Day 1: Start your day off with a delicious brunch at MarieBette Café and Bakery. After brunch, visit the Monticello Wine Trail for a taste of Virginia's finest wines. End your day with dinner at C&O Restaurant, a cozy spot with a menu featuring the best seasonal, local ingredients.
Day 2: Start your day with breakfast at Bluegrass Grill & Bakery. After breakfast, take a cheese-tasting class at Caromont Farm, where you'll learn about and sample artisanal goat cheese. End your day with dinner at The Local, a farm-to-table spot that offers the freshest ingredients harvested from local farms.
Day 3: Start your day with coffee and a pastry at Café Cubano. After breakfast, take a food tour with Cville Tours and taste your way through the city. Finish your day with dinner at MAS Tapas, featuring Spanish-inspired small plates and a wide selection of wine and cocktails.
Time and Costs Estimates
MarieBette Café and Bakery (1 hour, $15-20)
Monticello Wine Trail (2-4 hours, $30-60)
C&O Restaurant (2 hours, $50-70)
Bluegrass Grill & Bakery (1-2 hours, $10-20)
Caromont Farm cheese-tasting class (1 hour, $25)
The Local (2 hours, $40-60)
Café Cubano (1 hour, $5-10)
Cville Tours food tour (3 hours, $60-90)
MAS Tapas (2-3 hours, $40-60)
Total Estimated Costs: $265-390
Transportation
Charlottesville is a small city that can easily be explored on foot. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available if needed. Consider renting a car if you plan to visit wineries outside of the city center. Expect to pay around $10-15 for a taxi or $20-30 for a ride-share service for transportation within the city. Car rentals start at around $40 per day.
Useful Tips
If you have more time, consider adding a visit to The Virginia Shop, a store specializing in locally-made products. If you have less time, consider skipping the Monticello Wine Trail and spending more time exploring the city's downtown area.
Airports
Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) is the main airport serving Charlottesville. It is located about 8 miles from the city center and offers several daily flights to major cities on the east coast.