Guidebook for Charlottesville
Food Scene
Just around the corner! Great, fresh ingredients and creative recipes. Also, it's at the IX art park, a very fun place for kids and adults alike to wander around. Check out the murals, the giant chimes you can play, and all of the art pieces in this funky industrial-space-turned-hipster-heaven.
59 personas locales recomiendan
Brazos Tacos
925 2nd St SEJust around the corner! Great, fresh ingredients and creative recipes. Also, it's at the IX art park, a very fun place for kids and adults alike to wander around. Check out the murals, the giant chimes you can play, and all of the art pieces in this funky industrial-space-turned-hipster-heaven.
This place is my favorite casual lunch spot in town. Soups, sandwiches, salads, all delicious.
26 personas locales recomiendan
Revolutionary Soup
108 2nd St SWThis place is my favorite casual lunch spot in town. Soups, sandwiches, salads, all delicious.
Christian's Pizza
100 14th St NWGourmet pizza by the slice. A Cville institution.
I wrote half my dissertation in this coffee shop. Best coffee in town.
59 personas locales recomiendan
Mudhouse Coffee Downtown Mall
213 W Main StI wrote half my dissertation in this coffee shop. Best coffee in town.
Drinks & Nightlife
This ancient bar and restaurant are upscale and not for everyday dining, but they put the Charlottesville restaurant scene on the map decades ago, and they don't change with every new foodie trend that comes along like many of the newer spots downtown. Their food is delicious, but their downstairs bar is the romantic cocktail bar of choice in this town. Plus they have, in my opinion, the best bartenders in town. It's a tiny bar, and they won't let you in if there's not room for you, but it's worth the wait if the list isn't too long. Check it out on Tuesday nights, when they have live Gypsy Jazz. If you're in the mood for a swanky dinner, this is also the place, and their upstairs restaurant and patio can't be beat.
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C & O
515 E Water StThis ancient bar and restaurant are upscale and not for everyday dining, but they put the Charlottesville restaurant scene on the map decades ago, and they don't change with every new foodie trend that comes along like many of the newer spots downtown. Their food is delicious, but their downstairs bar is the romantic cocktail bar of choice in this town. Plus they have, in my opinion, the best bartenders in town. It's a tiny bar, and they won't let you in if there's not room for you, but it's worth the wait if the list isn't too long. Check it out on Tuesday nights, when they have live Gypsy Jazz. If you're in the mood for a swanky dinner, this is also the place, and their upstairs restaurant and patio can't be beat.
Swanky, pricy, but great for one good drink. Try the Nelson County Gentleman.
There's no sign for this place, and it's in an alley. How's that for a secret spot.
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The Alley Light
108 2nd St SWSwanky, pricy, but great for one good drink. Try the Nelson County Gentleman.
There's no sign for this place, and it's in an alley. How's that for a secret spot.
Good food and good drinks. Live music many nights. Gets a bit crowded, but if the weather is nice, they open the bay doors and the sidewalk cafe is a great meeting place. They support local music acts and often, they're pretty good!
80 personas locales recomiendan
The Whiskey Jar
227 W Main StGood food and good drinks. Live music many nights. Gets a bit crowded, but if the weather is nice, they open the bay doors and the sidewalk cafe is a great meeting place. They support local music acts and often, they're pretty good!
I'd go more for the daytime views than the nightlife, but that's where the 'brewery' category is. This is the first stop on the Nelson County 151 Brew Trail, a gorgeous drive about 25 minutes west of town. This rural county is home to many breweries and wineries, only some of which are mentioned here. All of them have gorgeous views, and darn good beer and wine. This place gets very busy, so summer weekend days and evenings, expect to find yourself waiting a bit for a table. Go on an off night though, and it's a great place to get a table outside and watch the sunset or play some cornhole.
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Blue Mountain Brewery
9519 Critzer Shop RdI'd go more for the daytime views than the nightlife, but that's where the 'brewery' category is. This is the first stop on the Nelson County 151 Brew Trail, a gorgeous drive about 25 minutes west of town. This rural county is home to many breweries and wineries, only some of which are mentioned here. All of them have gorgeous views, and darn good beer and wine. This place gets very busy, so summer weekend days and evenings, expect to find yourself waiting a bit for a table. Go on an off night though, and it's a great place to get a table outside and watch the sunset or play some cornhole.
Gorgeous views, also on the Nelson 151 trail.
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Veritas Vineyards and Winery
151 Veritas LnGorgeous views, also on the Nelson 151 trail.
My favorite view of all of the local wineries. On the Nelson 151 trail, and well worth a visit. Sometimes they have live music. Most wineries close around 5 though, so these are definitely daytime destinations.
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Afton Mountain Vineyards
234 Vineyard LnMy favorite view of all of the local wineries. On the Nelson 151 trail, and well worth a visit. Sometimes they have live music. Most wineries close around 5 though, so these are definitely daytime destinations.
Another great winery on the way to Monticello. Combine it with a trip to Monticello and watch the sunset on the way home at Carter Mountain.
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Jefferson Vineyards
1353 Thomas Jefferson PkwyAnother great winery on the way to Monticello. Combine it with a trip to Monticello and watch the sunset on the way home at Carter Mountain.
Parks & Nature
This is not exactly a park, but the views from the top of this mountain are tremendous. The only problem is everyone else knows about it too! It can be crowded, but if you check it out on a weekday evening, you might fare better. There's a pick-your-own orchard and a wine tasting room up there too. If you're going to Monticello, check it out on the way back for a glass of wine and a gorgeous sunset.
214 personas locales recomiendan
Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain TrailThis is not exactly a park, but the views from the top of this mountain are tremendous. The only problem is everyone else knows about it too! It can be crowded, but if you check it out on a weekday evening, you might fare better. There's a pick-your-own orchard and a wine tasting room up there too. If you're going to Monticello, check it out on the way back for a glass of wine and a gorgeous sunset.
Great for a walk or take your mountain bike on some of the trails!
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Saunders-Monticello Trail
Great for a walk or take your mountain bike on some of the trails!
Great for kids, there's a swimming hole, a playground, and a walking/bike trail.
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Riverview Park
1909 Chesapeake StGreat for kids, there's a swimming hole, a playground, and a walking/bike trail.
Short hike to a gorgeous rocky outcropping that overlooks the whole Shenandoah Valley. Big reward, medium effort (kids love it and it's not too long for them!)
203 personas locales recomiendan
Humpback Rocks
Blue Ridge ParkwayShort hike to a gorgeous rocky outcropping that overlooks the whole Shenandoah Valley. Big reward, medium effort (kids love it and it's not too long for them!)
More like a walking trail, this path picks up at different places all around the city.
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Rivanna Trail
Rivanna TrailMore like a walking trail, this path picks up at different places all around the city.
Sightseeing
Monticello
1050 Thomas Jefferson PkwyTJ's crown jewel. Well worth a trolley ride to the Corner district and an afternoon of poking around. The Rotunda is under renovation, but work should be completed soon.
251 personas locales recomiendan
University of Virginia
918 Emmet St NTJ's crown jewel. Well worth a trolley ride to the Corner district and an afternoon of poking around. The Rotunda is under renovation, but work should be completed soon.
I listed many of Nelson County's breweries and wineries in the 'drinks/nightlife' category because that's where the brewery/winery options are, but if you're looking to do some beer and wine tasting, you can't beat the Nelson County wine and beer crafters for great views and great food and drinks. Make a day out of it!
151 Thomas Nelson Hwy
151 Thomas Nelson HighwayI listed many of Nelson County's breweries and wineries in the 'drinks/nightlife' category because that's where the brewery/winery options are, but if you're looking to do some beer and wine tasting, you can't beat the Nelson County wine and beer crafters for great views and great food and drinks. Make a day out of it!
Entertainment & Activities
This is a brand new kayaking and tubing outfit right in town.
50 personas locales recomiendan
Rivanna River Company
1520 E High StThis is a brand new kayaking and tubing outfit right in town.