Charlottesville, VA
 

My boyfriend and I are planning a road trip to Charlottesville, VA for the Pitt-UVA (Sept. 29- time not yet released). We're planning on getting there early Friday. We'll be with a bunch of his friends for the game, but will have all day Friday and possibly some of the day Saturday and Sunday.

Where are some good places to eat? Good bars near the stadium to pregame (but we may try to tailgate)? What is there to do/see Friday during the day? I'm not sure where exactly we're staying, I think it might be the Holiday Inn.

Any suggestions would be great!

If it's the same Holiday Inn we stayed at while building a TV station in Charlottesville, it will be packed with UVA alumni who will be happy to answer any of your questions. Good folks.

There's a little place called Monticello to visit on Friday, if you're into Thomas Jefferson. On the other side of town is the Fashion Mall, which isn't all clothing - it's a great place for local wines, and other memorabilia.

It's been a while for me to suggest restaurants - I'd say the Boar's Head Inn, but somebody told me that it's gone a bit downhill in the past few years.

Enjoy the countryside - it's beautiful!

I don't know the town, but I'll second Honeychile's recommendation of Monticello if you haven't already seen it.

Seeing it along with the UVA campus might make a little interesting architectural/historical nerdy fun.

Assuming that you aren't just looking for restaurant and bars, it's a spectacular part of the country historically.

I think Poplar Forest is open to the public now, too - but it's closer to Lynchburg. It's Jefferson's "summer home" and is an octagon. You can read about Monticello here.

As AlphaGamUGAAlum said, it's really an interesting part of the country. Besides the history and UVA, you have some of the country's finest horse riding at your fingertips. Frankly, I'm jealous!

BODO'S BAGELS!!!

i'm sure you're looking for something else to eat, but trust me. they're the best bagels that i've ever had. i loathe cville and the only thing that gets me to visit friends there are the bagels.

bar wise, stick to "the corner." basically that's the area at 14th and main/university.

dinner wise, fossett's at keswick hall is great if you're looking for a five course meal.

there are plenty of wineries in the area if that's the kind of thing you're looking for.

I second Bodo's and the corner. There's a Bodo's right near JPJ Arena. It's awesome.

Boar's Head has gone downhill a bit, and it's still expensive. There are a ton of chains (that's mostly what I'm familiar with in Cville) but I'm sure the front desk will be able to tell you some of the better places. Charlottesville is beautiful. I'm trying to think where the KD house is. They might be a good source of what to do.

Monticello is interesting. I wouldn't bother coming all the way here to Lynchburg for Poplar Forest. It's nice, but it's just a house in a normal neighborhood with a few rooms. Not worth the hour drive.

Aren't most of the Fraternity & Sorority houses on Rugby Road?