My son will be taking an overnight trip to W&L since we live about 6 hours away, my husband and I will be driving down with him. Looking for thoughts on where to stay so we are not too close and things for us to do while there. any advice, ideas much appreciated.
In Lexington, stay at the Georges or the Hampton Col Alto, eat at Pure Eats or the Red Hen, and visit the Marshall museum at VMI and the Stonewall Jackson house. Great porcelain collection at W&L’s Reeves Center.
Several options within an hour drive, my first choice being Charlottesville, with UVA grounds, Monticello, Montpelier, the Rivanna River, wineries & breweries, great foodie scene. Happy to give hotel & restaurant recs.
Roanoke (stop at Natural Bridge on the way from Lexington) has the Taubman art museum & the Virginia transportation museum (plus the O Winston Link photography museum if into railroads) and a pinball museum. Bedford’s National DDay memorial and the Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway. American Shakespeare theatre, the Frontier Culture Museum, and the Woodrow Wilson birthplace in Staunton.
Thanks so much… yes, restaurant recommendations would be great for Charlottesville, have you been to the Blue Lab in Lex, Va? how is it. ?
Charlottesville favorites include breakfast at Marie Bette and Oakhurst Cafe, lunch at Feast and Ace Biscuit & BBQ, dinner at Mas (go early or on a weeknight as they don’t take reservations) and C&O (make a reservation). Kardinal Hall is a great spot for a beer, nice patio area.
Always wanted to go to Blue Lab but never made it, although we met one of the W&L profs who owns it. We liked Devils Backbone’s tasting room in Lex, although it has been bought by one of the big beer companies since we were last there. If you are in town for lunch on a weekday, Blue Sky is a good choice (go downstairs for more tables). Also liked Haywood’s for dinner.
Blue Lab has good beer. I’ve not had food there. Make sure you drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Maury River is great for tubing or canoeing. Red Hen is, shall we say, distracted at the moment. Not even sure it has reopened.
The Robert E. Lee hotel is pretty great. Fantastic location, killer coffee and gelato shop in the building, attractive rooms and a nice breakfast in a cool space. Rates are all over the place so if you find a deal give it a chance. There’s also a vegan joint right across from Hillel - I’m too lazy to look it up - which I thought was fantastic. The vegan Reuben is somehow awesome. Makes no sense, I agree.
Highly recommend hiking House Mountain if you’re in the mood. But bring bear spray. I was there in July and had two run-ins with bears - the second with a momma and cubs sent me scurrying up a tree. Thought I was gonna get DiCaprio’d. And yet the views from the top of both Little House and Big House made it worthwhile. Barely.
is Blue Lab still open, from web it appear its closed. where is it actually located thanks, heading down in 2 weeks.
@Schmoopie12 , I just learned Blue Lab has closed, but am told Taps is a fine alternative.