Amusement park: Water Country USA
I know what you’re thinking: it’s just a bunch of little kids running around having the most fun of their whole lives while their parents sit and yell at them to stop chicken-fighting in the wave pool. Who’s having more fun? Parents, get a babysitter. Singles, you have no excuse. This Saturday, you could be going 25mph down 415 feet of slippery plastic and heavily chlorinated water. It’s not cheap: it’s $38.95 for a single-day ticket. But your photo keychain of you and your friends on the Hubba-Hubba Highway is priceless. And if you just can’t get enough water slide fun, go buy a Wham-O Superman Slip ‘n Slide today.
Camping trip: Sherando Lake
The lake itself is a great day trip, but camping at Sherando is the perfect compromise between roughing it and the Red Roof. The lake bathhouse has showers, and it’s a pleasant 45-minute drive from Charlottesville. The best part is the swim to the island in the middle. You’ll think there are snakes down there, and hey, maybe there are! But they don’t bite!
Festival: Ash Lawn Opera Festival
Stop rolling your eyes at your computer screen! The Ash Lawn Opera Festival is not just opera. This July, there are performances of “The Sound of Music,” a “Mozart and More” program, and three Saturday morning plays for the little ones in addition to Puccini’s “La Boheme.” The festival has a box office on 4th Street NE on the downtown mall, so the musical-ly averse can warm up to the idea by strolling past a lot and thinking about it. Ash Lawn’s productions are well casted and costumed, and the music this summer is especially catchy (as far as showtunes and Baroque go). Just bring a bottle of wine and a bottle of bugspray, and you will love it.
Concert: Tie between Rufus Wainwright and Ben Kweller
I’ve had tickets to both. I’ll cut out the research for you. Here are links to Youtube videos of live performances. I love the first one and the last one. They both really seem to enjoy themselves…
Rufus Wainwright, “Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk”
Rufus Wainwright, “Hallelujah”
Ben Kweller, Penny on a Train Track”
…and a search for “ben Kweller live” produced this little gem of a video. Be sure to check out the comments. How about that for a live performance!
Al Fresco: Petit Pois
It’s my favorite restaurant! I’m letting my secret out just for you! Located in Central Place on the downtown mall and marked by an inviting but petit peapod sign, Petit Pois is a calming retreat from the chaos of the city that begins just beyond the fountain: people-watching from the patio by candlelight, with evening breezes bending the grass blades of the centerpieces. The menu changes with some frequency, so it’s hard to make recommendations. I’d recommend everything anyway. Please order the mussels right now. And there’s an orange creme caramel that is so refreshing. I feel as though the servers are well versed in the cuisine and work as a team. I genuinely enjoy Fleurie and OXO for my fine French fare, and they too are worth the splurge, but the value of Petit Pois makes this my summer pick for cVillains.
Related posts:
- Rufus Review Done
- Goodbye Summer. We Will Miss You. Last Summer Weekend Preview.
- Indian Summer Weekend in Charlottesville
Ah, much better and more unique the other weekly paper summer guides. Bravo!
Lilith–
Petit Pois is my favorite, too. It seems that all I do in my comments is pan restaurants in Cville (and really, there’s a lot more hype than quality as with all other restaurant markets), but I have always had great meals–and service–at the Pois.
Even though it’s summer, and even though the meal is heavy, satisfy your carnivorous urges by ordering the steak frites. Don’t plan to do anything afterwards, but it’s simple and just about perfect.
I have heard about certain unpopulated, picturesque swimming holes in the area. Can anyone provide details for those of us who are unwilling landlubbers?
Why yes, yes I can. Try Sugar Hollow. Drive down Barracks Road until it veers to a sharp right turn, marked by a country market. Don’t veer right. Go straight down the unmarked road in front of you. Keep going down the unmarked road, and it will turn into a dirt/gravel road. Pass the dam (impossible to miss) and park in the clearing just beyond on the left. You’ll have to wade across a creek to get to the trail. The trail is split by a creek again after about a mile, so you really may want to wear Tevas or old sneakers. After a pleasant but solid hike, you’ll get to the swimming hole. It’s awesome! Sometimes, people have a rope swing up, but I think the park service takes it down as soon as they learn about it. There’s another rope swing out 250 east toward Gordsonsville, but I don’t know how to get back to it.
Many thanks!
You know, BusRider, you’re genuinely welcome. A little (but especially “many”) thanks go very, very far. I really appreciate your contributions to the site!