It just hit May and the sentimental feelings about graduation are starting to feel a lot more real. I graduate in about two weeks from the University of Virginia, and although I’m excited about my next chapter in New York, I’m feeling very bittersweet about leaving Charlottesville. This small city and thriving college town has been home for the past four years, and I definitely don’t think I’m ready to leave.
There have been many favorite food spots I’ve accumulated over the years, and luckily my college town has an awesome restaurant scene. When venturing beyond the familiarity of the Corner, there is so much to explore in Charlottesville, whether it’s the Belmont neighborhood, Downtown Mall area, or other hidden gems in other pockets of town. However, with such a short amount of time left, I have to be very strategic on where to visit one last time. I inspire every other graduating college senior to do the same in these last few weeks, but to make it more manageable, here is a list of all the spots you and your friends must hit before entering the real world this summer.
Go-To Coffee Shop
One thing about college towns is that they always have an absurd amount of coffee shops. Whether it’s because people drink copious amounts of caffeine during the semester, or just because students tend to want to study in alternate locations, coffee shops are such a fun spot to find local community. I feel like after being at UVA for four years I’ve definitely become friendly with some baristas in the cafes I frequent, but I encourage everyone graduating to grab your favorite latte more often than you normally would in the next few weeks. I know Grit Coffee and Cumbre Bakery in Charlottesville are two of my faves, so I’ll definitely have to grab a couple more Americanos before moving out.
Comfort Brunch Spot
The late night decisions don’t seem so bad when you’re debriefing them over good food and coffee. Every college town has a classic brunch spot, whether that’s a diner serving tall stacks of pancakes, a bagel place with fat breakfast sandwiches, or a cute bistro where every patron is listening to your stories about the night before. A big group breakfast on a weekend morning is probably one of the most peak college experiences, and I urge you and your friends to have one more debrief after one of your final college weekends! At UVA, we love to frequent the Villa Diner, Bodo’s Bagels, or Marie Bette as perfect spots for Sunday brunch and Saturday recaps.
Late Night Eatery
In a similar vein to the comfort brunch spot, sometimes you can’t even wait until the morning to feast after a night out. UVA’s Corner is crawling with late night joints, so depending on your mood, you can find a Gus burger (s/o White Spot), slices of pizza, fried pork dumplings, and other munchies. If you’re not the typical late night eater, you might have to make an exception before graduating to experience the serotonin of ordering a ton of food to share with friends when you get back home after a night on the town. Being a senior means you won’t get to experience all those college town food fantasies soon, so take advantage of the spots when they’re still steps from your dorm or apartment.
Special Occassion Restaurant
Like I mentioned earlier, one exciting part of Charlottesville is the restaurant scene beyond UVA’s actual Grounds. There are tons of nice dinner places, fun cuisines, and uniquely decorated restaurants that make having family visit extra special. While eating out can be expensive, I definitely think it’s a luxury worth investing in towards the end of college because there are definitely spots you’ve been meaning to visit for the past four years and haven’t. Take a night this week while you’re done with finals but still in town to make a reservation somewhere special and celebrate finishing college with some of your best friends. You won’t regret it in five years from now!
Reliable Takeout Joint
Everyone has their go-to orders at their favorite takeout spots. Mine at UVA is definitely Roots on the Corner or Ivy Provisions if I’m up for a little drive. Nothing hits more after a long day of class, studying, or other academic activities than your favorite takeout order. I definitely need to get my “Old Reliable” grain bowl and sandwich once more before graduating, and I might even splurge on a coffee with it too. I think if you’re not hip to the takeout places in your college town yet, it’s never too late to craft your perfect order to remember when you come back and visit in the future.
Sweet Treat Destination
Another great activity for debriefing previous night antics with friends is the sweet treat spot you know and love. Whether it’s cookies, ice cream, milkshakes, or some other fun dessert, go for a drive with your people, talk about all the memories you’ve made in the past four years, and enjoy a sweet treat together. My roommates and I love to get SugarBear ice cream or Cookout milkshakes on nights we want to do something fun, but also want to stay in our PJs. This is a perfect wholesome activity to do with everyone prior to graduation because you’ll always cherish the late night talks when you think back to your college experience.