OMG! You Have to See the Most Welcoming City in America!

Hey bestie! Stop everything you are doing right now! I just found our next trip and you are going to flip out. I was just reading this cool news and guess what? Charlottesville, Virginia was just named the most welcoming city in the whole United States! Can you believe that? I always knew the South had good manners, but this is next level. It has everything we love: super pretty mountains, wine that tastes like candy, and people who are actually nice to you when you ask for directions. We have to go!

I already did all the homework for us. I spent hours looking at maps, menus, and photos so you don’t have to. This isn’t just a list of places; it is our official game plan. Get your bags ready because we are going to have the best time ever. Here is exactly how we are going to do Charlottesville!

The Downtown Mall (Where the Vibes Are!)

First things first, we are going to the Downtown Mall. Now, don’t think of a boring mall with a roof and a food court. This is a huge street made of bricks that has no cars! It is just miles of trees, shops, and places to eat. It looks amazing, especially when the sun starts to set and all the little fairy lights come on.

When we get there, we are going straight to The Virginian. It is this super old restaurant that has been there forever. You have to order the “St. Maarten’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese.” It costs exactly $12 and it is the cheesiest thing you will ever eat. It has a potato cake on top which sounds weird but trust me, it’s life-changing. After we eat, we are going to stand right in front of the Paramount Theater sign. It’s big and bright and it makes you look like a movie star in photos. Budget about $25 for lunch and a souvenir sticker from one of the little shops.

Bodo’s Bagels: The Breakfast of Champions

You cannot visit this city without going to Bodo’s Bagels. If you don’t go here, did you even go to Virginia? There are always people waiting in line, but don’t worry, the workers are super fast. It feels like a fun party inside.

Here is the secret order: Get an “Everything Bagel with Deli Cream Cheese and Sprouts.” It sounds healthy because of the sprouts, but it tastes like a dream. It will cost you about $6.50 with a large coffee. We are going to take our bagels and stand across the street at the “University Corner” to watch all the college kids rush to class. It’s great for people-watching. Bring $10 and you’ll even have money left over for a second bagel later!

Monticello: Learning Stuff but Making it Fun

Okay, I know “history” sounds like school, but Monticello is actually really cool. It’s the house where Thomas Jefferson lived. It sits on top of a big hill and you can see for miles. The house looks exactly like the one on the back of a nickel!

A tour ticket is $42, which is a bit pricey, but it is worth it because the gardens are huge. We are going to walk through the vegetable garden because the plants look so cool and colorful. The best place for a photo is on the West Lawn. Stand right in the middle of the grass with the big round dome of the house behind you. You’ll look like you own a mansion! Make sure you wear comfy sneakers because there is a lot of walking. Budget $50 for this part so you can buy a cool book or a magnet in the gift shop.

Wine Country (The Best Part!)

Charlottesville has some of the best vineyards in the world. The mountains in the background make everything look like a movie. We are going to Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards. It is the most famous one and for a good reason! It’s not stuffy or mean; everyone there is so happy to see you.

We are going to order a “Wine Flight.” That’s just a fancy way of saying you get four small glasses of different wines to try. It costs $25. You should try the Rosé because it’s pink and looks great in pictures. For food, we’ll get the “Kitchen Board” which is full of cheeses and crackers for $28. For the perfect photo, go out to the Veranda. Stand right by the wooden railing with the blue mountains behind you. It is the best view in the whole state! Budget about $60 for this afternoon so we can really relax.

Hiking at Humpback Rocks

We have to burn off that Mac ‘n’ Cheese, right? We are driving 30 minutes away to the Blue Ridge Parkway to hike Humpback Rocks. It is a short hike, but it is very steep, so get ready to sweat! It’s free to park, which is awesome.

When we get to the top, there are these giant rocks you can climb on. We are going to stand on the highest rock (carefully!) and look out over the whole valley. It makes you feel like the king of the world. It’s the best spot for a “we made it!” selfie. Afterwards, we’ll stop at a gas station and get a $2 Gatorade. Total cost for this adventure: $2 for the drink and maybe $10 for gas!

The University of Virginia (UVA)

We have to walk around the college campus because it’s one of the most beautiful in the world. They call it “The Grounds” instead of a campus. We are going to see the Rotunda. It’s a giant white building with big pillars. It’s free to walk around and sit on the grass. We can bring a blanket and just hang out for an hour. It’s so quiet and peaceful. Stand right at the bottom of the Rotunda steps for a photo that looks very “old world” and fancy. Budget: $0!

How Much Will This Cost?

I made a little chart for us so we can decide if we want to save money or go all out. Either way, we are going to have a blast!

See? We can totally do this on a budget if we want to! Or we can mix and match. Maybe we eat cheap bagels for breakfast so we can spend more on wine later? That sounds like a good plan to me!

Let’s Get Planning!

I am so excited for this trip! Charlottesville is going to be so much fun, and I can’t wait to see all those mountain views with you. We’re going to eat the best food, take the best pictures, and meet the nicest people. It’s going to be the highlight of our year!

If you want to see more cool travel ideas or help me pick out our next destination after this one, you should totally join my favorite group! There are tons of other people sharing secrets about cheap travel and hidden spots. Go check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/CheaptravelVIP.FL

Write me back and tell me if those dates in October work for you! I’ll start looking for a cute hotel!