Travelling to a “College Town” – - Charlottesville, Virginia
Posted in Campus, Family Fun, Food, Hotels, Restaurant, Romantic Locations, Scenery, Shopping, Theater, Travel | By Roger Gillespie | Tags: Boar's Head Inn, Campus, Charlottesville, Food, Hotels, Resort, Shopping, Travel, University of Virginia, VA, Virginia
There’s something about a college town. I’m not talking about New York City, Boston, or Los Angeles, but rather those small to mid-sized towns that cater to, or are intricately involved with, the day–to-day operations of the campus.
Virginia has several such towns, Lexington (Washington & Lee University), Williamsburg (College of William & Mary), Blacksburg (Virginia Poly Tech), Radford (Radford University), even Farmville (Longwood University) are a few of the ten such towns that are labeled “college towns.”
But, my pick for this article is Charlottesville.
Home to the University of Virginia, designed by United States President and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville is just over an hour from Richmond, and easily accessible by car or plane. Current population of just under 50,000 makes this a small college town with amenities that you might not find in other towns of this size.Just 20 miles west are the Blue Ridge Mountains and the famed Blue Ridge Parkway cutting across the top toward the northwest and ending at Front Royal, Virginia.
DOWNTOWN CHARLOTTESVILLE
Downtown is home to a pedestrian-only mall running eight blocks lined with a mix of shops, multi-cuisine restaurant choices and classic brick buildings. A former favorite of mine, and many Charlottesville residents, was the Hardware Store Restaurant. After 30 years the owners sold and a fun restaurant has been replaced by a national, albeit eclectic, chain store.
The Paramount Theatre, with its Greek-revival and Neo-classical architecture, is open again after a major renovation and being dark for more than 30 years. Offering a mix of classic movies, opera, ballet and holiday fare, the interior of this 1931 building is not to be missed. Check for an event before your trip at:
If you are looking for accommodations, the Omni Charlottesville Hotel anchors the northwest end of the mall.
A list of shops, restaurants and services is located at:
www.downtowncharlottesville.net
THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
The University of Virginia hosts a student population of just under 20,000. The school was the idea of Thomas Jefferson and much of the original architecture and site plan were designed by him. Known as “Mr. Jefferson’s University” he founded the University in 1819 on land that was owned by another, soon to be President of the United States, James Monroe.
Be sure to take time to walk around the university and visit the Lawn and the Rotunda.
Rotunda at Jefferson's University - The University of Virginia
MICHIE TAVERN
Just outside of town are two historical sites, Monticello and Michie Tavern. The latter was formerly an inn dating back to 1784. Today, it is a restaurant and museum. With costumed hostesses, the menu is limited to a few southern dishes while you are seated in a rustic atmosphere. If you have never been to Williamsburg, or don’t plan to, Michie Tavern just might put you in the mood.
RESORT
A few miles west of the University is the four-diamond rated Boar’s Head Inn. The resort is owned by the University of Virginia Foundation. The 170 rooms are set with Colonial style furnishings sitting on a 573-acre estate.
Complete with a golf course, sports club and spa, the property is host to four restaurants including the Old Mill Room. This historic dining room was built with timbers from an abandoned gristmill on the Hardware River and, for 22 years, has earned a AAA four-diamond rating.
Tomorrow: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Tags: Boar's Head Inn, Campus, Charlottesville, Food, Hotels, Resort, Shopping, Travel, University of Virginia, VA, Virginia
November 24th, 2009 at 7:15 am
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