Travel/Local Information

Room Block

A block of rooms has been held at the Cavalier Inn.  To book your room, please contact the hotel at 434-296-8111. Please mention "NRAO Galaxies" when booking the room to obtain the group rates of:

  • $87 night (plus tax), Thursday, September 13
  • $103 night (plus tax), Friday and Saturday, September 14-15
  • Student registrants:  please note that the conference will pay 1/2 of your accommodation costs.  If you are interested in sharing a room, email your request to almainfo@nrao.edu.

Should you need additional nights at the preferred rate, the sales agent, Amber Kemper, may be able to accommodate your request.

Directions from Cavalier Inn to NRAO

A map showing location of Cavalier Inn relative to NRAO can be found here.

Carpooling Tool

Parking is available at NRAO headquarters, but is somewhat limited.  Carpooling is encouraged.  A doodle poll has been created that will allow drivers and riders to connect.  If you have a car and can offer seats to fellow attendees, please go to the Doodle Poll and sign up as a Driver.  If you will need a ride, please sign up early and/or contact a Driver to arrange a ride.

A shuttle (holding up to 8 people) will depart the Cavalier Inn at 8:15am on September 14th and at 8:40am on September 15th.  Please meet in the lobby at least 5 minutes before the departure time - and let the front desk know that you will be taking the shuttle to NRAO.

Thursday Evening Reception

The Workshop reception will be held at Calvino Café, 408 West Main Street.  From the Cavalier Inn, it’s a straight shot across Main Street with plenty of free parking in front of the restaurant.  Folks who want to carpool should meet in the lobby of the Cavalier Inn at 5:45 or you can take the free Trolley.  The closest stop is at the UVA Chapel.  Please RSVP if you expect to attend this event.

Traveling to and from Charlottesville

  • Information about traveling to Charlottesville by car, plane and train can be found here.
  • Link to Charlottesville regional airport (CHO)
  • Richmond International Airport (RIC) is also a reasonable alternative to CHO.

Maps of Charlottesville

A page of maps and directions of Charlottesville and the NRAO/UVA area can be found here.

Free Trolley
A free trolley runs between the Downtown Mall (and the Omni hotel), the University, and the Amtrak station.

Connect with NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.