This past month I had graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Public Policy in Leadership at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. While I did spend a good amount of time at UVA writing memos, crying over econ exams, and attending office hours, I made it an intentional goal to beyond the school's grounds and explore the beautiful city of Charlottesville, Virginia.
With COVID taking away most of our class's social gatherings during our final years, it gave me an opportunity to make a list of places I really wanted to see before I graduated. The following items are a combination of nature spots, vineyards, breweries, restaurants, and miscellaneous spots that are fun/pretty. Going to college near the so-called "Napa Valley of the East", it sometimes felt like all there was to do was visit a brewery or a winery at first glance. However, most of the items listed were taken from various blog posts, Reddit threads, conversations from friends and mentors, or random postings on Facebook.
Just a heads up, I've attached some photos to places I've visited, but I'm not going to write my reviews on each place because I think it's worth checking out these places anyway to form your opinion on it and see what you like/don't like. I've also listed places I haven't been to in red.
If there's something on this list you think I should add, email me or comment below! I love exploring new things :)
Alright, here's my list:
Restaurants:
Peloton Station
La Flor Michoacana
Quirk Hotel
Common House
Riverside Lunch
Lost Saint (Speakeasy)
Alley Light
Jack Brown's Burger Spot
Guajro's - Miami Eatery
Citizen Burger
Dairy Market
Bowerbird Bakery
Tonic
Browns at Avon St.
Jack's Shop Kitchen
Ace Biscuits & Barbecue
The Shebeen
Belmont Pizza & Pub
Breweries/Cideries:
Skipping Rock Brewery
Pro Re Nata Brewery
Blue Mountain Brewery
Wool Factory Brewery
Castle Hill Cidery
Nellysford (Bold Rock) Cidery
Potter's Cidery
Vineyards:
Barboursville Ruins
Stinson Vineyards
Pippin Hill Winery
Veritas Winery
King's Family Vineyards
Glasshouse Winery
Eastwood Farm and Winery
Chisholm Vineyards
Hilltop Winery
Loving Cup Winery
Keswick Vineyards
Hikes/Nature Areas/Parks:
Sugar Hollow Dam and Reservoir
McIntire Park
Chris Greene Lake Park
Darden Towe Park
Henley's Apple Orchard
Turk Mountain Trailhead
Walnut Creek
Beaver Creek Reservoir
Kemper Park
Rivanna Trail
Crabtree Falls
Ivy Creek Natural Area
Rose River
Boar's Head Resort
Skyline Drive
Humpback Rock
Ragged Mountain Natural Area
Misc.:
Market at Grelen
Blue Ridge Tunnel
Blue Ridge Corn Maze
Common House
Caromont Farm
