Day Trip to Culpeper

I accidentally came upon the town of Culpeper....and I'm so happy I did! This is such a hidden gem!

Description: Quaint town with an abundance of eateries and shops

Price: $3 for coffee; $8-10 for lunch

Perfect for: Day Trip for shopping and eating

Distance: 2 hours from Lynchburg, 45 minutes from Charlottesville

Why it's a treasure: The charm of an old-town with modern touches

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I'm still so confused by Culpeper, VA. I didn't expect the town to be much; it was just a rendezvous point so I could meet a friend. Google searches showed a quiet town with square buildings and a few odd eateries. When I told someone I was heading to Culpeper, they kind of looked at me funny. Like, what's there even to do in Culpeper?

Main St.

But this little town is full of surprises! Admittedly, it is only one street long. It's also extremely quiet in Culpeper (AKA Main St.), but the stillness adds to its charm. I now recommend this town to all of my Lynchburg and Charlottesville friends. I can't imagine spending an extended period of time there, but Culpeper is perfect for a day trip. Here's an itinerary to help you see Main St. at its best!

First Stop: Raven's Nest Coffee House

I've frequented A LOT of coffee shops so far, but this one was totally unique and eclectic. To be honest, I feel like it doesn't really fit within the colonial feel of Culpeper; Raven's Nest feels kind of mysterious and and Poe-tesque. We spied some vintage mailboxes, alluding to the coffee shop's previous role as a post office.They serve excellent coffee and have a whole assortment of baked goods, which they make daily at the shop. Coffee in a vintage post office? Yes, please.

Next Stop: Main St. Shops

I was really impressed by the diversity of all the shops here. There is a balsamic and olive oil store, which offers as many samples and flavors as you could ever want. The Frechman's Corner is a tantalizing chocolate shop with the most creative use of sugar. If you want a real treat/freak-out, walk to the upstairs of the La Bee da Loca to see the working beehive (behind glass, of course). The noise of all those bees is really disarming. Bonus points if you can spot the Queen Bee!

You know a town is going places if they have a Magnolia Home store....yup, Culpeper even boasts Chip and Jo! You can pick up all of your white-washed wood and monogrammed spoons in this perfectly organized space called poppy + chalk. Connected to the boutique is an adorable ice cream place called Scoop. It's also associated with the Magnolia Home brand....need I say more? I asked my friend to get ice cream just to I could sit inside and let the artsy inspiration wash over me. Favorite part: ice cream scoop chandelier!

Last Stop: It's About Thyme

It's About Thyme is a fine dining eatery serving European fare. The menu is absolutely mouth-watering and all visitors seem to rave about the food. I would recommend its sister store though, known as It's About Thyme Market, if you are on a budget. The market is fast-paced and bustling with people ordering inexpensive (but delicious!) sandwiches and pizzas. The market is full of baked goods, cheeses, dips and meats, all for instant purchase, too. If you want the best experience though, order off the to-go menu but ask to sit outside in the alley-way. It's probably the best use of a small space I've ever seen. Absolutely charming!

Eat under the lights of It's About Thyme Market

My friend summed up our experience well: "We don't know who you are Culpeper, but we think we love you." Go see it for yourself!