Downtown Mall
Pedestrian mall
Eight brick-paved blocks of restaurants, shops, music and people-watching.
Since
1976
Where
Downtown
From Downtown
You’re here
On Cville Daily
5 plans
About
Old Main Street became the Downtown Mall in 1976, and it's now one of the longest pedestrian malls in the country. Under the willow oaks you'll find outdoor patios, street performers, independent shops and two historic theaters. It's where Charlottesville goes on a nice evening.
History
- 1976Main Street is closed to cars and becomes a pedestrian mall designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin.
- 1990sBars and restaurants on the Mall help launch a music scene that includes Dave Matthews Band.
- 2000sThe Paramount reopens and the amphitheater at the east end brings concerts downtown.
Fun stuff
🧱
The brick paving is part of the original design.
🎸
Street musicians play most warm evenings.
🍦
Grab a cone and walk end to end. It's a Cville ritual.
Map
Open in Maps ↗Who’s heading here 🙋
Browsing used books on the Downtown MallHayden · Right now · See plan →
Pie at Quality Pie, then a stroll down the MallSydney · This morning · See plan →
Farmers market downtown, then brunch somewhere closeQuinn · This weekend · See plan →
Walking the Downtown Mall with a coffee from MudhouseJordan · Right now · See plan →
Grabbing a Bodo's bagel and heading to the downtown mall.A local · Right now · See plan →
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