A 3-Day Travel Itinerary for Charlottesville, VA

• Day 1: Visit the Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's House). Explore the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, and learn about his life and contributions to American history. Don't miss the chance to tour the wine cellar and gardens.
• Day 2: Visit the University of Virginia, the school founded by Thomas Jefferson. Take a guided tour of the campus and enjoy the beautiful architecture and history of the historic school. Afterwards, head to the Downtown Mall to shop and dine at local restaurants.
• Day 3: Visit Shenandoah National Park, a nature preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains famous for its scenic drives, hiking trails, and stunning views. Don't forget to stop by Luray Caverns, the largest series of caverns in the eastern United States, on the way back.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Monticello (2-3 hours, $30)
• University of Virginia (2-3 hours, free)
• Downtown Mall (2-3 hours, varied)
• Shenandoah National Park (4-5 hours, $30 per car)
• Luray Caverns (2-3 hours, $30)
Total Estimated Costs: $120 (not including food and transportation)

Transportation

Charlottesville is an easily walkable city, and you can explore most attractions on foot. If you're planning to visit the sites outside the city, you may want to rent a car or sign up for a tour. Uber and Lyft are also available if you don't want to drive, but check prices as they may be higher during peak tourist seasons.

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, consider visiting the nearby wineries and breweries that are famous for their drinks. Also, if you have less time, consider skipping the downtown mall and spending more time at Monticello, University of Virginia or Shenandoah National Park.

Airports

The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO) is the local airport, located about 9 miles north of downtown Charlottesville. The airport code is CHO, and it is a small airport with limited flights. The Richmond International Airport (RIC) is another option for travelers, which is about 70 miles east of Charlottesville.