Charlottesville, VA

Ride Amtrak to Charlottesville

Visit Charlottesville

Founded in 1752, the City of Charlottesville is located in Central Virginia in Abermarle County, approximately 100 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. and 70 miles northwest of Richmond, Virginia. Charlottesville is home to world-renowned historic sites, including the homes of three of the country’s founding fathers including Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and the founder of the University of Virginia, also located in Charlottesville. Learn more about things to do and see in Charlottesville.

Getting Around Charlottesville

Jaunt is central Virginia’s regional public transit system, serving Albemarle, Buckingham, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. Jaunt offers curb-to-curb demand-response service, commuter fixed-route service, and ADA paratransit service.

Charlottesville Station Information

Amtrak’s Charlottesville station, located at 810 West Main Street in Charlottesville is served by Cardinal, Cresecent, and NER, and is within walking distance to the UVA campus.

Must See Attractions

Historic pedestrian Downtown Mall

Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall is a vibrant collection of more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants housed in historic buildings along the city’s Main Street. See a movie or a play and experience live music at one of several performance venues. Convenient parking as well as a free trolley service connecting the Downtown Mall to the University of Virginia make the downtown area easy to visit.

University of Virginia

When Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819 he inaugurated a bold experiment: a public university designed to advance human knowledge, educate leaders, and cultivate an informed citizenry. More than two centuries later, this vision is thriving. Across Grounds, and throughout the world, UVA students, faculty, staff, and alumni challenge convention, break barriers, and pursue the greater good. UVA must-sees:

The Rotunda (part of the UNESCO World Heritage site)
Memorial to Enslaved Laborers
UVA Corner District

Jefferson School African American Heritage Center

Jefferson African American Heritage Center

The Jefferson School of African American Heritage Center features a permanent historical exhibit, a rotating contemporary art gallery, and a robust calendar of events, all of which combine to highlight Charlottesville’s African American history and culture of the African diaspora.

Dairy Market

Located in the historic Monticello Dairy Building in downtown Charlottesville, Dairy Market is the first market hall concept in Virginia’s Central Piedmont. At capacity, the Dairy will have up to 18 merchant stalls and 11,500 sq. ft. of retail space. Dairy Market is extremely proud to be bringing the National Food Hall Revolution to a treasured landmark that Charlottesville residents have been calling a hometown favorite community gathering place for decades. Building on this iconic local brand and continuing the farm-to-fork tradition will be a key ingredient and give Dairy Market visitors a true sense of place and the thrill of an authentic culinary experience.