Dining and Attractions

DINING For more specific information, see websites. These locations are marked on the conference’s custom Google map, located here. The Corner

• Bodo’s Bagels

Beloved local bagel shop offers an extensive, affordable, delicious menu. Plenty of breakfast and lunch options all day.  http://www.bodosbagels.com/

• Michael’s Bistro & Taphouse

This atmospheric local favorite serves well-prepared American food and has an excellent and affordable rotating draft beer list. It tends to be quieter than most Corner restaurants.

• Mellow Mushroom

This pizza chain serves up inventive specialty pies with chewy, parmesan-sprinkled crusts. Also features one of the largest draft beer selections around. (1321 West Main Street)http://www.mellowmushroom.com/locations#/home

• Basil

An affordable Mediterranean restaurant with an eclectic menu featuring paninis and pastas as well as standard Mediterranean fare. (109 14th Street, just around the corner from the main strip.)http://www.basilmedbistro.com/

• Boylan Heights

This is the Corner’s best burger place, serving organic, grass-fed beef from Virginia farms. You can pick one of their specialty burgers or create your own. Each month features a different creative burger. Spacious seating, good beer selection. (at the corner of University Ave. and 14th.) http://boylan-heights.com/

• Revolutionary Soup

A café that serves a variety of fresh soups made daily with high-quality local produce. Also serves sandwiches, wraps, beer, and wine. There are two locations: one just off The Corner and one on the Downtown Mall. http://revolutionarysoup.com/ Downtown Hop on the Free Trolley at the Alderman Library bus stop or just across from The Corner to visit Charlottesville’s beautiful Downtown pedestrian Mall, where you will find dozens of local restaurants and shops.

• Marco and Luca’s Noodle Shop

This is a fantastic place for excellent, inexpensive food. Go here for amazing dumplings and noodles that won’t break the bank.  There is also a location on the Corner, on Elliewood Ave., just around the corner from Starbucks.

• Miller’s Downtown

Want to see where Dave Matthews’ Band got its start? Go here for great sandwiches in the afternoon or drinks in the evening. Live music most nights.  http://millersdowntown.com/Millers_Downtown.html

• Fellini’s #9

A cozy local bar with good food and great atmosphere. Live music most weekend nights. http://fellinis9.com/

• Mudhouse

The best coffee in Charlottesville and a warm, inviting atmosphere. http://www.mudhouse.com/

• Splendora’s

If you want to have dessert while you’re in Charlottesville, this is the place to go. Splendora's makes authentic, hand-crafted gelato that’s so delicious, you’ll dream about it afterwards. With between 24 and 36 daily flavors, you’re bound to find something you’ll like. http://www.splendoras.com/

• South Street Brewery

Whether you want dinner or drinks, this is an excellent place to go to relax and get to know people better after a day of conference panels, and especially favored by UVa English grads. Four varieties of beer brewed in house.http://www.southstreetbrewery.com/

• Christian’s

A popular alternative to Mellow Mushroom, Christian’s pizza is characterized by its thin crust. Its two locations (one at the Corner, and one on the Downtown Mall). Barracks Road Shopping Center This busy shopping complex between the Hampton Inn and UVa offers several quick and affordable chain restaurant options.

• Chipotle

Gourmet burritos, tacos and barbacoa. Delicious, extremely filling, and relatively cheap!http://www.chipolte.com/en-US/Default.aspx?type=default

• Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Billing itself as ‘hamburger heaven’ Five Guys is a sturdy choice for a burger here in Charlottesville. There’s another location on the Downtown Mall. http://www.fiveguys.com/home.aspx

• Brixx Wood Fired Pizza

Just what the name says. Several creative pizza options as well as pastas, salads, and sandwiches.http://www.brixxpizza.com/ Further Afield Charlottesville offers many excellent choices for the enterprising foodie, but several of them are across town from UVa.

• Fry’s Spring Station

A new, classy fire-roasted pizza place, on the Free Trolley route at the end of Jefferson Park Avenue (south of Grounds, not far from Nau Hall).  http://www.frysspringstation.com/

• MAS

Consistently voted Charlottesville’s #1 restaurant, MAS offers a mouthwatering array of authentic Spanish tapas, wines, and drinks in the heart of the funky Belmont neighborhood. http://www.mastapas.com/

• Beer Run

Gourmet lunch and dinner, outstanding draft selection of craft brews that changes daily. Or pick out a special bottle from Beer Run’s fully stocked beer and wine store and drink it with your meal. http://www.beerrun.com/

• La Michoacana Deli

Handmade tortillas filled with carne asada, barbacoa, carnitas, or the more traditional beef tongue and pork skin. This family-run hole-in-the-wall will only set you back $2 a taco.


ATTRACTIONS Of course the conference will be your main activity, but in case you have more time, Charlottesville has a wealth of interesting activities and sites to visit. Tour the UVa campus Free guided tours of the Rotunda and Lawn are also provided year-round. Tours meet daily at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. inside the Rotunda’s main entrance. Call (434) 924-7969 for more information. Tours are accessible to individuals in wheelchairs, and interpreters are available for the hearing impaired. The Rotunda provides brochures with walking tours of the Rotunda, the Academical Village, and the Pavilion Gardens. Art museums and galleries First Fridays on the Mall: All the art galleries along the downtown Mall have their opening night on First Fridays with new exhibitions representing some of the best artists in the US. It’s a fun event for all ages, an opportunity to meet some of the local artists and eat some great hors d’oeuvres. UVa Art Museum: “Society Portraits: Andy Warhol’s Photographic Legacy,” featuring black-and-white Polaroid and silver gelatin portraits shot by Warhol. Free admission! McGuffey Art Center: McGuffey Art Center is an artist association supporting the artistic growth of emerging and professional artists in both visual and performing arts. The Center is open to the public six days a week with no admission charge. If the studio doors are open, please walk in to view artist’s work space and their art. The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection presents “Reko Rennie: Patternation,” a site specific installation by Reko Rennie, a Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay/Gummaroi man from Melbourne, VIC, who spent two weeks painting the interior of the Kluge-Ruhe rotating gallery. 400 Worrell Dr. 244-0234. The University of Virginia Library displays “Global Collections: Engaging the World,” an exhibition featuring “rare and unique international materials that reflect the lives of diplomats, missionaries, artists, and others, whose occupations and passions have led to remarkable foreign encounters. The record of these individuals’ travels illuminates the meaning and consequences of cross-cultural experiences.” Presidents’ homes Monticello: Visit the beautiful home of Thomas Jefferson, a short drive from downtown. Admission to the house & grounds, $22. www.monticello.org. Ash Lawn-Highland: The home of James Monroe, lovingly preserved and interpreted. Admission $10.www.ashlawnhighland.org. Montpelier: James Madison’s home has been architecturally restored to its original grandeur. Admission $16.www.montpelier.org.