City/town information
Charlottesville is a great, small city, home to the University of Virginia, and situated about 30 minutes from the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is a vibrant Downtown area for shopping and dining, and of course, for history buffs, Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home), Ashlawn (James Monroe's Home), and Montpelier (James Madison's home) are all located within a half hour's drive of town.
134 Einheimische empfehlen
Charlottesville
Charlottesville is a great, small city, home to the University of Virginia, and situated about 30 minutes from the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is a vibrant Downtown area for shopping and dining, and of course, for history buffs, Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's home), Ashlawn (James Monroe's Home), and Montpelier (James Madison's home) are all located within a half hour's drive of town.
Hiking
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful, free parkway that leads south from the southern entrance to the Shenandoah National Park. There are many short and long hikes as well as overlooks that grace this historic parkway. Raven's Roost and Humpback Rocks are both very popular - Raven's Roost requires no hiking, but Humpback Rocks is about a mile each way, and well-worth the hike. I have a number of trail guides in the cottage but ask that you make sure to return them for other guests.
177 Einheimische empfehlen
Blue Ridge Parkway North Entrance
Blue Ridge ParkwayThe Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful, free parkway that leads south from the southern entrance to the Shenandoah National Park. There are many short and long hikes as well as overlooks that grace this historic parkway. Raven's Roost and Humpback Rocks are both very popular - Raven's Roost requires no hiking, but Humpback Rocks is about a mile each way, and well-worth the hike. I have a number of trail guides in the cottage but ask that you make sure to return them for other guests.
Shenandoah National Park does require a National Park entry fee. There are a number of good hikes near the southern entrance. My personal favorite is Sawmill Gap, which is best in April when the Mountain Laurel is blooming. Other popular hikes are the very tough Wildcat Hollow hike (strenuous) and the Jones Run hike, which is also a tough up and down hike but has a lovely waterfall. There is a guide in the cottage, but again, please make sure to return it for other guests.
549 Einheimische empfehlen
Shenandoah-Nationalpark
Skyline DriveShenandoah National Park does require a National Park entry fee. There are a number of good hikes near the southern entrance. My personal favorite is Sawmill Gap, which is best in April when the Mountain Laurel is blooming. Other popular hikes are the very tough Wildcat Hollow hike (strenuous) and the Jones Run hike, which is also a tough up and down hike but has a lovely waterfall. There is a guide in the cottage, but again, please make sure to return it for other guests.
For a close-in hike, the Ivy Creek Nature area is about 1.5 miles from the cottage on Earlysville Road. There are a number of trails of different lengths. My personal favorite is the red trail, which will lead you down to the reservoir and past a number of barred owl boxes.
37 Einheimische empfehlen
Ivy Creek Foundation
1780 Earlysville RdFor a close-in hike, the Ivy Creek Nature area is about 1.5 miles from the cottage on Earlysville Road. There are a number of trails of different lengths. My personal favorite is the red trail, which will lead you down to the reservoir and past a number of barred owl boxes.
Sugar Hollow is another good hiking spot, but it can be crowded on weekends. You need to have good enough balance to cross the creek on a series of rocks, but it is a very nice hike and you can go all the way up to the Skyline Drive (8 miles round trip) if you are adventurous, then follow it up with a stop at one of the wineries off 810 on your way back home. (Knight's Gambit or Grace Estate)
48 Einheimische empfehlen
Sugar Hollow Trail to Blue Hole
6796 Sugar Hollow RdSugar Hollow is another good hiking spot, but it can be crowded on weekends. You need to have good enough balance to cross the creek on a series of rocks, but it is a very nice hike and you can go all the way up to the Skyline Drive (8 miles round trip) if you are adventurous, then follow it up with a stop at one of the wineries off 810 on your way back home. (Knight's Gambit or Grace Estate)
Wineries
Charlottesville has a gazillion wineries, and many of them offer music on the weekends. Please check with each one regarding their COVID restrictions, as conditions vary from winery to winery.
Winery with gorgeous views off 810 about 20 minutes from the cottage. www.gracewinery.com
67 Einheimische empfehlen
Grace Estate Winery
5273 Mt Juliet FarmWinery with gorgeous views off 810 about 20 minutes from the cottage. www.gracewinery.com
This winery is close to the cottage, about 10 minutes north on Earlysville Road. They have a fall Festy music festival. http://www.chisholmvineyards.com
25 Einheimische empfehlen
Chisholm Vineyards at Adventure Farm
1135 Clan Chisholm LnThis winery is close to the cottage, about 10 minutes north on Earlysville Road. They have a fall Festy music festival. http://www.chisholmvineyards.com
This is a winery that pairs well with hiking in Sugar Hollow. Sometimes has music on Saturday nights. www.knightsgambitvineyard.com
31 Einheimische empfehlen
Knight's Gambit Vineyard
218 Knole Farm LnThis is a winery that pairs well with hiking in Sugar Hollow. Sometimes has music on Saturday nights. www.knightsgambitvineyard.com
Entertainment
Live Arts Theater is an amazing community theater that is actually more like a Regional theater. Wonderful offerings and great theater, along with fantastic people and a great bar. www.livearts.org
39 Einheimische empfehlen
Live Arts
123 E Water StLive Arts Theater is an amazing community theater that is actually more like a Regional theater. Wonderful offerings and great theater, along with fantastic people and a great bar. www.livearts.org
The Paramount has a wide variety of artistic offerings, from music to lectures to film to opera. it is a beautifully restored turn of the century theater at the heart of Downton Charlottesville. Plan ahead for tickets. www. theparmount.net
99 Einheimische empfehlen
Paramount Theatre
215 E Main StThe Paramount has a wide variety of artistic offerings, from music to lectures to film to opera. it is a beautifully restored turn of the century theater at the heart of Downton Charlottesville. Plan ahead for tickets. www. theparmount.net
BIG EVENTS! Plan ahead for tickets. Lots of music, sports, etc. www.johnpauljonesarena.com
60 Einheimische empfehlen
John Paul Jones Arena
295 Massie RdBIG EVENTS! Plan ahead for tickets. Lots of music, sports, etc. www.johnpauljonesarena.com
Food scene
One of the best restaurants in the area, the C and O has a great bar, wonderful food, and is located at the eastern end of Water Street near the Downtown Mall. They do offer take out but no deliveries.
https://www.candorestaurant.com
82 Einheimische empfehlen
C & O
515 E Water StOne of the best restaurants in the area, the C and O has a great bar, wonderful food, and is located at the eastern end of Water Street near the Downtown Mall. They do offer take out but no deliveries.
https://www.candorestaurant.com
Great little Indian Restaurant. They deliver! Really nice people and great food. https://www.milan-indian-cuisine.com
25 Einheimische empfehlen
Milan Indian Restaurant
1817 Emmet St N Great little Indian Restaurant. They deliver! Really nice people and great food. https://www.milan-indian-cuisine.com
Marco and Luca's dumplings are a Charlottesville staple. They are delivering during the pandemic. Make sure to order a double order, because you will want more! (434) 244-0149
Marco & Luca Dumpling Store
176 Zan RdMarco and Luca's dumplings are a Charlottesville staple. They are delivering during the pandemic. Make sure to order a double order, because you will want more! (434) 244-0149
Peter Chang is kind of a big deal and won the James Beard Award in 2016. The food is fresh, plentiful and always good. www.peterchangcharlottesville.com
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Peter Chang
2162 Barracks RdPeter Chang is kind of a big deal and won the James Beard Award in 2016. The food is fresh, plentiful and always good. www.peterchangcharlottesville.com
Special Experiences!
Hot air balloons go overhead most weekend mornings and evenings! I never get tired of watching them! Blueridgeballoon.com is flying in 2021. Boarsheadballoon.com is on hiatus in 2021. They are all very collegial and go out in a group. It is an unforgettable experience!
BOAR'S HEAD BALLOONING
200 Ednam DriveUVA
Woodwind Cottage is located a 10-15 minutes drive from the Grounds of UVA and is less than one mile from the UVA Boathouse on the Rivanna Reservoir. If you are visiting UVA, it is an easy drive to Darden, the Law School or the Grounds.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
UVA
Woodwind Cottage is located a 10-15 minutes drive from the Grounds of UVA and is less than one mile from the UVA Boathouse on the Rivanna Reservoir. If you are visiting UVA, it is an easy drive to Darden, the Law School or the Grounds.