Not every town has unparalleled vistas, a Cab Franc made at the hands of the same person pouring it, or Dave Matthews and John Grisham walking by as you enjoy lunch at a café on its historic pedestrian mall—but Charlottesville does.
It’s urban and bucolic, historic yet modern. There are boundless hiking trails, wedding venues, wineries, breweries, boutique retail shops, and theaters (not to mention more restaurant seats than there are people to fill them). It’s for the limitless adventurer, the wine-taster, the music-seeker, and the family searching for a new experience..
At Charlottesville Insider, our goal is simple: to showcase Charlottesville by curating our ideas about what makes it unique. Follow our insiders to see what’s new, find exclusive deals, or simply figure out how to spend your day in our favorite city.
Get the insider perspective on dining, lodging, tours and experiences from or team of local experts.
🚐 If you've driven (walked, scootered, or biked) down 14th street lately, you've surely noticed the super cute airstream food truck and 1960s style hotel just steps from UVA's Corner. We had to go by to check out the newly opened @littlemodhotel and @littlemodpod after we learned they were participating in C-ville's taco week last week. The retro hotel features vibrant colors and throwback accessories in their simple, clean, bright and cheerful rooms set alongside this student neighborhood, surrounded by all the action of the University's Corner. The truck serves breakfast and lunch tacos and "kolaches" - (Czech pastries made of a yeast dough, also a Texan staple brought over by Czech settlers). We tried one savory - a pepperoni roll, and one sweet - the sweet cream kolache with chocolate drizzle, and both were delicious! Stop by some time for a unique and casual dining experience!
🍻The new Högwaller Brewing, located right on the river near @rivannarivercompany just released their first beer TODAY, called "Grätüïtöüs Ümläüt" and it is absolutely delicious! And, Mark the brewer is here celebrating its release today. We were able to catch up with him to discuss this beer and what we have to look forward to at @hogwallerbrewing. Mark describes this as a West Coast-ish IPA with big citrus, stone fruit, and reserved bitterness. Every Thursday at Högwaller starting today a new beer will be released. Next week look for a light lager called Rives Street Lager (named after a street in Charlottesville's Hogwaller neighborhood located in eastern Charlottesville, bordered on the south and east by Moores Creek). The following week a Stout will be available. Expect a new beer every Thursday for 6 weeks, and an eventual 12 beers on tap at Högwaller! Thanks to Mark for sharing his passion for beer with our community, and for making us work for this caption with the gratuitous umlauts - good thing the beer is worth it! 😉
🍂 Check out our Fall Guide to Charlottesville, from stores for cozy fall clothing to the best outdoor activities, and our favorite places to pick apples and pumpkins. Head to the link in our bio!
🍷👏 There's no better time to visit Charlottesville's @monticellowinetrail than the present - if you haven't heard the big news, Charlottesville Virginia has been nominated for Wine Region of the Year in @wineenthusiast annual Wine Star Awards! We're just one of five regions (in the company of Lambrusco Italy, Provence France, Swartland South Africa, and Victoria Australia) nominated for this prestigious award! The winner of the Wine Star Award will be determined by the Wine Enthusiast media team and announced at the end of the month. Need a home base while you tour the area’s beautiful countryside? @staycharlottesville has you covered, including some beautiful vineyard rental properties. If you need transportation for your group, @monticellowinetour will allow you to travel in style, safely. We've added the link to the 2023 Wine Star Award Nominees to our bio. Thanks, and congrats to the many vineyards in our area who have worked so hard for this kind of distinction!
📸 @monticellowinetrail
🪇🪘After a rained out Saturday, Loop de 'Ville finished strong last night with a joyful and energetic celebration as @mightyjoshua and @rcsoundsystem took the stage! Thanks to @rivannatrailsfoundation for all their efforts in caring for and maintaining Charlottesville's incredible trail system, and to @rivannarivercompany for providing this beautiful and ever evolving community home base! 🙌🔥
🇩🇪 Oktoberfest has already officially started but things are just heating up at these local Charlottesville establishments.
Dust off your lederhosen and dirndls and get in on the action at @bluemountainbrewery, @thewhiskeyjarcville, @hogwallerbrewing, @decipherbrewing, @threenotchdcville, @rockfishbrew, @randomrowbrewing, and @eastwoodfarmandwinery!
🗓️ Head over to the link in our bio to check out all the upcoming festivities! Whether you prefer keg bowling @bluemountainbrewery or celebrating downtown with some Oompah music, Märzen, and schnitzels, there's a little something for everyone who wants to get in the spirit of the season. Prost! 🍻
📸 @bluemountainbrewery
@charlottesvillealetrail
🎥 Come out to @theparamounttheater for two inspirational screenings this weekend! Two documentaries focus on incredible people doing amazing things: the @prolyfyckruncreww here in Charlottesville and Andrea Lytle Peet of @teamdreafoundation and her journey to become the first person ever with ALS to finish 50 marathons in 50 states.
📕 Andrea will be at the screening and pre-signed copies of her memoir, Hope Fights Back, will be available for purchase from @new_dominion_bookshop.
🎟️ The proceeds from film and book sales will go toward ALS research. Andrea's @teamdreafoundation has already raised over $1 million for research toward a hopeful treatment/cure for this awful, fatal disease.
"Go On, Be Brave begins when Andrea Lytle Peet receives the death sentence of an ALS diagnosis at age 33. The life expectancy for ALS is 2-5 years. She is told her disease is rapidly progressing and to get her affairs in order. She does. And like a true athlete, she decides to do one final triathlon before she dies. She walks across the finish line with trekking poles, her husband, David Peet, by her side. And then she waits. And waits. Until one day, she gets tired of waiting to die. She decides to live.
At the five-year anniversary of her ALS diagnosis, Andrea sets an ambitious goal: be the first person with ALS to complete a marathon in all 50 US states. An “attempt at the impossible,” shares her neurologist Dr. Bedlack; a goal even Andrea doesn’t think she will reach. But she wants to try.”
🍻🍷👻 Mark your calendars for the Craft Beer and Wine Fest at @mountidareserve featuring some of our very favorite local breweries and wineries!
🗓️ October 29th
🎟️ $35
🍺 Participating breweries:
@mountidareserve
@randomrowbrewing
@rockfishbrew
@southstbrewery
@starrhillbrewery
@jamesriverbrewery
@decipherbrewing
🍷Participating Wineries:
@mountidareserve
@hazymtn
@lovingstonwinery
@hardwarehills
🥪 @batesvillemarket is a hidden gem, a charming historic country store in the foothills of the blue ridge mountains. Located off the @brewridgetrail and near @pippinhillfarm, @veritaswinery, @kingfamilyvineyards, @pollakvineyards, and @cardinalpoint vineyards, orchards, and the Skyline Drive, this market is a go-to for vineyard visitors, and local road bikers alike. The market features delicious sandwiches, an amazing selection of beer and wine including seasonal and hard-to-find releases at every price point, local artisan products and gift items, and weekly music and events. We stopped in and ordered one of their beers on draft, Wrench NEIPA by @industrialartsbrewing which was excellent, and enjoyed their Plank Road Turkey Pesto, which also hit the spot, at the cutest little patio table. Visit their website to learn more about their Mug Club, upcoming live music, and Oktoberfest weekend events set for Sept. 30-Oct 1!
🍴The fried green tomatoes at the Aspen bar @birchandbloomcville last week were pretty special, as were their craft cocktails.🍹
👀 Insider tip - Spice up your Tuesdays at the Aspen Bar @birchandbloomcville - their talented bartenders will feature a different Sangria each week 4-10pm, creating inventive twists on this refreshing beverage featuring botanicals and seasonal fruit!
🌮 C-ville Taco Week is coming! Monday 9/18 - Sunday 9/24 the following local restaurants will be serving $8 taco plates 🤩
@ralphsampsonsatr
@badluckramen
@the_bebedero
@beerrunva
@brazosbarracks
@brazostacos
@cvillebrightside
@cinemataco
@guadalajara_greenbrier
@littlemodhotel
@jackbrownscville
@quirkhotelcva
@theridleyva
@restorationcrozet
@threenotchdcville
🚴🏼 The Rivanna Trail, Charlottesville’s 20 mile trail loop around the city, features a beautiful flat paved segment that runs along the Rivanna River. One of Charlottesville’s flattest terrain options, this segment is great for kids, dog walks, running and biking. Riverview Park starts the route for an out and back total of 4 miles and has parking, a playground, and river access. We started on the other side for a stop at @selvedgebrewing at the end! 🍻 Don’t miss the @rivannatrailsfoundation Loop de’Ville Fest Sept. 23-24, a celebration of the trail featuring hikes, walks, runs, bike rides and a free concert!