Would you mind looking over my tentative schedule? My husband and I are traveling later June-early July. No kids. We're coming from NC after visiting relatives. In terms of food, we're pretty open. Inexpensive would be great. Healthy is good too. lol

Day One
Leave NC 9-10
Arrive in C-Ville 1-2
Lunch (suggestions?)
Maybe wineries or U of V
Check in Dinsmore House
Dinner (suggestions?)

Day Two
Monticello
Lunch at Monticello or is there something else close?
Wineries or Ashlawn (deciding)
Head to W-burg
Check-in W-burg White House
Dinner Merchant Sq (anyone know hours of shops there?)

Day Three
Historic Jamestowne (is that the one to do first?)
Lunch (suggestions?)
Jamestown Settlement
Take the ferry sometime during the day (any ideas on the best time for this?)
Dinner-Pierce's on the way back to W-burg
If time, informally check out College of W and M.

Day Four
Yorktown-visit both sites during this day
Lunch- Carrot Tree (is it close?)
Dinner-Fat Canary or Blue Talon (our nice restaurant night)

Day Five
Visit Colonial W-burg
Lunch-Cheese Soup
Dinner
Maybe evening program-suggestions?

Day Six
Visit Colonial W-burg
Lunch-somewhere in C-WB
Dinner-somewhere in C-WB

Day Seven
Back to Cali

I appreciate your help! Any suggestions are appreciated.

In Charlottesville, there are many restaurants along a strip of stores in the center. There are cobblestone streets that you walk down. Anything from pizza to nice restaurants are located there. There is a fun place called the Hardware Store. It has deli type food or soups and sandwiches. There is a place to eat by Monticello. I am trying to remember it, maybe someone else will. It is a country tavern type fare. I believe it was buffet. We stopped there after apple picking at the Orchard near Monticello.
Definitely visit the University of Virginia. It is such a pretty campus an so close to the town area.
Monticello sells wines that have the Thomas Jefferson label. I am not sure if they are any good though.
In Williamsburg, the Trellis seemed over-rated to me. The Seasons restaurant was nice. I am not sure how long the shops are open. I would assume 9pm in the summer. The shops are expensive, but you can get a nice item unique to Williamsburg as a gift or memento.
I see you are a teacher and you will enjoy the history here in VA. We have so much for the kids to visit on field trips. It brings some of the old dry text to life.
Enjoy!

Recently in WIlliamsurg (one of my favorite places) Both Blue Talon and Fat Canary were great!!

Since you have WMBG so well covered, could I suggest moving a day of sightseeing west? If you would be driving north on I81, consider a drive thru the New Market battlefield, followed by a segment or 2 of Skyline Drive and dinner at Big Meadows or Skyland before a easy ride to C-ville.The daylight will allow plenty of time and the views from their restaurants are spectacular.In WMBG., all dining in Merchant's Square is pricey.I would vote for Blue Talon over the others and strongly recommend Victor's By ? for a great Italian meal-The best US restaurant in a strip mall!

the restaurant near Monticello is called Michie Tavern and it's colonial fare. Can't give a review as that doesn't appeal to me, personally.

Your Day two itinerary is fine but just to warn you, it's a two-hour drive to Williamsburg from C-ville and if you go in the evening, you will hit traffic around Richmond. So you might want to rearrange your schedule there or go really early to Monticello.

I'll second GirlontheGo's rec. for Dinner on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville. It's a brick pedestrian way with cute shops and food. The gfood at the Hardware store isn't great but people like the stmosphere. There are better places food-wise depending on what you like. Inexpensive:
Christian's pizza -all kinds of "gourmet" pizzas by the slice or the pie
Revolutionary Soup - Soup and sandwiches that are fresh and tasty
Atomic burrito - Equivalent of a "Chipotle" or a "Qdoba" but locally owned.

Your Day Two looks very busy but doable. As already noted, you will be in metro Richmond rush hour en route to Wmbg. I'm sure it pales in comparison to California but it might slow your trip down a bit. Suggest you pick up Route 5 on the south side of Richmond and take that to Wmbg. It's a very pretty drive through farm land, passing by plantation homes along a two lane tree canopied highway. It won't add much more than ten minutes to your trip and you might bypass traffic on I-64.

Mitchie Tavern is on the way down the mountain from Monticello and is open for tours and lunch. I think it's nasty food and overpriced. Gets lots of tour buses. I would head back into Cville or check to see if meals are served at any of the wineries.

You mention being here in early July. Over the Independence Day holiday?

Suggest you get to Monticello very early. The wait time can get to be quite long, a couple of hours or more, easily.

I agree with obxgirl about Michie Tavern, it is vastly overpriced and the food is disappointing to say the least.

Thanks so much for all the replies!

girlonthego-I am a high school English teacher who minored in history. Thanks for the tips!

cheapbutnice-I assumed that Skyline Drive is a high road with big drops and narrow roads thru mountains. This type of thing terrifies me. It sounds beautiful though. I've also read good stuff about Victor's by Sal (or something like that). It is on my list. Thanks!

schlegal1-I agree with you-at this point, Mitchie Tavern isn't too appealing to me. Thanks for the traffic tip. I wondered about the traffic. I wanted to get the 8:00 Monticello tix online, but the B&B serves b-fast from 8-9. So I'm thinking that I'll have to do the 10 instead. Mmm....I love Chipotle! Love all your dinner suggestions!

obxgirl-thanks for the detour tip. Printing it out for my husband. Sounds like a more scenic, relaxing way to go.
No, we'll be back home by July 4th. I've read your advice in other threads. Thanks for taking the time. It is helpful!

sludick-planning to get the tix online. Hoping that will help a little on the wait time.

I am glad we never actually ate at the Michie Tavern now!! We went in and saw that it was a big buffet and we decided we didn't want that kind of food. We went to the food area in the center of Charlottesville instead!! We ate at an italian restaurant that had outside seating. It was good.
The last time I was at the Hardware store was several years ago. It had a good sandwich back then.
You have had many good tips from everyone here!! Definitely take Rt 5. between Richmond and Williamsburg. It is a lonely road, but a pretty drive.

That's great; you will really enjoy Monticello. We make a trip up there every spring, learning/seeing something new every time. You mentioned Ash Lawn; have you also considered James Madison's estate, Montpelier? Did you know that Montpelier is undergoing restoration? We had seen it in its duPont state before this started, and have been able to tour it since, viewing some things that you will only be able to see during the restoration process. If you have time, you might work it in. Here's a link: http://www.montpelier.org/

As to wineries, if you have time, make reservations for lunch at Barboursville Winery. It's on the way from Monticello to Montpelier. What a treat! You will need reservations, I think. http://www.barboursvillewine.com/

And while you are there, it is just a short stroll from the only building in Orange County known to have been designed by Thomas Jefferson, Barboursville was constructed between 1814 and 1822 for Jefferson's friend James Barbour, Governor of Virginia (1812-1814), U.S. Senator, Secretary of War, and Ambassador to the Court of St. James.
http://www.hallowedground.org/jthg/view-194.html

Have a wonderful time!

Ck the UVA website about tours of the rotunda & lawn to see if that fits into your schedule on the 1st day. If you want a quick good sandwich next to campus, try Take It Away or Little John's both on the "corner" and maybe eat on the "grounds" - UVA campus. There are lots of great restaurants in C'ville, but the downtown mall is a fun place in the evenings. Ck out the Blue Light Grill for seafood. I must be one of the few posters who have eaten at Michie Tavern, but I did it more for atmosphere for my kids - agree food isn't that great. How about a picnic at either Monticello, Woodlawn, or the orchard (drive next to Michie's Tavern up mt for great view of C'ville and maybe whatever fruit in season). Pick up a cheap cooler and pack some sandwiches from 1 of the above places or there is another great sandwich place on Rt. 250 (Can't remember the name) a mile or so from UVA grounds in an Exxon station - I know, sounds strange. Wild Greens is another 1 of my favorite lunch spots maybe for your 1st day on Barracks Road.

Fat Canary is the best restaurant, I think, in Merchant Sq for dinner. The Trellis is also nice, but maybe enjoy it for lunch. I'm not a fan of Blue Talon - too over priced and portions too small. If you want seafood, Berret's is right there and great. You should plan to eat a lunch and maybe a dinner in 1 of the colonial taverns - more entertainment and atmosphere in evenings but also more $$$. The Cheese Shop is the sandwich spot in Merchant Square - get their # and phone an order in if you don't want to wait w/ the crowd inside and pick it up outside. Ck the movie schedule at the Kimball theatre plus the evening programs in CW are really good. On Day 3, why don't you take the ferry after Historic Jamestowne to Surry w/ lunch at the Surry House, enjoy lunch, and return for Jamestown Settlement or vice versa. (Bring bread to feed the gulls at the rear of the ferry.) Pierce's wouldn't be on your way "back" to Wmsbg., but it's not that far so enjoy. The Yorktown riverfront has been completely revitalized and there is a great restaurant there run by the same group as Berrett's - Riverwalk Rest. Or, drive across the Coleman bridge to the other side of the river and eat at the River's Inn. Carrot Tree is good if you just want something light and quick. Yorktown may be your least busy day, but ck out the Nancy Thomas gallery if you're shopping - 1 also in Merchant's Square - but this may be good time to visit W&M. If you want to go where the locals go at night, drive down Richmond Rd. towards Lightfoot and go to Sno to Go and get a stuffed snowcone. Have fun!

The Exxopn Station Momof3boys mentions is called 'The Market" there are a couple in C-ville that make awesome sandwiches. I too would suggest packing them up for a picnic.

Oh, and if you take the suggestion of picnicking on the mountain, Peaches should be in season at Carter Mountain Orchard, which is on the way to Monticello. It's a nice family-run orchard (with a sister Orchard, Chile's Peach orchard, in Crozet, right outside C-ville).

Day One suggestions:
I would recommend staying in town and touring UVa rather than heading out to wineries. You can do self-guided or official tours. In either case, go to the top of the Rotunda.

Inexpensive and good lunch: ask someone to direct you to Bodo's on the "Corner" (shopping area across from UVa - near where you're staying at the Dinsmore). They have a great variety of bagel sandwiches and serve up a very good Caesar salad. Get your food to go and sit on the lawn at UVa.

For dinner you should walk down to the pedestrian Downtown Mall. Walking out the door of the Dinsmore, turning right will take you to UVa, left to the Downtown Mall (about a 20 minute walk). There are lots of dining options but most are very disappointing. On the Mall, if the weather's nice, there is a lot of outdoor seating. Okay options: Escafe, Rapture, Zocalo. Avoid: Hardware Store Restaurant, Miller's. On the way to the Mall is one of my favorite places: L'etoile - not inexpensive, but worth it.

For a look at other reviews of Charlottesville restaurants, check out:
http://www.charlottesville-dining.com/

Have fun!

I don't think it matters terribly which Jamestown site you visit first. I might be inclined to see JT Settlement (the re-enactment) first as it will give you some context to fill in the blanks on Jamestown Island.

Lunch on your Jamestown Day. The original Carrot Tree is open for lunch and is located about 5 minutes from JT on (surprise) Jamestown Road.
Also nearby:

o Florimontes Deli (Wmbg Crossing Shopping Center) good sandwiches and salads

o Coffee House (Wmbg Crossing Shopping Center) good soups and sandwiches

Inexpensive restaurants in Merchant Square area or walkable from:

o Aroma's (Prince George St) sandwiches, light dinner, coffee, pastries

o Retro's Good Eats (Prince George St) hot dogs, fresh cut fries. Just opened.

o Green Leafe Cafe (765 Scotland St) burgers and salads

o College Deli, Paul's Deli, Mamma Mia's Deli - popular with the college crowd. pizza and deli sandwiches. not healthy but cheap.

o Sal's by Victor - Wmbg Shopping Center off of Richmond Rd. Pizza, salads, pasta dishes. Very casual and very popular. It's walkable from CW but I'd probably drive if the weather is really warm.

o Cheese Shop (you mentioned already)

I'm pretty sure that the Surry House has closed. I drove by it a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday morning and it looked deserted. Also, it's been removed from the little tourism website Surry Country maintains.

Too bad. The food was never fantastic but the atmosphere was fun. The Surry ham and bacon yummy as was the peanut pie.

You guys rock! Thanks so much for the suggestions! I'm taking notes. If I take the ferry over to Surry what will I find? Since it seems the restaurant is no more, is it worth the trip? The ferry ride sounds cool in itself. Would we just turn around and come back?

Try these lists of C-ville restaurants:
http://www.law.virginia.edu/home2002...s_american.htm

Use the links on the right to change food types.

In Charlottesville, for lunch, I suggest (which are all inexpensive):

Bellair Market (in the Exxon station) - wonderful sandwiches, west side of town

Wild Wing Cafe (I really recommend the burgers) - in the old Amtrak station

Northern Exposure (great, varied food) - between the Corner and the Amtrak Station (could do dinner here, too)

Dinner:

OXO (good but expensive), Rapture (on the Downtown Mall), Southern Culture (good Southern food), Michael's Bistro (good food, lots of beers), Wild Greens (healthy), Continental Divide (good slightly upscale Southwestern)


Have an after-lunch or after-dinner snack of frozen yogurt with toppings (the froyo equivalent of Coldstone Creamery) (usually served by UVa's equivalent of J.Crew models) at Arch's - which is west of town, on the way to Bellair Market.

Thanks again to everyone for suggestions! I'm wondering about Surry. Should we head over there or stay in Jamestown? I was thinking to do lunch over there, but I looked at their website and the food options seem a little limited. Chippokes seems kind of interesting, but I can't imagine we'll be hiking around; it will be too hot. Bacon's Castle is $7. Is it a good tour? Advice on Surry? Thanks!

The disappearance of the Surry House restaurant makes the ferry ride less enticing. As you mentioned, not much else to recommned foodwise in Surry.

Regarding Chippokes and Bacon's Castle. I'd say give a go If this was a return visit for you all or if you had a longer stay planned. But for this trip I'd probably skip it and the ferry.

A good alternative which someone would have recommended anyway, is to drive the length of the Colonial Parkway from Jamestown to Yorktown. It's a very pretty drive.

The Carrot Tree is on Main Street in Yorktown not far from the Battlefield and the YT Victory Center. You'll have to drive but not far.

obxgirl-Thanks for your advice on the ferry ride and Chippokes State Park. I know we can't see everything...that's why your advice is so handy. What do you think about the evening programs at W-burg?