<p>Charlottesville is a pretty quiet place in the summertime, when I assume you will be visiting. In that case, Williamsburg is a tourist “mecca”. Colonial W-burg has a lot more for a visitor to see in July and August.</p>
<p>But, if your folks have already booked the hotel, then I guess you have decided, eh? </p>
<p>If you want the C-ville “experience” as a student would have it, then you should: 1. Walk along the shops at “the corner”, perhaps eating there. 2. Do a little window shopping at the Barracks Rd. shopping center, 3. see the downtown area, but only during the daytime. There are street people around, which might make you uncomfortable doing the tourist thing after dark. </p>
<p>Of course, there’s Monticello, driving on Skyline Drive, and perhaps a visit to a winery. On grounds at UVA, you should definitely take the tour. I think it’s difficult to appreciate the subtleties of Jefferson’s architectural innovation without a guide of some sort.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you’re musically inclined, but Old Cabell Hall has a superb (but small) concert hall. Drill down the UVA music department website to find out what’s playing when you’re there. (There’s something “on” almost every night.) Tickets will likely not be a problem in summertime.</p>
<p>Hope the suggestions help.</p>