I have always have wanted to visit Monticello - and now I'm going!

Taking Amtrak to C-ville - mainly to view some of the state of West Virginia along the way - towards the end of this month for a short mid-week get-away. Basically, I have 1 later afternoon-into-evening, 2 full days and 1 full morning (Amtrak - if on-time - doesn't depart until 2 p.m.).

With respect to dining for lunch and/or dinner, a couple of restaurants have caught my eye: The Shebeen and Maya. Has anyone recently dined at either? If so, your thoughts? Any other suggestions for places nearer the UVa?

I don't need to worry about breakfast/brunch, as I'm staying at a B&B.

Has anyone hiked the Thomas Jefferson Parkway up to Monticello? 2 miles in length, it appears.

Also, I was looking into talking a tour of the UVa - the Rotunda, grounds and/or gardens. It appears that the tours for the Rotunda are free and you just need to be there at one of the scheduled start times. But I cannot find the specific information about the others - are they self-guided?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

Based on the information in the following link, it doesn't appear that any tours will be given this summer, but maybe you can arrange one by calling the number given: http://www.student.virginia.edu/~ugu...me/welcome.php

Did you see this link--http://www.virginia.edu/uvatours/gardens/gardensExplore.html It's a map and description of the on-campus gardens so you could do a self-guided tour of them.

I was looking at this page of the UVa's website about the Rotunda tour: www.virginia.edu/uvatours/rotunda/

It appeared to me from it that they are giving tours in June for the Rotunda. I'll have to give them a call to clarify this.

Re: the gardens. Yes, thank you. I did see that - but didn't know if it was just for self-exploration or if you had to be escorted by a guide. I couldn't tell from the website.

The Shebeen and Maya are both great. You'll enjoy either or both--they are popular local places. You can also walk around the downtown pedestrian mall and check out other restaurants and shops.

Enjoy C-ville!

Monticello is a fantastic place to visit. Ten miles down the road is James Monroe's more humble abode. Skyline Drive is a wonderful drive as well.

We were sent to a very good classic steak house .. can't remember the name. We enjoye dour meal.

Thanks for all the information, folks. Greatly appreciated.

The first day (late afternoon into evening) I was going to wander down to the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. I'm traveling coach on Amtrak (as it's only overnight travel) so I'm probably gonna call it a day kinda early. Does anyone know of a nice, independent bookstore in that area? I usually pick up a special book for my personal library as a reminder of my travels.

The next (full) day is pretty much devoted to Monticello. I'm hoping that this rainy spell will be out of the way when I go so all I have are blue skies.

I had considered going to Michie Tavern as well, but...not sure at this point.

The other full day, I'm kinda playing it by ear. I'd rather do the UVa tour(s) in the morning and then leave the rest of the day available for whatever I feel.

Again, thanks for all of the help.

Here's some information for others: I called UVa. The Rotunda tour only is still being given during the summer months 7 days a week at the times shown on the UVa website. They do have maps available for the others.

Thanks for this - we're going to be there in early July.

I like Michie Tavern. It is NOT fancy food, just fried chicken, rolls and sides served on tin/pewter plates. It costs more than I would pay in a restaurant (last time I think I paid $12 or so) but it is all you can eat and the atmosphere goes right along with the Monticello visit. Maybe not something for every trip but fun once in a while.

I would also do the Monroe house (Ashlawn-Highland) as that is nice also.
http://www.ashlawnhighland.org/

If you are there on Friday they have free concerts called Friday at Five in the amphitheater near the mall. Good music, it's a fairly large social event for the "townies". You might even check if they have any major acts there while you are visting.

Any other great restaurant suggestions (I don't eat fried chicken!)?

Daedalus Bookshop, on 4th Street, is a remarkable secondhand book shop that's been in C'ville forever. It's three wonderful levels of books stacked floor to ceiling. You can spend hours there. New Dominion (I think that's right) is on the pedestrian mall and is also a very good independent (new books).

Do not go to Michie Tavern to eat. It's an abomination.

obxgirl, any good restaurants to recommend - we'll probably be there 2 or 3 days.

Thanks, obxgirl, for that info on the bookstores. Also, that's the general impression I got from reading about Michie Tavern and why I hesitated to include it in the itinerary. I was only considering going for the historical tour - not the cuisine.

I've had a grueling past couple of weeks at work/home - and looking forward to more of the same once I return - and that's why I'm hesitant to "fill up" that itinerary. The last thing I need is to run myself more ragged when on vacation. I'd rather just take it low-key this time around.

Besides, when I visit these destinations that center around historical sites, I truly feel that you really need to take your time to appreciate them and soak in the atmosphere.

I have a list of "Must Do's" and a list of "Might Do's". Monticello is, of course, on the first, as it is the whole purpose of the journey. Touring UVa, as well.

I might be visiting the Paramount Theatre. The day I get into C-ville there is what sounds to be a very interesting photographic exhibit and the Tuesday is the free Charlottesville Municipal Band concert. Unfortunately, there's nothing scheduled for the Jefferson Theatre during my time frame.

Actually, I'm coming at the time of the Summer Solstice Festival. Sheryl Crow is playing at the Pavilion and the free Ice Cream Social Party sounds pretty tasty to me. It's actually the day I go to Monticello, though, so I'll see how it all falls into place when I return.

Bluegrass Grill & Bakery might an option on my last day in C-ville. ZoCaLo appears to be an almost definite option - no one ever accused me of not loving a good mojito!

Zocalo sounds great - I'm making a reservation!!

Oops! Forgot to mention Zinc as well as an option.

sf, are you going to the opera when you are there?

Don Giovanni is playing when we're there. We're not "natural" opera fans (would have loved to have been there when Harry Connick is there, but no dice)...but I think we might attend anyway -- it's just the kind of thing we do when we're on vacation!

Exiled, are you taking the "Behind the Scenes" tour? I just reserved that for the morning of July 5th.

sf7307, I wasn't ignoring your question but hoping that some of the board's experts would comment.

The friends I visit in Cville are tremendous cooks so we almost never eat out. I was at the C&O for dinner last winter for perhaps the 3rd time in five years. I really like that place. Other than that, for me, it's been the occasional lunch. Christians Pizza and Hamilton's (both on the mall) are good.

C'vile has a really sweet farmers (and crafts) market on on the downtown mall Saturday mornings spring through fall.