Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, The University of Virginia was the first college in the United States to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Volunteer student guides lead regularly scheduled historical tours of the campus several times a day.
Tours are unscripted, and the content will vary according to the guide, but groups of more than 15 people can request specialty tours covering specific topics of interest. Tours last approximately one hour, and cover points of interest like the special collections library and the room formerly inhabited by the famous poet Edgar Allan Poe.
University of Virginia Historical Tours, Pavilion VIII, The Lawn, Charlottesville, VA 22903, Phone: 434-924-3239, website
Ready to go?
Step 1: Visit the website and book directly and/or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Step 2: If you are spending the night, search for Hotel Deals nearby. Read the reviews, then call the hotel directly to book and ask for a romantic, kid-friendly or pet-friendly amenity if you need it.
Step 3: If you are flying, compare Flights. Book directly with the airline, add your frequent flier number and reserve your seat.
Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).
Need some more help?
Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.