10 Reasons to Visit Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia is where it’s at—and not just because it’s the birthplace of American wine. Sure, the winemaking tradition is still flowing strong with dozens of wineries spread along lush landscape and others that are owned by celebrities like Dave Matthews and Donald Trump. On top of that, find an energetic little town packed with history, Jeffersonian architecture and one of the best college campuses at UVA. And it’s a place where three founding fathers called home- so rest assured history is at its height. Here are ten reasons why C’Ville, as it’s known, is a must see spot.
1. Cheers History: American history buffs will want to set aside a full half day for a tour of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s mountaintop home and plantation. There are three tours that will take you through the interior of the house, the gardens and the slave quarters, with each lasting about 45 minutes. If you’re short on time, the house tour is the one you shouldn’t skip (you can walk around the grounds on your own afterwards). Don’t forget to check out some of Jefferson’s own clever inventions, such as the Great Clock, which marks days, hours and seconds with a pulley system.
2. Wine Down: Winemaking has been a tradition in Charlottesville for over 200 years, and the surrounding area now produces some of the most acclaimed wines on the East Coast. Tour three wineries that are all located within a few miles of each other: Blenheim, Trump Winery (Virginia’s largest one) and Jefferson. At Bleinhem Vineyards, which is actually owned by Dave Matthews, visitors to the tasting room can peer through paneled glass floors into the wine production facility below. Dave Matthews himself designs the labels for the vineyard’s Painted Wines each year, and rumor has it that he occasionally appears, unannounced, to the surprise of visiting wine lovers.
3. Sleep in Luxury: There’s no better place to sleep among history than Keswick Hall, a grand mansion where old-fashioned details like brass room keys and oversized claw-foot bathtubs meet modern amenities like heated towel racks and an infinity pool. The property also boasts a spa, a fitness center with classes, a golf course and tennis courts. Request a Deluxe Balcony Room for a view of the golf course or lush gardens, and don’t miss dinner at Fossett’s, the award-winning on-site restaurant. Pop open a bottle from a local vineyard as you take in the spectacular panoramic mountain views from Fossett’s floor to ceiling windows.
4. Explore the River: About 30 minutes south of Charlottesville you can spend an afternoon floating down the Saint James River in Scottsville. Reeling & Rafting offers self-guided float trips seven days a week, with something for everyone: kayak and canoe rentals for the more adventurous, and tubes for visitors who are just looking to kick back. Keep an eye on the riverbank as you float by for deer, blue herons, ospreys and bald eagles. After you’ve spent enough time on the water, enjoy a picnic lunch or book a table at nearby Tavern on the James for delicious American comfort foods like rack of lamb, pulled pork and pineapple, and filet mignon with bacon wrapped shrimp.
5. True Southern Taste: Back in Charlottesville, enjoy dinner at Clifton Inn, a historic mansion turned fine dining restaurant that offers a tasting menu with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and house crafted cocktails. The menu is broken down into four categories based on your hunger level: delicate, light, full bodied and robust. A delicate meal might consist of a seasonal vegetable salad and local cheese, while a robust dinner could include a satisfying rib eye paired with mushrooms, caramelized green beans and tomato gastrique. Four course meals are $62, five courses run for $76, and a chef’s seasonal tasting menu is also offered for $150. Reservations are a must.
6. Catch School Spirit: Experience the madness that is college football in the south and catch a Cavaliers game at University of Virginia. Insider tip: UVA has a longstanding tradition of dressing up for football games, with guys wearing ties and girls in sundresses. But if you’re going to go casual, you can at least represent the team color – orange!
7. Peddle the Town: Rent a bike from Blue Ridge Cyclery and explore the beautiful UVA campus. It’s the only North American university dedicated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and famous faces like Tina Fey, Katie Couric, Robert Kennedy and Edgar Allen Poe went to college there. The campus is conveniently located near “the Corner,” an area that is known for its concentration of boutiques, bars and restaurants. Make sure you swing by the Biltmore, which claims to be the number one college bar in America.
8. Albemarle Cider: It’s not all about wine in Charlottesville – the state is also home to 11 cideries, including 3 in Albemarle County. Family-owned orchard Vintage Virginia Apples grows more than 200 varieties of apples, and in 2009 they opened Albemarle CiderWorks. Their first batches of cider were a hit, and they have since introduced new options that have also been received well. Tastings of their distinct ciders are offered Wednesdays through Sundays, 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Try 5 for $5, or pay a little extra to taste all 8 ciders.
9. Source Local: When the United States was founded, Albemarle County was dominated by agriculture and that legacy continues today. Just outside the city, you’ll find rolling hills and small family farms raising organic crops and free-range livestock. Residents have a strong commitment to shopping local and supporting small farms, and on Saturdays the place to food shop is City Market from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Some more Charlottesville foods you need to try: the signature caramels from Gearharts Fine Chocolate, made with local sweet cream and pure butter, and for health nuts, fresh cold pressed juice from Lumi Juice.
10. Eat Ethnic: For a small city, Charlottesville offers a surprisingly diverse dining scene. You’ll find everything from Himalayan to South African and Indian restaurants in town. The buzzy spot of the moment is The Shebeen, a South African pub and restaurant that has a lively, fun atmosphere and serves quite a few unique and very tasty dishes. I recommend the Cape Mussels and Curried Crab Dip for appetizers, followed by traditional South African dishes like the spicy Peri-Peri Chicken or Lamb Curry Potjie, a savory lamb and veggie-filled stew.
Carri’s Catch:
Do your own apple tasting at Carter Mountain and keep an eye out for local products!
