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" You can&amp;#039;t think of Charlottesville without thinking of Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia. And for good reason: It&amp;#039;s the quintessential college town, and it&amp;#039;s steeped in presidential history. For Marijean Jaggers, 40, who heads her own communications firm, that&amp;#039;s a great place to start to get a true sense of her city. First stop: Monticello, for a tour of Jefferson&amp;#039;s grand mountaintop home and gardens, which are blooming with marigolds this time of year. Next, UVA, which Jefferson founded in 1819 and also designed. &amp;quot;Everywhere you look you&amp;#039;ll see Jeffersonian architecture: the white columns, the red brick,&amp;quot; she says\u2014especially the Rotunda on the Lawn, which was based on the Pantheon in Rome. (Historical tours begin August 23.) Ready for more? Here are Marijean&amp;#039;s tips on what to see and do, beyond the history.   Raise a Glass: Monticello Wine Trail   Napa Valley may be better-known wine country, but oenophiles will find plenty to tempt their taste buds at the 23 vineyards in the Charlottesville area. The mainly boutique wineries, all within 30 minutes of town, owe a debt to Thomas Jefferson, who planted vineyards (unsuccessfully) at Monticello. So start your wine journey at nearby Blenheim Vineyards, one of six stops along the southern portion of the trail. Its tasting room has a cool paneled glass floor that lets you peer into the wine cellar below. (Tastings are $5\u2013$10.) Photo: courtesy of Blenheim Vineyards   Express Yourself: Freedom of Expression Wall Tell the world\u2014well, at least the city\u2014what&amp;#039;s on your mind at this interactive monument downtown that celebrates the First Amendment. The two-sided slate wall, which stands 7 1/2 feet high by 54 feet long and features an inscription of the First Amendment, gives anyone with something to say a place to say it. Just grab a piece of chalk and start writing. &amp;quot;People write all kinds of stuff\u2014love messages, political statements, song lyrics, their name, responses to what others have written\u2014and draw artwork,&amp;quot; says Marijean.   Dinner with a View: Fossett&amp;#039;s Restaurant   Named in honor of Thomas Jefferson&amp;#039;s personal chef, Edith Fossett, whose portrait hangs in the dining room, this elegant eatery is known as much for its views as for its food. Located at Keswick Hall, a century-old mansion-turned-hotel set on a country estate, the restaurant features three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. No matter where you sit, you&amp;#039;ll have panoramic views of rolling hills and mountains. The seasonal menu, a mix of French and regional cuisine, includes local ingredients, many from the estate&amp;#039;s own garden. Photo: courtesy of Orient Express   Heart of the Action: The Downtown Mall Ask any local for the place to go in town and he&amp;#039;ll point you to this bustling pedestrian mall on Main Street\u2014eight brick-lined blocks of boutiques, alfresco eateries, theaters, gourmet markets, art galleries, music venues and sidewalk musicians. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s where everyone goes to hang out and have a good time,&amp;quot; says Marijean. &amp;quot;And if you want a quick bite for less than $10, stop by Marco &amp;amp;amp; Luca for the delicious Chinese dumplings and hot pork buns. It&amp;#039;s the best inexpensive meal in town.&amp;quot;   A Day at the Races: Foxfield   If you will be in town September 25, take in the annual Family Day steeplechase races and watch majestic thoroughbreds jump fences against the backdrop of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. &amp;quot;Charlottesville is in the heart of horse country, and this is the signature event of Albemarle County,&amp;quot; says Marijean. People often tailgate, there are pony rides and other fun activities for the kids, and a portion of the proceeds benefits a local children&amp;#039;s charity. ($25 per person plus $15 for parking; kids 8 and under are admitted free.) Photo: courtesy of Charlottesville Albermarle Convention &amp;amp;amp; Visitors Bureau   A Cool Place to Shop: Cha Cha&amp;#039;s This eclectic little downtown boutique on East Main Street is all about high camp. &amp;quot;They have a crazy, kitschy collection of\u2026well, just about everything,&amp;quot; says Marijean. &amp;quot;You&amp;#039;ll find funky jewelry, retro paper lanterns, robot measuring cups and lots of other fun stuff.&amp;quot; Best of all, the price is right: Nothing in the store will cost you more than $40.   Hit the Trail: Shenandoah National Park   To see trees ablaze with the spectacular reds, oranges and yellows of fall&amp;#039;s foliage season, head to the Appalachian Trail in nearby Shenandoah National Park\u2014101 miles of hiking trails (with various access points) that wind along the mountain range. &amp;quot;The view of the mountains is breathtaking,&amp;quot; says Marijean. You&amp;#039;ll pass by waterfalls, too. And keep an eye out for red-tailed hawks, white-tailed deer and other wildlife that make their home in the park. Photo: courtesy of National Park Service   Wondering about where to stay and how to get around once you are in Charlottesville? Click here to find out. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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