10 Things Law Students Love About C'ville

Most law students are hard-pressed to name just one thing they love about going to school in Charlottesville. This world-class city has a downtown pedestrian mall, an abundance of parks and natural beauty, and restaurants to suit every taste. Steeped in history and tradition, Charlottesville was home to two U.S. presidents (Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe), but it’s a city that lives very much in the now. “C’ville,” as it's better known to locals, draws the latest bands and national touring acts, and is still home to more than a few famous names in the world of art, music and literature.

1. The Downtown Mall
2. The Corner
3. The Dining Scene
4. Hiking, Jogging and Outdoor Recreation
5. Historical Attractions
6. Entertainment
7. Proximity to Washington, D.C.
8. Diversity and a Sense of Community
9. Traditions
10. Vineyards, Breweries and Tastings

10 More Great Things Every Law Student Should Know About C'ville
 

1. The Downtown Mall

Downtown Mall

“After visiting the Law School as an admitted student, my wife and I took a stroll with extended family on the Downtown Mall, and I have been enchanted by it since. With plenty of shops, theaters, fine dining and quick eats, the mall is great for a peaceful stroll or an evening out. It just feels nice down there.”Tayler Tibbitts '13

“Even when there isn’t an event, the variety of shops and restaurants located on the Downtown Mall make it a great place to visit on a warm spring day.”
 
Bayo Owolew '13

City Market

“One of my favorite things about Charlottesville is City Market in the parking lot next to the Downtown Mall on Saturday mornings. For a small city, Charlottesville has an awesome  farmers' market, full of fresh seasonal produce, stands where local vendors sell delicious cooked food and baked goods, and a wide variety of beautiful or silly crafts. It's a lot of fun to spend an hour just wandering through.”
Ariel Linet '13

“My favorite place to go in Charlottesville is the Downtown Mall. Before heading home, I always stop by the First Amendment Monument to see what people have written. The monument is a giant, double-sided chalkboard for the whole city to use. You can find everything from political statements to children's drawings on it.”
Kent Piacenti '12 

2. The Corner

The Corner

“Most of the Law School's social life happens at The Corner. The Biltmore is great when the weather's nice. December through February, The Virginian, Trinity and No. 3 are all fun. The best night in town definitely involves a game of paddles at Tunlaw, though!”
Jonathan Young '13

3. The Dining Scene

“I love Charlottesville’s food and wine culture. We have an amazing selection of restaurants, a great city market, and some of Virginia’s best vineyards.”
Paige Nichols '13

Feast!, a sandwich shop and deli on West Main

“Charlottesville is known for its array of restaurants. The Belmont neighborhood is terrific for a nice dinner. Popular Belmont restaurants include Tavola (Italian), Mas (tapas), and The Local (local food). Commonwealth Restaurant (and its rooftop bar, Skybar), Eppie's, Brookville, Zocalo and TEN are popular dining choices located on the Downtown Mall. Horse and Hound and the Bluegrass Grill and Bakery are good brunch spots. Continental Divide and El Puerto offer good (and cheap) Mexican food. Boylan Heights has arguably the best burgers in town. The Spudnut Shop sells deliciously unique donuts (they are made from potato flour). Bellair Market is a staple for students and locals alike. (Don’t let its appearance fool you: it is located in a gas station but features made-to-order sandwiches and has a particularly good herb mayonnaise and cranberry relish.) Sweet Frog and Arch’s Frozen Yogurt are go-to places for something sweet.”
Kristen Shepherd '12

“I love the small-town feel of Charlottesville, plus its big-city perks. For example, I can get great food here for under $10 (i.e., Bellair Market and their $6 gourmet sandwiches). That's hard to find in a major city.”
Meghan Loftus '14

Splendora

“There are so many great restaurants where you can eat outside; a couple of my favorites are Escafé and Positively 4th Street. After dinner, I like to walk over to either Splendora for gelato or Sweet Frog for frozen yogurt.”
Kent Piacenti '12

“One of my favorite things about Charlottesville is the tremendous number of outstanding local restaurants. The Virginian on The Corner serves the best fried chicken and mac and cheese I've ever had, and Duner's, Positively 4th Street, and The Local all have excellent steaks. For dessert, try frozen yogurt at Arch's, which has dozens of delicious toppings to choose from.”
Brian Mink '14

“Wild Wing Café — there is just something special about eating Buffalo wings in a train station.”
Joey Ashbrook '13

“Charlottesville has a LOT of awesome food. Some of my favorite places to eat are Feast! (a gourmet market with a ton of free samples that also serves lunch); Mas (delicious tapas); Bodo's Bagels (everyone loves them); Eppie's (cheap, delicious and on the awesome Downtown Mall); Aqui es Mexico (Mexican food, obviously); and Crozet Pizza (my favorite pizza in the area, but it is a bit of a drive — and they only take cash). But it's really hard to go wrong with the restaurant choices.”
Ariel Linet '13

Blue Light Grill, on the Downtown Mall

The X Lounge

“There's a surprising variety in the restaurants available throughout the city, from Spanish tapas at Mas, to Latin-inspired cuisine at Zocalo, to more traditional Southern-style options like Eppie's, there's never a lack of interesting places to eat.”
Ferras Vinh '13 

“Besides the late-night spots on The Corner like Christian's Pizza, White Spot (home of the Gus Burger), and Littlejohn's, Charlottesville has some excellent restaurants. I really like The Local, Zocalo, Maya and Downtown Thai. Blue Moon Diner is the best brunch in town and has a great collection of indie and classic rock vinyl to help you enjoy your huevos rancheros.”
Jonathan Young '13

“Thai 99, Bellair Market (amazing sandwiches!), Mas (tapas) and Bodo’s Bagels. Peter Chang’s is the best Chinese food I have ever had! Also, the city market across from The Corner on Saturday mornings has great produce, jam and pies.”
Jenna Reekie '14

4. Hiking, Jogging and Outdoor Recreation

“Along with Blue Ridge Parkway/Shenandoah National Park, C'ville has a nicely kept set of walking trails that loop most of the city and pass literally right behind the Law School — the Rivanna Trail. The paths all link up to form a ring around the city. The segment behind the Law School dips in the woods and is nice as a study break to go walking around in.”
Randy Barr '13

“The Charlottesville area is known for its beautiful scenery. We have horseback riding, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyline Drive, vineyards and excellent hiking opportunities. Head up to Humpback Rock for a great view and then grab a bratwurst and a beer at Blue Mountain Brewery afterwards.”
Jonathan Young '13

Saunders-Monticello Trail

“Hiking ‘Old Rag’ is one of my favorite outdoor activities. It takes about four hours but there is a fun rock scramble and the views are beautiful. Humpback Rock is a much shorter hike but still offers terrific views. Charlottesville is a great place to run, too: the Rivanna Trail snakes throughout the town and the two-mile Saunders-Monticello Trail has a boardwalk that is also ideal for running. There are plenty of foot races (ranging from 5Ks to a full marathon that has been ranked as one of the top destination marathons in the country).”
Kristen Shepherd '13

Carter Mountain Orchard

“I visited Carter Mountain around Halloween and the leaves had just started to change. The view was beautiful and the apples were delicious!”
Jenna Reekie '14

Hiking options abound, including in the Shenandoah National Park.

“With two young boys, my wife and I are frequently in need of a place to let our children run off some steam. We have found sanctuary in many of the parks near the Law School and spread throughout Charlottesville. Some have water-play areas during the summer, and all that we have been to are well kept and safe. In addition, Charlottesville is such a safe town that we feel comfortable walking the boys in the stroller, and Charlottesville's slow pace makes these strolls all the more refreshing.
Tayler Tibbitts '13

Family Day at the Virginia Film Festival on the Downtown Mall

5. Historical Attractions

“I live within one mile of one of the world's greatest architectural achievements (the Rotunda). Three presidents had their homes in the area [Jefferson and Monroe in the Charlottesville area, and James Madison in nearby Orange, Va.]. I am studying law in close proximity to where some of our nation's founders lived and created the laws of this nation that law students, myself included, are still studying.”
Meghan Loftus '14

Monticello

“Though I was hooked by Charlottesville on the admitted students day in April 2010, I did not get hooked on its history until I visited Monticello. Our third president's hilltop abode is a worthwhile trip. Equipped with shuttles and tours, the quick jaunt will help you understand and appreciate both the University of Virginia and our nation's proud history. I found many aspects of Thomas Jefferson's life inspiring, and I left with a greater appreciation of the freedoms we enjoy. The UVA campus and Charlottesville area are replete with similarly inspiring historical sites that give one insight into the early history of the U.S. and provide perspective on one's legal education.” 
Tayler Tibbitts '13

“In all directions, Charlottesville is a short drive away from much of our nation's history, stretching from Jamestown to modern-day Washington, D.C.”
Joey Ashbrook '13

6. Entertainment

Concerts are a staple at Fridays After Five

John Paul Jones Arena

U2 at Scott Stadium

Basketball at JPJ

Shopping on the Downtown Mall

“Music venues like the Southern Café and Music Hall, the Jefferson Theater, the Paramount Theater and the Pavilion, all of which are located on the Downtown Mall, attract both new and established artists. On Friday evenings from April to September, the Pavilion hosts ‘Fridays after Five’ and offers free concerts showcasing local and regional artists. In October, there is a fun outdoor bluegrass festival at Devils Backbone Brewery in Nelson County called the Festy Experience.”
Kristen Shepherd '12

“The city tends to attract some truly great shows, groups from the Black Keys to U2 to the Avett Brothers.”
Ferras Vinh '13

“This fall, the Avett Brothers, Ray LaMontage and the Hold Steady, among many others, came to C’ville. The Pavilion, John Paul Jones Arena and the Jefferson are all excellent venues and typically have very good lineups. This year, UVA's football team was extremely successful and provided some memorable wins at home. I also treated myself to Aziz Ansari's stand-up show at the JPJ.” 
Jonathan Young '13

“Charlottesville has plenty of entertainment to keep you busy outside of law school. JPJ and the Pavilion on the Downtown Mall are constantly hosting big-name music acts of all genres.”
Brian Mink '14

“I really enjoy attending live events at the Charlottesville Pavilion at the Downtown Mall. During the 2010-11 school year, I heard President Obama speak and saw Nas, Damian Marley and J-Cole in concert.”
Bayo Owolewa '13

“There's always a UVA sports event to attend (and law students can go for free).”
Ariel Linet '13

“The Corner and the Downtown Mall have a lot of great boutique stores. And there are a lot of antique stores off 29 that have really great, unique pieces of furniture at low prices for students who are looking to buy furniture once they get to Charlottesville.”
Jenna Reekie '14

7. Proximity to Washington, D.C.

Charlottesville is about two hours from Washington, D.C.

“Washington, D.C., is a couple hours away — which actually is the perfect distance. Close enough for great access to the job market; close enough for a day or weekend trip; close enough to take advantage of the great things Washington has to offer. But also far enough that Charlottesville can do its own thing, be its own town. And that's really nice.”
Tayler Tibbitts '13

“Law school at times can be stressful enough, and it is nice to be able to live in a place that is not also moving a thousand miles a minute around you. And if I ever do crave that kind of experience (which, to be honest, I haven't since moving here from D.C.), both Richmond and D.C. are a short drive away.”
Meghan Loftus '14

8. Diversity and a Sense of Community

“I recently attended a Charlottesville City Council meeting for a class on local government law taught by Professor Richard Schragger, and the political activeness of the residents truly amazed me. Even though Charlottesville is considered a college town, both the students and the residents possess a stake in their community. By the same token, because of UVA's strong presence in the area, Charlottesville boasts a unique commitment to cultural diversity. This commitment is evidenced by its great variety of local cuisine and programs like the city's Dialogue on Race.”

Scott Terrell '13

9. Traditions

“Unwinding on the softball field with good friends in weather that can only be described as completely comfortable has great memories written all over it. The environment on the field is fun-loving.”
Tayler Tibbitts '13

Lighting of the Lawn

“The Lighting of the Lawn takes place in early December. It is really beautiful, festive and a nice opportunity to check out Main Grounds.” 
Jenna Reekie '14

10. Vineyards, Breweries and Tastings

King Family Vineyard

“There are more than two dozen wineries within an hour of the Law School. My personal favorites are King Family, Veritas and Barboursville, but nearly all offer affordable tastings and have a combination of indoor and outdoor seating. If you plan to make a day of it, Wahooptie Taxi offers wine tours and provides a driver and a van for the afternoon. Spending an afternoon at the Blue Mountain Brewery is enjoyable. There is also a ‘Top of the Hops’ beer festival in the fall at the Pavilion on the Downtown Mall.”
Kristen Shepherd '12

“King Family Vineyards just outside of town hosts polo matches and inexpensive wine tasting, which is a lot of fun even if you're like me and know nothing about wine or polo. Packing a picnic there and enjoying the spectacular mountain view was one of the highlights of my first fall in Virginia.”
Brian Mink '14

“Blenheim Vineyards (owned by Dave Matthews) and Veritas are both wonderful!”
Jenna Reekie '14

“The vineyards in the valleys provide excellent social outings that can happen in a matter of hours or last all day and involve driving from tasting to tasting in the middle of the very picturesque Shenandoah.”
Randy Barr '13

 
10 More Great Things Every Law Student Should Know About C'Ville

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection

Charlottesville Festival of the Photograph (LOOK) is billed as “three days of peace, love and photography.” Well-known photographers appear to speak and exhibit, and image displays are plentiful both indoors and out.

Charlottesville Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLAW) is a group of local women who arm wrestle for charity. Their popular matches are hosted every few months at the Blue Moon Diner.

The Danger Zombies 5K Run is a recent tradition, held in October. “Zombies” chase runners through the downtown area in this event held for charity.

The Foxfield Races are held in the spring and fall. This popular tailgating event brings together locals and college students for a day of steeplechase-style horse racing.

The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Australian Aboriginal art and is the only museum in the United States dedicated to the study and interpretation of it.

Main Street Arena is a 40,000-square-foot space that hosts public ice skating, drop-in hockey and occasional roller derby contests. The nearby Wintergreen and Massanutten resorts also offer skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and more to students looking for a winter-sports fix.

The Virginia Film Festival has brought stars like Morgan Freeman and Liev Shreiber

UVA's Arts$ offers students free tickets to a range of University programs, including most drama, music and Virginia Film Festival events.

Vinegar Hill Theatre is a great place to see independent films that won’t get screened at larger movie theaters. Students get a discount to boot.

The Virginia Festival of the Book, held annually in March, is the largest book festival in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and plays host to a wide variety of authors. The mostly free literary events are open to the public.

The Virginia Film Festival, with major support from the University of Virginia, attracts a wide slate of new films and talented filmmakers to Charlottesville each fall.