The Historic Roanoke City Market is the oldest such market in continuous use in Virginia. In 1882 licenses were issued to 25 hucksters. The city of Roanoke’s first charter formally authorized a municipally owned market in 1884, and the first permanent Market Building was completed in 1886. This formed the core of a continuing curb market in and around the Market Square. The present Market Building was erected in 1922 to replace the original structure. Today the building is a food court and shopping facility. The market includes unique shopping, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, antique shops, visitor information center and much more. Additionally; the #1 Fire Station, built in 1907 can be seen and is a historic landmark. Modeled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia, it remains open and is free to tours (located on Church Stree

From our atrium (with our many fish tanks, including the 8000 gallon showpiece) to our rooftop with majestic views ranging from mountains to the heart of downtown Roanoke, we hope you enjoyed the variety of exhibits, views, and memories that are made here every day!

ADMISSION IS FREE! – Areas Requiring NO Admission Ticket: Coral Reef, Jellyfish, Predators of the Amazon, & Turtles of Virginia AQUARIUMS [Atrium] LIVING ROOFTOP and OBSERVATION DECKS [Sixth and Seventh Floors] **Weather Permitting. May be closed for special events.

Center is the Square is also home to: The Don and Barbara Smith Children’s Museum, The Harrison Museum of African American Culture, Mill Mountain Theatre, The Science Museum of Western Virginia & The Roanoke Pinball Museum! These museums will require a separate fee.

No other home in the United States more accurately reflects the personality of its owner than Monticello. Monticello is the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson—designed and redesigned and built and rebuilt for more than forty years—and its gardens were a botanic showpiece, a source of food, and an experimental laboratory of ornamental and useful plants from around the world.

Guided tours of the house are offered daily throughout the year; outdoor gardens and plantation tours are offered daily April-October. Children under 5 are free. Reduced rates for adult and student groups are available.

The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia exhibits art from around the world dating from ancient times to the present day. In addition to its permanent collection of approximately 12,000 objects, the Museum presents an ongoing schedule of changing exhibitions, accompanied by related programs and publications. The Fralin exhibits American and European painting, works on paper, and sculpture of the 15th–20th centuries; art from the ancient Mediterranean; Asian art; Native American art. Highlights of the collection of modern paintings, sculpture, and works on paper include American figurative art and photography.

The Museum is handicapped accessible. Admission is free; donations are welcome. Public Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 12-5 pm. Docent-led tours by appointment: 434.243.2050.

The Draftsman is a vibrant upscale boutique hotel beautifully situated on W. Main Street in downtown Charlottesville with easy access to the UVA, Medical Center and The Downtown Mall. The evocative spirit of Virginia’s original voices and visions of 3 Presidents—Madison, Monroe and most notably, the profound ingenuity of Thomas Jefferson—are presented in engaging ways with references to the past, present and future of this storied, historic region.

More than just a place to lay your head, The Doyle encourages curiosity for the unique, inspiring and beautiful. A momentous tribute to the art, culture, and history that makes each stay everything but usual. This is the first boutique art hotel to be built in Charlottesville’s historic downtown.

The Japanese word ten can mean “heaven”, “above” or “celebration” and the dining experience at TEN modern Japanese restaurant is all of these things.TEN creates traditional Japanese dishes as works of modern art. Ingredients are approached as building blocks of inspiration, and the plates are crafted to please both the palate and the eye. Superior products are used and the seafood arrives daily from fishing auctions in Japan and Hawaii. Beyond the incredibly fresh sushi, the menu features a variety of hot and cold ala carte items and offers many choices for vegetarians as well as non-seafood eaters. The bar menu boasts an extensive list of Sake as well as exceptional wines by the glass and popular specialty cocktails. And the beautifully designed dining space is as pleasing to the senses as the food and drink.

Late in his life, atop Monticello mountain located adjacent to the small hamlet of Charlottesville, Virginia, Thomas Jefferson envisioned vineyards and wines from his native state standing shoulder to shoulder with the great wines of the Old World. He planted his vineyards close to home that year, but his efforts were in vain, and his vision remained unfulfilled.

Some 200 years later, the counties surrounding Monticello were designated the Monticello Viticultural Area(AVA), in recognition of the region’s distinguished and burgeoning wine industry. Over half of Virginia’s 2000 vineyard acres grow within the Monticello AVA, and over 30 wineries produce fine wines of national and international acclaim.

With homemade salads and submarines full of any and every kind of yummy tasting veggie and meat you can think of, Mel’s Café is the perfect stop on the road. Here you can find beef hot dogs, bacon cheese dog, homemade pork, or even the One Eye Cheeseburger. Here sandwiches and dinner are offered with side orders of macaroni, fries, onion rings, and even wings. And make sure you don’t forget desserts of cheesecake, apple pie, or the amazing grilled donuts with ice cream. Don’t miss their Facebook page where you can follow the owners on all their updates and exciting things happening at the café. It’s a time and meal you don’t want to miss out on.

 

As foodies search for culinary experiences in an unending world of options, Stony Point Development Group set out to deliver a food market that will bring the celebration of food and beverage together under one roof. Located in the historic Monticello Dairy Building in downtown Charlottesville, Dairy Market is the first market hall concept in Virginia’s Central Piedmont. At capacity, the Dairy will have up to 18 merchant stalls and 11,500 sq. ft. of exciting retail space. Dairy Market is extremely proud to be bringing the National Food Hall Revolution to this treasured landmark, that for decades, Charlottesville residents have been calling a hometown favorite community gathering place. Building on this iconic local brand and continuing the farm-to-fork tradition will be a key ingredient and give Dairy Market visitors a true sense of place and the thrill of an authentic culinary experience.