7 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Charlottesville - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Charlottesville

Charlottesville, Virginia

The Raven Room

Edgar Allan Poe's old dorm is now a shrine to the author's legacy.

Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia’s Hidden Chemical Hearth

Hidden for 165 years inside a building designed by Thomas Jefferson are the remains of what may be America's first educational chemistry lab.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Monticello's Vegetable Garden and Fruitery

Thomas Jefferson's estate is home to hundreds of varieties of historic fruits and vegetables.

Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia's Seven Society

The story behind the mysterious symbol painted in front of the historic university's famous Rotunda.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Headstone of Anna Anderson

Anna Anderson spent most of her life claiming to be the lost Romanov child Anastasia.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia

The only museum outside of Australia dedicated to exhibiting the artwork of Indigenous Australian artists.

Are we missing something unusual in Charlottesville?

Barboursville, Virginia

Barboursville Ruins

The ruins of this Thomas-Jefferson-designed mansion have been left to crumble since the Christmas Day they burnt down.

14 miles from Charlottesville

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Charlottesville

Charlottesville, Virginia

Monticello's Vegetable Garden and Fruitery

Thomas Jefferson's estate is home to hundreds of varieties of historic fruits and vegetables.

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

8 Places in Virginia That Aren’t What They Seem

They say that Virginia is for lovers. If you love a little mystery, then they’re definitely right. With its mountain ranges, deep forests, and proximity to the nation’s capital, the state is filled with unusual corners and overlapping histories. From a Cold War bunker turned recording archive to a Styrofoam Stonehenge, these places in Virginia are more than meets the eye. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore America’s wonders. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask.

The <em>Cementiscope</em> is a jumble of color and light—inside a cement mixer.

Community Forums / United States / US: South

Top Discussions in the US: South Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
What would you do on a time crunch in DC?	19 December 9, 2019	3057	December 9, 2019
Carolina House with a Natural Cavern underneath	12 April 1, 2020	5478	April 1, 2020
New Orleans suggestions?	15 March 26, 2020	3550	March 26, 2020
Off the beaten path / hidden gems near Nashville?	9 November 20, 2019	2951	November 20, 2019
Nashville Music Shops — seeking recommendations	10 September 12, 2019	939	September 12, 2019

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cameronparsons71 wants to go to Monticello's Vegetable Garden and Fruitery

patrickscaffido wants to go to Headstone of Anna Anderson

patrickscaffido wants to go to University of Virginia's Seven Society

patrickscaffido wants to go to Monticello's Vegetable Garden and Fruitery

patrickscaffido wants to go to The Raven Room

Stories About Charlottesville

There are no known images of Hemings and only a few recipes attributed to the skilled chef, including one for poached meringue.

A Rare Recipe From a Talented Chef Enslaved by a Founding Father

Despite James Hemings’s leading role in Jefferson’s kitchen, he’s credited with only a handful of recipes.

by Natasha Frost

In Bristol, England, members of a Black Lives Matter protest topple a statue of Edward Colston, a slave trader and key figure in the founding of the city, on June 7, 2020.

Keeping Track of Monument Removals Could Be a Full-Time Job

So data scientist Emily Gorcenski created When They Came Down to crowdsource the stories behind the topplings.

by Britta Shoot

The Library-Themed Livestream Where Birds Stretch Their Wings

A little "library" that's literally for the birds.

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