Charlottesville, VA

[KBRed]

Last minute decided to go to a concert in Charlottesville, VA this weekend. Is anyone familiar with this area? The concert is at the John Paul Jones Arena.

Good places to eat?

Hotels to stay, last minute...even campsites?

Places to see/go?

I'm not familiar with this area at all, but thought someone might be.

Thanks for the info.

[davos]

littejohns late night is good for food

places: campus... TJ's architectural accomplishments at their finest

[Sapper]

WhiteSpot too.

[Niner National]

If you are staying overnight, be sure to grab some bodo's bagels in the morning. Cheap and delicious bagels.

[bleys]

The Shebeen Pub & Braai and Ace Biscuit & Barbecue are worth checking out..

[Captroop]

I grew up in Charlottesville. A lot has changed since I lived there. In fact the area has really gone downhill from the small artsy community I left when I was 13 (When the Urban Outfitters moved in, it sounded the death knell of C-Ville), and most of the stuff I knew around campus has been bulldozed to make room for a Chick Fil A and a Bonefish Grill. But I can definitely lend some advice.

Christian's Pizza was hands down, the best pizza I've ever had in my life, and that includes Italy. I should note that I went there earlier this year, and it wasn't as good, but it's still head and shoulders over every other option and a must have. If they have it, get any of their veggie loaded sicilian deep dish slices. They absolutely do it right, abour 3/4" of dough, and 2" of toppings. It's located in the downtown mall (like almost everything else worth seeing and doing).

The Mud House makes a damned good cup of coffee.

Not sure it's still around, but ther used to be a place there called "The Inn" that made amazing breakfast food. If it's there, get the Pigs n' a Blanket.

The Commonwealth Restaurant and SkyBar was a welcome addition the last time I was in town, but not sure how fun a Sky Bar will be in the thick of December.

And above all else, and this is not optional; You must visit Spudnuts.

Yes, this dinky, disgusting looking doughnut shop that looks like a highway rest area from the 1960s. Spudnuts makes the best doughnuts you will ever have in your life. But I warn you, if you are a man who enjoys his doughnuts, this will ruin you from Krispy Kreme for life. It may even make you forget about Britt's.

[KBRed]

I grew up in Charlottesville. A lot has changed since I lived there. In fact the area has really gone downhill from the small artsy community I left when I was 13 (When the Urban Outfitters moved in, it sounded the death knell of C-Ville), and most of the stuff I knew around campus has been bulldozed to make room for a Chick Fil A and a Bonefish Grill. But I can definitely lend some advice.

Christian's Pizza was hands down, the best pizza I've ever had in my life, and that includes Italy. I should note that I went there earlier this year, and it wasn't as good, but it's still head and shoulders over every other option and a must have. If they have it, get any of their veggie loaded sicilian deep dish slices. They absolutely do it right, abour 3/4" of dough, and 2" of toppings. It's located in the downtown mall (like almost everything else worth seeing and doing).

The Mud House makes a damned good cup of coffee.

Not sure it's still around, but ther used to be a place there called "The Inn" that made amazing breakfast food. If it's there, get the Pigs n' a Blanket.

The Commonwealth Restaurant and SkyBar was a welcome addition the last time I was in town, but not sure how fun a Sky Bar will be in the thick of December.

And above all else, and this is not optional; You must visit Spudnuts.

Yes, this dinky, disgusting looking doughnut shop that looks like a highway rest area from the 1960s. Spudnuts makes the best doughnuts you will ever have in your life. But I warn you, if you are a man who enjoys his doughnuts, this will ruin you from Krispy Kreme for life. It may even make you forget about Britt's.

Thanks a lot man! Will be spending most of the days around there, so I will certainly check out these spots. Probably staying about 20 minutes away in Crozet. We decided to camp, and that seemed to be the closest reputable spot.