Emily & Joe
Things To Do
Vineyards & Wineries
Charlottesville is at the heart of central Virginia wine country with more than 40 vineyards and wineries in and around the city. The Monticello Wine Trail has a comprehensive list, but a few of our favorites are Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, Gabriele Rausse Winery, Barboursville Vineyards and Blenheim Vineyards. Fun fact: Dave Matthews (yes, THE Dave Matthews) owns Blenheim Vineyards.
Breweries
The Charlottesville area has great craft breweries. Check out Three Notch'd, Starr Hill, Devil's Backbone Backyard, Selvedge, South Street, Mount Ida Reserve, Random Row and more on the Charlottesville Ale Trail.
Places to Eat
Here are a few of our favorites! Feast! Café and market with great sandwiches (416 West Main Street) Petite Marie-Bette Coffee shop with European-inspired pastries and breads (105 East Water Street) Simeon Market Market and coffee shop just up the road from the Clifton Inn (1330 Thomas Jefferson Parkway) Belle Delicious bakery and brasserie serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner (407 Monticello Road) Dairy Market Food hall with 12 different stands and a Starr Hill Brewery taproom (946 Grady Avenue) Bodo's Bagels Great bagels and breakfast sandwiches (1609 University Avenue)
Downtown Mall
One of the longest pedestrian malls in the United States, the Downtown Mall is home to more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants to explore. A few of our favorites are New Dominion Bookshop, Caspari, O'Suzannah, Blue Whale Books and Low Vintage. If you're heading to the Downtown Mall from The Draftsman, Hampton Inn or Courtyard, take advantage of Downtown Charlottesville's free trolley. It runs every 15 minutes on a loop from the University of Virginia to the Downtown Mall and stops right outside The Draftsman. Learn more at www.charlottesville.gov/482/Free-Trolley.
University of Virginia
Regarded as one of the most beautiful universities in the country, UVA is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Rotunda and take a walk on the Lawn, or join one of the university's free daily historical tours.
Presidential Homes
The homes of three U.S. Presidents - Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe - are nearby and open to the public to visit. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and James Monroe's Highland are just outside of downtown Charlottesville, while James Madison's Montpelier is a 45-minute drive away.
Carter Mountain Orchard
Pick-your-own apples with a country store, bakery, wine shop, Bold Rock Hard Cider taproom, and beautiful views overlooking Charlottesville.
Civil War Battlefields
Anyone who knows Joe knows he has more than a passing interest in Civil War history. While the greater Charlottesville area was largely untouched outside of a few minor skirmishes, in Virginia a Civil War battlefield is never far away. Below are major Civil War battlefields you will pass through or near if you are driving to or from Charlottesville: North of Charlottesville: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Brandy Station, Cedar Mountain, Bull Run South of Charlottesville: Appomattox East of Charlottesville: Petersburg and Richmond area battlefields West of Charlottesville: New Market and Cedar Creek If you need any battlefield recommendations or tips, Joe is always happy to help.