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 often called by locals, draws nationally known bands and 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 Dining Scene
  3. The Corner
  4. Hiking, Jogging and Recreation
  5. Historical Attractions
  6. Entertainment
  7. Proximity to Washington, D.C.
  8. Diversity and a Sense of Community
  9. Traditions
  10. Vineyards and Breweries

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

1. The Downtown Mall

Pedestrians on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville
Tang

“The Downtown Mall, with its walking streets and outdoor eateries, is an iconic part of Charlottesville. Enjoy a candy apple from Kilwins or sip on some iced coffee from Mudhouse as you wander around. Maybe catch a show at Violet Crown Cinema or The Jefferson Theater for the perfect evening.” 

Grace Tang ’21


“In just a few charming blocks, Charlottesville’s family-, foodie- and doggie-friendly Downtown Mall has everything a law student could desire: bookstores and breweries, cafes and concert venues, and restaurants for date night and late night. Visit on a weekend, and you’re bound to see at least one of your professors in this political, historical and cultural heart of Charlottesville.”

Liam O’Connor ’19


“The Downtown Mall is the cultural hub of Charlottesville and really showcases all the city has to offer in terms of food, art and music. I was pretty surprised to learn that so many of the bands and artists I love come through Charlottesville on tour, and I've been lucky to catch some incredible shows at the Jefferson Theater and the Ting Pavilion, which are both on the mall. Another one of my personal favorite things to do is go on Saturday mornings to the farmer’s market downtown and pick up groceries from local farms and vendors.”

Gabbi Feldman ’19


Bajracharya

“I love going for tea at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar and then browsing bookstores on the Downtown Mall. There are some really great bookstores, and the Virginia Festival of the Book is incredibly fun. I also love going to see movies at the Paramount Theater when possible because it’s a beautiful old theater."

Sujata Bajracharya ’23

2. The Dining Scene

Dining
Lee

“Charlottesville has an amazing food scene. Everyone talks about places on The Corner or the Downtown Mall, and rightfully so! I have a few gems in other parts of town that I love to go to as well. Ace Biscuit & Barbecue and MarieBette are both in the Rose Hill area and excellent for breakfast. Any restaurant in the Belmont neighborhood, such as The Local or Lampo, is great for dinner with friends or when family comes to town.”

Jasmine Lee ’20


Tobar

“When in Charlottesville, taking advantage of the food scene is a must. Even though it may seem like a small city, it is bursting with so many local restaurants.”

Ana Tobar ’21


Ogale

“I am a big foodie, so I will always treasure the memories I have of eating out at my favorite restaurants in town with friends and loved ones. Mas Tapas, Tavola and Lampo are just a few of my favorites.”  

Arjun Ogale ’21


Cypher

Charlottesville is undoubtedly a ‘foodie’ town. The best part is, law firms and other organizations oftentimes provide a way for you to experience these restaurants for free. I frequent Belmont, which is just past the Downtown Mall and home to The Local, Mas Tapas and Tavola. The Downtown Mall is home to C&O.”

Drew Cypher ’20 

3. The Corner 

The Corner
Dragna

“The Corner is a great place. Law students consistently make The Biltmore their bar. With so many bars and food places in proximity to each other, you can easily have a fun time and then grab a piece of pizza from Christian’s, which is always a great decision.”

Peter Dragna ’20


Tang

“The Corner is home to great dining options and drinks. Mellow Mushroom, Roots Natural Kitchen and Bodo’s Bagel Bakery are local icons. I recommend MÖGE Tee for fantastic fruits teas, smoothies and milk tea. Have yourself a picnic on the lawns by the Rotunda, or stroll around Main Grounds and explore the beautiful architecture after enjoying a great meal!” 

Grace Tang ’21


Rennert

“The Corner offers students a variety of restaurants, shops and bars for every occasion, from Bar Review on Thursday nights to brunch on Sunday mornings. The dining options are diverse and unique. If you are craving an inexpensive, delicious meal from a Charlottesville institution, look no further than Bodo’s Bagels. You might also consider swinging by Lemongrass for Thai cuisine, or even grabbing a sandwich from Take It Away to enjoy on The Lawn with the picturesque Rotunda as your backdrop.” 

Jessica Rennert ’20

4. Hiking, Jogging and Recreation 

Hikers
Ogale

“There are also so many beautiful hikes in the central Virginia region, including Humpback Rocks, McAfee Knob and Old Rag.”

Arjun Ogale ’21


Prabhu

“The areas surrounding Charlottesville are gorgeous. Whether it be a trip to Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway or just the local Rivanna Trail, there is no shortage of outdoor activities. UVA Law even has an Outdoors at Virginia Law organization, for which I [served as] co-president — so I am clearly unbiased when I say that it is one of the most enjoyable student groups!”

Shruthi Prabhu ’19


“Charlottesville is just an active place. Everywhere you look there are people jogging, hiking or just generally enjoying the outdoors. Shenandoah National Park is a great place to go on a quick hike without having to go too far. The proximity of North Grounds Recreation Center means that you can get a quick workout in between classes or studying. Of course, the endless opportunity to play softball is an awesome way to get a mental break and bond with classmates.”

Herminio Rivera-Sink ’19


Ono

"My law school stress relief has been hiking: I love nothing more than walking it out in nature along the Blue Ridge mountains."

Aspen Ono ’23

 

5. Historical Attractions

Monticello

“One of the coolest things about going to UVA is that you are surrounded by history at all times. The Grounds were designed by Thomas Jefferson to foster a sense of community and academic curiosity, and you can feel that just by walking around. My favorite historical space is the Lawn and the surrounding Academical Village. There is something impactful about knowing you’ve shared a space with people like Woodrow Wilson and Edgar Allan Poe.”

Gabbi Feldman ’19


“The homes of two of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and James Madison’s Montpelier — are located within a short drive of Charlottesville. Students are strongly encouraged to visit during this pivotal moment when the University of Virginia and Charlottesville communities are having long-overdue conversations about these men’s flaws and their legacies. Those especially interested should take Professor [A. E. Dick] Howard’s January course on Virginia and the Constitution.”

Liam O’Connor ’19

6. Entertainment

band playing at Fridays After Five
Tang

“Charlottesville has lots of unique activities to offer. Point of View Alpacas is one of my favorite activities. You get to feed, pet and hug a friendly alpaca on a lovely one-mile walk through beautiful fields and woods down to the river. The owners are so lovely, and you can buy cool alpaca products (from their alpacas!) on site. I also highly recommend a glass-making class at The Glass Palette in town, where you can design and create dip bowls, picture frames, sushi plates, vases and more. The glass class is fun, easy and requires no experience. Finally, UVA has lots of amazing drama and music performances available, and law students can get all of these tickets for FREE through the Arts$ program, so I highly recommend attending UVA’s concerts and plays.”

Grace Tang ’21


Lee

“I am a big fan of UVA sports and try to take it to as many games as I can. Luckily, games are free with your student ID. The sports complex is in the Law School area, so it’s possible to watch part of a field hockey or baseball game as a study break on the weekends. I also found a friend group to go to UVA basketball games and watch together when the team was away. You quickly learn that UVA sports, but especially basketball, are big deals in Charlottesville.”

Jasmine Lee ’20


“There are a wide variety of options for entertainment in Charlottesville. Fridays after Five is a great way to catch some music outside on the Downtown Mall while celebrating the coming of the weekend. First Fridays is a great way to check out the various art galleries while enjoying some wine with friends. The annual Virginia Film Festival consistently brings intriguing and compelling films with many options to hear director and actor panels as part of the experience.”

Herminio Rivera-Sink ’19


Cypher

“Finding entertainment options isn’t the difficult part of living in C'ville, it’s discerning which to attend and which to skip. Many of my classmates faced this dilemma [in 2017] when Foxfield (horse racing) and the Unity Concert (Dave Matthews, Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton, etc.) fell on the same day. We had the No. 1 basketball team last year and the tickets were free. Carter Mountain has a sunset series where you can watch the sunset overlooking Charlottesville while listening to live music and drinking Bold Rock Cider. I could go on, but you get the point.” 

Drew Cypher ’20

7. Proximity to Washington, D.C.

The Capitol
Carpenter

“While Charlottesville is amazing in its own right, the proximity to Washington, D.C., is a big perk, especially if you plan to work there after graduation. I made several trips during my three years for interviews, student organization events and the occasional fun weekend away, and definitely appreciated the convenience of our nation’s capital being so easily accessible. It will make visiting C’ville again really easy!” 

Katie Carpenter ’21


Rizzo

“Washington, D.C., is a quick two-hour drive or two-and-half hour train ride from Charlottesville. Though most students, myself included, never want to leave C’ville, it's convenient to have a major city and all its resources so close by. It takes a lot of stress out of traveling for job interviews, but also provides lots of opportunities for fun and leisure over the weekends.”

Trina Rizzo ’19


Cypher

“To be honest, I rarely made it up to D.C. during the year because there’s plenty to do down here in C'ville (most D.C. people come here, not the other way around). But there are a couple of things of note: D.C. is a ‘lawyers town’ and, thus, the city provides a network to which we have ready access as law students. Practitioners come to speak on panels on a daily basis. And during OGI season, you’ll find that UVA is the place to be if you want to end up in the capital.”

Drew Cypher ’20 

8. Diversity and a Sense of Community

Grad and kid

“In my experience the UVA community has lived up to its reputation for being supportive, inclusive and collegial. I was especially heartened the way the community responded after the events of Aug. 11 and 12, 2017. In the face of hatred and violence, the students, faculty and administration did everything possible to protect the ideals of diversity and equality.”

Gabbi Feldman ’19


Rasmussen

“This place unquestionably prepares each student who passes through its halls to be a great lawyer, but more importantly, it helps him or her achieve balance. It reminds them that school and jobs are important, but not utmost. The community fostered here is like none other: It is a place where professors care deeply about their students and students care deeply about one another. I’m blessed to be a part of it.”

Avery Rasmussen ’21


Rennert

“If you ask any UVA Law student why they decided to attend this law school, chances are that they will talk about our amazing community. One of my favorite things about this school is that our students come from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences, but we all share the same commitment to collegiality. UVA Law students do not treat each other as adversaries or competitors, but rather as allies and teammates, working together to navigate the pressures and excitement of law school.”

Jessica Rennert ’20

9. Traditions

The Rotunda
Lee

“Every December the whole University gets together for the Lighting of the Lawn. It’s a great way to come together and hear music by the various a cappella groups (if you haven’t noticed the Hullabahoos in ‘Pitch Perfect’ or ‘The Office,’ now is your chance!) and drink plenty of hot chocolate outside with friends before the real finals studying season begins. Then, after all of the groups perform, there is a light show to actually ‘light the lawn.’ Every year it’s always different and always exciting. It’s also one of the events that brings the whole university and the larger community together.”

Jasmine Lee ’20


Rasmussen

“I had never played softball before law school, but it quickly became my favorite way to unwind and spend time with my section. During 1L, everyone would wear their softball jerseys to class before afternoon games, and sometimes the professors even got in on the friendly rivalry between sections. I'll never forget our small section contracts professor George Cohen playing first base for our team! It all culminates in the spring, when teams from law schools across the country come to Charlottesville to get in on the fun.” 

Avery Rasmussen ’21


Carpenter

“The oldest (and funniest) tradition at UVA Law is the Libel Show! Libel is a student-written comedy sketch show performed each spring that showcases the acting, singing, dancing and instrumental talents at the Law School. The show is near and dear to my heart because it gives UVA Law the much-needed opportunity to laugh, poke a little fun at ourselves and this profession, and share our friends’ amazing talents outside the classroom — professors too! ”

Katie Carpenter ’21


Dragna

“When you arrive on grounds, you are immediately aware of the impact softball has on the Law School. It may seem odd that softball is a tradition at the Law School, but once you experience a game, you’ll understand why. Whether you have never thrown a softball before in your life or you are an ex-Division One baseball player, everyone has a great time, and it brings your section and the school together.”

Peter Dragna ’20

10. Vineyards and Breweries

Lee

“Being a Double Hoo, I have had plenty of time to take advantage of the many wineries and breweries around town. A favorite memory of mine was going to King Family with a sectionmate to celebrate the end of our 1L finals. The area has so many wineries, it's hard to pick favorites, but Veritas, Mountain & Vine, and Glass House are three I really enjoy. I would also recommend going to Bold Rock Cidery. The views of the mountains in the distance are gorgeous! There’s really no better way to spend an afternoon than being outside with friends sharing some local wine and food.”

Jasmine Lee ’20


Rasmussen

“On the way out to Shenandoah, there’s a road called Nelson 151 that boasts dozens of vineyards, breweries and cideries all surrounded by some of the area’s most beautiful scenery. My favorite is Blue Mountain Brewery — the great beer and food tastes even better after a long hike or a full day exploring the route’s other vineyards!”

Avery Rasmussen ’21


Prabhu

“The Monticello Wine Trail boasts around 35 vineyards, and is still growing! Every vineyard is different, and is a favorite pastime of many students in Charlottesville. The breweries also have great beers, ciders and food.”

Shruthi Prabhu ’19


Cypher

“I never thought that I’d become a huge wine guy. But it happened. Charlottesville and the surrounding areas have more wineries than you’ll ever be able to get to in your three years here, but the spectacular mountain views, unbelievable wine and sunsets provide a welcome retreat from the busyness of law school.”

Drew Cypher ’20

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

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 Champion Brewing Co.

The Lighting of the Lawn each December gathers all UVA students for a night of singing, music and good cheer when holiday lighting is turned on around the Rotunda and Lawn.

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.

The nearby Wintergreen and Massanutten resorts offer skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and more to students looking for a winter-sports fix.

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

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.