Here’s the thing, well, several things really…
So many people have asked me to write a blog post on Charlottesville and countless more have asked my opinion and suggestions on things there. A few people even asked if I lived there.
This blog post/series is a long time coming. Of all the places I’ve traveled, Cville is one of my absolute favorites. It’s a beautiful, creative, grounding, real city set in the most magical backdrop. I feel so at peace and at home when I’m in Cville that I just feel like it’s a city I live in already. It’s also only a short hour and a half drive from where we live in Gainesville so the convenience factor of not having to board a plane is incredible.
Now to be clear, there are SO many more things about Cville that are perfect and wonderful that I probably am not even aware of and that’s one of the best things about this city. I can visit a million times and still discover something new.
So for this first roundup, I’m going to go through a few key things for anyone to experience for a quick 1-2 day trip to Cville. Including my favorite places to stay and things to do near the Belmont neighborhood. Because there are to many of each of these categories I’ll have to break this up into a series. But if you’re heading down and desperate for a few top picks, here you go!
Where to Stay
I have a few favorite Airbnbs and a few favorite hotels. Because I think the historic buildings in Cville are part of it’s magical charm, I would start with an Airbnb!
Elegant Downtown Belmont Apartment
images from Airbnb
One of my favorite spots is in the Belmont neighborhood. Belmont is a beautiful little spot located about 15 minutes from the downtown walking mall. The neighborhood features a few of my fave restaurants (The Local, Mas) and a fabulous place coined Belmont mansion that houses my favorite airbnb spots!
It has a private outdoor walkup entrance that overlooks the owners beautiful vegetable and flower garden. This rental also has as fabulous little cafe table and chairs on the private deck where you can enjoy a glass of wine while watching the finches bounce around and pick at the sunflowers
What I love about this Airbnb is it is stylishly appointed, so even though it has the cozy comfort of your own personal apartment, it’s modern and up to date like a chic boutique hotel. I’ve mentioned this in past blogs, but my absolute favorite moment when I travel is waking up in the morning at my airbnb, brewing coffee and sitting and watching the sun rise & the day begin. The cutest little kitchenette is perfect for this. The luxe french blue velvet sofa is dying to be sat on so while most of my trip there was for work (I essentially slept there, showered there and did my morning coffee routine) I did purchase a magazine and sat on that sofa with a glass of wine and a snack (there’s a great little quick-e-mart literal steps away) and just enjoyed the coziness of the exposed brick and that beautiful blue softness.
There is typically ample street parking directly in front of the mansion but depending upon how many apartments are booked, and what time of day it is, it might get busy. I have yet to park more than 20 yards away from the apartment though!
On a nice day, it’s perfect to walk to the Walking Mall for lunch/drinks/dinner etc. But there are several options nearby! Which brings me to my next point…
Where to Eat
Again, there are only about a bajillion options, I’m gonna start with a few to give you a range but I encourage everyone to explore as the food scene in Cville is great and ever growing!
Mariebette & Petite Mariebette
Breakfast
last 3 photos from Mariebette website
Petite Mariebette is a “petite” cafe version of Mariebette but located within a 15 minute walk from the airbnb in Belmont right off the downtown walking mall, perfect for a stop for breakfast followed by a little perusing of the shops. They offer some great coffee options, spectacular pastries and fab breakfast sandwiches. Mariebette is known for their beautiful art made with flour on top of their delectably crusty bread, like the GOT themed bread shown above! It has a chic atmosphere and a great playlist so it’s perfect to pop in and share breakfast or do a little blogging by the front window.
O’Suzannah
shopping-gifts
After breakfast, you’ll want to walk off the heaviness of The Luchador and if you’re lucky enough to be there on the weekend you can hit up the farmers market in the parking lot across the street for some more local fare. If you’re looking for some great shopping though, look no farther than O’Suzannah on 2nd street. O’Suzannah is chock full of all those adorable little things you find in the home section of Anthropologie or Paper Source but expanded into an entire store. Paper goods, incredible gifts, cards, housewares, bath bombs, you name it, all categorized in an insta-worthy way by color. My favorite lotion, bourbon vanilla from Soap &Paper Factory is there amongst the shelves of Rifle Paper Co and funny greeting cards. I also picked up my favorite notebook, an olive green paperback engraved with a gold “Business Bullshit” from The Mincing Mockingbird. I’ve also purchased some of the most incredible bath bombs (Sorry, Lush) and sweetest gifts here for friends. Definitely a must-see!
The Impeccable Pig
shopping-clothing
Just across the street from O’Suzannah is one of my favorite boutiques. Fun, summery vibes abound at The Impeccable Pig with cute tops, skirts, dresses and jewelry! In fact, one of my favorite pairs of jeans and marble necklaces is from Impeccable Pig! If you’re looking for something bright and cheery to welcome summer in, Impeccable Pig is a must stop! It’s also right next to Rock, Paper Scissors so if you didn’t manage to find that perfectly funny greeting card at O’Suzannah you’re guaranteed to find it there!
Pippin Hill Farm
wine lunch
Pippin Hill isn’t just a fabulous wedding venue and great winery, it’s absolutely my favorite lunch spot in Virginia. With bucolic views of the rolling hills of North Garden & Crozet, you can grab a seat on the covered veranda or on the tasting room, each with their own special sense of charm. The menu is tapas style with a multitude of seasonal options raging from the PHC board to share, scallops in spring to my personal fave the short rib in the fall. There is always something incredible on the menu and the view overlooks their kitchen garden where many of the herbs and edible flowers are sourced from. Pippin Hill is also doggo friendly so it’s a great place to be if you’d like to pet some floofs on a sunny afternoon.
The Local
Dinner
images from The Local website
Let’s start with a restaurant that is not only great as a wedding caterer, but also is directly behind the Airbnb. Talk about walkability. The Local is a beautiful brick facade building that is one of the first places to greet you on Hinton ave as it transitions into Monticello. The inside spaces are all either very cozy, turn of the century brick and beam exposed industrial goodness, or a festive open air feel with the upstairs bistro lighting and glass walls. But my personal favorite spot to dine is out on the balcony or smack dab outside the front door on the small covered patio. Oftentimes I’m alone when I travel to Cville and nothing entices me more than a good book, a good meal and people watching as guests from graduations, birthdays, rehearsal dinners etc come and go.
The menu is pretty traditional American flare but with the slightly hipster/foodie vibe that’s perfect to fill a square on Insta and that hunger void. My personal faves are the Caromont goat cheese salad and the steak frites. They have some really fun cocktails but I typically go for the $8 glass of Rioja.
Mas Tapas
Dinner
photos from Mas Instagram & Facebook
First of all is there anyone reading this that isn’t a fan of tapas? Because if so, you’ll want to excuse yourself from all future posts. Tapas are my JAM! What’s better than a million little places of all the choices instead of one big heavy meal? I wish I could figure out how to eat nothing but tapas and small plates the rest of my life.
Mas is a spot that you can also see from the balcony of your airbnb but a little bit farther down Monticello. Maybe more of a 5 minute walk instead of 2. Mas, if you could tell, is a tapas spot that offers an expansive wine selection from Spain (mi favrito) and a strong menu of a variety of different tapas ranging in safe for the beginner to more on the foodie level. You order tapas by checking them off on a paper sheet much like at a sushi restaurant. Mas is always packed after 6pm and they don’t take reservations other than Graduation weekend (which is busy af) so try to get there early and scope a nice spot. Again the interior of Mas, while smaller than The Local, has a fun industrial/hip vibe, I still prefer the patio that sits at the corner of Monticello & Carlton where all the action is driving or walking by.
My favorites are all of their on-site hearth baked bread and variety of Spanish cheeses, Jamon Iberico (anything that makes me feel like I’m back in Spain). I also love their Mejillones, broccolini, coloflor and the Empanadas!