VAcations -- Staycations
by: Katerina Diplas & Linnea White and all our lovely contributors!
From Belmont shops to Downtown galleries, scenic getaways and cinematic escapes, Charlottesville has it all. Experience the city and the beautiful surrounding area through the eyes, or words, of local experts - the people who live and breath Cville. A day in Charlottesville... What would you do?
Cville Celebrities
Maggie Guggenheimer, Deborah Mcleod, Brad Savage, Tara Koenig, Greg Antrim Kelly, Abigail Lee, Dana Holler
Maggie Guggenheimer
Director of Piedmont Council for the Arts
{What's your Cville Niche}
Lower Belmont, aka The Hogwaller
{What is your breakfast nook}
Bodos! It's cheap, delicious, and oh-so-Charlottesville. You can't go there on a Saturday morning without running into some friends. I'd order an everything whole wheat bagel with egg, cheddar, sausage, watercress and tomato -- cut in half!
{What is your lunch location}
My favorite lunch spot is probably Bizou because you can sit outside on the mall and the waitstaff, especially Mundo, makes you feel right at home.
It's pretty much gourmet comfort food, and it comes out fast, too. I'd go with the caesar salad with fried chicken....Add a glass of wine, some sunshine and a fall breeze, and you really can't do much better for lunch in Charlottesville.
{What's your dinner destination}
My favorite dinner spots are the awesome restaurants of Carlton Ave: Aquis es Mexico, The Red Lantern, the Korea House, Pad Thai, and Beer Run. Each one is quirky, affordable, family-run, and delicious. I recommend the fish tacos at Aquis, the hunan tofu at Red Lantern, bibimbap at the Korea House, green curry at Pad Thai, and the meat nachos at Beer Run. Yes!!
{Place for coffee, a snack and cozy conversations}
The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar is a great place to curl up on a couch with a book and a cup of tea. Or better yet, a rose milkshake. Also great for rock shows.
{It's five o'clock somewhere...}
The C&O has the best bar in town....head downstairs and order the greyhound. Go on Tuesday after 10pm and catch the Rick Olivarez Trio playing live.
{The Great Outdoors}
I'm not much of an outdoors(wo)man, but I love heading to Riverside Park and walking the Rivanna Trail. It's my favorite place in town. It's kid-, dog-, and bike-friendly and nestled in Charlottesville's lovely Woolen Mills neighborhood. The Rivanna River runs alongside the trail -- offering a peaceful view to take in while you walk.
{Rain spot, aka the great indoors}
The downtown mall (and nearby) is teeming with great arts venues: The Bridge PAI, the nTelos Wireless Pavilion, the Paramount Theater, Chroma Projects, the Jefferson Theater, Live Arts, Second Street Gallery, McGuffey Art Center, Random Row Books -- to name a few! Check out PCA to view upcoming arts events in town.
{Hidden Cville Gem}
The Garage -- a hidden arts space across from Lee Park on N. 1st St. downtown. Stop by on First Fridays for art openings and check the website for intimate outdoor concerts.
Deborah McLeod
Curator and Writer for Chroma Projects
{What's your Cville Niche}
Mill Creek
{What is your breakfast nook}
The Nook - I love the shade trees and the fountain for outdoor breakfasts
{What is your lunch location}
The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar - great for hippie/alternative lifestyle ambiance. The food is healthy and delicious, lots of tea choices too.
{What's your dinner destination}
Fleurie - a special treat all around
{Place for coffee, a snack, a good book and cozy conversations}
It's not a bookshop, but for a coffee place I love Java Java - it's pleasing to be in it and I like the owners a lot
{It's five o'clock somewhere...}
Ten - for a glass of wine and their fabulous avocado tempura in a sophisticated setting
{The Great Outdoors}
The White Hall area - beautiful sunlight dappled, stony riverbed, and nearby
{Rain spot, aka the great indoors}
Vinegar Hill Theatre for a great flick
{Hidden Cville Gem}
Chroma Projects - it's full of hidden gems - "an art wonderland", to quote a visitor
Brad Savage
Radio DJ/Programmer, 106.1 The Corner
{What's your Cville Niche}
Pantops
{What is your breakfast nook}
TipTop - this is a Charlottesville institution!
{What is your lunch location}
Baggby's Sandwiches - on the downtown mall, great, local, independent.
{What's your dinner destination}
BANG! - among my favorite restaurants in town, it is such an example of Charlottesville foodie & hipster but not too cool for the room. Hot waitstaff too!
{Place for coffee, a snack and cozy conversations}
Shenandoah Joe's
{It's five o'clock somewhere...}
I enjoy South Street Brewery
{The Great Outdoors}
Humpback Rock!
{Rain spot, aka the great indoors}
Play On! Theater
{Hidden Cville Gem}
Catch an unknown band at The Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, or just hang out for conversation and tea!
Tara Koenig
Owner, Sweethaus Cupcake and Candy Shop
{What's your Cville Niche}
Fifeville
{What is your breakfast nook}
Bluegrass Bakery & Grill for Eggs Benadict and Corned Beef Hash. Pancakes for the little one, they have incredible fluffy pancakes! Tiny little spot makes me feel like I'm in Grandma's kitchen.
{What is your lunch location}
Inn at Court Square-- Again, you feel like a guest in someone's beautifully decorated home. Love the quirky mismatched sterling silver and the lovely vintage china sugar bowls. Incredibly soup and sandwiches, feels luxurious without the luxurious pricetag!
{What's your dinner destination}
ORZO-- When I was pregnant we had to go at least once a week. Hands down, the best fries in Charlottesville served with amazing aioli for dipping. Our little on just dips the same fry in the aioli over and over again. The potato is merely a vehicle for the sauce!
{Place for coffee, a snack, a good book and cozy conversations}
Random Row Books on West Main St. A truly authentic used bookstore experience, owned by a thoughtful, community-oriented gentleman named Ryan. And I would take that book next door to Sweethaus to grab a cupcake and coffee to cozy up with while I read.
{It's five o'clock somewhere...}
Keswick Hotel Bar Patio -- We love to go to Keswick to grab a glass of wine or beer and sit out on the patio sipping while taking in the lovely view. Bonus is the little one can make noise without bothering anyone else since we are outside!
{The Great Outdoors}
Sugar Hollow I used to go when I was a student at UVA in the 90's. I don't think I would venture into any swimming holes now that I know how many snakes are there, but I love the creek to cool off and the dam/resevoir is sure to impress any kid!
{Rain spot, aka the great indoors}
Wandering the aisles of Circa. Love looking at old treasures.
{Hidden Cville Gem}
The gardens behind the pavilions on the UVAs Lawn. Many people don't know this gardens are open to the public. I love taking my little girl strolling beyond the serpentine walls, looking at the gorgeous old trees and bushes that highlight Thomas Jefferson's beautiful architecture.
Greg Antrim Kelly
Executive Director of The Bridge PAI
{What's your Cville Niche}
Downtown
{What is your breakfast nook}
The Blue Moon Diner It's a classic. Great menu, atmosphere and location. My 'go to's are the breakfast burrito, yougurt and fruit, egg and cheese biscuits.
{What is your lunch location}
Eppie's My favorite $8 lunch in town. Relaxed atmosphere inside and on the patio. Great 'specials'. Freash and wholesome options. Favorite meal: the spinach alfredo, 'pick 3' and daily lunch specials
{What's your dinner destination}
MAS Tapas--Hands down my favorite place to dine out. Great menu and wine list, energetic atmosphere and the best service in town. Favorite meal: whatever Tomas recommends
{Place for coffee, a snack and cozy conversations}
Mudhouse downtown-- Newly renovated, the atmosphere is inspiring. Great coffee, baked goods and service. Any establishment who's mission is to 'Create Good Feeling' has figured it out.
{It's five o'clock somewhere...}
C&O -- Amazing atmosphere, the most beautiful bar in Charlottesville (maybe in Virginia). Great tenders, service and late night menu. Not to be missed.
{The Great Outdoors}
The Mormons river and Blue Hole. Just 30 minutes from downtown. Great swimming holes and trails.
{Rain spot, aka the great indoors}
Vinegar Hill Theatre -- Live Arts --Second Street Gallery -- No brainer options for rainy day entertainment
{Hidden Cville Gem}
Not telling. And thus - it's remains a gem. Cheers
Abigail Lee
New City Arts intern, poet, and student at UVa
{What's your Cville Niche}
Midtown
{What is your breakfast nook}
The Pigeon Hole! You can't beat the great, sassy service, the amazing prices, and the charmingly homemade atmosphere.
{What is your lunch location}
Feast! The pimento cheese. Need I say more? And we can stock up on devilishly delicious snacks to sustain us throughout our big day.
{What's your dinner destination}
Dr. Ho's Humble Pie! This North Garden pizza place is my all-time favorite pizza around town. We'd get the Bellissima, without the ham. I think it fell from heaven, onto my plate.
{Place for coffee, a snack, a good book and cozy conversations}
La Taza in Belmont! They have great coffee and teas, and the coolest coffee tables made out of varnished tree trunks. You always meet someone interesting and unexpected there.
{It's five o'clock somewhere...}
MAS Tapas-- for sangria and maybe a few tapas--you can't go to Mas and not get at least something from their fiery kitchen.
{The Great Outdoors}
Tubing on the James River is definitely the way to go. Maybe not the most strenuous outdoor experience, but you can burn calories when you're not on staycation, right? It's 4 hours of forced relaxation, and every minute of every trip I've ever taken has been both hilarious and perfect. Something about being trapped on a river with people makes them funnier.
{Rain spot, aka the great indoors}
Definitely a great indie film at Vinegar Hill Theatre . We won't even check what movie is playing ahead of time, just take a chance, and see something unexpected.
{Hidden Cville Gem}
The Garage! Okay, maybe it's not that hidden, but there's nothing better than a warm night, sitting on the hill across 1st St, listening to that amazing-band-you've-never heard-of.
Dana Holler
Fashion Blogger, Cville Fashion, and an IT project manager.
{What's your Cville Niche}
Fry's Spring
{What is your breakfast nook}
Brunch outside at Siips. People watching + mimosas = a great start to my Sunday.
{What is your lunch location}
Rev Soup-- Who doesn't love sitting down in the middle of the day with yummy soup and a good beer?
{What's your dinner destination}
Downtown Grille-- The best steak and seafood in town, friendly service, great for special occasions.
{Place for coffee, a snack and cozy conversations}
A little unconventional, but...the Downtown Hotdog Company! It's small and a great place to chat. Plus, hotdog trumps coffee any day.
{It's five o'clock somewhere...}
Positively 4th Street-- my fiance and I have a blast talking to the bartenders. They're a riot!
{The Great Outdoors}
There are great neighborhood roads to run on in Fry's Spring, so I'd probably take them on a run around there.
{Rain spot, aka the great indoors}
I could go on and on about places to shop! Would definitely hit up all the terrific shops on the Downtown Mall, maybe make my way over to Barracks Road if there's time left.
{Hidden Cville Gem}
If it had to be in Fry's Spring, it would have to be our community garden plot.
{Choose your own adventure}
Simply put, it’d consist of a lot of shopping, a lot of calorie-free-fat-free frozen yogurt, a wine-tasting tour via limousine, 4-course dinner, rocking concert at the Pavilion, followed by after-party at the Jefferson. And at some point in this adventure, I’d finally get to meet Dave Matthews. Yes.
