<p>Hi! We will be visiting UVA in a few weeks with our son. Other than the things arranged through the school, what else should we see or do on our visit to get a good feel for the area? Any recommendations on places to stay, eat, etc.? Also, our son is huge on outdoor activities (kayaking, rafting, fishing), so is there a nearby area with these activities we could check out? Thanks!</p>
<p>Buellersmom – this is not very guy oriented, but I am posting this here for others who might check in to see comments on your question.</p>
<p>[A</a> Weekend in Charlottesville ? The Daily South | Your Hub for Southern Culture](<a href=“http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2013/06/14/a-weekend-in-charlottesville/]A”>http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2013/06/14/a-weekend-in-charlottesville/)</p>
<p>Enjoy your visit to Charlottesville. It is a great town!</p>
<p>Buellersmom: I live about an hour from C’ville and my daughter just graduated, so we headed over for a day trip today before she moves to her “grown up” apartment. When visiting in the past, we have stayed at the Omni (very pricey, but convenient) and at a small B&B near the downtown mall - 200 South Street Inn, which we far preferred. Quaint, affordable and a great breakfast. There are certainly other options, but we liked the Inn. </p>
<p>C’ville has tons of great restaurants, from the high end fine dining to casual student on a budget type fare. On the downtown mall, we have enjoyed eating at The Nook (diner type food) and Citizen Burger Bar (a relatively new addition to the Mall). D has mentioned enjoying Bang, Tavola, Mas, and Mono Loco, none of which are on The Corner. Boylan and The Virginian are both popular Corner restaurants. Graduation weekend we ate at the Whiskey Jar, The Local and The Ivy Inn (definitely a special occasion type of place). There are tons and tons of restaurants, literally something for everyone. It is a real food town. Try searching for Dean J’s posts here - she is a real food aficionado! Here’s just a small sample: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/10683809-post3.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/10683809-post3.html</a></p>
<p>D was not huge into the outdoors, but the Charlottesville area offers great hiking, skiing, tubing and rafting. This might get you started: </p>
<p>[Camping</a> & Hiking, Graduate Guide, U.Va.](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/graduateguide/camping.html]Camping”>http://www.virginia.edu/graduateguide/camping.html)</p>
<p>Is your son coming for Orientation, or just to check things out?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions! Sabaray, this is a “looking trip” to several schools in Virginia and North Carolina, so these ideas for some things to check out in our down time are really helpful. And great food will make Dad happy!!!</p>
<p>Go to Bodo’s Bagels</p>
<p>I can best offer a Mom’s experience of what I enjoy most in Charlottesville. Shopping is excellent. There are many great boutiques and chain stores that are not located in my small city. Some of these stores are in Fashion Square, others are at Barrack’s Road, and some are in the Downtown Mall. I especially enjoy browsing antique shops near the grounds and look forward to new stores that will be opening soon in the Shops at Stonefield. My husband enjoys a trip to Crutchfield’s and Whole Foods when we are in town. A day trip to C’ville to shop is always followed by taking my S to dinner. There are great restaurants near the Corner - Lemongrass (a fav) and Little John’s to name a couple. Other favorite restaurants of ours are Bella’s, Hamilton’s, and the Nook. A trip to nearby Monticello is a must. We planned this for an Easter Sunday and that was perfect. This year, we hope to visit a vineyard. We have not yet explored outdoor activities in Charlottesville, but there is a climbing wall and there are bike paths. Wintergreen ski resort is about 40 minutes from campus. Montpelier is another great day trip. To be honest, my favorite thing to do in Charlottesville is to walk the grounds, from the Corner to Scott Stadium, along the Rotunda and Lawn, around the ampitheater, and by the old dorms. I love the Lawn, and the Rotunda, and being on grounds gives me a sense of belonging to this incredible university that I wish I had also attended.</p>
<p>If you want a pleasant afternoon trip along a scenic route, you can go see James Madison’s Montpelier estate in Orange. It is run by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There also are many wineries in the area.</p>
<p>Monticello is amazing and not far. For one of the best unusual restaurant treats a ride down to the Thai place near Evington is worth it.</p>
<p>So, on a related note: what are the places to avoid, with regard to dining right around grounds?</p>
<p>Panda Garden near Emmet/Ivy gave my roommate and her boyfriend food poisoning (trip to the ER and everything).</p>
<p>The giant hibachi place (supreme buffet) is really low quality food. There is a hibachi place that will deliver on grounds which is much better (szechuan restaurant).</p>
<p>I know some people swear by Yuan Ho chinese delivery (especially engineers) but I do not like it.</p>
<p>Thursday is 1/2 price IHOP night but be prepared to wait an hour and a half for your food.</p>
<p>Along the lines of a winery and only a short drive from grounds (maybe 20min) is Blue Mountain Brewery. The outdoor patio is great, the view is beautiful, and the food is quite good too.</p>
<p>^^second blueiguana’s recommendation. Went there for the first time over “Final Exercises” weekend. Even on a gloomy day the patio was nice and the food quite good.</p>
<p>At the Corner, strongly recommend Boylan Heights for terrific burgers. Just go early enough before the bar crowd comes out. Mellow Mushroom has good pizza in a fun atmosphere, too.</p>
<p>My son said the area around the U. has a shortage of good Asian restaurants.</p>
<p>I have eaten at Lemongrass (Thai) a half dozen times, all excellent meals and very reasonably priced. It is located at the Corner, just up 14th from Boylan’s.</p>