I just tried to book at the Hampton Suites (University location) but they are full for our date next week. We don't want to pay more than $100 for bed and breakfast. I would be grateful for any suggestions of other lodging places in Charlottesville or nearby that we could try. Also, while I'm at it recommendations for restaurants with simple but good food would also be appreciated!

If you're staying on a weekend night, you may want to check the football schedule at UVA. If there's a home game, you may be out of luck. Google University of Virginia to find the schedule.

We're driving from Richmond to Roanoke late next week and had thought about staying over in Charlottesville to do a little sightseeing. There is a home game next weekend. I'm not sure if it's Friday or Saturday, since it's been a while since I finalized our itinerary.

Bringing this post back to the top 50 for BDT, a new poster.

Stayed at the Omni, if it still is an Omni, right at the end of the pedestrain mall full of shops and restaurants. Good location, otherwise standard.

Duke play UVA at home next Saturday. I wouldn't wait any longer to get a hotel booking. Doubt the Omni would have anything under $100/night this time of year. There are a couple of Holiday Inns in C'ville. Also another Hampton Inn as well as a Doubletree.

BDT - check out this link for a list of restaurants voted "Best of" in their category - http://www.c-ville.com/www/closet/BESTOF/vote.asp

If you give more specifics on what type of cuisine & budget you are looking for, I'd be happy to give more specific ideas.

As others mentioned, with a home football game the town is mobbed - traffic is particularly awful since there are only really two main roads into C'ville. If you end up staying at a hotel on Route 29 on Saturday, make sure you get into downtown early (check the game time) or you'll be sitting in traffic forever with lots of irrate fans...
If you are not in town for football, you can easily avoid the majority of the chaos by hanging out at the Downtown Mall during they day. The Corner area near UVA will get busy and rowdy (ie drunk) in the evening, so if that is not your scene I wouldn't pick that time to visit, although the Lawn & Rotunda are lovely at night.
Have a great trip!

It's hard to get rooms anywhere near Charlotte when it is a big football weekend. There is a beautiful Holiday Inn Express in Orange County -- good location for visiting wineries, Jefferson and Madison homes, etc. Restaurant suggestions: The Bavarian Chef in Orange. One of the best German restaurants in the country.