The Downtown Mall

The Downtown Mall is the social center of Charlottesville and one of the longest pedestrian malls in the United States. Laid out along East Main Street in the 1970s, it replaced a stretch of traffic with brick, trees and outdoor tables, and it has been successful for decades. Today it holds restaurants of every price, independent bookstores, galleries, boutiques and music venues, with street performers and outdoor seating filling the middle of the path. It is the easiest place to spend an evening in the city.

The mall's bones are historic. At the western end sit the Albemarle County Courthouse and Court Square, where Jefferson, Madison and Monroe all attended events, and the surrounding blocks contain nineteenth-century buildings that now house shops and restaurants. The Paramount Theater, a 1931 movie palace restored and reopened in 2004, anchors the center with concerts, films and touring performances. Further east, the Ting Pavilion hosts outdoor concerts, and the Charlottesville Pavilion area adds a modern amphitheater feel.

Eating here is easy because choices are many and walkable. There are casual lunch counters, wine bars, craft beer spots, Latin, Asian, Southern and farm-to-table restaurants and ice cream shops. Outdoor tables are the norm in good weather, and the crowd is a mix of locals, students and visitors. A Saturday morning stop at the City Market, held near the mall, is a good way to see regional produce and baked goods, and the mall itself livens up on warm evenings.

Beyond food, the mall offers browsing. Independent bookstores, record shops, gift stores and galleries make it a pleasant place to wander without a plan. The Virginia Discovery Museum, a hands-on museum for young children, is on the mall and gives families a place to spend a rainy hour. Seasonal events, from holiday lights to music series and festivals, change the feel through the year, and the calendar is worth checking before you visit.

Parking is in nearby garages, and several hotels sit within walking distance, which makes the mall an excellent base. Evenings and weekends are busiest, and weekday mornings are calm for coffee and shopping. Keep in mind that the city's recent history includes difficult events, and visitors often take time to read the memorials and markers around Court Square and nearby streets. Combine the mall with a ghost tour, a food tour or a show at the Paramount.