LIFESTYLE
With an extraordinary cultural scene and an inexhaustible list of leisure activities, little wonder the US National Bureau of Economic Research recently named Charlottesville “the happiest city in America.” World-class dining, cozy cafes, famous breweries and wineries, and a lively pedestrian Downtown Mall combine with grand and intimate performance centers, famous museums, a lively indie music scene, and spectacular annual events. Throngs of visitors including Hollywood luminaries and famous authors arrive in Charlottesville for the Virginia Film Festival and the Virginia Festival of the Book, while the Fralin Museum of Art on the University of Virginia campus continually showcases exhibits from around the world. Residents enjoy a variety of musical and artistic programs at unique venues like The Southern Café & Music Hall and the beautifully restored 1931 Paramount Theater. Larger venues for sold-out concerts, college sports competition, and special events include a spectacular 3,500-seat pavilion and the 15,000-seat John Paul Jones Arena on the University of Virginia campus. Families appreciate the interactive exhibits that focus on exploration, the arts and sciences, nature, and humanities at The Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center and the Virginia Discovery Museum.