Fun Fact: The Dave Matthews Band started in Charlottesville in 1991.

Albemarle County Rates 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We spent one day getting away from civilization at the county’s best kept secret, Totier Creek Reservoir Park. The following day we toured the county’s best known landmark, Monticello, dined in Charlottesville, and hunted for LOVEworks.

We rated our impressions below. Ratings are based on diversity and quality of each category and all categories received 5 out of 5 stars. (I didn’t bring my bike on this trip but based on research it looks awesome.)

• History ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Recreation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Sightseeing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Restaurants ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Dog Friendly ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Accommodations ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Best Kept Secret of Albemarle County

We couldn’t believe that we had Totier Creek Reservoir Park all to ourselves. Does no one know about this place?

We spent all day exploring the trails, kayaking…

and fishing

The trails did not disappoint with all the flora, fauna and fungi.

Of course, getting back to nature doesn’t come without the occasional risk. During our hike, Mack suddenly yells,

LISA!! RUN!!!

& he takes off as fast as he can. Before I can react, a yellow jacket stings me on the leg. YOW!! Now I start running. Yellow jackets are everywhere…We must have stepped on a nest. Mack escaped unharmed but one yellow jacket got me good. At least I didn’t get multiple stings.

The Best Known Landmark in Albemarle County

Monticello in September 2013. Photo by Martin Falbisoner • license information. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monticello

Check out the Smithsonian’s video on Monticello, featuring stunning scenery and key historical factoids.

The next day, we returned to civilization, specifically Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. I last visited Monticello in 1996 and I explained to Mack how much the tour had evolved since then. During my initial trip I don’t remember any mention of the enslaved people who lived, labored, were sold from, or died at Monticello. The issue of slavery was swept under the rug.

Today, the tour provided more transparency. It now centered around the enslaved, including Sally Hemings, mother of six of Jefferson’s children.

The burial plots provide a stark contrast between the Haves and Have Nots who are linked to Monticello.

The grand family cemetery features the prominent tombstone marking Jefferson’s grave.

However, the slaves are buried in unmarked graves, as shown in the photo above.

A Splendid Five Star Trail

Leashed dogs are welcome except on boardwalk portions.

Placards are posted throughout to identify various trees and plants.

Dining

There are so many delightful restaurants in Charlottesville. Be sure to review the Charlottesville 29 (the annual list of the 29 best restaurants in Charlottesville). Even better, you can find all of the dog friendly Charlottesville restaurants at BringFido.com.

We stopped at Moose’s by the Creek for a tasty breakfast & also to admire the decor.

LOVE works

If you love LOVEworks, you have come to the right place.

• Start at the Montfair Resort Farm in Crozet

• Then drive to the Ix Art Park in Charlottesville

• Next, check out the LOVEworks at the Albemarle SPCA.

Albemarle SPCA

Speaking of the Albemarle SPCA, after snapping a photo of the LOVEworks be sure to step inside to say Hi to the dogs in the kennels. You might see other cuties such as parakeets and rabbits.

Know before You Go

Charlottesville is the city that launched a thousand weekends. Keep in mind that Albemarle County and Charlottesville offer so many options that it’s not possible to do them all in one visit. For example, there are a dozen or so State Parks, over 40 wineries, about a million restaurants, live music at a wide selection of venues, a portion of the Appalachian Trail, the Shenandoah National Park, and don’t forget Edgar Allan Poe’s room at the University of Virginia.

Be sure to check out the official travel site for Albemarle County and Charlottesville. Also, the Great Virginia Waterfall Trail provides everything you need to know about finding Albemarle County’s 3 gorgeous waterfalls: Doyles River, Jones Run, and Big Branch.

Road Trip Reads

Before your visit, check out Encyclopedia Virginia’s fascinating biography of Martha Jefferson Randolph, Thomas Jefferson’s daughter who lived at Monticello.

The following books, all available at Audible, for easy road trip listening, range from fun fiction to grim truths. They each provide different insights into the history and culture of Albemarle County and Charlottesville.

If you enjoy the book by Rita Mae Brown, there are many more books in that series, and all take place in Albemarle County.

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