Charlottesville

Speaking with a local will reveal that Charlottesville is known as "Mr. Jefferson's Town." Indeed, Thomas Jefferson's legacy is clearly seen at this place. You may still feel his presence when you stroll through Monticello's vegetable fields or past the Academical Village's columns at the University of Virginia. As James Monroe's home, Highland, is also located in this town (and interestingly, TJ played a role in Monroe's decision to purchase the site), this community carries the imprint of other founding fathers.

However, "C-Ville" is useful for more than simply a trip down memory lane; just look at the young, diversified populace for evidence. There are trendy coffee shops, hookah lounges, and an outdoor pavilion area where upcoming indie musicians perform every summer. Moreover, this city in central Virginia exhorts you to embrace both its traditions and its progressive spirit. Mr. Jefferson would not tolerate anything different.

Charlottesville is the ideal location to learn about our country's past (at Monticello or Highland, the homes of some of the country's first presidents) or future (at the University of Virginia, where some of the nation's top students enroll). Or you could simply savor the present moment. To achieve this, we suggest taking a gorgeous drive along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park (another must-see location in Virginia), located about 40 miles north, or going on a buzzed-up tour of one of the vineyards along the Monticello Wine Trail.

Rankings:

• #5 in Best Places to Visit in Virginia
  
• #8 in Best Places to Visit in April
  
• #29 in Best Weekend Getaways in the South

Location: Virginia