36 Hours in Charlottesville, Va.

Sunday
9 a.m.
10) HIT THE TRAIL

Coming to Charlottesville, many visitors take a side hike in Shenandoah National Park. In summer, Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive seems more like Los Angeles at rush hour. But by late fall, a time when the leaves are still changing in Shenandoah, the crowds thin out, and it’s easier to find solitude. Head to the Appalachian Trail, which runs adjacent to Skyline Drive, and which draws even fewer weekend crowds. For information on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, see www.appalachiantrail.org/virginia.

11 a.m.
11) FUEL UP

Back in town, restore the calories you burned hiking — and pack on way more — at the Bluegrass Grill and Bakery (313 Second Street, SE; 434-295-9700) for brunch. Not much nouveau cuisine here. Plan on hearty Southern comfort fare — cheesy grits, buckwheat pancakes, heavenly home fries and fluffy homemade wheat biscuits that taste like someone added an entire stick of butter to each one. Bluegrass takes no reservations, so be prepared to wait for a table. Brunch for two costs around $35.

IF YOU GO

US Airways offers nonstop service between La Guardia Airport and Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport. The round-trip fare is around $500, according to a recent Web search.

Besides its restaurant, the Clifton Inn (1296 Clifton Inn Drive; www.cliftoninn.net; 888-971-1800) has 18 lush guest rooms and suites on a 100-acre property with walking trails, tennis, a pool and hot tub. Rooms start at $205.

For a less expensive alternative, try the 200 South Street Inn (200 South Street West; (434-979-0200; www.southstreetinn.com). Right in the center of town, the inn is a stately mansion dating in part to 1852, with 19 guestrooms and personal touches, like wine and cheese plates in the afternoon. Rooms start at around $150.

Check the University of Virginia schedule for parents’ weekends and major events ; during these times it may be nearly impossible to get a room anywhere near Charlottesville. A calendar of the University of Virginia academic year is at www.virginia.edu/registrar/calendar.html.