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.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Registry Information
While your support and presence are a wonderful present, we know that some of you may decide to give a gift. We are registered at the following businesses:
Our Honeymoon Registry
Crate & Barrel
Target
Our Honeymoon Registry
Crate & Barrel
Target
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Hotel Information
If you’re coming in from out of town and would like to book a hotel room, you have 2 options…
• Hotel option #1 - The Hilton Garden Inn: For those of you who retire earlier in the night, and who don’t mind spending a little extra for a decent hotel, we’d recommend staying at The Hilton Garden Inn in the Pantops area just east of town. It’s a brand new hotel, and is located about a mile from Exit 124 on I-64. There’s a Topeka Steakhouse next door, and other dining options within a mile’s drive. Also, getting to the wedding ceremony and reception should be a breeze!
King, two queens, or a triple, are $169 per night and suites are $269 per night. To reserve a room at The Hilton Garden Inn, call them at 1-434-979-4442 and tell them that you'd like the special rate for the Perry-FitzPatrick Wedding.
UPDATE!
The Hilton Garden Inn has filled our block, for now. There are a few other weddings, and Mr. Jefferson's ancestors will be in town for a reunion as well. To my knowledge, a few of the other blocks are not filling, and we have been told that when those rooms are released, we can book them at the same rate. Therefore, if you are interested in getting a room at the Hilton Garden Inn, please email us at fitzperry061910@me.com. Please let us know what type of room you would like, and we will book it for you on May 18. We will then contact you to have the room transferred to your name.
I apologize for for any inconvenience, and will work with you to find suitable accommodations.
• Hotel option #2 - The Red Roof Inn: For those of you who plan to stay up late with us, and who don’t mind staying in a less-expensive, older hotel, we’d recommend staying at The Red Roof Inn in the “Corner” district of Charlottesville. There are a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance of this hotel, and since most UVA students will be home for the summer, you won’t have to dodge any lumbering drunk frat boys or resuscitate any wasted sorority girls plastered to the sidewalk. The Corner can actually be quite fun in the summer!
Rooms with two Queens are available for $99.99, or a King for $109.99. King beds are subject to availability. All rooms included in the block are non-smoking. These discounted room rates are available through May 26, but it would probably be a good idea to make reservations before then. If you are told that there are no rooms left at that rate prior to May 26, please let us know, and we will work with the hotel to reserve another block. To reserve a room at The Red Roof Inn, either visit the link above, or call them at (434) 295-4333 and provide the discount code for our block of rooms: B246FITZPA.
• Hotel option #1 - The Hilton Garden Inn: For those of you who retire earlier in the night, and who don’t mind spending a little extra for a decent hotel, we’d recommend staying at The Hilton Garden Inn in the Pantops area just east of town. It’s a brand new hotel, and is located about a mile from Exit 124 on I-64. There’s a Topeka Steakhouse next door, and other dining options within a mile’s drive. Also, getting to the wedding ceremony and reception should be a breeze!
King, two queens, or a triple, are $169 per night and suites are $269 per night. To reserve a room at The Hilton Garden Inn, call them at 1-434-979-4442 and tell them that you'd like the special rate for the Perry-FitzPatrick Wedding.
UPDATE!
The Hilton Garden Inn has filled our block, for now. There are a few other weddings, and Mr. Jefferson's ancestors will be in town for a reunion as well. To my knowledge, a few of the other blocks are not filling, and we have been told that when those rooms are released, we can book them at the same rate. Therefore, if you are interested in getting a room at the Hilton Garden Inn, please email us at fitzperry061910@me.com. Please let us know what type of room you would like, and we will book it for you on May 18. We will then contact you to have the room transferred to your name.
I apologize for for any inconvenience, and will work with you to find suitable accommodations.
• Hotel option #2 - The Red Roof Inn: For those of you who plan to stay up late with us, and who don’t mind staying in a less-expensive, older hotel, we’d recommend staying at The Red Roof Inn in the “Corner” district of Charlottesville. There are a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance of this hotel, and since most UVA students will be home for the summer, you won’t have to dodge any lumbering drunk frat boys or resuscitate any wasted sorority girls plastered to the sidewalk. The Corner can actually be quite fun in the summer!
Rooms with two Queens are available for $99.99, or a King for $109.99. King beds are subject to availability. All rooms included in the block are non-smoking. These discounted room rates are available through May 26, but it would probably be a good idea to make reservations before then. If you are told that there are no rooms left at that rate prior to May 26, please let us know, and we will work with the hotel to reserve another block. To reserve a room at The Red Roof Inn, either visit the link above, or call them at (434) 295-4333 and provide the discount code for our block of rooms: B246FITZPA.
Getting Around Town Without a Car
For a city of its size, Charlottesville is a pretty accessible place. If you're one of the folks who decides to come to town without a car, you won't be stranded. As you'll see in the lodging posts, we've reserved blocks of rooms in two separate hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn and the Red Roof Inn. The Hilton Garden inn is located conveniently near I-64, but a bit outside of the Downtown and Corner commercial areas. If you stay here, have no fear. You can easily access all that Charlottesville has to offer by taking advantage of the hotel's local shuttle. While a lot of the things that make this city so fun are located pretty centrally, please keep in mind that the shuttle may have some restrictions.
The Red Roof Inn is located on The Corner, UVA's commercial area. While there are plenty of things to do here, other parts of town are still quite easily accessible. The Red Roof Inn does not have a local shuttle. However, The Corner and Downtown offer reliable transportation options. The Charlottesville Transit Service (CTS) offers a bus and trolley system. Information on accessing the bus system can be found by clicking here. The Trolley is a free and easy way to get between The Corner and The Downtown Mall. Information on the Trolley can be found by clicking here.
If public transportation isn't your style, there's a taxi service to suit your needs. A to Z taxi is a classy taxi/car service, that offers a fleet of cars ranging from limos and Town Cars to Cherokees and mini-vans. Further information about A to Z can be found by clicking here. If you've always wanted to feel a little like David Lee Roth by arriving to an event in an orange or lime green limo, Wahooptie is your cab company. They're reliable, economical, and fun. More information about them can be found by clicking here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at fitzperr061910@me.com, or call 540-848-1119.
The Red Roof Inn is located on The Corner, UVA's commercial area. While there are plenty of things to do here, other parts of town are still quite easily accessible. The Red Roof Inn does not have a local shuttle. However, The Corner and Downtown offer reliable transportation options. The Charlottesville Transit Service (CTS) offers a bus and trolley system. Information on accessing the bus system can be found by clicking here. The Trolley is a free and easy way to get between The Corner and The Downtown Mall. Information on the Trolley can be found by clicking here.
If public transportation isn't your style, there's a taxi service to suit your needs. A to Z taxi is a classy taxi/car service, that offers a fleet of cars ranging from limos and Town Cars to Cherokees and mini-vans. Further information about A to Z can be found by clicking here. If you've always wanted to feel a little like David Lee Roth by arriving to an event in an orange or lime green limo, Wahooptie is your cab company. They're reliable, economical, and fun. More information about them can be found by clicking here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at fitzperr061910@me.com, or call 540-848-1119.
Travel from New Jersey
With the large number of folks invited to our wedding who reside in New Jersey, we want to provide information to make your trip as convenient as possible. If you decide to make along weekend out to the trip, there's a lot to explore here in Charlottesville and the neighboring counties. We'll continue to update the blog and add posts about our favorite things to do here, however this post is going focus on getting here. 22902 might be fairly isolated geographically, but we've got a few convenient methods of transportation to and from our little city.
Our regional airport (CHO) is located 11 miles north of downtown, with at least 3 direct flights from LaGuardia (LGA) daily. Click here to access the airport's web site. We both fly quite often for business, and this airport is extremely convenient. Security, baggage retrieval, and access to local transportation and parking are very easy. If you choose to fly, book at least a month in advance. Kayak.com has a great tool for tracking fares.
The downtown Charlottesville station is a stop along the Northeast Regional Amtrak corridor. Recently, two additional trains were added, making this a great choice for travel from several stations in the New York metro area. More information on taking the train can be found here.
We're also fortunate to have a local company running the Starlight Express with direct buses from New York to Charlottesville, and vice versa. These buses feature large seats, Wi-Fi, food, and beverages. Find out more about this option by clicking here.
I imagine that most of our guests will end up traveling by car. Please keep in mind that if you are leaving from North Jersey (Bergen county, NYC, LI, etc.), you may want to take a different route than those leaving from The Shore. When going to or coming from the shore, I-95 is the most direct route. If you take this be sure to time your trip around rush hour, especially D.C. rush hour. I would also recommend EZ-Pass, as it can save a tremendous amount of time. Click here to access a map from Avon to the Hilton Garden Inn where we've reserved blocks of rooms. This map will allow you to change the point of origin, destination, create return directions, and find alternate routes. The route selected is our preferred choice, and without traffic, is possible in 5 1/2 hours.
For those leaving from North Jersey, click here to access a map. This map will also allow you to change the point of origin, destination, create return directions, and find alternate routes. This route will take you out west, avoiding traffic and tolls along I-81.
Hopefully this information will help you get to Charlottesville safely and quickly. If you've got any questions or concerns about accessing these options or in configuring maps, please contact us at fitzperry061910@me.com, or call 540-848-1119.
Our regional airport (CHO) is located 11 miles north of downtown, with at least 3 direct flights from LaGuardia (LGA) daily. Click here to access the airport's web site. We both fly quite often for business, and this airport is extremely convenient. Security, baggage retrieval, and access to local transportation and parking are very easy. If you choose to fly, book at least a month in advance. Kayak.com has a great tool for tracking fares.
The downtown Charlottesville station is a stop along the Northeast Regional Amtrak corridor. Recently, two additional trains were added, making this a great choice for travel from several stations in the New York metro area. More information on taking the train can be found here.
We're also fortunate to have a local company running the Starlight Express with direct buses from New York to Charlottesville, and vice versa. These buses feature large seats, Wi-Fi, food, and beverages. Find out more about this option by clicking here.
I imagine that most of our guests will end up traveling by car. Please keep in mind that if you are leaving from North Jersey (Bergen county, NYC, LI, etc.), you may want to take a different route than those leaving from The Shore. When going to or coming from the shore, I-95 is the most direct route. If you take this be sure to time your trip around rush hour, especially D.C. rush hour. I would also recommend EZ-Pass, as it can save a tremendous amount of time. Click here to access a map from Avon to the Hilton Garden Inn where we've reserved blocks of rooms. This map will allow you to change the point of origin, destination, create return directions, and find alternate routes. The route selected is our preferred choice, and without traffic, is possible in 5 1/2 hours.
For those leaving from North Jersey, click here to access a map. This map will also allow you to change the point of origin, destination, create return directions, and find alternate routes. This route will take you out west, avoiding traffic and tolls along I-81.
Hopefully this information will help you get to Charlottesville safely and quickly. If you've got any questions or concerns about accessing these options or in configuring maps, please contact us at fitzperry061910@me.com, or call 540-848-1119.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Welcome!
Welcome to Tara & Brad’s wedding blog! This is where you can find out about the vital details of our big day. We’ll be posting information about the wedding here as it is confirmed, while providing a glimpse our life here in Charlottesville. Please subscribe to our blog along the right side of the page, or check back as you make plans, we may have some new information to share here. Our future posts will include detailed information regarding lodging, transportation, food, regional interests, and of course, details about the big day.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone, and can’t wait to share a few of our favorite things about this wonderful city.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone, and can’t wait to share a few of our favorite things about this wonderful city.
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