Votes
2012 Best Small Towns in America
- 61 votes - Best For Food
- 25 votes - Most Beautiful
- 3 votes - Most Fun
- 2 votes - Friendliest
Description
Charlottesville boasts both the Blue Ridge Mountains and the University of Virginia in Thomas Jefferson’s hometown. Charlottesville’s dining is concentrated in the Downtown Mall where visitors can also find historic buildings, over a hundred shops and arts all accessible by a local trolley.
Our team sampled 12 of the 30 restaurants in one day, where the farm-to-table movement has taken over. Local chefs use ingredients right from the farmers market and nearby farms, wineries and ranches like Brookeville Restaurant’s fried green tomatoes, The C&O’s cheese and produce, and Tavola’s local wines. Our team additionally enjoyed Bizou, Positively 4th Street, Tempo, Belmont BBQ, and MAS.
At the University of Virginia, look for the Rotunda, The Lawn and Beta Bridge, local landmarks with significance among students. Tour Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe’s homes; visit the home and Gardens of Monticello and a number of historic markers; and attend a concert in a variety of venues. Visitors will also enjoy local parks, farms, vineyards and breweries.
Mountains, creeks and forests provide the perfect setting for any outdoor outing whether hiking, biking and camping, or taking on rafting, kayaking, tubing or canoeing. Ski and snow board in the winter, hike the Appalachian Trail, view nature in Shenandoah National Park, or golf on beautiful courses. See what else makes Charlottesville such a livable town in its reviews.
Traveler Reviews
Many small non-chain restaurants, especially on the Downtown Pedistrian Mall. One of the very best Downtown Pedistrain Malls in America.
I lived in Italy for years and spent much of that time in Tuscany. Back in the states, I found Charlottesville--beautiful, sophisticated, great food and wine. It is, for me, the Tuscany of the United States.
Charlottesville is amazing! Class and charm of the South with style and culture of a big northern city :)
Charlottesville is not only beautiful in landscape, but delicious in food as well. Blue Moon Diner near UVA campus gives you that chill diner vibe, but with fresh made food as good as you'd get from high-end dining. Spend an afternoon at Veritas winery on the lawns sipping wine in the sun or in their rustic chic tasting room, and finish off your day at Mas Tapas- where you can nosh on incredible Spanish eats & drinks with an always a packed fun dinner crowd in the Belmont neighborhood. C-ville has my vote for yum and fun!
Don't all college towns heave the best food? But The Happy Campers want to judge for ourselves.Knoxville for food is fabulous do you thinks you can do better. we know it will be a very close race.
