Monticello - Home of Thomas Jefferson
The hometown of Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville is now the home of the University of Virginia. It is also the gateway to Shenandoah National Park one hour to the west. The area is filled with historical attractions. There are a number of dog-friendly activities in town for visitors and residents alike. Shenandoah National Park is one of the most dog-friendly National Parks in the nation.
In Charlottesville there are many dog-friendly hotels. But perhaps the most interesting place for you and your pet to stay is the Montfair Resort Farm about 15 miles northwest of town. There are eight pet-friendly cottages on this 129 acres between Charlottesville and Shenandoah National Park. Other pet-friendly lodging include the Doubletree Charlottesville, the Holiday Inn Charlottesville-Monticello and the Red Roof Inn - University of Virginia. There are also vacation rentals in the area that are pet-friendly. Further west, in Front Royal, Luray and Waynesboro Virginia there are hotels close in to the Shenandoah National Park. There are also vacation rentals near the park.
If you are camping in a motorhome or travel trailer in Charlottesville then try the Charlottesville KOA. There is also the Misty Mountain Camp Resort on a 50 acre park setting and includes sites with hookups and primitive sites for tents and dry camping. Near Shenandoah there is the Jellystone Park in Luray, Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park and Loft Mountain also in the park.
In Charlottesville, there is a lot of history to see. There are a number of attractions that are dog-friendly. You can take your dog to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate where they can walk the grounds but can't go in the buildings. Dogs are also able to roam the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest Estate. The Patrick Henry National Memorial at Red Hill welcomes dogs on the trails and grounds of the estate as does the Booker T. Washington National Monument. If you want to shop the Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall is the place to go. There are water bowls at many shop entrances here and dogs may sit on many of the outdoor patios. There are other dog-friendly restaurants throughout town. Charlottesvlle sits in the middle of Virginia's wine country and there are a number of area wineries where you can sample wines with your dog with you at the outdoor seats. Darden Towe Park has a fenced off-leash dog park and leashed dogs can explore the rest of the 110 acre park.
Shenandoah National Park is one of the most dog-friendly National Parks. Dogs are allowed on most trails in the park, a rarity for a U.S. National Park. The park covers 300 square miles of forest. Visitors access the park on the 105 mile long, 35 mph speedlimit Skyline Drive and there are many sites of interest and trails along the roadway. There are many scenic overlooks in the park and at milepost 32 is Mary's Rock Tunnel. Dogs are also welcome to camp with you in the park. Like Charlottesville, Delaplane near the park lies in Virginia's wine country and has a number of pet-friendly wineries.
Nearby places to visit with a dog include Colonial Williamsburg, Washington D.C and Alexandria and the Northern Virginia Area, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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