Emily & Thomas
Things To Do
Short Pump Town Center
Visit the mall for high end restaurants and stores with a movie theater and skating rink close by! If you are staying closer to Richmond than Charlottesville, this is a great place to visit.
Carter's Mountain Orchard
Go apple picking and enjoy some apple cider donuts and Bold Rock hard cider at this beautiful orchard. Tom and Emily both have fond memories of going here as children!
Gordonsville
Emily and her family love visiting Gordonsville or stopping by on their way to hikes. The little town has some adorable shops and restaurants, their favorite being a French restaurant called Restaurant Rochambeau.
Shenandoah National Park
Emily and her family have hiked and camped in Shenandoah more times than they can count. Some of their favorite hikes include Old Rag, White Oak Canyon, Bearfence, and Limberlost. They also have a great place for blackberry milkshakes in the park - take a scenic drive on Skyline Drive to Big Meadows Wayside. This is a great place to see wildlife (especially bears) and to take a few easy hikes from.
Monticello
Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson and is located just outside Charlottesville. It is known for the beautiful neoclassical design and landscape. This is a perfect family outing for a sunny day!
Montpelier
James Madison's Montpelier home is located in Orange County, Virginia and was the plantation house of the Madison family. There's a lot to do at Montpelier: take a guided tour, explore galleries, stroll 8+ miles of public walking trails, visit the archaeology lab, and enjoy food at the Exchange Café.
Brew Ridge Trail
Check out the numerous breweries along this route!