Any recomendations for fun things to do around Charlottesville, VA?

[punkin]

I am visiting family and need a day off to entertain my children (17 and 11) and myself. Any suggestions?

 

[Aristocath]

Visit Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's house) and Montpelier (James Madison's house) and Ashlawn-Highland (James Monroe's house). Whatever you do, don't eat lunch at Michie Tavern. What a tourist trap!

 

[wdwmom2]

Visited Monticello last year, VERY interesting!!!

 

[pipersmom]

Monticello is great, if you're only doing a day I would skip Montpelier and Ashlawn-Highlands. The downtown mall in C'ville is also a lot of fun and could be as long or as short as you make it. (Think mini DC Mall with shops instead of museums.) Just strolling around the campus is also fun, it's beautifully landscaped and the architecture is stunning. Charlottesville also has a nice park system if you're looking for something more active..ie packing a picnic and playing frisbee or something like that. I think you'll have fun whatever you decide to do!

 

[punkin]

Thanks for the ideas. Yes, we will only do a day (I guess even a partial day). Monticello looks perfect. The girls really liked Mount Vernon when we went and this looks much more elaborate.

 

[TeresaBelle]

I second the downtown mall idea. There is the VA Discovery Museum, more geared toward younger kids, my DD11 loved it when she was younger, shoot, she probably still would! Also, there is an ice skating rink, nice place to cool off during these HOT summer days!

http://www.vadm.org/

http://www.icepark.com/

Also, Meade Park now has a small waterpark! I haven't been but DD has with friends and she LOVES it!

http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=2401

 

[pipersmom]

I second the downtown mall idea. There is the VA Discovery Museum, more geared toward younger kids, my DD11 loved it when she was younger, shoot, she probably still would! Also, there is an ice skating rink, nice place to cool off during these HOT summer days!

http://www.vadm.org/

http://www.icepark.com/

Also, Meade Park now has a small waterpark! I haven't been but DD has with friends and she LOVES it!

http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=2401

Thanks, Teresa, we're not actually in C'ville, just frequent visitors to UVa Childrens. I didn't know if the ice park was still open or not. Will have to keep Meade Park in mind next time we're there!

 

[izzy]

The ice park closed down a week or so ago, but I heard that someone has bought it and is going to re-open it. I'm not sure if that's happened yet.

Definitely Monticello. Also, a stroll around the grounds of the University of Virginia is also nice, and you can go in the Rotunda. If you go to the Special Collections Library (which is within easy walking distance of the Rotunda), there is an original copy of the Declaration of Independence on display. It is one of only twenty-five surviving copies printed on the night of July 4, 1776.

If you want to drive a little further from C'ville (probably about 90 minutes), I can highly recommend Luray Caverns.

 

[TeresaBelle]

The ice park closed down a week or so ago, but I heard that someone has bought it and is going to re-open it. I'm not sure if that's happened yet.

Definitely Monticello. Also, a stroll around the grounds of the University of Virginia is also nice, and you can go in the Rotunda. If you go to the Special Collections Library (which is within easy walking distance of the Rotunda), there is an original copy of the Declaration of Independence on display. It is one of only twenty-five surviving copies printed on the night of July 4, 1776.

If you want to drive a little further from C'ville (probably about 90 minutes), I can highly recommend Luray Caverns.

Oh my! Sorry for passing on inaccurate info then...I hadn't heard that!