City of Charlottesville

Known colloquially as C-ville, the City of Charlottesville encompasses just over 10 sq. miles of land area entirely surrounded by Albemarle County. The city was founded in 1762 and has been home to two presidents, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Jefferson in particular still looms large in the city’s identity, both for his home, Monticello, located just outside the city limits, and for the University of Virginia, which he founded. With a sprawling campus and a student population of nearly 20,000, UVA is the defining feature of Charlottesville. However, far from being merely a college town, it is a business center in the region and offers a variety of shopping and dining options for travelers. Though only around 50,000 people call the city home, the population increases to nearly 150,000 when considering the surrounding metropolitan area.

The Rivanna Trail circles the perimeter of the City of Charlottesville, with access points in a number of parks and other locations around the city. Riverview Park, which is a trail access point, is one of the best hotspots in the city. Located on the Rivanna River, the park is mainly wooded and can be terrific for migrant passerines. McIntire Park, on the north side of the city, is partially given over to sports fields, but it does have some wood edges and large, weedy fields that can offer good birding. Greenbriar Park offers birders in Charlottesville a brushy field great for wintering sparrows and finding fall migrants. There are relatively few large bodies of standing water in the city, so waterfowl and shorebirds can be difficult. The best way to get waterfowl is by checking along the Rivanna River during winter freezes. In past freezes, Common Goldeneye, Canvasbacks, and other diving ducks have been found along the river viewable from Riverview. Shorebirds are also difficult in Charlottesville, though Spotted Sandpipers can be found along the Rivanna during migration. The best place for other shorebirds is McIntire Marsh, which is a small pool of water close to McIntire Marsh that has had Wilson’s Snipe and Solitary Sandpiper in the past. It is worth a visit after a storm or cold front to see if anything unexpected has dropped in. Many people recreationally walk the trail along McIntire Marsh; visiting early in the morning before any shorebirds could be flushed away is recommended. Additionally, numerous birding opportunities exist in the surrounding counties. Ivy Creek Natural Area, just north of the city, is a popular destination, as is Shenandoah NP, located to the west. Birders seeking more information on surrounding areas should consult the Albemarle and Augusta pages.

Notable records in Charlottesville include Rufous Hummingbird, Sandhill Crane, Red Phalarope, Mississippi Kite, Varied Thrush, Common Redpoll, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Lark Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Painted Bunting, and Dickcissel

—Andrew Rapp

Hotspots

Amenities

Birders visiting Charlottesville will find no shortage of amenities, and may even find themselves making a return trip for non-birding reasons. The centerpiece of the city, in this regard, is The Downtown Mall, a pedestrian shopping and dining area in the heart of the city stretching for several blocks. In 2013, Charlottesville was ranked 14th in the nation in restaurants per capita, so visitors will find no shortage of dining options. Many of these places are located on or near The Downtown Mall, which boasts an impressive array of restaurants including a wide variety of cuisines and running the gamut in terms of price. A good option for birders looking for a quick, inexpensive lunch is Marco & Luca, a local mainstay known for their delicious fried dumplings. C'ville Coffee is an excellent morning stop for pastries, coffee, and breakfast sandwiches, and is located in close proximity to McIntire Park. Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, on the Downtown Mall, is a quaint cozy tea room that is also worth a visit for anyone in need of a hot drink. Those in search of a more substantial, sit-down meal might consider The Shebeen Pub & Braai, which offers up South African-inspired dishes.

In addition to dining options, Charlottesville also has plenty of options for shopping and entertainment. The Downtown Mall has an assortment of local shops including art galleries, used bookstores, record stores, and consignment shops. Music lovers will also want to visit Plan 9 Music, located on the north side of the city. Away from the Downtown Mall, plenty of shopping options can also be found at the Barracks Road Shopping Center and on Main Street. The Charlottesville City Market is also an attraction that is not to be missed. For live entertainment, The Paramount and the Jefferson Theater, both on The Downtown Mall, attract national acts for intimate performances in a historic theater setting. For larger shows, including performances by Charlottesville native Dave Matthews, the John Paul Jones Arena at UVA often has an impressive lineup.

Craft beer fans will find plenty to love about Charlottesville, which is home to 8 breweries. Again, the Downtown Mall is a hub of activity, with several breweries located either on the Mall or within easy walking distance. South Street Brewery and Champion Brewing Co. both sit just a street back. Away from the mall, the main Three Notch'd taproom and Random Row Brewing are both located on Preston Avenue. To the north, Reason Beer is located just barely beyond the city limits. In addition to breweries, there are many other locations in the city to find a good selection of craft brews. Charlottesville Draft Taproom is located on the Downtown Mall, and Sedona Taphouse is at the Barracks Road shopping center. East of the Downtown Mall, Beer Run combines a restaurant, bottle shop, and bar in one location that has one of the best beer selections in the city and was voted one of the best beer bars in the country by Draft Magazine in 2014 and 2015.