The Historic Downtown Mall is a must see when visiting Charlottesville, NC. There are several nearby garages and parking lots so we didn't have any issues finding parking g. The area has many shops, bars, and restaurants throughout the Downtown Mall. We grabbed some dinner and made for a lovely evening. There were even street performers out. https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/directory/charlottesville-historic-downtown-mall/ read more

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The downtown mall is such unique place to shop, eat, and visit. Unlike strip malls, the downtown houses a lot of local privately owned small businesses - which I prefer to support. Also they allow vendors to setup along the mall, to sale artisanal goods and provide entertainment. Whether you're local or in the area for a visit, go by and check it out - it's a neat place.to park, there lots that you can pay to park or garages. The one I frequent, is the Water Street garage and you walk up a block and you are the mall. I do think, it's pet friendly - you may want to check. There is shade along the mall is some areas and as well as seating. I hope you go and enjoy!! read more

Charlottesville's Downtown Mall is one of my favorite spots in Cville. The pedestrian-only, brick-paved street is full of charm, with quaint local shops, fantastic restaurants, and live music adding to the atmosphere. There's always something happening--street performers, bustling patios, and an energy that makes the whole place feel alive. Whether I'm grabbing a great meal, browsing unique boutiques, or just soaking in the vibrant scene, it's the kind of place that makes me fall in love with Charlottesville all over again. read more

Only go in the daytime. There's a lot of transient and bad people at night. The restaurants are high priced with average food. The few stores are odd to put it best. The parking garage (at night) can be an issue. Gangs.(4-6) are out and about. The whole place feels dirty. read more

During my last visit, I noticed that this place seemed quite abandoned, with some homeless people, and numerous properties available for lease, which doesn't give the area a good appearance. It is unfortunate to me. It surprisingly still has a few decent restaurants, so I hope it can help recover its charm. read more

The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville is an outdoor mall with a mix of shops (boutiques/local shops), restaurants (fast food, sit down, ice cream, etc.), and entertainment (theatre, children's museum, escape room), as well as a pavilion where you can hear live music. Plenty of parking in the two nearby garages or along the streets. If you go on a weekday, beware that many of the shops close between 5-6pm, so you'll only be left with restaurants to visit. We went on a Friday afternoon and stayed until the early evening, so was able to hear some live music at the Ting Pavilion. During "Friday after Five", the Ting Pavilion offers a free show, a couple food trucks, and vendors selling beer (tickets must be purchased at the booth). Is the Downtown Mall a must will visiting Charlottesville? I'd say no. However, if you're looking for someplace to walk around, grab a bite to eat, or listen to some live music, it may be worth checking out. read more

My friends and parents LOVE the downtown mall! My parents exclusively refer to it as "the cobblestone area" and they love the rustic feel with all the shopping and theatres. We also love to stop into the Kilwins. Lots of unique shopping here including darling which is a unique and trendy consignment store. You can come here for a quick stroll, food, concert, shopping, and more! read more

Plenty of options for cocktail bars, restaurants, ice cream, etc. Pleasant to walk around. Only downside were aggressive panhandlers and a fairly significant homeless population. We expect it on our trips to SF but were caught by surprise here read more

What a lovely stretch of walking and shopping to be done. My friend took me here when I was visiting so that we could grab a bite and do a little hanging out. I love the architecture and the old faccades, including the stalled building that apparently will be the C'ville eyesore, because it is not code and can't be completed. The monument to the first amendment was touching and I love that they keep chalk out and invite you to participate. I added my words and took a photo. It is fleeting, but it is -something-. Charlottesville is a very prominent Black Lives Matter area, and I love that, I bought stickers and magnets from a few shops in different styles because I've not seen such lovely representation before. Granted, there are a lot of open spaces, unrented facdes due to Covid and businesses closing. Who knows what the near future brings, but I hope it thrives. Its such a good vibe here. read more

A bustling promenade lined with restaurants, clothing shops, bookstores, specialty shops and a movie theater, the Downtown Mall is an exciting place to visit. Most of the restaurants are pricey, but there are a few affordable, casual spots. Many of the eateries have their menus displayed outside so you can peek at the offerings before you commit to entering. The middle of the mall is peppered with lots of outdoor seating, kiosks, and there's even a small merry-go-round at one end for the wee tots. It was fun to walk up and down the brick pathways listening to street musicians and people watching. There were quite a few homeless folks with signs asking for money, fyi. Parking can be a challenge, but there's a few enclosed parking structures nearby. We parked at an open lot where you pay at an automated machine and it prints a ticket to display in your car. Charlottesville is a great town and this mall is a popular venue. Don't forget to visits the shops and restaurants on the little side streets and be prepared for some crowds but a fun experience! read more

Downtown Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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The Charlottesville downtown mall is a delightful outside area where you will find a great combination of restaurants, bars and shops. I like that the space has been blocked to traffic so you can walk around the mall without worrying about cars. With the pandemic certain places have closed. Hopefully once everyone is back, the mall will reach its full potential. I love the trees amongst the shops. read more

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The downtown mall is... Okay. They are some unique shops and when there is entertainment and pop up shops it can be enjoyable. Sadly it's gotten to the point where I feel unsafe being there, especially after dark. Some of the homeless and panhandling population in this location can be invasive. I don't mind if they are being respectful and not harassing you- but everytime I come here I have someone begging me for food. I actually had an odd encounter and it looked like they were running some sort of business doing this. A guy was begging us for stuff and we walked away and another person jumped out of a car, handed him something in a secretive manner, and then ran off! Some of the stores close kinda early so if you want to get the whole experience go on the weekends. read more

Downtown Charlottesville is a nice walkable stretch of shops, restaurants, and bars. Since COVID it looks like several places have closed down unfortunately. Many of the restaurants have outdoor seating or are doing takeout orders online, either via their website or the Toast app. read more

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Bottom Line: An outdoor, pedestrian friendly shopping center with lots of restaurants and shops and a theater. My husband and I strolled the Downtown Mall because it was relatively close to our hotel and we're always looking for a good shopping experience. But really, it wasn't too exciting for us. I think if we had also dined on the Mall at a place like The Fitzroy or Brassier Saison maybe it would have been a more memorable experience. With COVID it was nice to be able to sightsee outside but the downside is that it seems like some businesses were closed as a result of pandemic and that of course is just sad. Many of the stores seemed very artsy. The marquee at the the Paramount Theater is delightful and I think it would be interesting to catch a show in the circa 1930s theater. read more

The downtown mall area is a nice place to stroll and check out the local shops and restaurants. There is a local artists store which is a favorite of mine. Some folks complain about the buskers, but I find their melodies add to the chill atmosphere. read more

The Downtown is interesting to walk around . They have a lot of little shops to look in, a little place to get ice cream, a chalk board to write on, some metal statues , some construction nearby and of course a little candy shop. On a beautiful day, it would be nice to sit outside. I know some of the places have bands and such and there is a covered area that has bands. read more

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Charlottesville's Downtown Mall is a true wonder, not only in the area but the entire Commonwealth of Virginia and perhaps region/nation. There are very few walkable mall areas in the United States that are generally sealed off to cars in a fashion more typically found in, for example, European countries. The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville is not just a sampling of that style but a full embrace of it, as it is extremely large and has a multitude of interesting, well-placed, and thought-out stores that make it an endless delight to enjoy. Some of the sites that stand out on the Downtown Mall are its concert venue at one end, its free speech wall where citizens can chalk in their thoughts, the Charlottesville government facilities, a slew of unique local restaurants ranging from dense bars to high-end places, snack shops, a local theater, an escape room facility, and much more. The array of stores packed densely into this already very expansive development is incredible. There are a very large amount of parking facilities all around the downtown mall ranging from extensive street parking, parking lots, and big parking garages. I recommend taking your time and looking carefully at the shops bit by bit - because of how densely its all jammed together and how unique/non-brand a lot of the stores are it is easy for your eye to miss some truly amazing finds. I'd say don't hesitate to try anything out, as if it's on the Downtown Mall it very likely has some minimum in uniqueness and quality. What a great place to enjoy in Charlottesville and if one is looking for something more mature than the typical UVA college hangout areas. read more

Downtown Mall - A February Sunday evening at the Downtown Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

This little strip is gorgeous. Back alleys with tons of boutique vendors. Street vendors and live music was such a vibe. Love visiting charlottesville we will be back soon! read more

Downtown Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Friday's After Five is a reason alone to come to the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, VA. The music at the Ting pavilion and on the streets and the romantic ambience of the lights as the sun begins to set is intoxicating. The Downtown Mall also has a great array of food options for you to choose from. The shopping downtown is expensive, but that's not unexpected. Come visit the Downtown Mall if you haven't already! read more

Great place to go! Tons of awesome restaurants, movies and live shows, and great boutiques and shops. The Trolley bus will take people there for free, as well as back to the UVA Grounds. I love to see movies at Violet Crown, walk up and down the brick streets, and check out all the cool stores and niche shops. Great place to spend an afternoon or night! read more

Pretty cool pedestrian mall with lots of interesting shops, some other businesses and lots, lots, LOTS of places to eat and grab a drink. One of my favs here is Revolutionary Soup. Miller's is also nice and is famous too. Overall, it's a decent place to visit, but parking is a pain, as they only have pay-to-park lots, which is silly. read more

This was not what I expected when coming into town for a short getaway. We arrived Saturday early evening on Memorial Day weekend and walked around a bit. By then most of the shops were closed but the restaurants were busy but manageable. Dog friendly too which is awesome. The panhandlers in the area are numerous, bold and in your face. I would not have been comfortable being there alone or bringing kids with me. read more

First time I've been back here in years. I like and don't like all the street vendors set up everywhere in the middle of the cobbled walkway. It's ok at first but gets old really quick. I found some nice items here and there but it's just too much. Restaurants there have always been fun. I was sad to see that the Hardware Store (restaurant) was no longer there but they have what looks like some good burger joints so closer to Octber when the humidity goes away I'll give these a try. Nice stores selling homemade items and some coffee shops. Took the kids up in the glass elevator and took pictures of the mountains from the roof of the parking garage. We're silly I know! I miss this mall the way it was back in the day. read more

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Beyond the rowdy Fall Saturdays at the UVA campus, Charlottesville's most happenin area might just be here. With plenty of youngins, lounges, restaurants, shops, and even a movie theater, it'd be hard to disagree. Since it is mainly an outdoor experience, its appeal may depend on two things: the weather and whether or not you're visiting town. I imagine the spring and summer time would have the most people, where as the winter months may be brutal. Locals are likely to recommend this spot because there is simply nothing else like it in the city. Big city tourists might find the alternative mall experience refreshing, but the scene is likely to get old real quickly. The good news is the majority of the places here are truly local. Not many chains to report of and there is a decent art scene in the center of it all. Add in some trendy bars and restaurants and suddenly there is much more to explore. Finally, be on the lookout at night, especially during weekends when a slew of pimped out vehicles from low riders to souped up vintage cars blasting music in hopes of turning some heads. Since "cruisin" is the thing to do in downtown Charlottesville, don't forget to point and laugh. read more

Charlottesville is such a charming city! And nowhere is that more obvious than the historic Downtown Mall. If you're visiting Charlottesville for the first time (like we were), don't miss this strip of old bookstores, bars, eateries, shops, and more! With more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants, this is a must visit! read more

Downtown Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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The Downtown Mall is a charming area in downtown Charlottesville with a variety of local restaurants, shops, and music venues. It spans several city blocks along Main Street with closed road access which allow for pedestrian traffic down the center of the street. During the year there are many local and free community events such as the City Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, Friday's after Five music series, and of course Tom Tom Founder's Fest among many others. It's a beautiful space with a nice mix of locals, tourists, and of course, the ever present UVA community. To give you perspective, this part of town is often chosen for classic Charlottesville wedding photographs and on occasion, wedding receptions. There tends to be a bit of something for everyone which makes this a must-see for those visiting the city. A few of my favorite places include the Jefferson/Southern for great shows, Rapture for salsa, Felini's No. 9 for live band karaoke, and of course the pavilion for great outdoor shows and community events. Honestly though, there are a lot of great things to do and I encourage you to check it out for yourself! read more

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This pedestrian mall located in the heart of downtown Charlottesville, Virginia reminded me of Church Street in Burlington, Virginia something fierce. In all the good ways, that is. From the plentiful street performers and outdoor café seating to the trees offering shade and local businesses flooding the space with delicious smells like doughnuts and ramen. Fun note: there was a doughnut and ramen shop located on the mall. The mall is also home to interactive public art installations like a chalkboard wall for visitors and locals to leave notes. The Pedestrian Mall is alive all hours of the day with great stops for brunch as well as bars with craft cocktails and so on. Add this beaut to your Charlottesville hit list. read more

A great place to grab some food, relax and people watch. There are a variety of shops and activities to enjoy with friends or family. Movies, bars and restaurants at your disposal and awesome artwork along the strip. A very nice place to hang out. read more

Downtown Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Lovely set of shops and restaurants line a open walkway where you can casually stroll, walk your dog or grab a bit to eat. A great selection of restaurants, bars and stores will make for an entertaining afternoon or a even a late night cap at one of the bars. Within walking distance of the Omni hotel this is a great convenient one stop shop. They had a small ride for children and also a chalk board to write on. Small fun little things that bring big character. read more

Downtown Mall - Chalk - Shopping Centers Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Very typical for what you would expect for a downtown area to have. There were selections of several restaurants and shopping. The shops were pricey and okay but nothing exceptional. My favorite was the bookstore, you could get lost in here! We didn't have time to explore the restaurants too much but you had a lot of choices to choose from. Unfortunately everything closes at 5 so plan accordingly. read more

Downtown Charlottesville, love walk along the main street and check out some street vendors with jewelry, clothing and some art and crafts. Of course there are plenty of restaurants, cafe, music hall, bars and movie theater. The downside is parking is really a challenge on weekend. Other than that highly recommended!!! read more

I was expecting more shopping, but I honestly didn't want to go into a single shop on this strip. It was a beautiful walk though, and lots of outdoor seating at restaurants. I also enjoyed the movie theater, and the free trolly. So, not my cup of tea for shopping, but still a nice spot. read more

Im going to write something very unpopular here. The couple of times I went there I was asked for money by an intimidating person. On one occasion, I walked away but he made it a point to "follow" me for half a block to intimidate me. Another time I walked up an intersecting street where I parked my car. Two guys hanging out on the corner next to one of those shops just looked way too suspicious. Looking over their shoulder for a chance to see whether I had anything while loading my car. Once I made eye contact, they started to approach me. I jumped in my car and just drove off. I could hear one of them saying they just wanted to ask me a question...right. When im there, especially when walking to my car, im always looking over my shoulder. I just get bad vibes there. read more

Not to be a buzzkill, but after 2 years of living here...the downtown mall is a lot less appealing to me. Maybe it's the fact that I am outraged at the fact that they charge $2/hr for parking (I mean, we're not even in a "real" city - and yes, I know of a few free parking spots, but I digress) or the last time I went downtown on a Sunday afternoon NOTHING was open except the Nook, but...yeah. Lots of homeless people, too much cigarette smoke and the restaurants are so overpriced. I am not totally cutting it down - I still enjoy visiting the lululemon store and cappelino's crazy cakes, but otherwise...yeah. read more

Maybe I was there at the wrong time, but on a Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in September, this place just didn't appeal to me, and I love historic buildings. As an out of towner, I visited at the urging of several locals, only to find that this seemed like a place for people with no where else to go and nothing else to do to hang out. A few police officers walking around would have made me feel better. Maybe it is me, but I didn't feel safe there, and I live in a big city. I also didn't care for all the second hand smoke. They should consider making the entire mall a smoke free place. Yes, including the outdoor parts. read more

The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville is one of those gems of Charlottesville. It's pedestrian-only, with some cross streets that cars can pass through. There's a wide selection of restaurants, coffee houses, home decor stores, and pubs. They have all price levels: you can eat cheap (and well) at Christian's Pizza, or you can have a 4-course French menu at Fleurie's. I believe there's a movie theater and still an ice skating rink. I've spent many lovely afternoons browsing the shops and soaking in the great weather. I miss it. read more

Downtown Mall - Shopping Centers Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

I have a like-hate relationship with the Downtown Mall. I like that it's historic and charming. I like that they've invested in restoration and preservation. I like that there are movie theatres, live performance venues, bars, restaurants and shopping (most are local, independent owners), making it a nice place to multitask within a small area. What I hate is that, particularly because Charlottesville is so small and the Mall is the only place of its kind there, it can also be "scene-y." Especially on a nice day, people flock to the Mall. I don't think I've ever shopped there, but I do movies, eat or grab a drink there occasionally. read more

So here is the thing- I wouldn't give this 5 stars as an actual "mall." because there isn't THAT much actual shopping. The shopping that is there is mostly cute boutiques, which is a plus. But still- not a lot of shopping to be done here. However, if you live in C'Ville for any period of time, you'll know that the downtown mall isn't really a mall. It is a fun-filled historic area in the city. It is a place for good eating and free music and drinking. It is a place for gathering and walking and enjoying life. It is a place for ice cream or fresh juice or gelato. And when it does come to shopping, you'll find so many unique places to window shop or browse from country stores to paper stores to clothing boutiques to chocolate and wine stores (yes please!) So yes, if you're in C'Ville and you somehow haven't stopped by the downtown mall, get yourself there. Free music on Fridays after 5 with drinks and food trucks! (namely Fridays After 5, of course). read more

First time visiting this open mall. I took off 1 star only because so many businesses were closed today (Sunday). They have a great variety of restaurants and stores. I love the seating for several of the restaurants, which is positioned in the middle of the the walkway, so you are able to enjoy the weather, be shaded if you desire, and people watch. It's perfect. There is a parking garage near the area that charges hourly parking that's pretty cheap. There is also free street parking, depending on how long you are going to be hanging out. There is also some new constitution going up, which includes a theater. I am wondering how busy this place typically is on the weekend. This is a holiday weekend, so I'm not sure if people were out of town or it's just more low key on Sunday. Even though Charlottesville is an hour away from me, it's definitely got my attention, and I'm interested in checking out more of this mall! read more

We decided to stop in Charlottesville, VA on the end of our Blue Ridge Parkway trip because my wife's cousin went to UVA so we wanted to stop and see her Alma Mater. The day we got in it was a miserable day with it being overcast and rainy. We stopped by the Charlottesville Downtown mall because we heard so many good things. We are glad we did because it was a great experience even when it was a dreary day. I would recommend coming here as it is one of the many highlights of the town. read more