The stay greeted us immediately and gave an detailed tour of the property. We brought our seven year old child and inquired if the restaurant had a kids menu. The staff said they did not, but on the spot was able to create a kids menu for dinner, we were impressed. The food was delicious and my kid said the chicken nuggets and French fries were five star quality. We will definitely be staying here more often when looking to take a small vacation. They also took time to make my child feel special during her stay.

My wife and I stayed here a few months back. We had a great experience. The property is beautiful and unique. The breakfast and 3 course dinner are both tasty. The only part I didn't enjoy were the Trump wines, they were light for my taste. The service was phenomenal. The staff seemed to genuinely care that we enjoyed our stay. Josh and Callie were outstanding. Josh gave great bar service and was very knowledgeable about the property. Callie helped us to our room and served us dinner, as well. She was very friendly and bubbly and one of the best servers we've ever had. I would recommend this place to everyone. We plan to stay again.

Great experience here with the expansive property and friendly staff. The place is very homey for being fancy. You feel like you're staying at a family member's home but still receiving top notch service and food. Absolutely zero complaints here, and I'm a pretty critical person. My wife and I have decided to make this a tradition to stay at this hotel more in the future.

The Estate home is stunning and beautiful in every respect. We stayed in the Washington Room. It was larger than most city apartments! The beds were so comfortable, felt like we were sleeping , or floating, on pillows. The entire home was extremely clean and well maintained. Breakfast wonderful. Kudos to hosts Josh and Matt. Class acts.

Beautiful place rooms 900 plus a night

We just spent the weekend at Abermale and it exceeded all our expectations. We had 5 of the 12 rooms and we felt like we were the only ones there. DJ was an amazing host. We ate every breakfast and dinner there and all meals were great. Drink selections great. Ground were gorgeous. We stayed in the William room and it was huge. We spent time at the pool which is also huge with the most gorgeous views. Dying to stay there again. Thanks to all the staff.

I must say I was blown away by this place. The Service is amazing. It's a beautiful building and extremely peaceful and comfortable. I will be staying here more often. The Trump Standard is the Standard on this property.

This was an ok winery, but is in a beautiful setting. Unfortunately this winery is also still doing flights so no traditional tasting, which means I wasn't able to find out many details about the winery in general. Also they have a lot to choose from but the flights are preselected in groups of 4 so not a lot of flexibility. So we did 2 flights with 4 red and 4 white. One of the whites was a Petit Manseng that was hands down our favorite. There are 2 tasting areas with limited seating, but a lot of outdoor seating. They do have a cooler here with snacks, but no kitchen. On the plus side they don't mind you bringing a cooler with your own food.

Nice vineyard with a good view. Very friendly staff. They helped us pick out our drinks. With their help we chose the “do it yourself” wine tasting. Wine was good but the information given with the wine could have been a more detailed.

This place hits the spot in both wine and ambience. One of my all time Charlottesville favorites. They have something for everyone with excellent wines in each of the categories (white, rosé and red). . Take advantage of the ability to bring your own food in the outside spaces (at picnic tables or on the open lawn) or utilize the multiple tasting rooms. Outside their are patio tables with umbrellas and excellent live music.

Beautiful winery with a tasty selection. I did the red wine flight and enjoyed the Merlot and Cab Franc. Plenty of seating inside and out. I especially like the spots on the raised deck just outside the main building, but those seats get taken fast! Staff is friendly and eager to educate guests on the wines.

Such a beautiful place to enjoy delicious wine. The staff was friendly and helpful. Tables for lunch and wine or chairs in the open field

Great views, and a good selection of wine. Staff is knowledgable and friendly. Large outdoor space to look out at the mountains, and the gazebo is a nice touch. Try the Meritage if you like bold red wines.

My friend and I were visiting from out of town, looking for a posh wine tasting experience. The flight came out in plastic cups and napkins that matched the kind you find in bathrooms. My friend was impressed and raised a pinky.

Winery itself was beautiful and had quite a bit of seating. The wine selection was pretty good, did the May flight. The staff at the bar was friendly. Make sure you finish your drink EXACTLY WHEN THEY CLOSE or some rude women will come out herding everyone like cattle to get out asap. She was an older women with grey hair and just rude as hell. Most of the other wineries are way more relaxed. Go the Gabrielle Rausse winery down the road for a more chill atmosphere or even the cute little corner spot right before the entrance. Regardless with all of the wineries in the area we will not come back or recommend this one.

We only visited for the wine tasting. We did not do a tour. The tasting counter lady, Linda, was super friendly and helpful. Great adult stop after visiting Monticello. The wine is tasty.

One of my favorite vineyards around Cville. Great wine options for both red and white drinkers, pretty views, and reasonable prices for the quality. **AND DOG FRIENDLY!** Also only about a 10minute drive from downtown, it's a win-win! If you like sweet wines, or have someone with you who "doesn't like wine" - have them try the vin blanc (also called Sam the Cat - pictured) wine - it's SWEET, but delicious. The meritage is excellent all around, and tends to stay good no matter the vintage. I am not typically a white wine drinker, but their Viognier and Petit Manseng are consistently delicious (and current vintages are award winners) - dry, but refreshing and flavorful. We’ve never had a red miss there, with their Petit Verdot and Meritage generally coming in on top of our favorites list. Recommendation: go when they open for a great spot on the patio, split both the red and white flights with someone, and taste a wonderful spectrum of Virginia wines right in the heart of it all, next to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello! (This vineyard is great for history buffs too)!

Lovely location with very friendly employees. They were so nice and we learned about the different kinds of wine there. Really enjoyed the flights so we could try out the different blends. Didn’t seem to have a menu with variety so we skipped that. Would love to stop by again to try different wines. Now for my standard comments. Location was clean and felt comfortable with the indoor seating options. It also looked like they had outdoor seating options but it was too hot when we went.

Good wine, friendly staff, great views and delightful ambiance. The merlot and meritage were my favorite wines that we tried (I am partial to reds!). Drinking wine by the fire on a cold winter day was wonderful.

It's a not to be missed vineyard - beautiful settings, fabulous wines, friendly staff - stop at Simeon Market and grab a sandwich on your way up. This is a must every time we go.

Historical significance + great wines (red and whites) + beautiful views = a must visit venue when in Charlottesville. One of our favorite wineries! There is something for everyone here! There are several tasting area options to enjoy your flight: an indoor area as well as outdoor spaces including picnic tables, patio tables with umbrellas and an open air space complete with adirondack chairs to enjoy the mountain views. Staff is kind, patient, and knowledgeable. We prefer red wine but chose a red and white tasting and were pleasantly surprised at how much we loved the whites. We especially loved the Vin Blanc 2019. The sentimental Sam, the cat tribute, sealed the deal for us. So much so that we purchased 6+ bottles to share with family and friends. We love that you are gifted a souvenir wine glass with each flight. A true historical gem!

Overall a great place to hangout and walk around! I would not recommend going there to shop at their boutique stores as they are all very pricey. We came as tourists so it wasn’t as bad since we were mainly window shopping. The stores are all so cute though and it’s always nice to feel like some places are more or less “back to normal” with the amount of people walking around even with Covid. Wish we had more time to spend going to some of the restaurants on this strip, they all looked so good! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating from the looks of it!

Nice little walkable area covering 3 to 4 blocks. A good variety of stores, specifically restaurants, you could eat out fancy or quick and such different types of food. The entire area is a nice mix of different buildings that formed an old part of the town and have been re-purposed, there’s plenty of exterior seating and trees, which make it a nice area to walk through. The only negative I had is there were a few panhandlers and I countered a couple that invaded my space. There are some city buildings on one end, which seem to attract some loud, loitering people. I did see a bike cop come through, and I never felt unsafe while there. I was there only during daytime hours.

Nice area with lots of options. We were there to celebrate the New Year and visited the Fitzroy. Parking can be a hassle, but it's worth it to stop by

The downtown mall was a great escape from the busy-ness of the day on a Thursday evening. Very few people were there before 5 but began to fill up as the evening went on. We had dinner, which was difficult to pick given all the options on and near the mall. Then we went to Paramount for a show. Great evening!

We loved Timberlake 's, Second Chance Books, and Alakazam Toys!

Want to escape to a cool, trendy west coast town like LA or Portland but you're stuck on the east coast? Try Charlottesville! On a spring Sunday morning, you can walk the downtown historical district and enjoy being panhandled while simultaneously paying $6 for coffee. Enjoy the cute town square/park at the top of the hill- just step around the sleeping homeless people, the discarded clothing, broken glass, garbage bags, and feces. Enjoy the virtue signaling signs in the store fronts of shops that even the middle class can't afford- masks on please. On your way out of town, note the ACAB graffiti and the fact that the few cops that are left are literally guarding playgrounds so kids can potentially play without accidentally getting a needle stuck in their shoes. Have west coast fun on the east coast!

This outdoor downtown shopping area is a wonderful idea. However, the city leadership is letting the shop owners and shoppers down. There is a significant vagrant population there, which could be fine except I was there on a Sunday afternoon in October for about 2 hours and saw 2 assaults by a vagrant… one was on a family with a child in a stroller… my friends and I thought we were going to need to intervene to help them… and the other on a middle aged couple… the vagrant knocked the ice cream cone out of the husband’s hand because they didn’t give him money. My husband and I were also approached and shouted at (directly at in our faces) by a homeless man screaming how we should give him money because he was an out of work white guy, so he deserved our cash. We didn’t see a single police officer or security guard during our visit. Sorry shop owners… we left.

Was here two years ago and the atmosphere and crowds, etc have diminished considerably. Some businesses have closed. Just wasn't the vibrant venue it was two years ago. What can I say! I was in town visiting my son and his wife and just drove down and walked around. It's a beautiful area that needs to be utilized with it's old grandeur. God willing it will happen.

It's got potential to be great... but....Not a lot of stores or restaurant choices open in the evenings. More homeless people than patrons in some areas. The parking garages are convenient and the first hour is free in case you walk around for a bit, realize it's a bust and bail like I did!

Nice atmosphere, many specialty shops with a mix of unique vendors. The historic buildings are gorgeous. Many restaurants to choose from. Visited late afternoon on a brisk Sunday, room to stroll and no crowd.

Always a lot going on..come enjoy a walk, a restaurant, a movie, ice cream, lots of things to do .safe parking in the downtown garages.

This is one of the prettiest small areas I've walked through! I love all of the beautifully decorated outdoor dining, seating and artwork. The landscaping and plants are beautiful! This is a very nice place to walk around and explore! Lots of cute shops as well!

Nice mall to walk. A little run down and some homeless problems.

Enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. Quality restaurants, interesting shops, and steeped in local history. The Paramount Theater and Jefferson Theater are local landmarks as is Miller's Downtown.

Charlottesville's downtown mall is a beautiful pedestrian only space with cute shops, restaurants, wine bars, ice cream shop, canopied by pretty balconies and buildings. Plenty of options for drinks and food. We stopped off for a burger and onion rings snack on the patio of Citizen burger which is a dog friendly patio.

This was one of our favorite stops on our vacation. Had the flight of wine and the cheese to go along for pairing. We loved it! The atmosphere, the knowledge shared... just overall a lot of fun!

Blenheim has a real Dave Matthews vibe. Cool & laid back. Their wines are excellent, among the best in the area. The views are amazing. We visited on a weekday and the place was still crowded. Not uncomfortable, but surprising to see so many people enjoying a nice day in the middle of the week. Great wine and a great atmosphere will do that!

Always a good place to taste. Good for genuine Virginia wine. This has been one of our favorite places for the last 12-15 years. The varietals are well thought out and well produced. I highly recommend this vineyard and winery.

We went on a hot afternoon, got the flights. Liked the white better than red. Nice deck to sit on, but the view is so-so, I'm probably spoiled by wineries that have a view of the Blue Ridge. The young women behind the bar were very helpful and friendly, they made the day. They let you bring your own picnic, which is a big plus in my book.

Dont go on Sat Nov 11. Its packed. I am former cville res. in town for concert, skip on down to jefferson vineyard about 5 min away. great reds, good chardonnay. nice servers, cheese and crackers avail. dog friendly. nice views. visit Blenheim next weekend.

Have been several times and will keep coming back. Delicious wine, comfortable seating (we appreciate the umbrellas and areas with shade as a break from the heat in the Summer). As someone in the top .01% of DMB listeners on Spotify, I'm a fan of the music and a fan of the wine. Eat, drink and be merry y'all. cheers

Really good wine at a freakishly good price point. A lot of Virginia wineries feel like they can charge Napa prices, but not these guys. The view is awesome too. Best winery so far in Virginia. We did the flight and left with a bottle of On the line

Great views, wine okay, refer trailer wafting petrol exhaust on the deck whilst smelling a wines bouquet, pass

The views here are just beautiful!!! The wine was amazing and the staff was better than the wine.(joking but facts). They also have cool merch and awesome food trucks and music!!

From the moment myself and family arrived at this winery, we got greeted by a dog named Pickle. We went at first the wrong way trying to find the entrance and Pickle just lead the way. The wine, staff and entire ambient are altogether amazing. They have great snacks too by the way. Next time I come to Virginia will definitely stop by again. Thank you Blenheim vineyards and also a great thanks to Pickle.

Beautiful building and a good view of the sunset. There are a lot of sweet(er) wines which aren’t my favorite but the tasting was still fun!

We absolutely love this winery. The wines are phenomenal, the staff are well educated, friendly and hilarious and the view from the deck is gorgeous. We wished we lived closer so we could visit more. My husband is trying a magic trick to get more wine in his glass 😆

Very pleasant location and staff to boot. You can enjoy a nice view of the vineyards and landscape. If you like, you can get a flight of Blenheim wines which for me included a Rosè, white, Chardonnay (which “isn’t like a regular Chardonnay so you might like it” as one customer was assured, but I don’t have a problem with Chardonnay and it tasted great to me anyway), and a red wine flight. You could also choose their white flight or red flight.

Incredible! We were in Charlottesville for a wedding and extended our stay for a day so we could explore some of the wineries and all that the area has to offer. As huge DMB fans, it only made sense that we stopped by Blenheim. From the second we arrived, there was a relaxed and chill vibe that clicked with us. The whole place is decorated with Dave’s art, which is just amazing to see alone. We chose to do a guided wine tasting, which I can’t recommend enough. Marciah (Marcy-Ah) I’m not sure I’m spelling her name properly, was amazing. She was so knowledgeable about everything, super sweet, funny and just a joy to chat with. She even did interpretive dances to explain how the wines tasted. I wanted to hug her when we left but we’re still in Covid times so, even after a few glasses of wine, I held back 😬 We stayed for almost 4 hours, ate, drank, laughed, soaked in the views and loved every minute of our visit. I can’t recommend Blenheim enough. We can’t wait to come back when we visit again. 🍷

The owners were so kind and knowledgeable about the craft! They were attentive to each group and really wanted everyone to have the best time possible. They offered fun and innovative ways to cut the glass as well as some specific shapes when requested! I really felt like they cared about the experience of the guests!

A wonderful activity for all experience levels. The studio is beautiful and full of materials and inspiration. Ms. Maria was an absolute delight, attentive with help, advice, and a good laugh. My partner and I had a lovely date, and stayed a little longer than the allotted time because we were so engrossed in our project - but we felt so welcome nonetheless. Our pieces took some time to ship, but I think that speaks to the care they take. A lovely surprise when they arrived.

We enjoyed our trip to The Glass Palette. It is located inside of a warehouse with some parking in the rear of the building. The owner Kara is such a delight and very helpful. Betty really made our experience fun and creative. We cannot wait to see the finished product of our ornament glass creations! Thank you ladies for a lovely afternoon. We will visit again!

The Glass Pallette was wonderful. We enjoyed making our Glass items. Very different than what we've ever done. The owners are very professional and friendly. If you have the time, put this on your to do list!! Great experience!

We had a GREAT time (staff is super helpful & friendly) & we are super excited to see our finished. The only reason for the 4* is the place is not marked very well, a bit hard to find in the block & the building feels a bit sketchy when walking in & out. We will definitely be going back though!

Really loved making my own glass art!! It was a birthday surprise for my SO and she had the best time making hers as well! Cant wait to see how they turn out!

We had a very good experience at this art studio. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. They made this such a fun and memorable experience! If you are in the area you should check this out.

Had an amazing time at The Glass Palette. The owner was so knowledgeable and talented and the volunteers were helpful and funny! Definitely a great date night activity or fun activity for older kids and adults. I went with a group of friends and we loved it! Here are before pictures of my creation.

My kids and I go every year to make beautiful glass Christmas ornaments, and I adore the collection that I have so far! The staff are wonderful and guide you as you need. A fun and relaxing time that leaves you with a beautiful glass art bowl, plate, ornaments, and other items that you can keep or give as a gift. Will go back again and again!

This was just the best place. With fused glass it’s like anyone can be creative with glass. The people are very helpful and super nice. They helped me create a special piece I’m very proud of. Thanks everyone. 💞

My kids (ages 16 and 14) and I had a great time making glass creations together. The women running the class were friendly, patient, and helpful. Each walk-in project begins as a flat surface of glass. We cut and assembled pieces of colored glass to create Mosaic designs. We were on vacation so our pieces will be mailed. We can't wait to see the finished product.

What a great experience! I was looking for something interesting to do with my mom and found The Glass Palette online. We drove to Charlottesville and ended up spending a good part of the day here. You choose something to make, design it, then they ship it to you after it has been molded. Mine arrived about a week later.

This was so much fun for a girls night out! I can't wait to see the finished product once out the kiln! We will be back!

We had our beautiful wedding here back in November, and it was nothing less than perfect. The wine is excellent and so are the views. The picture-perfect setting makes for a magical ceremony. Barrie and her team at Thatch made everything easy, stress-free and streamlined. Barrie provides some lovely wedding décor and inventory for the day-of, along with a list of professional preferred vendors. The team members at Thatch are also responsive to emails with all of all your questions answered, and always happy to coordinate a visit regarding your big day. Thatch will always hold a special place in our hearts. Love for all, Ross and Rebecca

Every wine is produced well and from a wide variety of grapes. These wines are vinified dry and the tasting room staff are knowledgeable as well as friendly. This is a must stop if you’re curious about quality Virginia wine. Note: dogs and children are discouraged in the tasting room *edited based on responsive owner comment. Thank you for the clarity!

This place was much better before they expanded and bought Thatch. Been there twice afterwards, there won't be a third time. Very limited selection for tasting or by the glass. Employee was very condescending, pretentious and slightly arrogant. He stated if you knew anything about Michael Shaps, you'd know all his wines are good. Wines change from year to year, there's always subtle profile changes. Not willing to spend $40 to see if I even like the wine. He seemed to be more concerned about our employment, and not our wine preferences. We were with another couple, they felt the same way. We didn't feel welcomed here. And the $40 was the average price of a bottle of wine, not for a tasting as the reply indicates.

SEATS ARE CLAUSTROPHOBICALLY SMALL!!!! PROS: The theater is gorgeous, and they sell popcorn! CONS: The seats are way too small. I felt very uncomfortable. My husband was hot, and the tall guy beside had to hold his legs the entire show. I also overheard someone saying, "This feels tighter than an airplane seat."

What a fun and intimate venue. Spoke with one of the volunteers between sets. She was very informative. Reasonably priced snacks. Not positive, but there did not seem to be a bad seat in the house.

Saw Dailey & Vincent tonight. Theater is beautiful. Sat 10 rows back center. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house. They serve beer, wine, soda, and snacks like popcorn. Such a great place for an evening out.

Great old space. It's like stepping back in time. We visited to watch an older movie. The ticket price and snack bar prices were very reasonable. Inexpensive compared to most theaters. The staff was very friendly. Comfortable seats. I'd recommend a visit for an old movie or any other performance.

Enjoyed our time the acoustic show we caught here. They had drinks and popcorn available which were both good. Seats were not too small. Nice shops around in the shopping center, but they close early on Sunday which left us with ice-cream shops to dodge into when people would continue to come up to ask for money.

Watched a live performance of the all male world famous comedic ballet troupe Trockadero. They were fantastic! The historic Paramount Theater has been renovated to show off its beauty! A wonderful venue!

I’ve been to The Paramount a few times & I enjoy overall atmosphere. I like that they have special drinks themed after the events & get at least one every time, I do wish they had more food options. I never really noticed before but when I went to see Steve-O tonight the chairs were extremely uncomfortable, maybe time for a change?

Beautiful, historical venue restored to its original luster. Amazing service and helpful volunteers. Wonderful programs too.

They did a great job renewing this theater, and now it is a lively, comfortable center of the arts. We had great seats in the first few rows of the orchestra, but I've also been to shows sitting in the balcony and it was fine. Nice assortment of refreshments, including adult drinks, at intermission, and they let you carry them to your seat.

Classic old theater,very beautiful. The staff is kind and helpful. This is the second time in a year I have driven 100 plus miles to visit the Charlottesville scene and great restaurants and entertainment..

Beautiful venue with old-time feel mixed with modern tech and hospitality. I would gladly go see anything here.

Menopause 2 was so much fun! Lots of audience participation! The concessions are exceptional! Seating is comfortable. The prices were reasonable too.

I love this place. There is always a luxurious feeling to the seats and spaces. I most clearly remember a visit during the Olympics, where everyone in town came to watch the opening ceremonies. It was a great moment to have so early on in my time here because it gave me a good sense of the community: caring, respectful, kind, and lively. Tonight, I got to see the Moth Mainstage, and it was divine. Great content!

How amazing to be able to see all kinds of cultural events in a gorgeous theater right on the historic downtown mall?

Spectacular venue on the Downtown Mall. Wonderful staff and the Audio is always first class.

A beautiful venue located in shopping square surrounded by food and other amenities. Theater was beautifully nostalgic while also incorporating modern technology. Parking is available near by 1st hour is free. Definitely recommend for a show or concert.

Beautiful venue located on Charlottesville's downtown mall. Concerts, movies, comedy shows are just some of the events you will find there. Built in 1931, there is a lot of history in this theater.

Beautiful venue, good acoustics. I remember when this theater was a dark, down-at-the-heels movie theater. Kudos to the community for the restoration effort, and revitalization of the downtown area.

I feel a museum of Australian Aboriginal art is a really random thing to have in Charlottesville, but I love that it's here! Having no knowledge of the subject beyond the word "Maori", this museum is a wonderful educational experience of the people, their culture, their environment, and more. The staff are also eager to talk about the content and history of the museum. It's a small space, but so much to learn!

Free to the public , this wonderful museum is probably less noticed than it should be as I just happened to approach the grounds while sight seeing and asked two ladies pleasantly enjoying there afternoon talking in the shade of the grounds about the museum. They advised it was free to public and I should go inside. Inside the door a docent immediately rose to attention and began filling me with detailed information regarding the museums history and offerings. He directed me to comfortably walk thru at my own pace and enjoy the surroundings. The museum was both educational as well as a delightful display of the aboriginal art. The sponsors own the largest collection of aboriginal art.

My husband and I brought our two grandchildren to the museum after picking peaches at Carter Mountain. First time for all of us and good timing since they were a bit less energetic inside. We had reserved the time for the tour and the guide was ready for us and a thirty minute orientation and walk through the three small rooms. She worked to engage the kids and offered more information if it was asked for. The art work is compelling and accessible. Nice visit.

In addition to sensational art that stands on its own merit, the museum’s interpretations yield a better understanding of the diversity among language groups of Australia’s indigenous people, impact of colonization, and state of being indigenous in Australian culture today. The intimate setting, carefully curated and interpreted collection, and knowledgeable and accommodating staff made for one of the finest museum experiences in my memory.

Nice, free to the public, art collection housed on Peter Jefferson's former estate. The free guided tour was 20 - 30 minutes long. The guide wasn't super knowledgeable, but did know some facts about the collection. The best part is the painting area where a few "traditional" aboriginal art supplies are provided at no cost. You can make your own art after being inspired in the gallery rooms.

If you are in Charlottesville you must visit this one and only museum of aboriginal art ..very educational

Came here for the morning while in town for a conference. The museum is great. We brought our two elementary-age kids and joined a tour. The tour was very informative and was tailored to the many adults on the tour but also engaging enough for our kids not to stray. In hindsight it would be a great spot to picnic after a visit given its on a hill with open grass. Learned a lot. They have a reservation system but that seemed to be a legacy Covid-19 thing and not required

We came in off the freeway, looking for a brief diversion before our one evening in Charlottesville, and were blown away by the explosion of color, texture and emotion on display. What a wonderful surprise. Knowing nothing about Aboriginal art, we learned so much and look forward to learning more. Go now while the superb 50 Years of Papunya Tula Artists exhibit is on display. Admission is free, and the museum building and setting are stunning as well. A small but lovely gift shop tempts with reasonably-priced, unique items.

Great museum, though a little small. Really enjoyed the paintings and artworks.

Excellent small museum. The large painting by Emily Kame Kngwarreye is breathtaking.

The staff was knowledgeable and welcoming. The collection showcased the rich culture and I recommend a visit to anyone interested in exploring and learning about the art and culture. They have free parking also.

Fascinating small museum dedicated to Aboriginal art from Australia. The collection is magnificent and beautifully presented. The docent was remarkably helpful in filling in some of the history of this unique art form and the gifted artists who create it. A truly heartwarming experience. Highly recommended.

Great little art museaum and my 14 year old daughter loved learning about the culture and aboriginal artwork. Great place to visit on a rainy afternoon, and the staff was very informative and welcoming. I am so glad we stopped in.

One of the best museums we have been too. We were drawn to this one based on it being the largest collection of Aboriginal art from Australia outside that country. We were not disappointed. Scheduled a tour online and when we arrived Jamison was ready for us. His in depth knowledge of individual pieces and artists in addition to his stories of the back stories of Aboriginal art creation was incredible. We lucked out finding this fantastic place and recommend it to anyone wanting a full immersion into this genre. In addition to art the museum also had an exhibit about the awful treatment, segregation and deprivation of civil and human rights of the Aboriginal in Australia. Not much different from the disgusting and shameful way the U.S. treated Native Americans, women and African Americans. Very informative. Go if you can and request Jamison as your guide.

lots of fun things to explore! it was great that they validated parking and allowed you to come and go if you needed to leave for awhile. clean facility and pleasant staff.

Kids had a ton of fun, play areas are clean and the staff were friendly. If you're looking for a "big" place, this may not be the one to visit. But for a 3, 4, and 5 year old they truly had a blast. They found what was most interesting and fun for them and stuck with it. So being "small" with plenty of room was great to keep your eyes on all 3 of them.

Staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. We come often for okay time with out little one and recently used the museum for his birthday. The staff was very accommodating and helpful with setup and clean up. An awesome experience for our 3 year old and his friends.

I have been coming here for years. First with my children, now with my grandson. This is a fun place for kids and adults alike! Today, the volunteer in the back room was amazing. He interacted with the children and worked hard to keep it tidy! Reed, you are doing a great job!

My 6 year old had a blast, and even my 10 year old was able to enjoy it! Me too!

My daughter always enjoys coming here. They have a lot of great educational and fun toys. The toys are always organized and clean which isn't easy to keep up with. They also offer a membership for a reasonable price if you plan to go often, and it covers some other museums in VA and elsewhere.

Great place to get some excess energy out while on a road trip. Small but mighty. Would stop again if in the area. Many different age level activities.

Very nice place to take the kids on a weekend, friendly staff, clean place and lots to do! $10 for kids $8 for adults all day pass. You might have to wait depending if it's full, best time to go is around 11:30.

We looked online for children’s museum on the way to Washington DC and found this spot. We wanted to take break for few hours before we reached the final destination. It’s at the Main Street where we cannot take the car. They have public garage parking around the area and they provide 2nd hr free parking on 1st hr purchased parking. Just plan ahead about parking as many streets are one way. We had to go many rounds to figure out the parking spot. The Main Street is nice to walk around as well. The museum itself is like a shop and inside they have activities for kids more younger kids until 5-6. Older kids might not be interested but both my girls enjoyed for almost 2 hr. We even ended with the carousel. Then got coffee and ice cream in the nearby local shop.

This is a single floor play place for kids to discover and learn using every bit of their imagination. There are lots of different activities for all ages of kids, though I'd say by 10 years old the excitement won't last more than a couple hours. With your 8 dollar per person tickets you can come and go all day, though, which is really nice because it's right on the mall where there are many eating options if the kiddos need to take a break. At certain times there are also adult led art activities.

On the small side as far as children’s museums go but still plenty to do without being overwhelmingly big! My kids all loved the play cafe they had there! Lots of realistic looking food, menus and a kitchen to “cook” it all in! Ideally for kids ages 2-6 but my 9 year old also had fun with hours of imaginative play AND there’s a baby room specifically for kids under 2 to enjoy!

My one year old isn't quite walking yet and loved playing here. There's plenty to do even for crawlers. I was with his cousins who are 2 and 4 and they love this place as well.

This children's museum is deceptively large. It keeps going and going. Tons of fun interactive exhibits for small children. Music, animals and loads of books for quiet reading.

Lots of fun, kids played for hours and still didn’t want to leave. At least the adults can have fun too!

Great bagels for great prices! The line was long on a Saturday morning but there were plenty of tables to sit down and enjoy the food. I got a bagel with lox and cream cheese, all fresh tasting. Also tasty coffee for, great spot!

The Covid safe setup outside was organized and efficient. On a Sunday morning, we waited only 10 minutes from order to pickup, and the crew was incredibly delightful! I got an everything bagel with egg, sausage, and cream cheese. YUM!

Pretty much an institution in Charlottesville with a pretty simple bagel-oriented menu.... however these bagels just can't be beaten! Lines in the mornings can be intimidating, but the staff moves like clockwork so the wait is never that long.

Price increases twice in past year . Food has went downhill. Last time I got a hard piece of sausage. This time a burned bagel. For increased prices and increased wages I would expect at minimal the same food quality.

Just read the the Bodo's employees want to Unionize. That is Great ! I'm union member since 1973 .Great benefits, sick days, holidays and Job Security !!! Also, as Union members , they can't be jerked around by the mgt at will. That would be all Bodo's employees in Local 400. There is strength in Unity !!! AND management Better Not try to penalize those who are organizing the membership !!!!!!!!!

Great customer service very clean, if you like bagels must visit here.

These bagels are served warm. So fresh! Check out the breakfast or the chicken salad (turkey). So good!

This location is in the heart of UVA. Best bagels in town, seriously you can’t find better bagels. The only issue with the place is parking can be difficult to find for nonresidents. There is a paid lot behind the building that usually has spots available but be sure to pay as they do tow frequently. I pay no matter what at that lot. That tow truck has no remorse. Don’t be intimidated by long lines as Bodo’s knows how to make that line move, just like a New York Bagel joint. I’m a huge fan of the egg and bacon sandwich on an everything bagel and my kids just love the bagel with cream cheese.

I'm from NJ and can be particular about bagels. This is one of the best bagels I've had outside of the NY/NJ area! They're actually cooked like bagels - not regular bread molded into bagel shape. That seems like a low standard, but it's not met most of the time! These are cooked to perfection. I agree with another reviewer who said they'd prefer the cream cheese to be a little less runny, though. Service is very fast. I was here for the lunch rush (and have been to the other location on Emmet St.) and their system is impressive. You shouldn't have to wait too long. The prices are also pretty reasonable.

Amazing bagels, speedy service that you will need even on a Saturday morning. I enjoyed a whole wheat bagel with white eggs, ham, and cheese, but you cannot go wrong with any choice. Coffee is also good.

Bodo’s had great bagels, but I didn’t love the cream cheese. The bagels were cooked perfectly, but the cream cheese was way too runny. I also would prefer that they cut the bagels in half after putting on cream cheese to make it easier to eat. The staff was super nice and the prices were very reasonable. Also, great mirror to snap a quick selfie so I could tell my parents I was eating a bagel.

Going there on a Sunday morning is an experience. The line will be long but it moves fast. I got a capicola everything bagel with kalamata olives, feta cheese, and jalapeño lime schmear and it was fantastic, you can taste the freshness of the bagels and the customization means there is always something for everyone. I just wish they had sweet tea along with their unsweetened counterpart.

I got an everything bagel with cream cheese and it was the freshest, best bagel I’ve ever had. The bagel was so warm and tasted right out of the oven. It made the cream cheese a little melty but it was just so good. Sadly I don’t like close, but I’m dying to go back.

Local Charlottesville spot with some great bagel sandwiches. Egg sandwiches are served all day long and you can't go wrong with those. Great school atmosphere.

We went to see Zombies and it was a great venue. Good acoustics and an intimate feeling. If you park at parking garage it’s about 1/2 block to mall and the Jefferson Theater is right around the corner. We enjoyed the evening.

Music venues need to excel in many different ways to earn a 5-star review from me. Sound quality, first and foremost, sight-lines from all the viewing areas must be good, and there needs to be the right welcoming vibe from the moment you enter the door. The Jefferson Theater rates well in every one of these aspects, and the staff completes the deal by making every guest feel appreciated and important. And now they offer food from their next door restaurant, the wonderful Cinema Taco, right in the lobby. I think The Jefferson is now one of the top venues to see live music on the east coast.

Had a great time! The people checking tickets and IDs were very kind as well as the bartender. I don’t like crowds much and the balcony was a perfect place to lean and watch the concert. The floor of theater looked angled so that people in the back could still see decently. Plus, there’s the parking deck nearby thats easy to use! Overall great concert experience.

Went for a concert yesterday, beautiful architecture and sound quality. It was a great experience, with a refreshing closeness to the bands, and I hope to see future concerts there. If your band is going to be there, you won't be disappointed. The main floor slopes down from the stairs to reach it toward the stage, allowing for anyone to be able to clearly see the stage. It wasn't open during my concert visit, but there is at least one balcony and maybe even a higher balcony as well. From the lobby on the main level was a bar to the right, and the bands had tables to the left for selling merchandise. This level had tables for disabled to sit at and enjoy concert experience, with stairs that went down to the main floor. Bathrooms in lobby, with sign saying additional available. For male restroom at least there is one seat and one urinal, the seat is not segregated if you are the shy kind. Parking was available via city lots and garages nearby, and plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy in the historic mall area. This includes an attached grill, although we didn't check it out during this visit.

Great venue! Good shows & the staff is very friendly. Parking nearby was fairly easy to find.

I always feel safe when at the Jefferson for shows. The staff is really aware and keen on safety and the service is great!

Amazing, intimate venue. Excellent acoustics. Well stocked bars upstairs and down. The attached taco bar was delicious!

Such a cool venue!! Clean and service is always wonderful, my fiancé and i went and seen noah cirus .

Such a wonderful place for a concert. Not too crazy packed, room to sit down upstairs and also room to dance. The bathroom was clean and not crowded. No long lines either. The architecture itself was beautiful. There was no seating in front of the stage so it's a free for all if you want to get to the front, no paying extra for vip or pit seats. Got right in front for 50 bucks. The town and area are also very safe from what I experienced. Everyone was so polite! Great concert etiquette.

One of the greatest venues I’ve been to. Staff is amazing excellent, sound was perfect, plenty of space to move around and the show was sold out. This place is awesome. Can’t wait to go back!

A great venue to see any band or show. Not a bad view from anywhere in the house. Great snacks and drinks available at multiple locations inside. Super helpful staff makes it quick to get you in and they make sure you're well taken care of all night. Can't wait to go back for another show. Loved Yam Yams and Pigeons Playing Pingpong up close and personal.

Went here to see BlackBerry Smoke and it's an awesome venue. Far better than your usual stadium with uncomfortable and crowded seats. At the Jefferson you get to see the band up close with no large monitors needed. If you like a birds eye view from a seated position you can pay a little extra for balcony seats otherwise regular general admission puts you on the slopped floor right in front of the stage. General admission for this band on a Tuesday night was $45 a ticket. Also the parking is easy and affordable either in an open lot or parking garage. The walk from the car is about 0.5 blocks. Honestly? I want all my favorite bands to play here.

Attended a concert here, The Leg Warmers. Ticketing and admission was easy with no hassle. There are two bars serving drinks, one on the main floor and the lower level. Overall it was a great venue for the concert with good amenities and easy admission.

Great show (Blackberry Smoke), sound, staff and venue. Thx! The slightly sloped main floor area makes it easy for even standing room crowd to see the stage well I will be back .