gaelle

My husband and I will have 3 days in Virginia week of October 24. Should we base ourselves in Charlottesville or Richmond? If we only have time for one city and its surrounding area which would you recommend and why? thanks for your help!

Susank35

That's a tough call and really depends on your interests. The mountains close to C'ville (Blue Ridge Parkway) are beautiful with the fall foliage, and there's usually an Apple Festival nearby. UVA and Monticello have much to offer the history buff. Richmond has the Capitol Building, Science Museum, more shopping/dining opportunities. In addition, it's not far to Jamestown/Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is wonderful. About an hours drive to the north is Fredericksburg, VA which has George Washington's boyhood home. About 2 hours to the south is VA Beach. Having said all of that, if you're looking for a calmer vacation, I'd go to the C'ville area....need more excitement...head to the Richmond area. Hope this helps!

bgr8ful

If you could tell us a little more about your interests it would be helpful. I love both of these cities, but for very different reasons. Richmond, and in particular, the Shockoe Slip district has some very nice hotels and restaurants and is lots of fun for music and bars. We really like to stay at the Berkely down there and have some pampering for a long weekend. C'ville is a great college town and the surrounding countryside is really beautiful. I would go there if I wanted more "fall views" and historic touring.

Ackislander

Richmond probably makes a better center for general touring (one day in Richmond, one day in Charlottesville, one day in Williamsburg or Northern Neck or James River Plantations).

If you love the mountains and history, you could find plenty to do in Charlottesville, and the Valley.

I would check first to see if there is a home game while you are there. Parking is a mess in Charlottesville at best, and a home game might tip me toward going somewhere else.

JanetKMR

They have a home game that weekend...Eastern Michigan which means it will probably be a noon or 1:00 game that Saturday. That is on Saturday the 23rd, so if you aren't going to be there on the weekend, you should be okay.

The following Saturday is a conference game against Miami, which will have higher attendance.

UVA hasn't sold out in football for several years and they don't tailgate on the scale of other schools so not sure how the games will affect your schedule.

Depending on your interests you could do both Richmond and Charlottesville over 3 days.

schlegal1

We love the outdoors, beautiful scenery, and a walkable downtown so I would choose C-ville. In Charlottesville you can enjoy Monticello, Ash Lawn, Carter Mountain Orchard, a winery or two and UVA. IF you want to enjoy surrounding areas, from there it would be about a 30 minute drive west to get on The Blue Ridge Parkway in Waynesboro which has many easily accessible hikes and a lovely drive. The drive on 64 east is surprisingly scenic for a highway and the mountains will be gorgeous. From Waynesboro it is another 10-15 min to get to Staunton where you can enjoy the Frontier Culture Museum, Blackfriars Playhouse, and some of the downtown shops and main street. If you have children with you who need to let off steam, Gypsy Hill park is great.

Charlottesville has lots of dining and shopping options on the Downtown Mall (a pedestrian mall). Staunton is also up-and-coming in this regard. I can recommend specific restaurants in Staunton if you are interested and there's a fairly new music venue (blue-grass old time music are the specialty) called Mockingbird (mockingbird123.com).

If you come to Charlottesville, pick up a copy of the free papers C-Ville or The Hook. They contain a restaurant guide and other local activity info.

Of course, the accessibility of Williamsburg from Richmond might tip the scales in that direction if you've never been to Jamestown or Williamsburg.For me, Richmond itself holds little of interest and it's not a particularly lovely city. The canal walk is nice, though.

gaelle

We've decided to stay in Charlottesville. Thank you all for your suggestions. i love this sight!

gaelle

I mean site but it is a sight too!