Title: Visit Albemarle County: 2026 Travel Guide for Albemarle County, Virginia | Expedia.com [Albemarle County Hotels](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Albemarle-County.d553248635976432577.Hotel-Destinations)[Vacation Rentals in Albemarle County](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Albemarle-County.d553248635976432577.Vacation-Rental-Destinations)[Albemarle County Flights](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Albemarle-County.d553248635976432577.Flight-Destinations)[Things to do in Albemarle County](https://expedia.com/Things-To-Do-In-Albemarle-County.d553248635976432577.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Car Rentals in Albemarle County](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Albemarle-County.d553248635976432577.Car-Rental-Destinations)[Albemarle County Vacations](https://expedia.com/Albemarle-County.d553248635976432577.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Albemarle County, VA ## Virginia ![Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, who began designing and building Monticello at age 26 after inheriting land from his father. Located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Piedmont region, the plantation was originally 5,000 acres (20 km2), with Jefferson using slaves for extensive cultivation of tobacco and mixed crops, later shifting from tobacco cultivation to wheat in response to changing markets. Jefferson designed the main house using neoclassical design principles described by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, subsequently reworking the design through much of his presidency to include design elements popular in late 18th-century Europe and integrating numerous of his own design solutions. Situated on the summit of an 850-foot (260 m)-high peak in the Southwest Mountains south of the Rivanna Gap, the name Monticello derives from the Italian for "little mount". Along a prominent lane adjacent to the house, Mulberry Row, the plantation came to include numerous outbuildings for specialized functions, e.g., a nailery; quarters for domestic slaves; gardens for flowers, produce, and Jefferson's experiments in plant breeding — along with tobacco fields and mixed crops. Cabins for field slaves were located farther from the mansion. At Jefferson's direction, he was buried on the grounds, in an area now designated as the Monticello Cemetery. The cemetery is owned by the Monticello Association, a society of his descendants through Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.[4] After Jefferson's death, his daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph sold the property. In 1834 it was bought by Uriah P. Levy, a commodore in the U.S. Navy, who admired Jefferson and spent his own money to preserve the property. His nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy took over the property in 1879; he also invested considerable money to restore and preserve it. In 1923, Monroe Levy sold it to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF), which operates it as a house museum and educational institution. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1987 Monticello and the nearby University of Virginia, also designed by Jefferson, were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6082929/fc297070-6be5-4ba5-8b01-2648f1f046f8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, who began designing and building Monticello at age 26 after inheriting land from his father. Located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Piedmont region, the plantation was originally 5,000 acres (20 km2), with Jefferson using slaves for extensive cultivation of tobacco and mixed crops, later shifting from tobacco cultivation to wheat in response to changing markets. Jefferson designed the main house using neoclassical design principles described by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, subsequently reworking the design through much of his presidency to include design elements popular in late 18th-century Europe and integrating numerous of his own design solutions. Situated on the summit of an 850-foot (260 m)-high peak in the Southwest Mountains south of the Rivanna Gap, the name Monticello derives from the Italian for "little mount". Along a prominent lane adjacent to the house, Mulberry Row, the plantation came to include numerous outbuildings for specialized functions, e.g., a nailery; quarters for domestic slaves; gardens for flowers, produce, and Jefferson's experiments in plant breeding — along with tobacco fields and mixed crops. Cabins for field slaves were located farther from the mansion. At Jefferson's direction, he was buried on the grounds, in an area now designated as the Monticello Cemetery. The cemetery is owned by the Monticello Association, a society of his descendants through Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson.[4] After Jefferson's death, his daughter Martha Jefferson Randolph sold the property. In 1834 it was bought by Uriah P. Levy, a commodore in the U.S. Navy, who admired Jefferson and spent his own money to preserve the property. His nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy took over the property in 1879; he also invested considerable money to restore and preserve it. In 1923, Monroe Levy sold it to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF), which operates it as a house museum and educational institution. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1987 Monticello and the nearby University of Virginia, also designed by Jefferson, were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6082929/fc297070-6be5-4ba5-8b01-2648f1f046f8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Jefferson’s plantation home confirmed as UNESCO cultural site in 1987. Lots of visitors daily, so shooting something in the foreground helps to mask wanderers.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6082929/d6cbb035-1405-425b-8467-fb5a7dec8c80.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Best look out south of the park! Loving the clouds today ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6046211/243a043e-ffb8-4b2b-9605-4e1480248a7a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![One of the many beautiful waterfalls off of Skyline Drive in Virginia. This was one of many my friend Cassie and I saw while hiking Doyle's River Falls trail this summer. ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6046211/fbb9f7da-d1d0-4fcf-89be-315aa93db3be.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ### Popular cities in Albemarle County [Charlottesville Known for Universities, Sports and Wineries ](https://expedia.com/Charlottesville.dx6057012) Experience the Virginian wilderness surrounding this enchanting university town. Join a walking tour to see historic colonial architecture. ## Reasons to visit - University of Virginia - Monticello - Downtown Mall [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Charlottesville.dx6057012)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Charlottesville-Hotels.d6057012.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Afton Known for Mountains, Scenery and Sunrises ](https://expedia.com/Afton.dx6056907) Get away to Afton! Enjoy the mountains, sunrises, and camping. ## Reasons to visit - Veritas Vineyard and Winery - Afton Mountain Vineyards - Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Afton.dx6056907)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Afton-Hotels.d6056907.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Crozet Known for Dining, Wineries and Coffee ](https://expedia.com/Crozet.dx6046211) Romantic Crozet is calling! Discover its wineries, food, hiking, and more. ## Reasons to visit - King Family Vineyards - Doyles River Falls - White Hall Vineyards [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Crozet.dx6046211)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Crozet-Hotels.d6046211.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Keswick Known for Dining and Wineries ](https://expedia.com/Keswick.dx184094) Escape to Keswick! Enjoy its wineries and food. ## Reasons to visit - Keswick Vineyards and Winery [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Keswick.dx184094)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Keswick-Hotels.d184094.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [North Garden Known for Family-friendly, Business and Romantic ](https://expedia.com/North-Garden.dx6126259) Trip time! Discover the local cuisine, sports, and wineries in romantic North Garden. ## Reasons to visit - Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards [Explore City](https://expedia.com/North-Garden.dx6126259)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/North-Garden-Hotels.d6126259.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Scottsville Known for Dining, Wineries and Relaxing ](https://expedia.com/Scottsville.dx184107) Relaxing Scottsville is calling! Discover its food, wineries, history, and more. 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