Hotel Information
Omni Hotel
212 Ridge McIntire Rd.
Charlottesville, Virginia
We are excited to host our 8th Symposium at the Omni Hotel - Located directly on Charlottesville's historic walking mall!
We look forward to gathering with you and sharing what makes Charlottesville special.
Travel Options
Traveling to Charlottesville
By Plane:
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) offers direct flights from the major connecting hubs of Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), New York City - LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington D.C. - Dulles (IAD).
Click here for more information on CHO
The Omni Hotel is 9 miles from the airport - scroll down or click here for travel options from the airport to the hotel
By Train:
There is an Amtrak station a half-mile (0.5 miles) from the Omni Hotel. There are routes from the north, west and south.
Click here for more information on the C'ville Amtrack station
By Car:
Located in the center of Virginia and near interstate 64, Charlottesville provides easy driving access for those in the eastern region.
View address on the Google Map below or Click here for the Omni Hotel Directions page.
Traveling from the Airport to Hotel
By RideShare (Uber, Lyft, etc)
Charlottesville has a very active and available rideshare community - unless you are arriving/departing very late or early, you will be able to request a driver with ease.
By Taxi:
There are taxis waiting at the ready for arrivals outside the baggage claim area in the airport.
Click here for fare estimates via Rideshare & Taxi from CHO airport to the Omni
By Rental Car:
We encourage you, if time allows, to rent a car if you plan to extend your stay in Charlottesville beyond the days of the Symposium. There are many beautiful and fun places to visit (see our staff picks below!) - parking is also a breeze as the Omni Hotel has onsite parking and it will be FREE if you book through the MACTE Symposium link.
Charlottesville is a car friendly city with a relatively painless rush hour (perk of being a smaller city!).
Click here for rental car companies with airport pickup options
Things to do in Charlottesville
Staff Picks: Our Favorite Things to Eat, See, and Do in Charlottesville
Rebecca Pelton
MACTE President
Rebecca's Favorites
Head to the best oyster bar in town, Public Fish and Oyster.
Ask for the Pelton Chill!
On the downtown mall, there is a beautiful well-kept secret, Alley Light speakeasy. This is right next to the Violet Crown movie theater on 2nd Street.
Petite Marie Bette, the best pastries in town, located on Market Street.
Tilman’s Wine Bar is a treat located on the downtown walking mall.
Just a beautiful shop for gifts. Do not miss it!
Stacy Seapy
Director of Finance and Technology
Stacy's Favorites
Bold Rock is one of my favorite places in the entire area, both to visit and to drive to. It's set on top of a hill that overlooks mountains, with an expansive deck and a babbling creek you can drink your cider next to on a nice day. The cidery itself has a fireplace you can relax beside if the day is colder. If you drive yourself there, make sure you take the route that takes you on I-64, to 250, to 151, as that is the most scenic of the routes.
If you like art (visual and 3D), I recommend checking out the McGuffey Art Center, a very short walk from the Omni Hotel. Local artists rent studios and you can walk through and often see them at work. There's also an exhibit hall for your enjoyment.
Bodo's is a Charlottesville icon - choose from a huge variety of bagel and filling combinations. The location at 505 Preston Ave. is 0.3 miles from the Symposium hotel. It's especially great as a grab and go, if you want to waste no time exploring the rest that the area has to offer.
Local Tip - even if the line looks really long, it moves super fast.
Carolyn Pinkerton
Director of Communication and State Relations
Carolyn's Favorites
1. Monticello
I'm a history nerd, so visiting the historical sites in town is a must! Monticello is on the top of the list, and I've never been able to stump a tour guide with a question.
2. UVA's Special Collections Library
The University of Virginia is a special place to wander around, including their Special Collections library. If it is a slow day, librarians might share their favorite objects with you if you ask nicely. You can take the free trolley from the Omni (our symposium hotel) to UVa.
3. Mudhouse
Coffee! You can easily beeline from the Omni to the Mudhouse. I drink my coffee from there black and usually get a big muffin to go along with it.
If you're really feeling adventurous, rent a car to go over Afton Mountain to Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. It is the world's only recreation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre. The little town of Staunton also has a number of excellent restaurants.
Aimee Fagan
Director of Accreditation
Aimee's Favorites
Take in the view from Cater Mountain, and eat an apple cider donut. Cater Mountain sits to the southeast of town, a short drive will take you to the top of the hill where you can enjoy hot cider, donuts, and local produce--plus there is a spectacular view of Charlottesville.
Ace Biscuit and Barbecue, pulled pork, fried chicken, and breakfast biscuits, what more do you need?
Visit a winery. Thomas Jefferson had visions of the Charlottesville area becoming a wine region. While it may have taken over 200 years, you can now visit over 35 award-winning wineries all a short distance from town
Jay Seals
TEP Services Manager
Jay's Favorites
1. FIREFLY Restaurant + Game Room
A laid back restaurant with plenty of bar and restaurant space – lots of vegan and gluten free options in addition to normal restaurant / pub fare.
2. North American Sake Brewery at IX Art Park
Craft sake ranging from familiar to quirky along with great poke bowls. Also, plenty of eclectic art installations to take in at IX Art Park before or after.
3. Starr Hill Brewery at the Dairy Market
About a half mile walk up from the Omni, Starr Hill is a longtime Charlottesville and regional staple for craft beer and live music.
At about a 2 mile drive away from the Omni, this park sits along the Rivanna River and it's paved trail provides a chance for casual strolling along the mountain river.
Erin Moore
Accreditation Specialist
1. Nearby Restaurant Recommendations
Erin's Favorites
1. Nearby Restaurant Recommendations
If you are staying in the downtown area, there is no shortage of food options, but this can be a little daunting! Here are some of our favorite spots in the downtown area: Mexican: The Bebedero (on the downtown pedestrian mall, where the Symposium will be held - I recommend the nachos and a spicy margarita); quick slice of pizza: Christian's Pizza (on downtown mall); authentic Neopolitan pizza: Lampo (walking distance from downtown mall - go early as it's a small place and there can be a wait); Spanish tapas: Mas (walking distance from downtown mall); late night bites in a historic space: C&O Restaurant (on downtown mall); delicious sushi: Now and Zen (just off downtown mall).
First Fridays is a monthly art event featuring exhibit openings and receptions at many downtown art galleries and venues, held on the first Friday of every month. Just our luck, the Symposium takes place during the first week of December! Check out Charlottesville's weekly paper, Cville Weekly, closer to the date for a list of exhibits as well as other events happening in the area.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway & Humpback Rocks Hike
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers a myriad of hiking options with breathtaking views and is about a 30-45 minute drive from town - Humpback Rocks is voted the "best hike to show off the area to guests."
Just a short driving distance from the downtown area is another free and beautiful option for a stroll or a run in nature: the Saunders-Monticello Trail, which runs along the base of Carter Mountain and ends at Jefferson's Monticello.
Elisabeth Chidester
Accreditation Specialist & On-Site Visit Coordinator
Elisabeth's Favorites
1. Lampo Pizza
If you are looking to experience some incredibly authentic Neapolitan pizza, then Lampo is your place. Although it is a very small setting, their pizza and other items deliver large! They do not take reservations and fill up fast. Make sure you check out this charming pizzeria that is located in Belmont at 205 Monticello Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
If you find yourself strolling along at the Downtown Mall, I suggest stopping by The Whiskey Jar for excellent food and a delightful atmosphere. This restaurant/bar has a great menu, a variety of drinks, and a cozy Southern vibe - perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner! Catch them on the right night and you may even hear some live music. They are located at 227 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Guajiros Miami Eatery is one of my top downtown places to grab breakfast or lunch. You can sit inside their beautifully decorated cafe and check out the artwork or outside on the covered patio and watch the Cville life pass by. You can also order online or by phone if you are in a pinch. I highly recommend trying the Hands On Breakfast, Guava and Cheese Pastelitos, and the Cubano Especial!
Feeling adventurous and the weather is perfect? I recommend taking a drive to hike Crabtree Falls in Nelson County and checking out the natural beauty of Charlottesville. At the end of the 2.5 mile moderate trail, you’ll find the highest vertical drop-off cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River!
Please contact us at the MACTE office for help and guidance as you plan your trip! You can also check out the following links to begin to explore Charlottesville: