"UVA: Jefferson's Masterpiece Founded in 1819, UVA is one of America’s great universities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thomas Jefferson’s Academical Village is the heart of campus. The expansive Lawn is anchored by the grand Rotunda—the original library—and flanked by classical pavilions and arcades containing the original students’ rooms—still occupied by leading Fourth Year students. Gardens behind the Pavilions, separated by single-brick-thick serpentine walls, lead to a second range of student rooms including 13 West Range, once occupied by Edgar Allan Poe. Today, the campus stretches in every direction, all unified by a red-brick-and-columns aesthetic. For the full experience, check the University calendar for sports events, concerts, and lectures that are open to the public. Then spend some time at The Corner, the strip of shops, restaurants, and diners adjacent to campus."

"Jefferson's Fascinating Home A work in progress throughout his adult life, Monticello truly reflects Thomas Jefferson’s many passions: architecture, philosophy, science, music, literature, art, and food. Check out the excellent visitors' center first and take a shuttle to the mountaintop mansion with its expansive views. A guide takes you through the main-floor rooms, including Jefferson’s bedroom/study/library. Then explore the cellars, terrace walks, kitchen, thousand-foot vegetable garden, and Mulberry Row, where ongoing reconstruction illuminates the important roles slaves played at this complex and innovative plantation. Order timed tickets online for your desired date. Hours vary by season."

"Where UVA Goes to Shop, Eat, and Drink Stretching for seven blocks along University Avenue and West Main Street, The Corner is home to Mincer's, selling UVA sportswear and accessories, Paul Victorius, selling historic prints, and dozens of restaurants and nightspots including Bodo's Bagels, The College Inn, Littlejohn's New York Deli, the venerable Virginian, and the classic greasy spoon diner White Spot. The stylish Graduate hotel is conveniently close to campus."

"Family Fun and Food With a View Head five miles out of town for great scenery and a fun family outing. Pick your own seasonal fruits and vegetables (or buy them at the farm stand) and enjoy casual farm-to-table dining, Prince Michel, wines and Bold Rock hard cider—all with an impressive view. Thursday evenings until 9 p.m. from May through September feature dinner, live music, hayrides, and memorable sunsets. The Apple Harvest Celebration starts in September."

"Fine Food, Great Drinks and Unpretentious Charm The C&O has been a mainstay of Charlottesville fine dining for decades. The vegetable soup and Steak Chinoise are justifiably beloved, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the French- and Southern-influenced menu. The historic building has exposed brick walls, creaky floorboards, and six dining areas, including a patio, to accommodate both special occasions and casual dinners."

"A hotel that describes its location in a university town as “across the street from everything you remember” is catering to a certain crowd, but you don’t need to be a student or alumnus to appreciate the Graduate’s proximity to campus, the pedestrian Downtown Mall, and views of the Southwest mountains. Amenities include free Wi-Fi and cruising bicycles, keycards with a sense of whimsy (featuring UVA alumni like Tina Fey and former local resident Jessica Lange in the old days), and a game and study room. Guest rooms are modern while still evoking nostalgia, with graphic plaid carpets and mounted wahoo fish (an unofficial nickname for UVA’s sports teams) above the beds. The sweet and shaggy Sheepdog Cafe serves coffee, cocktails, and comfort snacks like donuts and biscuits, while the rooftop restaurant Heirloom looks to local ingredients for dishes like cheddar and cider fondue. There are Graduate hotels in eight other university towns across the country (and growing), which may inspire you to take your own college tour."

"The Boar's Head Resort A bucolic resort in the Virginia Piedmont, the Boar’s Head Resort is as deeply rooted in Virginia as its owner and neighbor, the University of Virginia. The land has hosted travelers since 1759, with the original Birdwood mansion dating to 1830. A short drive from downtown Charlottesville, Boar’s Head has plenty to keep a visitor occupied without even leaving the property, including an 18-hole golf course, a full-service spa, a fitness center with squash and tennis courts, and three swimming pools. The resort has 175 rooms spread over 573 acres; suites feature a seating area and balcony or patio, and some have fireplaces. Dining options range from healthy café fare (necessary fuel for all those tennis matches), to a grill overlooking the golf green, to an elegant meal in the restored Old Mill Room. The Blue Ridge mountains are renowned for their fall foliage, but visit in summer for fewer crowds (and UVA students) and the English-inspired grounds and gardens in full bloom. Be sure to ask for details on arranging a hot-air balloon ride over the countryside to appreciate all of historic Virginia."