Coming to Cville? This Downtown Charlottesville Information will stroll you thru a few of the finest eating places, bars, and issues to do.
Charlottesville, VA is a small metropolis with large appeal! Nestled within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and residential to the College of Virginia, it’s recognized for its historic buildings, vibrant artwork galleries, unimaginable meals scene, and reside music that spills out onto the streets. Probably the most beloved areas to discover is the downtown mall—a pedestrian-only stretch that has been the guts of Charlottesville for many years.
After dwelling right here for 15 years, I’ve eaten, sipped, and strolled my manner by means of numerous spots on the mall. There are such a lot of nice locations to select from, however right now I’m sharing my very favorites on this Downtown Charlottesville Information that can assist you take advantage of your go to. Whether or not you’re coming for a day journey, a weekend getaway, otherwise you’re a neighborhood in search of recent inspiration, this publish is for you.
Downtown Charlottesville Information
This information is ideal for first-time guests, foodies looking for the finest charlottesville eating placesor dad and mom in search of kid-friendly actions. You’ll discover every little thing from cozy espresso retailers to elegant advantageous eating, plus enjoyable actions for each youngsters and adults. If you happen to get pleasure from this, you may additionally like a few of my different posts like Wineries in Charlottesville, Greatest Breweries, Greatest Lunch Spots in Charlottesville VAor Greatest Day Journeys From Cville.
The place Is Downtown Charlottesville?
Downtown Charlottesville is positioned proper within the coronary heart of the town, a couple of mile from the College of Virginia. The realm is anchored by the downtown mall, which stretches for about eight blocks of brick-paved pedestrian walkways lined with retailers, cafes, bars, and theaters. The Omni Lodge anchors one finish with the Ting Pavilion the place Fridays After 5 exhibits are hosted each Friday within the hotter months together with mid-sized concert events.
If you happen to’re driving, you possibly can park in one of many public parking garages or floor tons simply off the mall. There may be additionally plenty of avenue parking should you’re courageous sufficient to parallel. The Market Avenue and Water Avenue garages are the preferred and are each centrally positioned. If you happen to favor public transit, Charlottesville Space Transit buses cease close by, and the Amtrak station is only a brief stroll away. The mall is flat and absolutely walkable, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Word bikes aren’t allowed!
What To Do In Downtown Charlottesville
There’s extra to downtown than simply meals! Listed here are my favourite issues to do on the mall:
The Paramount Theater
A fantastically restored historic venue, The Paramount is the place to go for concert events, exhibits, and particular movie screenings. It’s family-friendly, elegant, and all the time a deal with to go to. Test to see if there’s a present when you’re right here.
Ting Pavilion
An outside live performance venue that anchors the east finish of the downtown mall, Ting Pavilion is dwelling to Charlottesville’s free Fridays After 5 live performance sequence within the spring and summer season, plus bigger touring acts and festivals all year long. It’s among the finest locations on the town to get pleasure from reside music and/or let youngsters play within the grass.
The Jefferson Theater
Situated proper on the downtown mall, the historic Jefferson Theater is one other unimaginable reside music venue. The wooden-floor, mostly-standing area hosts every little thing from common bands to native performances to DJ events, making it a should for music lovers.
Violet Crown Cinema
This boutique movie show exhibits each indie and mainstream movies and has the bonus of a full bar and kitchen. Seize dinner and a film multi function spot!
Immersion Escape Room
Good for a gaggle of mates or households with teenagers, the Escape Room challenges you to resolve puzzles and work as a group to “escape” earlier than time runs out.
A long time Arcade
Step again in time and play your favourite arcade classics from the 80s and 90s. It’s nostalgic enjoyable for adults and a complete hit with youngsters and youths!
Virginia Discovery Museum
If you happen to’re touring with little ones, the Discovery Museum is a should. This hands-on, interactive museum is ideal for teenagers beneath 10 and offers plenty of completely different play-based studying actions.
The place To Eat In Downtown Charlottesville VA
Now for one of the best half—the meals! Downtown Charlottesville is filled with eating places, bars, and cafes, however listed below are my prime picks after 15 years of eating out:
Greatest Total Restaurant: Zocalo
With its fashionable Latin menu, Zocalo is my go-to for teams. The cocktails are top-notch, the stuffed pepper entree is my favourite dish, and the patio is ideal for heat evenings and other people watching. Situated at 201 E. Foremost St., it’s smack in the course of the downtown mall.
Greatest Fancy Restaurant: Flowery
If you happen to’re celebrating one thing particular, Fleurie is a should. The French-inspired tasting menu is elegant and crammed with pleasant surprises from begin to end.
Greatest Bars: A Six-Method Tie
- Whiskey Jar for the S’mores Previous Common. It’s on the sweeter facet however SO GOOD.
- Drinker For the unforgetable drink “The place are my pants?” Simply Belief Me!
- Zocalo once more, however this time for the margarita flight!
- Bang for his or her inventive martini menu.
- The Alley Mildif you may get in, for its speakeasy vibes.
- Crush Pad for wine!
Greatest Lunch Spots
- Nook Juice for his or her sandwiches and wholesome smoothies.
- Tilman’s for salads, paninis, and French bites—very a lot in my common rotation.
- Bazaar tea within the winter for its cozy vibe, Moroccan mint tea, and the wholesome salmon salad.
These lunch spots are a part of what I additionally coated in my Greatest Lunch Spots in Charlottesville VA publish—should you’re exploring downtown, that publish will provide you with much more concepts.
Greatest Espresso Store: Grit Espresso
Brilliant, fashionable, and filled with pure gentle, Grit Espresso is the place I am going for my morning latte or a day pick-me-up whereas people-watching.
Greatest Dessert: Chaps Ice Cream
A Charlottesville traditional, Chaps serves up scoops of home made ice cream. The birthday cake taste is a must-try.
Ultimate Ideas
You may say I reside on the downtown mall — I’m there on a regular basis, whether or not I’m sipping espresso at Grit, catching a present on the Paramount, or grabbing dinner at Zocalo. With its mixture of historic buildings, reside music, household actions, and unimaginable eating places, the downtown mall is a spot the place everybody can discover one thing they love.
If you happen to’re planning your go to, begin with this information, and don’t miss my full checklist of the finest charlottesville eating places for much more eating inspiration.
