Charlottesville Recommendations
Food scene
This sweet little local spot is just a quick walk away from our house. You can grab a burger, a salad, or a nice cold draft (or all three!) and play classic pinball and Pac-Man games :-)
31 abantu bendawo batusa
FIREFLY Restaurant & Game Room
1304 East Market StreetThis sweet little local spot is just a quick walk away from our house. You can grab a burger, a salad, or a nice cold draft (or all three!) and play classic pinball and Pac-Man games :-)
This is also walkable from our house, taking you past cool old historic homes and a church at the end of E Market St. The coffee and the pastries there are excellent quality, and it is pleasant to walk along the river (either by crossing the bridge that you can see from Willow Tree's parking lot, or walking back out and over to Riverview Park
The Workshop
1839 Broadway StreetThis is also walkable from our house, taking you past cool old historic homes and a church at the end of E Market St. The coffee and the pastries there are excellent quality, and it is pleasant to walk along the river (either by crossing the bridge that you can see from Willow Tree's parking lot, or walking back out and over to Riverview Park
This is a new spot in our neighborhood and is great for contactless ordering, cool factory style ambience, and good artistic food (it is on our list of favorite burgers in town). Again, nice and walkable so no need to worry about imbibing an extra local brew before walking home :-)
13 abantu bendawo batusa
Selvedge Brewing
2415 Broadway StThis is a new spot in our neighborhood and is great for contactless ordering, cool factory style ambience, and good artistic food (it is on our list of favorite burgers in town). Again, nice and walkable so no need to worry about imbibing an extra local brew before walking home :-)
Beer Run has been on the local favorites list for years, mixing a convenience store feel with an incredible selection of beers, and a very popular brunch scene. It is quirky and local and walkable. The good news is that it is up hill, so you feel extra good about buying that locally made dessert before you head back home.
77 abantu bendawo batusa
Beer Run
156 Carlton RdBeer Run has been on the local favorites list for years, mixing a convenience store feel with an incredible selection of beers, and a very popular brunch scene. It is quirky and local and walkable. The good news is that it is up hill, so you feel extra good about buying that locally made dessert before you head back home.
This little shop has great popsicle flavors made in house and is a super local favorite.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
La Flor Michoacana
601A Cherry AveThis little shop has great popsicle flavors made in house and is a super local favorite.
I know I am heavy on burger recommendations but adding this here to note that it is our hands down favorite. Downtown mall located. A total win.
28 abantu bendawo batusa
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Cville
109 2nd St SEI know I am heavy on burger recommendations but adding this here to note that it is our hands down favorite. Downtown mall located. A total win.
Sightseeing
There is a very pleasant paved walkway along the Rivanna that you can access from the park, but actually connects to the greater Rivanna trail which goes for miles. We love going here with our kids and their bikes, and see loads of walkers/joggers etc, as well as Great Blue Herons, turtles, and hawks.
41 abantu bendawo batusa
Riverview Park
1909 Chesapeake StThere is a very pleasant paved walkway along the Rivanna that you can access from the park, but actually connects to the greater Rivanna trail which goes for miles. We love going here with our kids and their bikes, and see loads of walkers/joggers etc, as well as Great Blue Herons, turtles, and hawks.
A great summertime activity just down the street from us. This family owned company has been going strong since they started a few years ago and it is very convenient to our house
50 abantu bendawo batusa
Rivanna River Company
1520 E High StA great summertime activity just down the street from us. This family owned company has been going strong since they started a few years ago and it is very convenient to our house
If you are coming with kids in the summer time this is a big win. I think the daily entrance might be $8 a person? But it is hours of outside fun.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Onesty Family Aquatic Center
300 Meade AveIf you are coming with kids in the summer time this is a big win. I think the daily entrance might be $8 a person? But it is hours of outside fun.
Weekends will see this place full of families, dog walkers, joggers... It can be hard to get a parking spot but there are two lots, and if you go during an off peak time you will have the place almost to yourself. It is a beautifully maintained trail and gorgeous any time of year (popular spot for family photos in the fall, for example)
74 abantu bendawo batusa
Saunders-Monticello Trail
Weekends will see this place full of families, dog walkers, joggers... It can be hard to get a parking spot but there are two lots, and if you go during an off peak time you will have the place almost to yourself. It is a beautifully maintained trail and gorgeous any time of year (popular spot for family photos in the fall, for example)
This is a local classic with great views of the city from the top. Peaches and apples are available for picking, and they make apple cider donuts fresh daily. There is also a cider house and restaurant and I think they have restarted their Thursday sunset sessions of live music, picnic blankets and fun outside vibe.
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Carters Mountain
This is a local classic with great views of the city from the top. Peaches and apples are available for picking, and they make apple cider donuts fresh daily. There is also a cider house and restaurant and I think they have restarted their Thursday sunset sessions of live music, picnic blankets and fun outside vibe.
The tours here are awesome. We have done the regular daily tour and also the evening tour as a date. The house is fascinating, the grounds are beautiful, and there is a lot to learn.
634 abantu bendawo batusa
Monticello
1050 Thomas Jefferson PkwyThe tours here are awesome. We have done the regular daily tour and also the evening tour as a date. The house is fascinating, the grounds are beautiful, and there is a lot to learn.
Next to Onesty, this is our favorite summertime haunt. The splash park is big and free and right across the street from the popsicle shop, La Flor Michoacana. It is a win all around.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Tonsler Park
500 Cherry AveNext to Onesty, this is our favorite summertime haunt. The splash park is big and free and right across the street from the popsicle shop, La Flor Michoacana. It is a win all around.