If you haven't heard the story by now, I first started selling my jewelry at the Charlottesville City Farmers Market. I would create all week and then wake up at 5:45am to sell 25 pairs of handmade earrings from the back of my car. I loved it from the first moment I was there! After we moved to Charlotte, Bryan and I would still drive 4.5 hours to Charlottesville on Friday nights, just to be there in the morning. Everyone thought I was crazy, but this place filled my soul and gave me a reason to continue making jewelry. I will always be forever grateful for the friends I met those early mornings and for all the people who have supported me, hosted me in their homes, schools and restaurants, and continue to support me to this day!
We continue to go back to Charlottesville a couple times a year, and recently we just went up for a pop-up! I've written about Charlottesville before, you can read it here. But I wanted to do an updated 48 hours in Charlottesville post for you!!
Places to stay...
Clifton Hotel - It's a little bit further outside of the downtown area, but beautiful and they have lots of events and cool dinner parties.
Keswick Hall - They just went through a renovation and it's fabulous!
Boar's Head Inn - It's located on over 600 acres and has a ton of beautiful walking trails to explore.
Some of the wineries are also starting to rent out the cutest farmhouses. The Farmhouse at the Veritas Vineyard (where we got married) is the coolest little hidden gem!
There is also Stay Charlottesville - a collection of locally chosen and vetted airbnbs - they have a great selection!
Places to eat...
On your way in or out of town, you have to stop by Dr. Ho's Humble Pie - it's right outside of Charlottesville and a great place for the kids!
Breakfast Picks
Bodo's Bagels - Known as "The Institution” aka you HAVE to go if you're in Charlottesville - It's great to grab a bagel and go sit on The Lawn on campus.
The Juice Laundry - fresh smoothies and bowls, my favorite is the Coco Verde.
MarieBette Café - They have great coffee and amazing pastries - everything is home made.
Grit Coffee - is close to campus.
The Workshop - This cafe is new and I haven't been yet, but I've heard great things!
Lunch Picks
The Dairy Market - This is a really cool food hall with a ton of awesome options.
Feast - Great grab and go option with sandwiches, cheese & charcuterie and gourmet grocery items - perfect to stock up and take it to a vineyard or a picnic on the lawn!
Dinner Picks
Be sure to walk around the Downtown Mall - they have a ton of open air eateries, ice cream shops and musicians... and grab a cocktail at Continental Divide.
Zocalo - They have great outdoor seating in the middle of the downtown mall - I spent 4 years serving tables here and I still go back!
Tavola - This is one of my favorite restaurants in Charlottesville - great Italian food.
The Local - Great casual American place.
Oakhart Social - Really yummy small plates which is my favorite - you get to try a little bit of everything!
Ten - we just went this last trip... we are always craving sushi and this hit the spot!
Things to do and places to shop...
On your way into town, be sure to stop in Lynchburg and see our friends at Meanwhile Back on the Farm, she has the coolest converted farm house where they hand make every single piece!
We recently popped up at Rock Paper Scissors, the cutest stationery and gift store! My friends at Rock Paper Scissors have truly been here from the beginning and are such great supporters of small businesses.
For my high-end shoppers... Scarpa - for my charlotte locals it's a lot like Poole Shop - each year I get a pair of shoes here! And Eloise - I also used to work here back in the day!
For my history buffs - Monticello was Thomas Jefferson's Estate. And be sure to walk the beautiful gardens and lawn at UVA, there is so much Jefferson history to take in!
Rhoback - the coolest brand started by UVA grads!
Be Just - I loved all of their home decor!
Wineries - there are several wineries in Charlottesville but my favorite is Pippin Hill. You can also check to see if there are any polo matches at King Family Vineyard - those are a lot of fun! We love Charlottesville so much that we got married at Veritas Vineyard even though neither of us are from Charlottesville.
In the fall, Carter Mountain Orchard is a great place to go apple picking, pumpkin picking, and all things fall - be sure to check their festival schedule, they are a lot of fun for the kids!
Chiles Peach Orchard - they make the best soft serve ice cream!
The Virginia Discovery Museum is great for a day with the kids!
And of course you have to visit the farmers markets! There are two farmers markets on Saturday mornings - The Charlottesville City Market and The Farmers Market at IX.
If you love yoga you absolutely have to take one of Shannon Burns classes at Salute the Sun Yoga Studio - she's a really great friend and has the best classes!
The Well Room - the coolest Wellness Studio that also happens to carry a limited offering of our jewelry collection!
