Virginia is for Lovers

Make a mini-vacation out of your time in Charlottesville by visiting some of our favorite restaurants, wineries and experiences.

Dining

Start your day with Bodo’s Bagels, a trio of bagel shops serving authentic New York water bagels; or for a heartier option, venture to Ace Biscuit and Barbecue for breakfast sandwiches and southern lunchtime eats.

For dinner on the Downtown Mall, make a reservation at Petit Pois, our favorite intimate French restaurant; or enjoy classic sandwiches and a lively atmosphere at Citizen Burger Bar.

Keep it simple and dine inside The Forum Hotel at Birch & Bloom, a locally-sourced steakhouse; or stop by The Good Sport, a timeless pub-style bar.

Virginia Wine Country

Named Wine Enthusiast’s 2023 Wine Region of the Year, the Monticello Wine Trail represents the very best of Virginia’s more than 300 vineyards.

At our wedding, you will drink wine from Keswick Vineyards, the winery that led us to fall in love with Virginia wine; Chisholm Vineyards, our favorite family-owned estate vineyard; Hardware Hills Vineyards, one of the only vineyards growing our personal favorite white grape varietal, Traminette; and Jefferson Vineyards, the neighboring property to our wedding venue and the same site where Thomas Jefferson himself grew wine grapes 250 years ago.

Other vineyards we highly recommend: Barboursville Vineyards, Early Mountain Vineyards, Septenary Winery, King Family Vineyards, Blenheim Vineyards and Southwest Mountain Vineyards.

To plan your visit, check out this interactive map of the region. To learn more about Virginia’s award-winning vineyards located across the Commonwealth, visit virginiawine.org. 

History & Culture

Visit Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello, and the University of Virginia, which he founded and designed—together considered a single UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Nearby, you will find James Monroe’s Highland, the residence of the fifth U.S. president (and our wedding venue) and Montpelier, the home of James Madison, the fourth U.S. president and father of the Constitution.

Walk Charlottesville’s Historic Downtown Mall, a vibrant collection of more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants.

Head towards the mountains to traverse Shenandoah National Park and take a drive along the iconic Skyline Drive for stunning views atop the Blue Ridge Mountains.