02 Nov Discovering Charlottesville for Out of Town Patients

If you find yourself at Virginia Fertility & IVF, you’re in luck! Charlottesville, VA, is an ideal travel destination for individuals and couples. Our region of the U.S. offers everything you could want, from its rich history and diverse culture to vivid natural beauty.

Visiting Charlottesville for the First Time? 5 Ideas to Explore

Here are five recommendations for things to see, do, and explore when visiting Charlottesville for fertility treatments. And don’t forget you can always contact our fertility center for personalized recommendations from our local staff.

1. Professional or self-guided tours

Our team of doctors and staff love to travel, and we understand the “guided tour” experience isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. That said, if you’re only here for a weekend or a couple of weeks, a professionally guided tour is a wonderful way to move seamlessly from historical site to site, with knowledgeable guides who are as gracious as they are educated and informed about the area’s history.

You can also go on your own version of a guided tour using visitcharlottesville.org’s listing of top Historical Sites & Museums. Depending on your interests, you can use their hyperlinked page to create a list of your preferred destinations, including Monticello, Montpelier, Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, Michie Tavern (a collection of period-esque colonial sites), and more.

2. Get creative at The Glass Palette

Looking for something to do to keep your hands busy and your mind off fertility testing and treatment? Book an appointment at The Glass Palette. Owned and operated by a mother-daughter duo, the glass palette offers a chance to learn about, play with, and create original works using multiple glass art techniques. Project offerings include fusing and slumping (kiln forming), bead making, stained glass and mosaic work, sandblasting, and others.

Their newly expanded studio is located in the heart of downtown, making it easy for you to make your glass work of art before heading over to nearby Holly’s Diner, which serves out-of-this-world, affordable home-cooked southern dishes from the heart.

3. Bury yourself in a book at New Dominion Bookshop

Remember when all bookshops were owned by local families who knew everything about every book under the sun? Well, you can experience that in real time at New Dominion Bookshop. Less than a mile northwest of The Glass Palette along E. Market Street, you’ll find yourself at their front door. New Dominion is the oldest independently-owned bookstore in Virginia, and we hope to keep it in business.

If you’re looking for a nearby place to eat while there, its Downtown Historic Mall location puts in close proximity to a few of our favorite places to grab a bite, including Otto Turkish Street Food, Citizen Burger Bar, Tonic, and Rapture.

4. Lose yourself along the trails at Ivy Creek Natural Foundation

The Ivy Creek Natural Foundation was created to inspire and engage our community in the stewardship of our natural resources and our rich African American cultural history and connect people to the past and present by honoring the land, history, and community.

Located on land previously known as River View Farm, it is a rare surviving example of the Union Ridge/Hydraulic Mills community of African American farmers, pastors, craftspeople, and business people who flourished in the region beginning in the final quarter of the nineteenth century. In addition to visiting the Barn, visitors can take advantage of miles of walking and hiking trails, many of which offer stunning river views.

There’s nothing like a relaxing day walking in nature to help you get a good night’s sleep when you return to your hotel or rental accommodation.

5. Catch an independent, artsy, or foreign film at the Violet Crown Cinema

Tired of the same ol’ “blockbusters” with their trite lines, tired plots, and unrealistic everything? We are too. That’s why we tend to hit the cinema offerings at the Violet Crown. The Violet Crown Cinema chain specializes in artistic, independent, and foreign films and is well worth your time. They also keep a running list of classic films, making it a popular destination for locals and out-of-towners.

Looking for a delicious meal before or after the movies? If you’re interested in a matinee, we recommend grabbing breakfast or lunch at Iron Paffles & Coffee or the Kitchenette Sandwich shop. If you’re interested in more of a date night version of “dinner and a movie,” head to any of the restaurants listed in #3. Or we also enjoy dining at Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar, Monsoon Siam Thai Bar, or Bisou Restaurant.

Have Questions About Upcoming Fertility Treatments in Charlottesville?

Are you planning to visit Virginia Fertility & IVF for fertility testing or treatment? Don’t hesitate to contact our front desk, 866-540-5190, to ask any questions or for personalized recommendations about what to see and do while you’re here.