Information for Visitors

Industrial partners and researchers from government or outside academic institutions are encouraged to make use of NMCF instrumentation with the assistance of a laboratory specialist. Arrangements for a consultation or tour of our facility can be made through facility staff. The public may visit NMCF during our open house events in the Spring and Fall.

Location

The Nanoscale Materials Characterization Facility is housed within two buildings on grounds at UVA: Jesser Hall (formerly: Materials Science Building) on the 1st floor and Wilsdorf Hall in the B-basement. Meeting location by prior arrangement through your instrument contact.

Lodging and Food

The University of Virginia operates a number of overnight accommodation options on or near Grounds, including the Inn at Darden, the Colonnade Club, and the Boar's Head Resort. Alternatively, Charlottesville has numerous possibilities for lodging in local or chain hotels or inns that are convenient to UVa (e.g. The Oakhurst Inn, The Graduate Hotel, The Draftsman Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott , as well as many others nearby and downtown. Local restaurants are concentrated on Emmet/Rt. 29N, Main Street/University Ave., and on the Charlottesville Downtown (pedestrian) Mall. In addition, meals, snacks and coffee can be purchased for cash or with a credit card on Grounds in the dining halls and cafes.

Parking

If you are working with an NMCF scientist, your contact can reserve a space during your visit, or contact Bryana Amador. We will need your license plate number, state, and the day and time of parking. Please park in SEAS designated spaces in the first row of the E3 parking area against the sidewalk; spaces are shown in MAGENTA in the campus map below.

Otherwise, paid parking via ParkMobile is available in the UVa Engineering spaces located in the E3 (shown in PURPLE) parking lot next to Scott Stadium (football). No reservations are required. Additionally, hourly parking via ParkMobile is available at the Central Grounds Garage located off Emmet Street below the University Bookstore and metered parking is available in front of Bryant Hall, located at Scott Stadium.

Walking directions from SEAS Parking to NMCF Facilities in Jesser Hall (Materials Science Building) and Wilsdorf Hall are available on Google maps (see map below).

Additional parking information can be found here: Parking and Transportation at UVa

Driving Directions

With GPS:

If you use GPS, look for 141 Chemistry Drive, Charlottesville, VA, there is no parking available on McCormick Road. The E3 parking lot is off of Whitehead Road across from Chemistry Drive. The School of Engineering and Applied Science parking spaces are located adjacent to the pedestrian walkway to the Stadium and are available when visiting the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Your NMCF contact can reserved a space during your visit, or contact Bryana Amador; you will need to provide the license plate number, state, and the day and time of parking

From I-64:

Following signs to the UVA Information Center, get off at exit 118B for the Route 29/250 Bypass. Take the next exit to 29 BUS and turn right onto 29 BUS, make sure you take the left lane on 29 BUS to continue straight. At the second traffic light turn left onto Maury Ave. When you pass Scott Stadium, turn immediately right at the clock tower onto Whitehead Road. The E3 parking lot is the first on the right at the bottom of the hill. The School of Engineering and Applied Science parking spaces are located adjacent to the pedestrian walkway to the Stadium and are available when visiting the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Your NMCF contact can reserved a space during your visit, or contact Bryana Amador; you will need to provide the license plate number, state, and the day and time of parking.

From the Charlottesville Airport (CHO):

From the airport drive down Airport Road and turn right onto US-29. Proceed to Charlottesville, where Route 29 becomes Emmet Street. Pass JPJ basketball arena on the right. Proceed straight through the traffic light at the intersection of Route 250 Business (University Avenue/Ivy Road). Continue 1/2 block just past the blinking light.south on Emmett, under a pedestrian bridge and under McCormick Rd. As Emmett St. curves left, continue straight onto Stadium Road. Take the first right onto Whitehead Road. Turn into the E3 parking area, this is the second parking lot on your left. The School of Engineering and Applied Science parking spaces are located adjacent to the pedestrian walkway to the Stadium and are available when visiting the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Your NMCF contact can reserved a space during your visit, or contact Bryana Amador; you will need to provide the license plate number, state, and the day and time of parking.

From I-66 via U.S. Route 29 North:

Take I-66 from Northern Virginia past Manassas. Take the exit marked “Route 29 South - Gainesville.” Proceed to Charlottesville, where Route 29 becomes Emmet Street. Pass JPJ basketball arena on the right. Proceed straight through the traffic light at the intersection of Route 250 Business (University Avenue/Ivy Road). Continue 1/2 block just past the blinking light.south on Emmett, under a pedestrian bridge and under McCormick Rd. As Emmett St. curves left, continue straight onto Stadium Road. Take the first right onto Whitehead Road. Turn into the E3 parking area, this is the second parking lot on your left. The School of Engineering and Applied Science parking spaces are located adjacent to the pedestrian walkway to the Stadium and are available when visiting the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Your NMCF contact can reserved a space during your visit, or contact Bryana Amador; you will need to provide the license plate number, state, and the day and time of parking.