Got some time to kill while you're in town? Head on over to the downtown mall. Formerly Main Street, this bricked pedestrian thoroughfare has plenty to offer. Whether you're hungry, looking to bring a little something back from your trip to Charlottesville, or you just want to do a little people watching (Buskers!), The Mall is the place to go.
Some of our favorite restaurants are located here. Whether we're watching our wallets (Christian's Pizza, Five Guys, or Cafe Cubano), splurging (Zocalo, Bizou, or Hamilton's), satisfying our sweet tooth (Splendora's Gelato or Cappellino's Crazy Cakes), or picking up groceries (Market Street Market or Market Street Wine Shop), The Mall has plenty of options.
There are a lot of great places to shop here. Ladies, if you're looking for that perfect outfit, I would suggest e.g., BOUTIQUE boutique, and Bittersweet. For something to wear under that great find, make your way over to derriere de soie, they're having a big sale this weekend!
For the kids, BOUTIQUE boutique and Petit Bebe are a good bet for clothes, while Alakazam is the spot for toys! Fellas, there are some great finds at the The Young Men's Shop, The Men and Boys Shop, and Urban Outfitters. For the environmentalists, The Blue Ridge EcoShop is a great resource. It should be noted that a day of shopping on The Mall is not complete without a trip to Cha-Cha's. Located in the central plaza, Cha-Cha's is your place to go for all things kitsch.
Navigating The Mall, as well as the rest of the city and surrounding counties, can be de-mystified with a quick stop by the Charlottesville Visitor Center. Located directly across from City Hall on the east end of The Mall (look for the giant lobster trap), the Visitor Center has maps, brochures, etc. available to help you get the most out of your trip. The Visitor Center is located up the steps from the bus station, and right across from the Market Street Parking Garage.
Speaking of the lobster trap (or giant baby bonnet), The Charlottesville Pavilion plays host to a slew of nationally recognized musicians in the warmer months. On Friday evenings, Fridays After Five is a good way to see a free concert and meet some locals. There are several beer tents and food vendors too.
If you're staying at the Red Roof Inn, the free trolley can get you there and back. The Hilton Garden Inn offers a shuttle for transportation from there.
See you on The Mall!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Pre-Wedding Concert in Charlottesville on Thursday night!
Celebrate Tara & Brad's upcoming nuptials by partying with us and enjoying good tunes and people! All are invited!
Opening the show will be the (possibly) one-time-only appearance of a band comprised of some of our best friends: Jonny Kuthy, Howard Arnn, Colten Noakes, and Tony Zanella. Tentatively calling themselves "The Grim Parkinsons", they have some surprises ready for us. Can't wait!
The Ones To Blame are playing, and they will floor you with fun. They came all of way from Florida (they booked their tour around our wedding!), and will leave you slack-jawed with their sweet-n-sassy punk-tinged honky tonk. These gals can play, write, and party at quite a high level, so don't miss out!
DJ Nano will be closing the night with a "greatest hits" dance party. It's been awhile since "he" has hosted one of these...get ready to get down.
Start Time: Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Location: The BOX
Street: 109 2nd Street downtown
City/Town: Charlottesville, VA
Opening the show will be the (possibly) one-time-only appearance of a band comprised of some of our best friends: Jonny Kuthy, Howard Arnn, Colten Noakes, and Tony Zanella. Tentatively calling themselves "The Grim Parkinsons", they have some surprises ready for us. Can't wait!
The Ones To Blame are playing, and they will floor you with fun. They came all of way from Florida (they booked their tour around our wedding!), and will leave you slack-jawed with their sweet-n-sassy punk-tinged honky tonk. These gals can play, write, and party at quite a high level, so don't miss out!
DJ Nano will be closing the night with a "greatest hits" dance party. It's been awhile since "he" has hosted one of these...get ready to get down.
Start Time: Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Location: The BOX
Street: 109 2nd Street downtown
City/Town: Charlottesville, VA
Photo Scavenger Hunt
We're excited to see the perspectives of the diverse group of guests that we've invited to our wedding. Because we've got a very talented and creative group of folks who will be in attendance, we've decided to have a photo scavenger hunt. Be sure to bring your camera to the party, grab a copy of the scavenger hunt guidelines, and start snapping. There are two main contests; one for friends of the couple, and one for family & family friends. The photos can be submitted online using the following links:
Friends
Family & Family Friends
We'll decide who the winners are on July 1. The winners will receive a special prize. The results will be posted on the blog with a reminder to check out all of the contest entries online.
1 photo for each item must be submitted in order to qualify for the prize. Feel free to submit non-scavenger hunt photos to these galleries, as these may help sway the judges ;-)
Friends
Family & Family Friends
We'll decide who the winners are on July 1. The winners will receive a special prize. The results will be posted on the blog with a reminder to check out all of the contest entries online.
1 photo for each item must be submitted in order to qualify for the prize. Feel free to submit non-scavenger hunt photos to these galleries, as these may help sway the judges ;-)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Ash Lawn-Highland
Our even location is one of the most beautiful spots in the Charlottesville area. Ash Lawn-Highland was the home to our fifth president, James Monroe. A working farm, right down the road from Thomas Jefferson's place, Ash Lawn is open for tours from 9AM-6PM. They offer free admission from Thursday-Sunday for all of our wedding guests. If you would like to take a look around and have a tour, just let them know that you're with the FitzPatrick-Perry wedding.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Mas
Mas offers traditionally inspired, rustic spanish cuisine. It's our favorite spot for a casual date, and always manages to please when we've got something to celebrate. From a simple meal of ensalada (salad), Gambas al' parilla (Jumbo shrimp grilled Catalan style-in the shell-w/ garlic alioli and grey salt), and PBR pitchers to a table full of Atún Crudo (fresh raw Carolina Yellowfin tuna w/ sweet onion, smoked Pimentón, herbs, olive oil, grey sea salt, garlic crisps) and cava, Mas hits the spot right after work or for a late night snack. As one of Charlottesville's only places that serves food past 10 that isn't a sandwich, the patio smells of garlic late into the evening. In fact, this place has been a huge inspiration for the honeymoon that we're planning.
Unfortunately, Mas doesn't take reservations. You may have to wait for a table (sorry, Duncan), so be prepared to sidle up to the bar for a pisco sour while you wait.
Food
We love to eat, and for being a fairly isolated city, we eat really well. In fact, it's pretty much a hobby of ours to enjoy the creativity this city, and the bounty the surrounding counties have to offer. For the freshest of the fresh, check out the City Market on Saturday morning. In addition to your standard produce, meat, and dairy, a number of vendors offer prepared foods, making it a great place to grab breakfast or an early lunch while you stock up soaps and salves, and watch colorful yarn spun!
Even though many of you will be staying in hotel rooms without kitchens, you can still taste the bounty of locally raised and grown food. In addition to working with local farmers to get fresh local produce on the plates of schoolchildren across the region, the Local Food Hub, provides a connection to the farm for many of our favorite restaurants. You can find additional posts about these spots by selecting the "food" label to the right.
Even though many of you will be staying in hotel rooms without kitchens, you can still taste the bounty of locally raised and grown food. In addition to working with local farmers to get fresh local produce on the plates of schoolchildren across the region, the Local Food Hub, provides a connection to the farm for many of our favorite restaurants. You can find additional posts about these spots by selecting the "food" label to the right.
Wine!
Central Virginia is bursting with vineyards, representing the Monticello wine region in a way that would make Thomas Jefferson proud. While you're in town for the weekend, be sure to check out a vineyard or two, as we did to celebrate for my bachelorette party last month. The party made stops at King Family Vineyards and Veritas, two of my favorite wineries with fantastic views. Additionally, if you plan on spending the day in the area on Sunday, King Family Vineyard will be hosting the Pink Ribbon Polo Cup.
The Monticello Wine Trail website is informational, and provides a great overview of wineries and vineyards in the area. Most of the vineyards have cheese, crackers, and other snacks for sale, you may be inclined to pack a picnic by stopping at Feast, The Market, or Whole Foods.
The Monticello Wine Trail website is informational, and provides a great overview of wineries and vineyards in the area. Most of the vineyards have cheese, crackers, and other snacks for sale, you may be inclined to pack a picnic by stopping at Feast, The Market, or Whole Foods.
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