A great dinner spot right on the Downtown Mall and a short walk to the Welcome Party. Classic Virginia cuisine in the French style using local ingredients.

The Charlottesville area is home to many beautiful tasting opportunities! Try out some local beers along the Brew Ridge Trail or wines along the Monticello Wine Trail. We love Blue Mountain Brewery for its outdoor space and family-friendly atmosphere, and Veritas Winery for its delicious food options and lovely views.

Gourmet sandwiches tucked into a gas station. A great place to grab a bite before a hike, wine tasting, or hitting the road. Jeremy loves the Jefferson and Hannah loves the Farmington but the herb mayo is a must!

Visit Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. Guided tours are available.

Checkout Hannah's middle and high school stomping grounds! The Downtown Mall is a vibrant collection of more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants housed in historic buildings along the city's Main Street. Enjoy dining al fresco at a number of fine restaurants or shop at a number of unique boutiques.

Delicious and affordable soups and sandwiches just off the Downtown Mall. Rev Soup is a Charlottesville classic and offers lots of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. Hannah loves the Peanut Tofu soup!

Enjoy a Charlottesville classic! Great bagels in the South? Hannah says so! There are several locations throughout Charlottesville.

The Rivanna River Trail is a favorite walk of Hannah's mom and Jeremy. Park in the gravel lots at 1601 E. High Street to walk the trail, or at Riversong Saunas to have a schvitz and a dip in the river!

Bonus: Hogwaller Brewing and Riverside Lunch are nearby as well!

A European-style bakery for a sweet treat!

A favorite walking trail of the Stell family! Experience this 4.3-mile out-and-back trail near Charlottesville, Virginia. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 38 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.

A wonderful Saturday morning activity to experience the bounty of central Virginia! The Charlottesville City Market is held every Saturday from 7:00am till Noon from April through December Downtown Charlottesville at Water Street and South Street between 1st and 2nd. City Market offers fresh produce, herbs, plants, grass fed meats, crafts, and baked goods from local vendors.

This down-home burger joint and bar started in Hannah's college town of Harrisonburg and now has an outpost on the Downtown Mall. Open late, so great for a late-night bite! If you've never had a fried Oreo, here's your chance!

Get a taste of the 18th-century as we feature a buffet of southern fried chicken, marinated baked chicken, hickory-smoked pork barbecue, stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits and so much more. Enjoy beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding area on our enclosed courtyard

Farm Bell Kitchen offers locally inspired, new-Southern cuisine by blending traditional ingredients with modern culinary techniques, incorporating rich flavors, and embracing the farm-to-fork movement by partnering with local purveyors.

TEN Modern Japanese Cuisine is an upscale sushi and sashimi restaurant located in the heart of the downtown mall.

Check out this list of 29 essential Charlottesville restaurants to find one that suits your taste!