Hey just thought I'd chime in a bit about Charlottesville since I got my masters (in systems engineering) at UVA and people are asking about the social scene/town.
1) Everything Pelihu said is dead on (esp Foxfields), the most lively scene by far in the town is called 'the corner' which is the area university ave going east as it approaches 10th st. its walking distance for the undergrads but a bit of a hike from the darden campus. if you're looking for an older crowd I suggest Buffalo Wild Wings (not to be confused with Wild Wing by the train station) which is walking distance from the Darden campus, or South street which is a bit east of where the corner is.
2) That said, *don't* wander too far north of the corner, it starts to get rather dodgy around Grady ave. The store there is called the 'shady grady' for a reason!
3) There are a ton of reasonably priced, good hotels near Monticello (not exactly peak viewing season there this time of year) that will surely have vacancies. If you're without a car the cabs shouldn't be that ridiculous to campus. Grab some bodo's bagels if you're in a breakfast mood and some Five Guys (at the huge barracks shopping plaza nearby) if you want the most delicious hamburger known to mankind.
4) Last but not least, the John Paul Jones arena (aka the JPJ) is absolutely gorgeous and better looking than what many pro basketball teams play in. If you visit late in the semester when basketball is going on I recommend you check it out. Also very much walking distance from darden.