All within 3 miles of Arcady!
You don’t have to go far to experience an ideal day in Charlottesville. After enjoying our hearty served breakfast you may wish to stretch your legs on the beautiful Saunders-Monticello Trail. Occupying 89 acres along the Thomas Jefferson Parkway, the four mile (2 miles up and 2 back) trek has a gentle slope and offers gravel walkways, boardwalks and rustic woodland paths. You’ll wind around Carter Mountain, where you may want to make your next stop once you’ve retrieved your vehicle.
Carter Mountain Orchard is the place to go for scenic valley views, fresh in season fruit, a country store and live music on Thursday evenings during the warmer months. Bold Rock Cider is on site featuring a tap room and wine lovers are covered with the Carter Mountain Wine Shop on premises as well. Don’t forget to buy a pack of apple cider donuts – they are local lore!
If you’ve worked up an appetite as you come down the mountain, hang a right and you’ll practically run into Miche Tavern. Circa 1784, here you’ll find a tavern, gift shop, tours and an authentic southern fare buffet served until 3:00.
Alternatively, you may wish to spend the greater part of the day at World Heritage site Monticello. Just 2.5 miles from Arcady, the estate and grounds of Thomas Jefferson are an absolute wonder to behold, both architecturally and in a historical context providing the opportunity to examine the life of one of our most multi-faceted Founding Fathers.
Another unique lunch spot can be found just a mile from Arcady as you head back from any of the above attractions – Simeon Market. Enjoy a fresh crafted sandwich and perhaps one of their delicious specialty cookies while perusing local gifts in their artisan shop which was once an old timey gas station back in the day.
Last but not least and just around the bend from Simeon, stop in at Jefferson Vineyards for a delicious flight of local wine to enjoy at one of their several beautiful outdoor seating areas. Picnics (Simeon!) welcomed.
