explore c-ville

hotels

getting around town

on our big day—and beyond!

Traveling to the wedding

Driving to the wedding won’t be necessary, as we have shuttles scheduled to take guests to the venue and back.

  • Water Street Bus Stop (4:30 p.m. pickup)

    • TWO buses will hit this stop at the top of the Downtown Mall.

    • It’s within walking distance of The Omni Hotel, Residence Inn Downtown, Home2 Suites, and The Fairfield on Cherry Street.

  • University Baptist Church Bus Stop (4:30 p.m. pickup)

    • ONE bus will hit this stop near UVA Grounds and the Corner.

    • It’s within walking distance from The Graduate, The Draftsman, Hampton Inn University, and Courtyard Marriott University.

  • Sleep Inn 5th Street (4:35 p.m. pickup)

    • ONE bus, coming from Water Street, will stop at the hotel.

Returning to town after the wedding

The first bus back will leave Pippin Hill at 9:45 p.m. and drop guests back in downtown Charlottesville. The final bus will depart at 11:30 p.m.

food & fun

charlottesville downtown mall

The Downtown Mall is a charming pedestrian zone located in the heart of Charlottesville. Two of our wedding block hotels are right on the Mall, and there are plenty of places to eat, drink, and shop. Be sure to check out Dan’s former workplace New Dominion Bookshop! Some other highlights include Grit Coffee and Mudhouse; Miller’s Downtown (just not the top floor . . . trust us); and Monsoon Siam and Now and Zen, a couple blocks off the Mall.

the university of virginia

UVA, where Caroline and Dan first met as students, is about a 20-minute walk from the Mall. The “Grounds” of this UNESCO World Heritage site are well worth the trip. Marvel at the Rotunda, the Lawn’s crowning jewel, then wander through curated gardens studding the “Academical Village.”

the corner

The five-block area near UVA known as the Corner is full of bars, bookstores, nightspots, and restaurants. Directly across from Grounds on University Avenue, the Corner is the center of student nightlife. It’s also home to one of three Bodo’s Bagels locations, which are arguably better than New York bagels.

shenandoah national park

The breathtaking Shenandoah National Park offers plenty of hiking and biking trails, alongside stunning drives. The closest entrance to downtown is in Afton, VA, at Rockfish Gap. Skyline Drive is also a beautiful way to see the park if hiking isn’t your thing.

coffee & tea

  • C’ville Coffee

  • Grit

  • Mudhouse

  • Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar

vineyards & breweries

Charlottesville is known for them, and there are several excellent spots to check out—including these favorites of ours:

  • Carter Mountain (has a Bold Rock Tap Room)

  • King Family Vineyards

  • Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards (of course)

  • Potter’s Cider

  • Pro Re Nata Brewery

  • South Street Brewery

  • Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery

restaurants

Beyond wineries and breweries, Charlottesville also has a wealth of top-notch eateries, consistently ranking among U.S. cities with the most restaurants per capita. From the Downtown Mall to the outskirts of the city, here are a few standouts:

  • Alley Light: a hidden spot in an alley just behind the Mall (look for the lantern over the door). Amazing cocktails and food (mostly small plates). Reservations a must.

  • Bodo’s: Although we already mentioned it, we have to give Bodo’s another shout-out. It’s not a Charlottesville trip without Bodo’s. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  • The Bebedero: solid Mexican food

  • C&O: Fine dining in a historic setting

  • Fleurie: Upscale French cuisine

  • Marco & Luca Dumplings: Casual restaurant with dumplings and buns that always hit the spot. Supported by and hires refugees in connection with the International Rescue Committee.

  • Miller’s Downtown: a Charlottesville institution that always attracts a fun crowd. (Dave Matthews used to work, and later perform, here!) Just don’t go to the third floor—unless you can handle a lot of cigar smoke.

  • Monsoon Siam: unbeatable Thai

  • Now and Zen: delicious sushi

  • Thai Cuisine & Noodle House: unbelievable pho

  • Vivace: great Italian food in a cool setting

  • Vu Noodles: a fantastic all-vegan Vietnamese booth. Limited outdoor seating.