Charlottesville, VA

If you are fortunate to be staying at Keswick Hall, you’ll be given a temporary membership to their private club which is a wonderful golf course. Birdwood Golf Course at the Boar’s Head Inn is the next best thing and the favorite of many locals. Birdwood is currently undergoing extensive renovations overseen by Davis Love III.

Keswick Hall, the Clifton Inn and the Boar’s Head Resort, three of our Featured Properties have tennis facilities. Charlottesville, Albemarle and Monticello high schools and UVA have lit courts and the Wintergreen Resort just west of the City has 19 clay courts and 3 indoor courts. Non-guests pay a fee.

Three great places to take advantage of the beautiful countryside; Shenandoah National Park, Rivanna Trails, Sugar Hollow with its 48-acre reservoir and Sanders Monticello Trail.
Boar’s Head has a wonderful trail system over its nearly 600 acres.

Keswick Hall has three pools, a spectacular Infinity pool overlooking the sprawling golf course below, a pool at the spa and a pool at the Tennis Center. Both have drink and snack service. The Clifton Inn also has an Infinity pool with a waterfall set back in the forest, walking distance from the Inn. Boar’s Head Inn has an outdoor pool and  ACAC, the downtown fitness center has an indoor pool.

ACAC, downtown at 111 Monticello Ave, is a fully appointed fitness center with racquetball and squash courts and an indoor aquatics center. Keswick Hall and Boar’s Head have fitness centers.

You can fish on your own in Shenandoah National Park or for someone who really knows the local fishing holes, contact the Albemarle Angler for guided tours. Half and full day trips from $195.

James River Runners has been outfitting boating enthusiasts for over 30 years. Canoe, kayaking, rafting and tubing trips are available on the James River.

There may be no better way to experience and appreciate the beauty of the area than on horseback the way Thomas Jefferson and James Madison did so many years ago. Oakland Heights Farm offers rides any skill level and will even take you on the actual trails our former presidents used. $40pp

Oasis Day Spa and Body Shop, W. Water Street. Voted the “best” by the locals, they do it all and at very reasonable prices. Most massages are under $100 which is almost unheard of these days. Keswick and Boar’s Head have their own spas.

No visit is complete without a stop at Jefferson’s beloved Monticello and it is worth the trip to experience the genius of this man. Two other presidents, James Madison and James Monroe, also made their homes here and are popular tourist stops. Madison’s Montpelier and Monroe’s Ash-Lawn Highland are wonderful examples of that period’s architecture and property. Historic Michie Tavern was the social center of the community in Jefferson’s day and visitors can tour the original tavern and participate in an interactive tour.

In town everyone’s favorite is Circa at 17 Allied St. They’re goal is to fill the void between junk stores and pricey antique “shoppes.” and they do a pretty good job at it. Pick up a copy of Sunday Driver Directories for a complete list of antique stores on Rt. 29 North and the surrounding area.

The (UVA) Virginia Cavaliers play in the exciting ACC and field 12 men’s and 13 women’s sports.

There are 24 wineries in the immediate Charlottesville area.  The Monticello Wine Trail Guide and Map is available around town in a brochure. The Virginia Winery Guide for the entire state is available also in a brochure. Three vineyards not to miss; King Family Vineyards (they have polo matches here), Barboursville (excellent restaurant, Palladio) and Trump (beautiful setting and good wines).

Charlottesville has a dynamic art community with galleries and museums for the art lover to enjoy. McGuffrey Arts Center, located one block from the Downtown Mall, is one of the oldest artist-run cooperative art centers in the country

Every Friday from early May to early September, national and local acts in many genres are staged at the Sprint Pavilion for free outdoor entertainment. The historic Paramount Theatre opened in 1931 and today presents just about any kind of music you can image from classical, pop, jazz, opera, folk and more. Movies too. Very cool Greek Revival-influenced façade. Interior evokes thoughts of Radio City Music Hall.  UVA’s John Paul Jones Arena is a 15,000 seat venue that is the home of the school’s basketball teams and hosts popular artists like Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton and others. The Charlottesville Symphony at UVA is a unique blend of professional musicians – many of whom are also music faculty members at the University of Virginia – accomplished community members and talented university students from diverse academic fields. Fridays After Five continues to be Charlottesville’s favorite live concert series. of free live music and fun. April-September.

Barracks Road Shopping Center on Rt 29, has the national chains like Old Navy, Barnes & Noble, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Ann Taylor and others of that kind, but it is the local stores that hold the most appeal like; The Happy Cook, The Virginia Shop, Oil & Vinegar, Shenanigans, Scarpa, Quilts Unlimited to name a few. Downtown Mall has lots of interesting boutiques like The Jeweler’s Eye, Clock Shop, Yves Delorme, novel, Caspari and more.

The Daily Progress is the local newspaper and C-Ville is a weekly with news and arts info.

Early Morning Coffee

Of course, all our Featured Properties offer coffee for their early risers, but if you are out and about and need a fix head to Mudhouse at the Mall. Opens at 6:30am. When Mudhoue gets to crowded, locals flock to Shenandoah Joe’s. These folks are serious about their coffee! Always voted best coffee in town.

Breakfast/Brunch

Again our recommended lodgings all offer a delicious breakfast, but the locals are passionate about Bluegrass Grill and Bakery (Think biscuits and gravy.) on Second Street and Bodo’s on Preston. Killer bagels. Marie Brette brings a touch of France to C-Ville, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch. Amazing croissants and the baked eggs, country ham hash and stuffed French Toast are to die for.

Lunch

You won’t want to miss one lunch at Palladio’s at the Barboursville Vineyard. Excellent wines and delicious Italian fare.  Revolutionary Soup, 2nd Street SW has, go figure, amazing soups and pretty good salads and wraps as well, Petit Pois from the owners of Fleurie is a charming French bistro on the Mall, Citizen Burger Bar for a decadent burger, also on the mall, Hamilton’s on the Mall has excellent food and people watching, Trump Winery has delicious sandwiches, salads and cheese platters while you taste their wines and Fossett’s offers great food and a wonderful terrace overlooking the golf course. The Mill Room Terrance, overlooking a lake at the Boar’s Head Resort is a delightful lunch setting. You can also grab some food at Feast in the Main Street Market and find a table not associated with a restaurant on the Mall have have your own people watching picnic.

Burger

Citizen Burger Bar’s Citizen Burger; local grass-fed beef, McClure cheese, blackened onions, garlic aioli, iceberg, and tomato on a brioche bun and a fried pickle spear.

Raw Bar

Public Fish & Oyster features fresh East Coast Seafood, Raw Bar, craft beers, cocktails and a comprehensive wine list.

Wine Bar

Tastings is a wine bar, restaurant and wine shop. Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar. This is a cool place for lunch, a drink or dinner, but absolutely perfect for a late afternoon snack and a glass of wine. They call it Siesta time and offer a bunch of small plates and $5 glasses of wine. Perfect….Cheese, wine, snacks? Head to Tilman’s Cheese and Wine. C&O has won tWine Spectator Award of Excellence every year since 1996

Ice Cream

Chaps on the Mall. Gourmet ice cream for 15 years. All natural ingredients, nothing artificial. Open late on nice nights.

Cocktails

Downstairs at C and O is a great place for a drink anytime. Bang has tapas, great drinks and a terrific outdoor rear patio and Hamilton’s makes a mean martini. Alley Light (oddly down an alley, under a light) has fantastic drinks (fresh squeezed juices and homemade tonic) and small plates. A true craft cocktail bar and not to be missed. If you are a beer person, you’ll want to make a stop at Three Notch’d Brewing Company.

After Dinner Fun

If you’re drinking for after dinner fun head back to Siips for some wine. Dave Matthews got his start at Miller’s, originally an old-time apothecary and its still the spot for jazz and local folk in a dark and sexy space. Wanna dance? Rapture’s R2 is the nightclub and dance floor on the Mall. Easy listening? Jazz at Hamilton’s on Saturday nights.

Picnic Fixins

Baggby’s Gourmet Sandwiches and Take It Away make great sandwiches, but my favorite is Feast at the Main Street Market. Wonderful sandwiches, amazing charcuterie selections.

Wine Store

Locals rave about the Market Street Wineshop, but I really liked Tastings. They have a wine bar and also serve food. Great selection.

Take It Home

Albermarle Baking Company, Main Street Market has wonderful Artisan breads, but get there early because they often sell out. Delicious specialty desserts, too. Gearhart Chocolates, also at the Main Street Market. Made with premium chocolate, local sweet cream and pure butter and then they add fresh fruits and nuts. You won’t be able to resist these amazing chocolates.