From Wikitravel

Charlottesville [1], in Albemarle County, Virginia, is ranked the number one place to live in the United States of America by Frommers. Charlottesville is a lovely university town of about 40,000 with lots to offer.

[edit] Understand

Charlottesville is a town steeped in history and culture. Of the eight U.S. presidents who came from Virginia, two -- Jefferson and Monroe -- were from Charlottesville, and two more came from neighboring counties. Central Virginia was a major battlefield during the Civil and Revolutionary Wars. Thomas Jefferson, whom locals affectionately call "Mr. Jefferson," continues to cast a long shadow, particularly over local architecture. Many of Charlottesville's public buildings are made of brick and built in a Jeffersonian style, and many private homes are colonial.

The culture of Charlottesville revolves around two points: the University of Virginia and the Historic Downtown Mall. Charlottesville is a major cultural center for central Virginia, and features more fine dining, shopping, and entertainment than one might expect for a town of its size.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, (IATA: CHO). The closest airport to Charlottesville. However, it is often more economical to fly into Washington Dulles (IATA: IAD) or Richmond (IATA: RIC).

[edit] By train

Amtrak [2]. Charlottesville is on the Cardinal and Crescent routes

[edit] By car

The major highways leading into Charlottesville are US-29 and I-64.

• From Staunton, about 45 minutes.
• From Richmond, a little over an hour.
• From Washington, D.C., between 2 and 2.5 hours. The trip is approximately 110 miles.
• From Roanoke, about 2 hours.

[edit] By bus

Greyhound, [3].

[edit] Get around

Getting around the University of Virginia is easy using the free University Transit System (UTS) buses. And the city is reasonably well connected by city buses (CTS). There is a free trolley bus that runs in a loop from the University to the downtown mall approximately every 20 minutes. It is not easy to find parking around the University area, however it is easily available otherwise. From the University to the downtown mall is a walk of 20-30 minutes.

[edit][add listing] See

• Vineyards [4]
• The University of Virginia [5]. Walk around the university and visit the Lawn and the Rotunda.
• Monticello [6], the residence of Thomas Jefferson. The grounds include the house itself, the gardens, servant quarters, and Thomas Jefferson's grave. Open daily, $14 for adults.
• Ash Lawn-Highland [7], the residence of James Monroe. Open daily, $9 for adults.
• Michie Tavern [8], an inn dating to 1784, now a museum and restaurant. Open daily.
• The Virginia Discovery Museum [9], on the Downtown Mall, has a variety of child- and family-oriented exhibits. Closed Monday, open until 5PM other days. Admission is $4 for all ages.
• Dazzling fall colors. Drive into the hills south of town, or out 250 West toward Afton Mountain and the Skyline Drive.
• Charlottesville has many performing arts venues, including the Heritage Repertory Theatre HRT, a summer professional theatre in residence at UVa; the University of Virginia's Departments of Drama & Music; Live Arts, a community theatre; the Paramount Theatre, a renovated Paramount movie theatre which now showcases national and local music, comedy and theatre acts; the Charlottesville Pavilion, an outdoor music venue; and the John Paul Jones Arena, UVa's basketball arena and the largest indoor arena in Virginia, which brings national music and other acts to the area.

See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $26 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Hot air balloon rides through Boars Head Country Club.
• Arcady Vineyard Wine Tasting Tours [10]
• Ice skate year round at the Charlottesville Ice Park.

[edit] Dance

• Social/Ballroom: USA Dance [11] holds monthly ballroom dances, generally the first Saturday of the month; Zabor Dance [12] has a variety of social dance lessons; Terry Dean's Dance Studio [13] teaches ballroom lessons every weekday; the Charlottesville Swing Dance Society[14] holds monthly dances and free weekly practices (Thursdays); the Swing Club at UVA[15] hosts the Blue Ridge Lindy Exchange swing event (April 18-20 in 2008); the Charlottesville Salsa Club[16] holds a weekly salsa dance on Sundays

[edit] Festivals

• Fridays After Five weekly summer time music (downtown) at the newly redone Charlottesville Pavilion.
• Virginia Festival of the Book in March (March 26-30 in 2008) [17]
• Charlottesville Dogwood Festival in the spring (April 10-26 in 2008) [18]
• The Ash Lawn Opera Festival in the summer (July 4 - August 10 in 2008) [19]
• The Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival in September [20]
• Virginia Film Festival in late fall [21]
• The Jeffersonian Thanksgiving Festival in late November [22]

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Seminole Square Shopping Center, Over fifty fine shops located on Route 29 just north of Hydraulic Road in Charlottesville. Ace Shoe Repair, Big Lots, Boathouse Row Restaurant, Ci Ci’s Pizza, CosmoProf, Crystal Cleaners, Dover Saddlery, Ebony Images, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Expo Nails, F Stop Photo, Family Christian Stores, Fashion Bug, Giant Food, Great Wall Restaurant, Hobbytown, Image Reflections, MacGregor Antiques, Marshalls, Office Depot, Performance Bicycle Shop, Pet Forum, Premier Rental Purchase, Race Jewelers, The Crystal Connection, The Party Starts Here, Tiffany’s Seafood, Tobacconist & Gifts, University Tire and Auto Center plus many more! Visit our WebSite for maps, store hours and phone numbers, coupons, bus schedules and more! [23] Seminole Square Coupons [24]

• Pantops Shopping Center, Convenient to Eastern Albemarle and Interstate 64, Pantops Shopping Center is located just east of the Free Bridge in Charlottesville, Aaron Rents, ABC Store, Advance America, Cash Advance, Advance Auto, Alpha Medical Aids, American General Financial Services, Animal Medical Center of Charlottesville, Beauty Nail & Spa, BRIX Terrace Café, Cellular Express, Chic Hair, Dollar Tree, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Food Lion, H & R Block, Insurance Dr. of Charlottesville, Jiffy Lube, Lazy Parrot Grill, Lloyd’s Hallmark Cards, Mountain Kim Martial Arts, Pack N Mail, Pantops Pet Salon, Purrin @ Pantops (SPCA - kittens), RadioShack, Rivanna Gear & Apparel, Roses, Rudy’s Cleaners, Shanghai Chinese Restaurant, Subway, The Party Starts Here, Tuesday Morning. Visit our WebSite for map, store hours and phone numbers, coupons, bus schedules and more. [25] Pantops Coupons[26]

• The Downtown Mall, Main Street between McIntire Rd. and Avon St., is Charlottesville's best and most eclectic shopping district. The street is open to pedestrians only, is paved entirely with brick, and features fountains, public art, flowering trees, and many benches. Both sides of the street are lined with local boutiques, outdoor cafes and other fine restaurants, three theaters, an ice rink, and the Virginia Discovery Museum [27].

• Barracks Road Shopping Center, Barracks Road and Emmett Street, [28]. This outdoor shopping center contains higher end stores, as well as mid-level clothing outlets and a variety of inexpensive restaurants. Conveniently located near the University North Grounds.

• Fashion Square Mall, on 29 North, [29]. The main indoor mall, with the usual variety of chain clothing stores, bookstores, department stores, and restaurants.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There are a ton of great restaurants in Charlottesville, offering a variety of cuisines at reasonable prices. Main hubs of restaurants include 'The Corner,' an area of student-friendly shops in a traditional student area right next to the University, and around the downtown mall. From spring through fall, the outside seating on the pedestrian-only outdoor mall is highly recommended.

[edit] Downtown Mall

• Al Dente. High end Italian, wonderful atmosphere.
• Bang, 213 Second St. SW. Higher end Asian inspired Tapas.
• Bashir's Taverna, [30]. Mediterranean cuisine.
• Bizou. Moderately priced French-influenced comfort food.
• Blue Light Grill. Fresh seafood and bar.
• Bluegrass Grill, 313 Second St. Specializing in breakfast.
• Cafe Cubano. Particularly good for breakfast. Also has Panini.
• Chaps. Locally made ice cream in an old-style diner. Also burgers etc.
• Christian's. Gourmet pizza by the slice.
• C&O, 515 E. Water St. High end Virginia cuisine in a cozy environment. Excellent casual bar downstairs.
• Downtown Grille. Higher-end grill, surf and turf.
• Downtown Thai. Cheap-moderate priced Thai cuisine.
• Escafe. Comfort food with a twist... and a late night crowd.
• Fellini's #9, 201 W. Market St. Popular gathering place for live music and creative southern Italian food.
• Five Guys Burgers & Fries. New Downtown Mall location.
• The Flat: Takeaway Creperie, 111 E. Water St., +1 434-978-3528. Sweet & Savory Crepes, European Style, Delightful Patio, Affordable!
• Fleurie, on Third St. High end French cuisine.
• Hamilton's, [31]. Higher-end misc.
• Himalayan Fusion, +1 434-293-3120. Brings Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan Food to the Downtown Mall. Lunch Buffet.
• Marco and Luca's. Noodles and dumplings. Super cheap and very popular.
• Mas, 501 Monticello Rd. (in the Belmont), [32]. Spanish tapas.
• Miller's. This pub is an institution but is known for its music, not its food. Dave Matthews tended bar here back in the day and met his future bandmates here.
• Mono Loco, 200 W. Water St. Cuban cuisine.
• Monsoon, 113 W. Market St. Southeastern Asian cuisine.
• Mudhouse, [33]. Cozy couches and outside seating make this a popular coffee shop. Baked goods abound.
• Nicola's Veggies. Organic, raw food. Fresh Salads, Wraps, Juice, Smoothies.
• The Nook. Great breakfast, burgers, and sandwiches. High Quality products all around.
• Petit Pois. Classic, casual French bistro.
• Rapture, +1 434-293-9526. American food, billiards, bar and dance club.
• Revolutionary Soup, 108 Second St. SW. M-Sa 11AM-8PM. Hearty soups, inspired sandwiches, fresh salads, fancy sodas, local and organic ingredients. Soups are about $5.
• The Shebeen, 247 Ridge/McIntire Rd. South African restaurant and pub.
• South Street Brewery, 106 W. South St. This is a brew-pub where they serve what they make on the premises. South St. also serves guest beers, cider, wine and has a full bar. Mix of cheap-moderate food.
• Ten. High-end sushi and cocktails
• West Main, 333 W. Main St., 'Virginian' restaurant with several levels with bars etc.
• Splendoras, +1 434-296-8555, [34].
• Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. Large selection of gourmet teas, with vegetarian food and hookah.
• Vita Nova. Gourmet pizza by the slice.
• Zocalo. Higher end Latin inspired cuisine.

[edit] The Corner

• Arch's. Located at the lower end of the Corner, closer to the hospital, this small frozen yogurt and salad bar is a Charlottesville favorite! $3-$10.
• Biltmore Bar & Grill. Former boardinghouse converted into restaurant/bar on Elliewood Ave. A Playboy.com College Bar of the Month.
• Bodo's Bagels, near Bank of America and Elliewood Avenue. This Charlottesville Bagel Bakery has fast service and yummy food; serving breakfast most of the day. $2-$6.
• Cafe Europa. Mediterranean food and inventive sandwiches. Vegetarian friendly. The tomato basil soup is highly recommended. Lunch and dinner are $5-$7.
• College Inn, [35]. Mostly Greek and Italian food. They deliver.
• Coupe de Ville's. Small restaurant/bar with a varied menu tucked away on Elliewood Ave. Popular bar among undergrads.
• Just Curry. Just what it sounds like - four types of curry, with rice and plantain. $5 for small, $8 for large (with salad). Near the intersection of 14th and Wertland.
• Lazy Parrot Gril. Great Food with an island theme. Moderate prices. Friendly atmosphere. Located in Pantops Shopping Center East of the Free Bridge. [36]
• Lee's International Grill. This small international grill has excellent food--from hamburgers, burritos, soup, and Chinese food. $5-$7.
• Lemongrass. Good Vietnamese and Thai cuisine with a little twist. Offers a student discount for lunch.
• Littlejohn's. Open 24 hours. Depending on the hour, serves either breakfast or sandwiches and subs.
• Mellow Mushroom, +1 434-972-9366. Pizza & Subs. Good pizza, dozens of beers on tap. $2 pints during their happy hour.
• Michael's Bistro. This establishment, perched above Littlejohn's, offers a wide range of beers and an eclectic menu.
• Q'doba. Similar to Chipotle, this burrito bar restaurant is also equipped with a comfy back area with a large TV for watching sports.
• Sakura, near the corner of University Ave and 14th St., +1 434-923-0238. Japanese, including sushi. Delicious food in a calm, mature, relaxing atmosphere (unusual on The Corner).
• St. Maarten Cafe, [37]. 1400 Wertland St. Island themed bar food.
• The Sweet Spot, next to the locally famous "White Spot". Sweets (ice cream, milk shakes, etc.) "spot".
• Take It Away Sandwich Shop, 115 Elliewood Ave. Serves a wide variety of sandwiches on fresh baked bread. Carries a large amount of Potato-chip varieties and drink selections. Limited seating. Popular with UVa students and people who work in the area.
• The Virginian. Charlottesville's oldest diner is a cozy bar/restaurant featuring burgers, steaks and linguini. Various drink specials throughout the week.
• The White Spot, on University Ave near the railroad overpass. Lunch-counter style establishment that is another Corner landmark. Locally famous for its Gus Burger, a cheeseburger topped with a fried egg.

[edit] Elsewhere

• Albemarle Baking Company, in the Main Street Market near the Downtown Mall, +1 434-293-6456, [38]. Charlottesville's artisanal bakery. French-style baguettes, Italian-style ciabatta, rye bread, whole grain, and more - plus they bake pastries, cookies and cakes.
• Boathouse Row Restaurant, Charlottesville's newest reataurant. Located in Seminole Square Shopping Center next to Cheeseburgers in Paradise. Specializing in seafood, steaks, grills and pasta. Enjoy the lounge. [39]
• Bodo's Bagel Bakery, locations at 1418 N. Emmet St., 404 Preston Ave., and on The Corner.The best bagels south of New York. Really. A Charlottesville institution for nearly 20 years. Located at Great sandwiches, salads, and soup, cheap prices, blindingly fast service, and a trendy atmosphere. For a laugh, ask a local how long it takes Bodo's owner Brian Fox to open each new restaurant. Open until 8PM, 3PM/4PM Sunday. All meals are about $5.
• The Brick Oven, 1966 Rio Hill Shopping Center, on 29 North. Gourmet pizza, sandwiches, and pasta. Dinner is $8-$10.
• BRIX Terrace Café, a casual eatery with a sophiscated flair, can be found in the Pantops Mountain area in Charlottesville Virginia. Brix Terrace Cafe provides a combination of California cuisine heavily influenced by Mediterranean foods, which does not mean spaghetti ’n’ marinara sauce. Instead, look for antipasti, bruschetta, salad specials and savory, sophisticated fare. In the morning Brix Terrace Cafe serves coffee and pastries, and you can buy bottles of wine too. You will find bruschetta platters, orzo salads and cinnamon rolls. Though lunch will be her focus, the cafe will stay open until 6pm, long enough to catch some after-work to-go customers. The interior of Brix Terrace Cafe will remind you of a Tuscan villa, patio seating, “beautiful real dishes, real napkins, and real silverware.” [40]

• Crozet Pizza, 5794 Three Notch'd Rd., Crozet (about 15 miles out 250 West), [41]. The best pizza in Albemarle County. Make reservations for parties of 10 or more.
• CVille Coffee, [42]. Coffee, espresso, sandwiches and noodle bowls. Kid-friendly. Free wireless.
• Five Guys Burgers (and Fries), in Barracks Road Shopping Center. A popular D.C.-area chain. Its burgers are fresh, filling, and well made. Get a whole meal for under $5.
• Riverside Lunch, In town location: 1427 Hazel St. Riverside North location: 1770 Timberwood Blvd. A Charlottesville institution. Some consider Riverside to have the best burgers in town.
• Guadalajara, 29 North, East Market Street (downtown), and Fontaine (near UVA). A local Mexican institution. Entrees are $6-$10. The best in Cville. Try the Pollo con Mole, or Carnitas.
• Lazy Parrot Grill, For a family-friendly meal, this is a great place to go. Casual dining experience with 10 TV's for playoff evenings. Lots of good food, with hamburger's, 47 flavors chicken wings and salads galore. NTN Trivia, karaoke, and outdoor seating. Open daily from 11am-10pm. Under $10 [43]
• L'etoile, on Main Street midway between the Corner and the Downtown Mall, [44]. L'etoile is a fine-dining establishment that serves French-Virginian style food
• Lime Leaf Cafe, in the Rio Hill center on US 29. This hidden gem serves the most delicious and authentic Thai food in Charlottesville.
• Ludwig's Schnitzelhouse, 2208 Fontaine Ave. Decent (but expensive) Bavarian, Swiss, and Czech specialties in the dining room; cozy, inviting bar with good German beers and daily specials.
• Maharaja, Seminole Square, 29 North. A full variety of Indian food. Dinner $10-$15.
• Milan, 1417 Emmet Street, +1 434-984-2828. Wonderful Indian food, spicy and aromatic favorites cooked in authentic tandoori oven. Features a lunchtime buffet. Wide range of favorites, including vegetarian options. $10-$20.
• Ming Dynasty, 1417 Emmet St., +1 434-979-0909. Traditional Chinese and extensive vegetarian menu.
• Mitchie Tavern, down the hill from Monticello. Mitchie (pronounced Mickey) Tavern is a recreation of a Colonial tavern, where tourists can eat, shop, and tour the buildings.
• Orzo, also in the Main Street Market, [45]. Wonderful Med style food.
• Shanghai Restaurant, Full Menu, Exotic Mixed Drinks, Eat In Or Carry Out, Cocktails, Authentic Hunan & Szechuan Chinese Food. Located in Pantops Shopping Center. [46]
• Thai 99. Inexpensive and delicious Thai food. North-end and University-area locations.
• Tiffany's Seafood Restaurant, Casual sit-down dining, with full range of seafood dinners, steamed spiced shrimp, crab legs, and oysters and clams on the half shell. Also, steaks and chicken dishes. Lunch and dinner available. M-Th 11:30am-10pm, F & Sat 11:30am-10:30pm, Sun 5pm-10pm. Range $11-$20. [47]
• Vivace, 2244 Ivy Road, +1 434-979-0994, [48]. Italian, with charming indoor or two-tiered patio seating.
• Wayside Ol' Virginia Fried Chicken, 2203 Jefferson Park Ave., (at the intersection of JPA, Fontaine, and Maury). Just what it says it is. A rare un-yuppified oasis. Pretty good chicken; disappointing dinner rolls, though.
• Zazu's, 2213 Ivy Rd. Tasty wraps made with fresh ingredients. Wraps are about $5.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Like the eating options, the main hubs are either at 'The Corner', which has a predominantly student crowd, or downtown. Many options at both.

• Michael's Bistro on The Corner has one of the best and widest selection of beers in town, and specializes in Belgian and European beers. South Street Brewery (downtown) is a good micro-brewery and restaurant.

• Mellow Mushroom on The Corner has the most beers on tap of any restaurant in Charlottesville.

• For wine, both the C&O Restaurant [49] (downtown) and Zocalo [50] (downtown) have excellent selections. enoteca [51] (downtown) is an Italian wine and panini bar, with a very large selection of wines. Fellini's #9 (downtown) also has many Italian wines. Mas Tapas Bar (Belmont) has a good selection of Spanish wines.
• For beer and wine to go, visit Market Street Wine Shop [52] just off the Downtown Mall and they have an uptown location in Shoppers World near Whole Foods Market.

• To experience a world of teas in Charlottesville, head over to the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar [53] on the Downtown Mall. Also available is a fine selection of wines, beers and sake. The evenings frequently bring music and cultural activities.

• Nightclub: R2, a dance club located inside Rapture restaurant; Club 216, a gay and lesbian dance club (that also welcomes straight people) downtown

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Full range of options. Hotels fill up early for UVa football and basketball games and for graduation.

The Charlottesville/Albemarle Convention and Visitor's Bureau [54] has a search engine to help you find lodging.

[edit] Get out

• Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive - Beautiful drives along the Appalachians, with many hiking trails, some of which connect to the Appalachian Trail.
• Montpelier [55], the home of James Madison, is half an hour north on Route 20.
• Hike at the Ivy Creek or Ragged Mountain Natural Areas
• Tube the James River in Scottsville
• Ski at Wintergreen Resort

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!