The Charlottesville center point is about the area of Charlottesville Amtrak and the area of Vinegar Hill Theatre.
You'll get better deals on lodging and airfare if you visit Charlottesville during the winter, but you'll have to bundle up every time you step outside your hotel. Plus, you won't get to enjoy the area's natural beauty. Consider visiting in late spring, instead, when UVA has finished the semester, and the city is less crowded. This is also the best time to tour wineries and attend tastings because it's the grape harvesting season.
If you love fall foliage, though, you might prefer an autumn vacation in Charlottesville. The trees and other plants change colors, which can make for amazing travel photographs. You'll feel the first bite of chilly wind during this time, but the temperatures will stay high enough for outdoor explorations during the day.
You can visit during the hot summer months, but you might find yourself uncomfortable if you're not used to temperatures in the high 90s. Additionally, summer brings more tourists to this city, so you'll pay more for travel expenses, and you'll be forced to fight the crowds at every tourist attraction.
If you're a AAA or CAA member, you can get a discount at the Econo Lodge North as well as the Sleep Inn & Suites Monticello. Just flash your membership card when you check in to receive the discounted rate.
You don't always have to choose between luxury and affordability. Several Charlottesville hotels feature great rates while also delivering premium amenities that make your visit more special. You'll still keep some cash in your pocket, but you won't have to feel like you're roughing it.
Start with the Days Inn, which is conveniently located on Emmett Street off the 250 Bypass. All rooms and suites at this hotel are 100 percent smoke-free, so you don't have to worry about foul odors when you walk down the corridors. You get not only a flat-screen television with cable channels, but also access to HBO programming. Free wireless internet access is available throughout the property, and you'll enjoy a free breakfast every morning before you start your Charlottesville adventures.
Alternatively, check out the Sleep Inn & Suites Monticello. It's a more modern choice that features free newspapers, coffee, and breakfast every morning. The rooms come with triple-sheeted bedding on king or queen mattresses, and some rooms also come with microwaves and refrigerators. If you feel like splurging a little, book a room with a whirlpool for the ultimate relaxation strategy after a long day of sightseeing.
There's an indoor heated pool and hot tub on the property, as well as an exercise room and guest laundry facilities. The indoor corridors also serve as a perk because they provide more safety when you're entering and exiting your room. Plus, the hotel is equipped with elevators, so you don't have to worry about lugging 50 pounds of luggage up three flights of stairs.
Shenandoah National Park offers all the outdoor adventure you could want. It's the perfect place to spot native Virginia wildlife, from white-tail deer to jackrabbits. It's also beautiful in terms of flora: you'll find flowers, plants, trees, and lush ground cover throughout the park.
If you're here to hike and you're in excellent physical condition, consider tackling the Old Rag Mountain Trail. It's the most challenging hike in the park, so bring along plenty of water. When you're not in the best shape or when you've brought the kids along, try an easier trek. The Snead Home Site trail covers just 1.6 miles, and you'll encounter a babbling brook along your way.
To get into Shenandoah National Park, you'll pay $20 per vehicle. The pass you'll receive lasts for seven days (including the day on which you purchase it), so you can visit as many times as you want so you can explore the entire park.
Charlottesville is one of the best destinations in Virginia thanks to the variety of activities it offers, so don't hesitate to choose a hotel, book your reservations, schedule your flight, and start drawing up an itinerary. You'll thank yourself the moment you arrive in this historic, diverse city.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Charlottesville, VA excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to City of Charlottesville / Albemarle
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2026, 2025 | September 30, 2027, 2027 | $142.00 | $80.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Charlottesville, VA from an actual visitor's perspective.
Charlottesville is a real gem. What a beautiful place.
Everything
Everything! Such a fun place.
The architecture of the homes and University. The variety of everything.
Close to wedding venue at a winery. Activities for out of town guests.
It was easily accessible to Monticello.
Everything
Live here. While a quaint college town it's getting too big.
Charlottesville is so beautiful. The trees and hills and nature are spectacular!
Charlottesville is a great city. There's more Volvo's per square mile than any other place in the country.
I enjoyed the Trump Winery and Cidery and the downtown mall.
Good restaurants, easy access to Amtrak and public transport, very friendly and helpful people in shops/restaurants and the public in general. A very positive vibe about Charlottesville.
Charlottesville is lovely, excited to be moving there!
I was here for the medical center. I did not get to experience Charlottesville.
I didn't see very much of Charlottesville but I think the hotel was located in a great part of the city.
The staff was incredible, never had a better check in. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Above and beyond in getting us checked in to coming in clutch when we realized we had forgotten our toothbrushes. Friendly goes a long way and genuinely happy people are a treasure!
Monticello, Trump winery and cidery , tavern.
Convenient proximity to the Jefferson estate - Monticello.
Very close to UVA with great medical specialists, many fine restaurants and shopping.
I love everything about Charlottesville. Excellent restaurants. Tons of things to do at the downtown mall. It's a great place.
Restaurants and stores
It's a lovely city. We visited Monticello and McGuffey Art Center. Enjoyed our walk at the mall.
UVA Basketball and football games! Close to the mountains and King Family winery. Nice shopping opportunities. Great restaurants such as Ivy Inn and Boars Head Inn for special dinners and the Virginian for fun times before/after games and anytime.
Even though there was snow and ice all around, the main streets and parking lots were clear for visitors! Thank you Charlottesville! Great job!
Our eye specialist is now at UVA Medical Center. It was too cold for us to wander around the city Next time!
Convenience, slower pace in airport and real nice people.
Great restaurants to try. We loved Pineapple Tai and Cajun Pier. Charlottesville has a wonderful and historic university vibe.
Fairly easy car ride to the downtown mall where there were great restaurants available and small shops.
Charlottesville in the fall is very charming. The UVA campus provides nice energy, and the landscape is beautiful. The dining options are also quite exceptional.
Enjoyed sightseeing and enjoyed all the beautiful fall foliage.
The selection of restaurants and nightlife was great with everything within walking distance, making going out very simple.
Came for medical reasons at UVA. Really did not look around much. Traffic is very busy. Good restaurants.
A lovely city, lots to do.
Attractive and friendly.
I don't go anywhere but to hotel and out to eat some but overall good place.
Good eateries!
City has lots of history, beautiful scenery and a great university.
There was a very nice shopping/dining center across the street from the hotel.
Beautiful
Very nice place to visit
Charlottsville is a beautiful place lots to do and see.
Easy to find with GPS
I like the downtown mall the most--so many nice stores. There are lots of good restaurants and some history in the area.
Lovely, historic city
It is a very attractive city with many things of historical interest.
Good food, beautiful campus and an excellent hospital.
We visited the Appomattox Court House and grounds and Monticello. Both were very interesting and informative. There were plenty of restaurants within walking distance.
All activities were at the hotel.
Monticello and the Jefferson Winery!
Monticello Tour was very enjoyable and educational
Love the Jefferson & Madison sites, the horse farms and the wineries.
Beautiful wineries.
family lives here; Downtown Mall, Blue Ridge Pkwy, many great wineries
N/A
Proximity to mountains and historic places.
I enjoyed the history of Charlottesville and its historic section. The proximity of vineyards is a special drawing for the area.
I enjoyed the history of Charlottesville and its historic section. The proximity of vineyards is a special draw for the area.
UVA and the hospital! Loved the "Corner"!
Loved Monticello!
Very convenient access to UVA Medical Center.
It is my hometown. I love it!!
Shopping and restaurants.
Downtown Charlottesville was charming! So many restaurants and shops! And there was a helpful kiosk for brochures of sights around the city. Fell in love with the place!
I was only at the UVA Hospital. The hospital, surgeons, doctors, administrative staff front desk personnel and volunteers were the best of the best.
Cold Stone Creamery had the most delicious ice cream we have ever had. Being retired dairy farmers we go to ice cream places everywhere we visit.
The Comfort Inn service at the airport was superior. People were friendly and helpful.