Guidebook for Ruckersville
Essentials
Ok, you may find this an odd choice for my list of favorites, except that it's 1 mile from my house, open 24 hours, and has anything you may have forgotten or may need, including (believe it or not) reasonably priced ORGANIC fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and even breads.
32 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Walmart Supercenter
135 Stoneridge Dr SOk, you may find this an odd choice for my list of favorites, except that it's 1 mile from my house, open 24 hours, and has anything you may have forgotten or may need, including (believe it or not) reasonably priced ORGANIC fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products, and even breads.
Food Lion
1131 5th St SWThis is the closest stand-alone grocery store from my house.
This is my go-to grocery store for high quality or special items to execute a gourmet recipe.
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Harris Teeter
159 Community StThis is my go-to grocery store for high quality or special items to execute a gourmet recipe.
Food Scene
For around $10 per person, Jack's will serve you a freshly cooked, gourmet-style breakfast or lunch (it's only open 8 am to 3 pm). You can also get farm-fresh dairy products there.
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Jack's Shop Kitchen
14843 Spotswood TrailFor around $10 per person, Jack's will serve you a freshly cooked, gourmet-style breakfast or lunch (it's only open 8 am to 3 pm). You can also get farm-fresh dairy products there.
Better-than-average Mexican food in pleasant ambiance at reasonable prices, about a mile from my place (in a strip of businesses tucked behind McDonald's and facing Wal-Mart). Frequented by lots of locals.
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El Jaripeo
138 Stoneridge Dr NBetter-than-average Mexican food in pleasant ambiance at reasonable prices, about a mile from my place (in a strip of businesses tucked behind McDonald's and facing Wal-Mart). Frequented by lots of locals.
Family-run place specializing in take-out food, including more than a few vegetarian options. Quick and inexpensive, open everyday but Mon. from 11 am to fairly late (10 pm on weekdays, 11 on Fri & Sat). Close to my place.
East Gourmet
98 Stoneridge Dr NFamily-run place specializing in take-out food, including more than a few vegetarian options. Quick and inexpensive, open everyday but Mon. from 11 am to fairly late (10 pm on weekdays, 11 on Fri & Sat). Close to my place.
Home-style breakfasts served here everyday beginning at 7:30 am, with lots of locals frequenting the place to stretch their dollars. Also serves inexpensive lunches everyday and dinner on Thurs, Fri, Sat.
Olive's Grill
8839 Seminole TrailHome-style breakfasts served here everyday beginning at 7:30 am, with lots of locals frequenting the place to stretch their dollars. Also serves inexpensive lunches everyday and dinner on Thurs, Fri, Sat.
Homey place to get eat-in or take-out freshly made pizza (or other standard Italian fare) Open every day for lunch and dinner.
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Vinny's New York Pizza Co
8841 Seminole TrailHomey place to get eat-in or take-out freshly made pizza (or other standard Italian fare) Open every day for lunch and dinner.
This place offers the usual Mexican options, but it also has a good sprinkling of other randomly interesting foods, such as Shrimp Linguini Pesto, Louisiana Catfish Po Boy, and Wonton Chicken Tacos.
Two Brother's Southwestern Grill
124 Cedar Grove RdThis place offers the usual Mexican options, but it also has a good sprinkling of other randomly interesting foods, such as Shrimp Linguini Pesto, Louisiana Catfish Po Boy, and Wonton Chicken Tacos.
As one might expect from a place that looks like it is owned by traditional Mennonites, the shelves here are filled with lots of home-canned-type fruits and vegetables, grains for cooking, flours for baking, and locally made breads and other baked goods. You can also find locally sourced eggs, meats and dairy products. For a cheap site-cooked breakfast sandwich (under $4), this place can't be beat. Opens at 7. Closed around dinnertime and (of course) on Sundays.
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Dutch Pantry
8296 Seminole TrailAs one might expect from a place that looks like it is owned by traditional Mennonites, the shelves here are filled with lots of home-canned-type fruits and vegetables, grains for cooking, flours for baking, and locally made breads and other baked goods. You can also find locally sourced eggs, meats and dairy products. For a cheap site-cooked breakfast sandwich (under $4), this place can't be beat. Opens at 7. Closed around dinnertime and (of course) on Sundays.
This place will make you think you stumbled into a wonderful bakery in Paris. They offer mouth-watering freshly made pastries, cakes and European breads that you can consume in their cafe or take with you.
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Albemarle Baking Co
418 W Main StThis place will make you think you stumbled into a wonderful bakery in Paris. They offer mouth-watering freshly made pastries, cakes and European breads that you can consume in their cafe or take with you.
Miller's is an iconic restaurant/bar in Charlottesville, long beloved of natives for its Southern pub fare and relaxed ambiance. It's location will give you a great excuse to stroll along the center-city's pedestrian mall, which is usually full of fellow strollers, busking musicians, and sidewalk diners (in good weather, naturally).
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Miller's Downtown
109 W Main StMiller's is an iconic restaurant/bar in Charlottesville, long beloved of natives for its Southern pub fare and relaxed ambiance. It's location will give you a great excuse to stroll along the center-city's pedestrian mall, which is usually full of fellow strollers, busking musicians, and sidewalk diners (in good weather, naturally).
A large, successful marketplace for healthy, homey foods, run by devout Christians. Adjacent to the market, there's a petting zoo with farm animals that young children will enjoy.
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Yoders Country Market
2105 S Seminole TrailA large, successful marketplace for healthy, homey foods, run by devout Christians. Adjacent to the market, there's a petting zoo with farm animals that young children will enjoy.
I gotta be honest. This is not a restaurant that I regularly patronize, though I've eaten there a few times. It's Germanic food, very heavy on meat served as large rib-sticking portions with equally large portions of calorie-laden carbohydrates. But it's beloved by many and has been in existence forever, so it's clearly doing something more-than-right for many folks. 'nuff said.
83 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Bavarian Chef
5102 S Seminole TrailI gotta be honest. This is not a restaurant that I regularly patronize, though I've eaten there a few times. It's Germanic food, very heavy on meat served as large rib-sticking portions with equally large portions of calorie-laden carbohydrates. But it's beloved by many and has been in existence forever, so it's clearly doing something more-than-right for many folks. 'nuff said.
Tree-ripened peaches are the main summer attraction here, but there's also home-grown strawberries, apples, and pumpkins. Fresh local vegetables are sold in season, including tomatoes, sweet corn, blackberries, and melons. Their store also sells jams and jellies, apple butter and fresh-pressed ciders, gift baskets, and local crafts.
91 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Chiles Peach Orchard
1351 Greenwood RdTree-ripened peaches are the main summer attraction here, but there's also home-grown strawberries, apples, and pumpkins. Fresh local vegetables are sold in season, including tomatoes, sweet corn, blackberries, and melons. Their store also sells jams and jellies, apple butter and fresh-pressed ciders, gift baskets, and local crafts.
If you're passing through Culpeper to or from my house, this is a great place with nice decor to stop for excellent Indian food, with lots of possibilities for vegetarians. There's always a lunchtime buffet with dozens of items offered for under $10 per person. Easy parking, nice location on a street lined by local artisanal shops worth strolling by or popping into. There's even a shop totally devoted to selling vinegars and spices.
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Natraj indian Cuisine
219 E Davis StIf you're passing through Culpeper to or from my house, this is a great place with nice decor to stop for excellent Indian food, with lots of possibilities for vegetarians. There's always a lunchtime buffet with dozens of items offered for under $10 per person. Easy parking, nice location on a street lined by local artisanal shops worth strolling by or popping into. There's even a shop totally devoted to selling vinegars and spices.
My go-to restaurant in Madison, with a chef-owner who is actually Italian and who likes to prepare food properly. Not expensive.
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CLOSED!!! Sold Bonanno's Restaurant ( The old Madison Inn Restaurant)
217 N Main StMy go-to restaurant in Madison, with a chef-owner who is actually Italian and who likes to prepare food properly. Not expensive.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is both a restaurant and a bar, which accurately itself as a "locally sourced Southern fare & imaginative cocktails offered in a refined exposed-brick setting." Friendly crowd for late night hanging out.
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Maya
633 W Main StThis is both a restaurant and a bar, which accurately itself as a "locally sourced Southern fare & imaginative cocktails offered in a refined exposed-brick setting." Friendly crowd for late night hanging out.
Parks & Nature
Just 10 miles south of my place, this park has it all: a swimmable lake with a beach, hiking trails and a dog park.
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Chris Green Lake Park
4748 Chris Greene Lake RdJust 10 miles south of my place, this park has it all: a swimmable lake with a beach, hiking trails and a dog park.
Montpelier is a tourist destination because it was the home of James Madison, Montpelier. That's worth buying a ticket to visit at least once. But I'm putting this in the "parks" section because that house sits on more than 2,000 acres, with 8+ miles of forest and walking trails. The grounds, gardens, and trails are FREE and open to the public daily during business hours.
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Montpelier's Visitor Center
13425 Visitor Center RdMontpelier is a tourist destination because it was the home of James Madison, Montpelier. That's worth buying a ticket to visit at least once. But I'm putting this in the "parks" section because that house sits on more than 2,000 acres, with 8+ miles of forest and walking trails. The grounds, gardens, and trails are FREE and open to the public daily during business hours.
Sightseeing
I keep returning to Monticello because the folks running the place keep offering new stuff, especially in regard to the role of slaves in enabling Thomas Jefferson to enjoy the rarefied and intellectual lifestyle that he had. A must visit.
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Monticello
1050 Thomas Jefferson PkwyI keep returning to Monticello because the folks running the place keep offering new stuff, especially in regard to the role of slaves in enabling Thomas Jefferson to enjoy the rarefied and intellectual lifestyle that he had. A must visit.
The home of James Madison is less well-known, and thus less crowded, than that of Thomas Jefferson. It is definitely worth visiting at least once, especially if you hit a weekend when a special event is planned, such as a wine festival or sheep dog trials (such events are on the Montpelier website). There are always archaeological activities and exhibits on the lives of enslaved people at Montpelier. Montpelier is a very pleasant 15-mile drive from my home. See also the entry below under "Parks."
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James Madison's Montpelier
11350 Constitution HwyThe home of James Madison is less well-known, and thus less crowded, than that of Thomas Jefferson. It is definitely worth visiting at least once, especially if you hit a weekend when a special event is planned, such as a wine festival or sheep dog trials (such events are on the Montpelier website). There are always archaeological activities and exhibits on the lives of enslaved people at Montpelier. Montpelier is a very pleasant 15-mile drive from my home. See also the entry below under "Parks."
Entertainment & Activities
Horton rocks! Almost every Saturday, they throw some special event -- maybe 10 food trucks competing to be the best, or a pig roast, or a summer celebration described this way: "We will have yard games for kids and adults alike, as well as summer fun give away bags for children. Pop-up tents are welcome, as are your furry friends! There will also be communal lawn and picnic table games for everyone to enjoy! " Every day, Horton offers wine tastings for $6/person from 10 am to 5 pm.
49 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Horton Vineyards
6399 Spotswood TrailHorton rocks! Almost every Saturday, they throw some special event -- maybe 10 food trucks competing to be the best, or a pig roast, or a summer celebration described this way: "We will have yard games for kids and adults alike, as well as summer fun give away bags for children. Pop-up tents are welcome, as are your furry friends! There will also be communal lawn and picnic table games for everyone to enjoy! " Every day, Horton offers wine tastings for $6/person from 10 am to 5 pm.
This maker of various kinds of apple ciders (mostly dry or non-sweet varieties) is located in a setting so stunning it is a favorite place for marriages. Go to taste ciders, enjoy the scenery and play yard games. Check out their events, such as the sunset music concerts, every other Thursday from early April through August.
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Castle Hill Cider Llc
6065 Turkey Sag RdThis maker of various kinds of apple ciders (mostly dry or non-sweet varieties) is located in a setting so stunning it is a favorite place for marriages. Go to taste ciders, enjoy the scenery and play yard games. Check out their events, such as the sunset music concerts, every other Thursday from early April through August.
This four-season resort – skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, etc., in the winter (plus heated indoor water activities); golf, indoor/outdoor water park, ziplines, adventure courses in the summer – is about 40 minutes on one scenic road heading west of my house. There's a spa there too.
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Massanutten Resort
1822 Resort DrThis four-season resort – skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, etc., in the winter (plus heated indoor water activities); golf, indoor/outdoor water park, ziplines, adventure courses in the summer – is about 40 minutes on one scenic road heading west of my house. There's a spa there too.
I love this yoga studio because it explicitly caters to the vast majority of us who aren't limber, lean, young, fit, or fabulous looking in spandex. It caters to normal people who simply want to feel more relaxed, stretched, meditative... just better! And the owner is very flexible in terms of accommodating everyone's needs and price points. Definitely worth dropping into!
Sunbeams Yoga
8767 Seminole TrailI love this yoga studio because it explicitly caters to the vast majority of us who aren't limber, lean, young, fit, or fabulous looking in spandex. It caters to normal people who simply want to feel more relaxed, stretched, meditative... just better! And the owner is very flexible in terms of accommodating everyone's needs and price points. Definitely worth dropping into!
Arts & Culture
The Front Porch
221 E Water StThis is the local hang-out for folk artists. Authentic feel, often good music.
This is an historic school that houses studios for artists & craftspeople. It's open to the public, with regular exhibits & talks.
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McGuffey Art Center
201 2nd St NWThis is an historic school that houses studios for artists & craftspeople. It's open to the public, with regular exhibits & talks.
Everything that happens in this region is directly or indirectly connected to or influenced by this university founded by Thomas Jefferson. The original part of the campus, with its classic architecture and gardens designed by Jefferson, is a lovely place to stroll.
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University of Virginia
918 Emmet St NEverything that happens in this region is directly or indirectly connected to or influenced by this university founded by Thomas Jefferson. The original part of the campus, with its classic architecture and gardens designed by Jefferson, is a lovely place to stroll.