Charlottesville Area Recommendations

[cspan37421]

The Mrs. and I will be in the Charlottesville area for a little vacation soon. We have a place to stay, and, having seen Monticello before, we plan to visit Montpelier and maybe Ash Lawn-Highland as well. I'd love some recommendations for other places in the area - such as wineries for touring/tasting, other historic sites/tours, restaurants, museums, etc.

A couple area sites I've noted as having potential are Skyline Drive, and the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library in Staunton - opinions on those particularly welcome.

Thanks much!

[roywhite]

Lexington, VA is a little more than an hour away, so I don't know if that's practical for you (though just driving in that area of Virginia is nice), but is definitely a good spot.

Lexington is home to VMI, Washington and Lee, the Robert E. Lee Museum, some other historical sites, and some nice restaurants.

[captmojo]

There is a VA winery tour, marked by highway signs, and there are many in Madison County. Wintergreen resort isn't far away. Also, if you are a fan of The Walton's, Earl Hamner's home is nearby, along with Godsey's store.

[Cavlaw]

You must eat at C&O.

[4decadedukie]

You must eat at C&O.

I absolutely agree with this recommendation! The C&O (the exterior looks a little dumpy or campy, dependant on your values) is one of the finest restaurants I have experienced. The food, service, amenities are impeccable. It is within easy walking distance of the downtown pedestrian mall. Every two years, my wife and I join two UVa alumni (she was a law school classmate of Bev's) in Charlottesville for the Duke - UVa football game. As you might expect, during the last 15+ years, I have had very little to cheer about, and the C&O has become my focus for these biannual humiliations (of course, last year things were quite different, but that was in Durham).

I would also suggest The Virginian, which is immediately opposite the main UVa campus and the UVa hospital. It is the quintessential college “dive,” but the food (especially breakfast) is good and the atmosphere is great.

Finally, at least have a drink at the Boar’s Head Inn; the succinct way to describe this venerable hotel is it’s UVa's equivalent to our Washington Duke Inn.

[bjornolf]

My wife is from Staunton, about 30 minutes west of Charlottesville on 64. Mrs. Rowes, called Rowes by the locals, is an institution. It's home cookin', not fancy, but really good. And their pies are fabulous. Staunton is the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, and I think they have a museum to that effect. It's also the home of the Statler Brothers. If you have kids or just love water parks, Massanutten Resort (www.massresort.com) up towards Harrisonburg has a HUGE indoor/outdoor water park that is REALLY cool. They also have some really nice golf courses. Also, if you have kids or small children you need to buy for, there's a store there called Pufferbellies, which is an AMAZING store for toys that you don't see at places like Toys R Us.

[captmojo]

I've played Devil's Knob at Wintergreen. Should you attempt it, carry plenty of extra balls!

[cspan37421]

Thanks to all! Our kids won't be with us - but they'll be nearby, at UVA, at the Summer Enrichment Program. So it's just the Mrs. and myself. I guess our tastes run upper middlebrow, tops. Casual yet nice. Places with food that has more presentation than taste is not our thing. Also, sometimes we'll look at a menu and just not understand half or more the item descriptions on it (C&O could be a case in point). I think after having kids we got a lot less adventurous, food-wise. I guess this is our chance to re-acquire some of that spontenaeity.

Place wise, I'm not a golfer, but I am thinking about where Wintergreen is situated - not far from Skyline Drive, which has scenic turnoffs with nice vistas. I wonder if the haze will be too great for photography.

I did find a lot of things going on from cvillecalendar.com, as well as similar stuff for nearby Richmond. There'll be (feel free to disavow me of any of these, if you know they're not worth it):

Music at Twilight @ Ash Lawn Highland (Mozart & More);
theatre, lectures, and exhibits at UVA (Little Shop of Horrors; Red, White & Tuna; Rare Books chief of Library of Congress lecturing on rebuilding Jefferson's book collection; exhibits on Faulkner, Poe, and Declaring Independence at the Harrison Institute);
UVA Rotunda Tour
Michie Tavern
Monpelier (and Orange County Fair ... not sure that's our kinda thing, but it's going on)
as you all noted, winery tours/tastings
Twilght Walking Tours
a couple of dance studio dance nights
artisan exhibits in Waynesboro
ska concert in Richmond (Reel Big Fish/The English Beat) - might be a bit far to go

On the way home we're going to see The Fantasticks at the Barter Theater in Abingdon.

[whereinthehellami]

The Bavarian Chef (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g57923-d779442-Reviews-The_Bavarian_Chef-Madison_Virginia.html) is located in Madison, just outside of C-Ville and has some of the best german food around. Its kind of gourmet german but with hearty portions. They have a strawberry/gin schnitzel that is worth the trip alone. Their bread pudding is also a must have whenever our family goes.

[devildm]

I have lived in Charlottesville for the past 7 years, so I know a good amount about the area.

First off, I was a beer person before I came to Charlottesville, but because of all of the wineries in the area, I now own my own wine fridge with some decent wine. I think the best winery by far is Barboursville...they put on a pretty good show. Horton winery will let you try like 50 wines if you want (most are pretty good). I also like Veritas and White Hall. I would spend about half a day hitting 3 or 4 in the same area. Here is a link:
http://www.monticellowinetrail.com/

Also, depending on when you are here, Veritas has an event called "Starry Nights" where you can bring food and buy wine and listen to live music under the starts.

There is tons of music in the area, especially Blue-grass. Every Friday is an event on the downtown mall called "Fridays after 5" where there are some pretty good bands of different types that play. Speaking of the Downtown Mall, there are tons of good restaurants to go to. I like C&O like the above folks, as well as the Downtown Grill and Zocalo. There are variations in price, so I would just take a walk, check out some menus, and see what floats your boat. I would recommend hitting the "crepe shack" or Splendoras gelatto on the downtown mall for dessert. You can also see if there is a show going on at the Live Arts center or at the Paramont.

Another thing I like to do is go to the Black Friar's theatre in Staunton, where they perform Shakespeare plays every weekend in a theatre that is based off of the globe (I would recommend in renting seat cushions if you are in the balcony, as they seats are wooden).

With regards to the outdoors, there tons of hiking trails in the area such as Ragged Mountain or Ivy Creek (http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=1725), or you can take Skyline drive and hike up to an overloo, called "Humpback Rock." Shennandoah National Park and Wintergreen are also near by.

Other things I like: getting sandwichs on the corner at "Take it Away" or "Little Johns", Getting a Gus burger (cheeseburger with a fried egg) and Grills (Krispy Creme donuts grilled and then with ice cream on top). If you like Thai, I recommend Monsoon and Downtown Thai, both just off the downtown mall).

If you have more specific questions, feel free to privately message me and I can give you more details.

[roywhite]

One other thought---I don't know if you're strictly an Interstate-preferred driver, but consider doing part of your drive on Route 11, which runs parallel to Interstate 81 through large parts of Virginia. It moves along pretty well, but is a more leisurely trip through the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, through some nice small towns, and a look at Americana.

Check the map and avoid the larger towns likely to have a ton of traffic lights; if you don't like the road, it's easy to get back on I-81 (which has a ton of truck traffic).

[bjornolf]

The Bavarian Chef (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g57923-d779442-Reviews-The_Bavarian_Chef-Madison_Virginia.html) is located in Madison, just outside of C-Ville and has some of the best german food around. Its kind of gourmet german but with hearty portions. They have a strawberry/gin schnitzel that is worth the trip alone. Their bread pudding is also a must have whenever our family goes.

I've seen that place MANY times when driving by, but was never brave enough to go in. I guess I'll have to go in now. ;) There's also a supposedly good German restaurant up in very north Stafford county right on Route 1, right across from the new Globe & Laurel. The only german restaurant I've really been to is the Bavarian Inn in West Virginia. http://www.bavarianinnwv.com/ It was really good. But that's obviously for a different trip.

Hey, wherinthehellami... Out of curiosity, have your tried the Edelweiss in Stuarts Draft a little way down the road from Charlottesville? It's a few miles from my in-laws place. I haven't been there yet, but I've heard good things. Has anyone else been there?

[dball]

The Bavarian Chef (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g57923-d779442-Reviews-The_Bavarian_Chef-Madison_Virginia.html) is located in Madison, just outside of C-Ville and has some of the best german food around. Its kind of gourmet german but with hearty portions. They have a strawberry/gin schnitzel that is worth the trip alone. Their bread pudding is also a must have whenever our family goes.

Second the Bavarian Chef if you like German fare. Arch's for frozen yogurt.
There's an Indian place on the downtown mall that was pretty good.

[Cavlaw]

Milan for Indian; Monsoon for Thai. El Puerto for Mexican.

[DevilAlumna]

On the way home we're going to see The Fantasticks at the Barter Theater in Abingdon.

A great little theater, and a fun town!

If you have time on your way home, there's a bike trail near Abingdon, called the Virginia Creeper. It's an old railway line that's been paved over, that goes up a mountain. Several bike shops near Abingdon will run you up to the top of the line, and you ride back down. It's a lot of fun, not a whole lot of work (though you do have to pedal in places), and very scenic.

[JBDuke]

Lots of good suggestions from folks in this thread. I'll add one. If her art is your cup of tea, the P Buckley Moss Museum is just off I-64 in Waynesboro, an easy 30 minute interstate drive west of C'ville. Here's a link: http://www.pbuckleymoss.com/

[bjornolf]

It's not even quite 30 minutes, and then they'd be close to that Rowes Restaurant I mentioned. We pass that every time we go to the in-laws. They'd also be about 15 minutes from the Edelweiss restaurant I mentioned before. I forget her name exactly, I think it's MA Vessey or something like that, but she's from Staunton and has a gallery somewhere there too.

[whereinthehellami]

I've seen that place MANY times when driving by, but was never brave enough to go in. I guess I'll have to go in now. ;) There's also a supposedly good German restaurant up in very north Stafford county right on Route 1, right across from the new Globe & Laurel. The only german restaurant I've really been to is the Bavarian Inn in West Virginia. http://www.bavarianinnwv.com/ It was really good. But that's obviously for a different trip.

Hey, wherinthehellami... Out of curiosity, have your tried the Edelweiss in Stuarts Draft a little way down the road from Charlottesville? It's a few miles from my in-laws place. I haven't been there yet, but I've heard good things. Has anyone else been there?

I've been to the german restaurant off of 1 in North Stafford and didn't think too much of it, which is a shame because its alot closer to us than the Bavarian Chef.

I've never been to Edelweiss but it looks and sounds like it would be worth a trip. Thanks for the tip. I'm fond of german food and german beer after having spent 6 six years of my adolescence in Germany (Stuttgart, Zweibruken).


Second the Bavarian Chef if you like German fare. Arch's for frozen yogurt.
There's an Indian place on the downtown mall that was pretty good.

The wife and I stopped at the Indian Place (at least I think it was the same place) on our way back from the Peaks of Otter last year. They had a great inexpensive buffet.

[Cavlaw]

Luray caverns if you have time while cruising the Blue Ridge. I enjoyed the experience.

[brianl]

The vineyards at Barboursville are nice as is the Palladio restaurant. I you go, don't leave without a bottle of Malvaxia Reserve, a personal favorite.

I'd estimate about 25 mins out of C-Ville.

[Cicero]

My wife and I spent a few days in Charlottesville last summer. We're wine types, so we went to about 10-12 wineries. Our favorites (roughly in this order) were

Barboursville Vineyards
Veritas Vineyards & Winery
Jefferson Vineyards (near Monticello)
Pollak Vineyards
Keswick Vineyards

Hope you have a great time!

[jimsumner]

Just drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

[Greg_Newton]

It's a little under the radar, but the Silver Thatch Inn is one my favorite restaurants anywhere. Although, I think they might have a different-style menu for the summertime which I can't specifically vouch for but I'm sure is good: http://www.silverthatch.com/dining.html.

Congressman Al Weed has a winery about 30 mins away called Mountain Cove that is a real nice spot: http://www.mountaincovevineyards.com/

And lastly, I second the recommendation for Take-it-away! Make sure you get house dressing on your sandwich though, or else there's no point in going. As for Littlejohn's, I might steer clear unless it's after 2am and you've been imbibing...;)

[cspan37421]

I'm taking all this down!

Thanks
:-)

[JBDuke]

BTW, I'll second the mention made earlier in the thread for the Downtown Grille - excellent steaks. It's on the Downtown Mall - a pedestrian mall that was created when they closed off Main Street to vehicle traffic. It's a great place to hang out, people watch, shop, eat, and drink. Another of my favorite spots on the Mall is the Twisted Branch, which is a great tea shop.

[cspan37421]

First, I have to say what a great time we had in Virginia. People were nicer and friendlier than we ever expected - perhaps everyone is trying a little harder in the down economy to get the smaller basket of tourist dollars but whatever it was, we had a great time everywhere we went.

Generally the only upscale restaurant we went to was The Silver Thatch Inn. It was my wife's favorite, but despite the lovely setting, quality of service, and impressive presentation, I felt the food quality could have and should have been better. For summer, they have set it up like a tapas place where you order several small plates. In particular, one dish I had, Honey-Ginger Glazed Baby Back Ribs [served with a red plum jam], was exceedingly fatty, even for ribs. But it - and the rest - still tasted good.

As for dives, The Virginian and Arch's were amazingly tasty. For anyone in Charlottesville, yes, we went there the day after Mrs. Obama and her kids were there. We were going to go anyway, but that did add some fun as the servers recounted how it all happened and how confusing it was at first to figure out what was going on. Hot Cakes, over by Barracks Road, was very good and service was outstanding. We hit several smaller cafes and delis that were good but not "tell all your friends" good.

We saw and did a lot - having already seen Monticello, we went to Montpelier, Ash Lawn Highland, the Rotunda, Barboursville Vineyards, American Shakespeare Center in Staunton (what a theater!), some events at UVA, Blue Ridge Parkway (hiked a mountain), visited friends in DC and Richmond, and went to the Barter Theater in Abingdon. A full week!

Thanks again all!

[cspan37421]

PS it absolutely POURED the day we were at the downtown pedestrian mall, so we really didn't get to eat or do much shopping there.