Welcome to Cville!
Food scene
Best mussels and cocktails in town. Perfect spot for a romantic date night or a night cap after exploring downtown.
109 locals recommend
The Alley Light
108 2nd St SWBest mussels and cocktails in town. Perfect spot for a romantic date night or a night cap after exploring downtown.
Ten
120 E Main StThe best sushi in town -- and probably anywhere in the region.
Tavola
826 Hinton AveTerrific local Italian joint.
MARU Korean Restaurant and Bar
412 E Main StA delicious spot -- truly one of our favorites.
A little hole in the wall serving the most delicious tacos in town.
24 locals recommend
La Michoacana Taqueria & Restaurant
1138 E High StA little hole in the wall serving the most delicious tacos in town.
Highly recommend this small bakery, which also offers some select local provisions. GF and vegan options daily.
Bowerbird Bakeshop
120 10th St NWHighly recommend this small bakery, which also offers some select local provisions. GF and vegan options daily.
C & O
515 E Water StClassic standby for a special dinner.
fleurie restaurant
108 3rd St NE
The Petit Pois Restaurant
201 E Main StLove this place for brunch!
Tavern & Grocery
333 W Main StAnother great brunch spot.
One of my favorite nearby places for takeout if you’re spending the night in.
25 locals recommend
Milan Indian Restaurant
1817 Emmet St NOne of my favorite nearby places for takeout if you’re spending the night in.
Another beloved local bakery, with out of this world almond croissants.
8 locals recommend
Cou Cou Rachou
917 Preston AveAnother beloved local bakery, with out of this world almond croissants.
An incredibly special hidden gem off the downtown mall. World-class Italian food prepared on a single stove, one dish at a time. Eat in the alley or take your order to go.
10 locals recommend
Luce
110 2nd St NWAn incredibly special hidden gem off the downtown mall. World-class Italian food prepared on a single stove, one dish at a time. Eat in the alley or take your order to go.
Lampo Neapolitan Pizzeria
205 Monticello RoadFave local pizza. Highly recommend!
Fun
Washnigton Park Pool
1001 Preston AveA terrific local pool for hot Charlottesville days.
Miles of beautiful walking trails in a bird sanctuary just up the road.
37 locals recommend
Ivy Creek Foundation
1780 Earlysville RdMiles of beautiful walking trails in a bird sanctuary just up the road.
Vintage pinball and old school arcade games await! This spot doubles as Champion Brewery's tasting room, so fun can be had for the whole family.
6 locals recommend
Decades Arcade
418 Carlton RdVintage pinball and old school arcade games await! This spot doubles as Champion Brewery's tasting room, so fun can be had for the whole family.
An easy hike and a luxurious swimming hole about 35 minutes from our house.
48 locals recommend
Sugar Hollow Trail to Blue Hole
6796 Sugar Hollow RdAn easy hike and a luxurious swimming hole about 35 minutes from our house.
All the best mainstream & indie cinema — plus free popcorn refills!
78 locals recommend
Violet Crown Cinema
200 W Main StAll the best mainstream & indie cinema — plus free popcorn refills!
River activities are available here for all skill levels — and the route takes you through one of the best rope swings around.
50 locals recommend
Rivanna River Company
1520 E High StRiver activities are available here for all skill levels — and the route takes you through one of the best rope swings around.
Miles and miles of running and walking trails throughout the city, with a pickup at Meadowcreek park just down the road.
29 locals recommend
Rivanna Trail
Rivanna TrailMiles and miles of running and walking trails throughout the city, with a pickup at Meadowcreek park just down the road.
Great nearby horse farm offering private lessons and trail rides. Contact them in advance for arrangements.
Calberry Farms
Great nearby horse farm offering private lessons and trail rides. Contact them in advance for arrangements.
Another nearby horse farm offering single lessons, a riding ring, and group trail rides.
Rock Branch Horse and Cattle Co LLC
Another nearby horse farm offering single lessons, a riding ring, and group trail rides.
Blue Ridge Balloon
A guest did this and highly recommended - now it’s on my bucket list!
Shopping
The Farmers Market at IX
522 2nd St SEA must-do on Saturdays!
Great place to pick up locally produced beer, wine, and some of the world’s best selections, as well.
Wine Warehouse
1804 Hydraulic RdGreat place to pick up locally produced beer, wine, and some of the world’s best selections, as well.
Heyday Antiques & Vintage
1747 Allied StGreat place to find a special vintage something to bring home with you.
Great place to sample Cville’s best offerings. Cocktails and mocktails at the Milkman’s Bar are truly special!
39 locals recommend
Dairy Market Charlottesville
946 Grady AvenueGreat place to sample Cville’s best offerings. Cocktails and mocktails at the Milkman’s Bar are truly special!
My favorite place on the mall! Great place to find vintage books, records and prints.
6 locals recommend
Blue Whale Books
115 W Main StMy favorite place on the mall! Great place to find vintage books, records and prints.
A bit further than Wine Warehouse, this is *the place* to find any beer you’re looking for.
77 locals recommend
Beer Run
156 Carlton RdA bit further than Wine Warehouse, this is *the place* to find any beer you’re looking for.
Ten Thousand Villages
105 W Main StLove this spot for memorable gifts and unique art.
Awesome new spot for on-trend vintage men’s and women’s clothes, as well as furniture and knick knacks.
Neon Soul
Awesome new spot for on-trend vintage men’s and women’s clothes, as well as furniture and knick knacks.
Sightseeing
Luray Caverns
101 Cave Hill RdThis iconic building on UVA campus showcases Jefferson’s architecture and local history.
90 locals recommend
The Rotunda
1826 University AveThis iconic building on UVA campus showcases Jefferson’s architecture and local history.
If visiting UVA grounds, we highly recommend viewing this memorial to the enslaved people whose labor made UVA and much of this region’s bounty possible.
MEMORIAL TO ENSLAVED LABORERS
If visiting UVA grounds, we highly recommend viewing this memorial to the enslaved people whose labor made UVA and much of this region’s bounty possible.
A must-visit spot! Park nearby and take a stroll to find many great local shops and restaurants.
291 locals recommend
Downtown Mall
A must-visit spot! Park nearby and take a stroll to find many great local shops and restaurants.
Music
Small venue hosting great acts off-the-beaten path.
46 locals recommend
The Southern Café and Music Hall
103 1st St SSmall venue hosting great acts off-the-beaten path.
A local roots music school that also hosts community concerts and more. Check out their website for more details!
The Front Porch
221 E Water StA local roots music school that also hosts community concerts and more. Check out their website for more details!
Charlottesville gets GREAT musicians through, especially for a town this size. The Jeff is one of our favorite venues.
91 locals recommend
The Jefferson Theater
110 E Main StCharlottesville gets GREAT musicians through, especially for a town this size. The Jeff is one of our favorite venues.
Our more traditional theatre hosts music and performing arts, as well as screenings of some of your favorite older movies (Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, etc). Check their website for the latest.
99 locals recommend
The Paramount Theater
215 E Main StOur more traditional theatre hosts music and performing arts, as well as screenings of some of your favorite older movies (Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, etc). Check their website for the latest.
Outdoor arena hosting national and international talent, as well as local favorites. Free community concerts available most Fridays in summer -- check their website for details.
79 locals recommend
Sprint Pavilion
700 E Main StOutdoor arena hosting national and international talent, as well as local favorites. Free community concerts available most Fridays in summer -- check their website for details.
Nightlife
Beautiful bar, pool tables, and a dance club all in one!
24 locals recommend
Rapture Restaurant & Night Club
303 E Main StBeautiful bar, pool tables, and a dance club all in one!
Korean restaurant by day, LGBTQIA+ friendly bar by night. Who could want more? Monthly dance parties are posted on their IG page.
Umma's
200 West Water StreetKorean restaurant by day, LGBTQIA+ friendly bar by night. Who could want more? Monthly dance parties are posted on their IG page.
Fantastic little wine bar for people watching at its outdoor patio on the downtown mall.
Crush Pad Wines
118 West Main StreetFantastic little wine bar for people watching at its outdoor patio on the downtown mall.
Beautifully appointed local hotel with a fabulous rooftop bar.
16 locals recommend
Quirk Hotel Charlottesville
499 W Main StBeautifully appointed local hotel with a fabulous rooftop bar.
The Whiskey Jar
227 W Main StLate night bar on the mall with local live music many nights.
Lost Saint
333 W Main StLate night speakeasy!
Vineyards
The most beautiful views at a family owned vineyard just 20 mins up the road. A must-see any time of year!
63 locals recommend
Stinson Vineyards
4744 Sugar Hollow RdThe most beautiful views at a family owned vineyard just 20 mins up the road. A must-see any time of year!
Drive a little further (about an hour) to tour this truly magnificent vineyard located in a restored, centuries-old cabin. This is also the only vineyard I've encountered to offer a delightful, in-house produced, non-alcoholic beverage so ALL your guests can join in the fun :)
43 locals recommend
Revalation Vineyards
2710 Hebron Valley RdDrive a little further (about an hour) to tour this truly magnificent vineyard located in a restored, centuries-old cabin. This is also the only vineyard I've encountered to offer a delightful, in-house produced, non-alcoholic beverage so ALL your guests can join in the fun :)
This is a much bigger vineyard than the other two, which also offers unique activities — such as polo matches on the weekend. Check their website for details.
259 locals recommend
King Family Vineyards
6550 Roseland FarmThis is a much bigger vineyard than the other two, which also offers unique activities — such as polo matches on the weekend. Check their website for details.
Gabriele Rausse Winery
3247 Carters Mountain RdAnother local favorite!
About a half hour drive, this vineyard is also truly special and homey.
11 locals recommend
Montifalco Vineyard
1800 Fray RdAbout a half hour drive, this vineyard is also truly special and homey.
A charming farm vineyard a short drive across and outside of town with lots of outdoor seating.
Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard
A charming farm vineyard a short drive across and outside of town with lots of outdoor seating.