JO & Paw's Cville Guidebook
Sightseeing
A must for Charlottesville newcomers. This is an open-air mall with a closed street for pedestrian traffic only. It's a great place to people watch, eat or see a show.
291 locals recommend
Downtown Mall
A must for Charlottesville newcomers. This is an open-air mall with a closed street for pedestrian traffic only. It's a great place to people watch, eat or see a show.
Thomas Jefferson’s home, with tours, a museum, a cafe and more. If you're visiting Charlottesville for the first time this place is a must.
635 locals recommend
Monticello
1050 Thomas Jefferson PkwyThomas Jefferson’s home, with tours, a museum, a cafe and more. If you're visiting Charlottesville for the first time this place is a must.
The remains of an old silk mill ran by Fran IX & Sons up until 1999. It’s now home to one of Charlottesville’s best farmers markets, Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery & North American Sake Brewery. There’s also a stage that often hosts local music and lots of great murals and sculptures.
69 locals recommend
IX Art Park
522 2nd St SEThe remains of an old silk mill ran by Fran IX & Sons up until 1999. It’s now home to one of Charlottesville’s best farmers markets, Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery & North American Sake Brewery. There’s also a stage that often hosts local music and lots of great murals and sculptures.
The historic portion of UVA that was designed by Thomas Jefferson and includes in the iconic "Rotunda". First timers make sure you don't miss this place. It's a great place to take some photos too, especially on sunny spring or fall days.
13 locals recommend
The Lawn
400 Emmet St SThe historic portion of UVA that was designed by Thomas Jefferson and includes in the iconic "Rotunda". First timers make sure you don't miss this place. It's a great place to take some photos too, especially on sunny spring or fall days.
Sports & Entertainment
The only arena in Charlottesville. All of UVA's home games are hosted here as well as a lot of concerts & larger events.
60 locals recommend
John Paul Jones Arena
295 Massie RdThe only arena in Charlottesville. All of UVA's home games are hosted here as well as a lot of concerts & larger events.
Scott Stadium
1815 Stadium RdHome of the UVA Football Team. All home games are hosted here.
A vintage theater that has been restored to host many great national touring bands.
91 locals recommend
The Jefferson Theater
110 E Main StA vintage theater that has been restored to host many great national touring bands.
The Ting Pavilion (recently renamed) is an outdoor pavilion that hosts a free concert on Fridays (Fridays After Five) during the summer and many larger touring bands year-round.
79 locals recommend
Sprint Pavilion
700 E Main StThe Ting Pavilion (recently renamed) is an outdoor pavilion that hosts a free concert on Fridays (Fridays After Five) during the summer and many larger touring bands year-round.
Food
A new food hall in the historic Monticello Dairy Building which includes Starr Hill Brewery (JO’s fav), Moo Thru Ice Cream, Chimm Thai restaurant and Dino’s Wood Fired Pizza. Most of the restaurants share a common dinning space so it’s great for the family.
39 locals recommend
Dairy Market Charlottesville
946 Grady AvenueA new food hall in the historic Monticello Dairy Building which includes Starr Hill Brewery (JO’s fav), Moo Thru Ice Cream, Chimm Thai restaurant and Dino’s Wood Fired Pizza. Most of the restaurants share a common dinning space so it’s great for the family.
Our favorite pizza place. It’s gourmet pizza though. Not recommended if your looking for standard delivery style pizza.
Lampo2Go
929 2nd Street SoutheastOur favorite pizza place. It’s gourmet pizza though. Not recommended if your looking for standard delivery style pizza.
Our favorite Thai restaurant. Some great flavors and quite a few authentic Thai dishes.
Pineapples Thai Kitchen
722 Preston AvenueOur favorite Thai restaurant. Some great flavors and quite a few authentic Thai dishes.
Doma is our go to for Korean food. The atmosphere is great and so is the food. I’m personally a big fan of their kimchi.
8 locals recommend
DOMA Korean Kitchen
701 W Main StDoma is our go to for Korean food. The atmosphere is great and so is the food. I’m personally a big fan of their kimchi.
Milan has been a Charlottesville staple for a long time. My wife and I like to go there for date night.
25 locals recommend
Milan Indian Restaurant
1817 Emmet St NMilan has been a Charlottesville staple for a long time. My wife and I like to go there for date night.
One of Charlottesville's most iconic restaurants. There's a lot of history surrounding it, but the bottom line is they serve up delicious bagels and offer great service. Don't be surprised if there's a line out the door. Stick it out, it's worth it.
25 locals recommend
Bodo's Bagel Bakery
1418 Emmet St NOne of Charlottesville's most iconic restaurants. There's a lot of history surrounding it, but the bottom line is they serve up delicious bagels and offer great service. Don't be surprised if there's a line out the door. Stick it out, it's worth it.
Amazing sandwiches at this local hotspot. Be warned though, the parking lot is not easy to navigate and it gets busy around lunch.
17 locals recommend
The Market at Bellair
2401 Ivy RdAmazing sandwiches at this local hotspot. Be warned though, the parking lot is not easy to navigate and it gets busy around lunch.
A distinct eatery featuring farm to table options that oozes Charlottesville charm. Great place for brunch!
8 locals recommend
Farm Bell Kitchen
1209 W Main StA distinct eatery featuring farm to table options that oozes Charlottesville charm. Great place for brunch!
Beer & Wine
There are SO many great breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries in and around Charlottesville. It's almost impossible to list them all.
A local favorite with a huge selection of beer & wine and great food. It's also a great place for brunch on the weekends.
77 locals recommend
Beer Run
156 Carlton RdA local favorite with a huge selection of beer & wine and great food. It's also a great place for brunch on the weekends.
This is my (JO) fav spot to grab a beer. It's always cold and fresh and the bartenders are amazing.
8 locals recommend
Starr Hill Downtown
946 Grady AvenueThis is my (JO) fav spot to grab a beer. It's always cold and fresh and the bartenders are amazing.
Three Notch'd is a local brewery and this is their newest location which is located in the IX Art Park. The building is an old silk mill ran by Frank IX and Sons that closed its doors in 1999.
80 locals recommend
Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery
520 2nd St SEThree Notch'd is a local brewery and this is their newest location which is located in the IX Art Park. The building is an old silk mill ran by Frank IX and Sons that closed its doors in 1999.
A popular winery just south of Charlottesville. Located on a beautiful farm with some amazing views.
207 locals recommend
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
5022 Plank RdA popular winery just south of Charlottesville. Located on a beautiful farm with some amazing views.
A local cidery located inside an old church. Really cool spot and they have some great cider too.
42 locals recommend
Potter's Craft Cider
1350 Arrowhead Valley RoadA local cidery located inside an old church. Really cool spot and they have some great cider too.
A beautiful cidery on ancient estate located 25 minutes north east of Charlottesville.
55 locals recommend
Castle Hill Cider Llc
6065 Turkey Sag RdA beautiful cidery on ancient estate located 25 minutes north east of Charlottesville.
A great local winery. The tasting room was designed by local hero Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band.
95 locals recommend
Blenheim Vineyards
31 Blenheim FarmA great local winery. The tasting room was designed by local hero Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band.
An orchard located high above Charlottesville that frequently hosts sunset events featuring local beer & wine. The view is possibly one of the best in town.
214 locals recommend
Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain TrailAn orchard located high above Charlottesville that frequently hosts sunset events featuring local beer & wine. The view is possibly one of the best in town.
Outdoors
There a ton of outdoor activities to do in and around Charlottesville, including the nearby Blueridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail.
A local outfitter offering tours of the Rivanna River, which runs right through the middle of Charlottesville.
50 locals recommend
Rivanna River Company
1520 E High StA local outfitter offering tours of the Rivanna River, which runs right through the middle of Charlottesville.
The RTF is a 20+ mile trail loop that goes all the way around Charlottesville. There are a couple of trail heads very close to our house, one just before Megan Ct on the right at the end of an unnamed street and one on River Rd in the VFW parking lot (this one is paved and runs along the river all the way down to Riverview Park. Great for bike rides & jogs).
29 locals recommend
Rivanna Trail
Rivanna TrailThe RTF is a 20+ mile trail loop that goes all the way around Charlottesville. There are a couple of trail heads very close to our house, one just before Megan Ct on the right at the end of an unnamed street and one on River Rd in the VFW parking lot (this one is paved and runs along the river all the way down to Riverview Park. Great for bike rides & jogs).
A lovely little park down by the Rivanna River. Great place to go for a bike ride or a jog, even a swim if the weather is right and you're adventurous enough.
41 locals recommend
Riverview Park
1909 Chesapeake StA lovely little park down by the Rivanna River. Great place to go for a bike ride or a jog, even a swim if the weather is right and you're adventurous enough.
A huge local skate park located within McIntire Park. This place can get really busy during the summer and there usually lots of talented skaters out there.
8 locals recommend
Charlottesville Skate Park
425 US-250 BYPA huge local skate park located within McIntire Park. This place can get really busy during the summer and there usually lots of talented skaters out there.
A very large park right beside the Rivanna River and within walking distance of our house via the Rivanna Trail (across the bridge). There are a lot of soccer fields, a nice softball complex, and a boat ramp. The Lewis & Clack Museum is also located here.
14 locals recommend
Darden Towe Park
1445 Darden Towe ParkA very large park right beside the Rivanna River and within walking distance of our house via the Rivanna Trail (across the bridge). There are a lot of soccer fields, a nice softball complex, and a boat ramp. The Lewis & Clack Museum is also located here.
A beautiful 980-acre forest with a lake that serves as part of the community water supply. There is a trail that goes all the way around that includes a floating bridge.
51 locals recommend
Ragged Mountain Natural Area
1730 Reservoir RdA beautiful 980-acre forest with a lake that serves as part of the community water supply. There is a trail that goes all the way around that includes a floating bridge.
A great place to see local wildlife. There is a network of trails that can be explored for days, and the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir runs along many of them which make them a great place to see aquatic life such as frogs, turtles, beavers and heron. There is also a barn that is open some weekends that provides some local history.
37 locals recommend
Ivy Creek Foundation
1780 Earlysville RdA great place to see local wildlife. There is a network of trails that can be explored for days, and the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir runs along many of them which make them a great place to see aquatic life such as frogs, turtles, beavers and heron. There is also a barn that is open some weekends that provides some local history.
An old tunnel that was built by a French immigrant by the name of Claudius Crozet, for whom the nearby town of Crozet (pronounced Crow-zey) was named.
46 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail
Blue Ridge Tunnel TrailAn old tunnel that was built by a French immigrant by the name of Claudius Crozet, for whom the nearby town of Crozet (pronounced Crow-zey) was named.
A wooden footpath that ascends from Kemper Park up to Monticello. While the climb is fairly steep the walk itself is not bad due to the wide and mostly wooden footpath. Plus, once you're at the top it's all downhill.
74 locals recommend
Saunders-Monticello Trail
A wooden footpath that ascends from Kemper Park up to Monticello. While the climb is fairly steep the walk itself is not bad due to the wide and mostly wooden footpath. Plus, once you're at the top it's all downhill.
Groceries
If you need groceries this place has it all. It's located in the 5th Street Station which has a lot of other shopping, dinning and entertainment options.
50 locals recommend
Wegmans
100 Wegmans WyIf you need groceries this place has it all. It's located in the 5th Street Station which has a lot of other shopping, dinning and entertainment options.
A small local grocery located near UVA that's frequented by a lot of locals and student athletes. They have a coffee shop, ice cream, deli, butcher, sushi, bakery and a small café that is very popular for lunch during the week.
29 locals recommend
Foods of All Nations
2121 Ivy RdA small local grocery located near UVA that's frequented by a lot of locals and student athletes. They have a coffee shop, ice cream, deli, butcher, sushi, bakery and a small café that is very popular for lunch during the week.
It's Whole Foods but in Charlottesville. If you've been to one you've been to them all.
103 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
1797 Hydraulic RdIt's Whole Foods but in Charlottesville. If you've been to one you've been to them all.
It's Trader Joe's, in Charlottesville. Located at The Shops at Stonefield which is a shopping & dinning hotspot.
64 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
2025 Bond StIt's Trader Joe's, in Charlottesville. Located at The Shops at Stonefield which is a shopping & dinning hotspot.
If you're a member, you know. Includes a fuel & tire center and located in a popular shopping area called The Shops at Stonefield.
7 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
3171 District AveIf you're a member, you know. Includes a fuel & tire center and located in a popular shopping area called The Shops at Stonefield.
A natural foods grocery with a lot of local farm to table type foods complete with a juice bar in the back.
28 locals recommend
Integral Yoga Natural Foods
923 Preston AveA natural foods grocery with a lot of local farm to table type foods complete with a juice bar in the back.
A nifty and convenient market located near the Downtown Mall with a lot of local goods.
49 locals recommend
Market Street Market
400 E Market StA nifty and convenient market located near the Downtown Mall with a lot of local goods.
Shopping
The newest shopping center in Charlottesville connects 5th Street and Avon Street., but most importantly, it’s home base for Wegmans, the mega-specialty grocer phenomenon. Nearby, within an ocean of parking, are other less lively big boxes like Field and Stream, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. As important as Wegmans, however, is the evolution of the center as a restaurant capital. More than a dozen restaurants of diverse styles and flavors have their grills on high as they await your visit. What are you waiting for?
5th Street Station
5th Street Station ParkwayThe newest shopping center in Charlottesville connects 5th Street and Avon Street., but most importantly, it’s home base for Wegmans, the mega-specialty grocer phenomenon. Nearby, within an ocean of parking, are other less lively big boxes like Field and Stream, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. As important as Wegmans, however, is the evolution of the center as a restaurant capital. More than a dozen restaurants of diverse styles and flavors have their grills on high as they await your visit. What are you waiting for?
This shopping center currently features a 12,500 square foot Trader Joe’s, diverse restaurants and a 65,000 square foot Regal IMAX Theater with 14 screens, that single-handedly sells more tickets annually than Scott Stadium! But don’t worry! This plenty of room to maneuver. The Shops at Stonefield houses over 269,000 square feet of retail space. There is also a Costco for anyone that's a member.
25 locals recommend
The Shops at Stonefield
2100 Hydraulic RdThis shopping center currently features a 12,500 square foot Trader Joe’s, diverse restaurants and a 65,000 square foot Regal IMAX Theater with 14 screens, that single-handedly sells more tickets annually than Scott Stadium! But don’t worry! This plenty of room to maneuver. The Shops at Stonefield houses over 269,000 square feet of retail space. There is also a Costco for anyone that's a member.
Barracks Road Shopping Center brings together the best of local and national brands in one, convenient spot just minutes from the University of Virginia and downtown Charlottesville. Visit Barracks Road Shopping Center and discover over 80 shops and restaurants.
78 locals recommend
Barracks Road Shopping Center
1117 Emmet St NBarracks Road Shopping Center brings together the best of local and national brands in one, convenient spot just minutes from the University of Virginia and downtown Charlottesville. Visit Barracks Road Shopping Center and discover over 80 shops and restaurants.