5 Day Trips Around Culpeper for any Kind of Foodie
Our favorite pastime? Day trippin’ of course! We’re always on the hunt for new foodie destinations where we can make a quick getaway for the day. With that in mind, we teamed up with the The Town of Culpeper to put together this list of day trips to satisfy any kind of foodie, whether you’re a Downtown Diner, Nature-Lover, History Buff, Spirit Drinker, or have a Foodie Family. Culpeper has got it all!
Check out all our trip itineraries below, and happy day tripping!
Trip #1: For the Window Shopper & Downtown Diner
Breakfast:
Start off with a classic Culpeper treat: donuts at Knakal’s Bakery. They also have yummy breads, pastries, and eclairs so you’re sure to walk out with a full belly of breakfast, no matter what you’re in the mood for.
AM activity:
A selfie or two at the “Reel Love” LOVEWorks statue at the Depot then do some walking and shopping in the downtown Main Street and Davis street areas. Our picks are Le Monkey House, Green Roost, and Botanical Dwellings.
Lunch:
Keep the downtown love going with a lunch stop at Thyme Market. It’s a cozy European-style market featuring a wide selection of sandwiches, entrees, breads and dessert. Eat it on the veranda al fresco to fully enjoy Culpeper’s lively historic downtown.
PM:
Head over to Poppy & Chalk for some vintage home decor and finish up with some ice cream at Scoop on Davis, which is in the same building. Convenient, right? Then it’s time to walk off some of those calories with a walk to some of Culpeper’s parklets. Parklets are small outdoor areas along Culpeper’s most walkable streets that extend the sidewalks and create space for amenities like seating, landscaping, art and more. There are currently 5 in the downtown area. Can you visit them all?
Dinner:
What’s better than a vintage theater for ambiance? How about a rooftop terrace? Good thing our pick for dinner has both! The Sangria Bowl is a Latin American/Caribbean restaurant with an Art Deco vibe. They’ve got creative sangria drinks, cocktails, Latin small plates, and a killer taco menu.
Trip #2: For the Nature-Loving Foodie
Breakfast:
Pick up a healthy breakfast from 18 Grams Coffee Lab along with an expertly crafted espresso bevvie. 18 Grams is the perfect place to start out a day of cycling. It’s even located in a bike shop! You’re going to need some top-quality fuel for a day of outdoor excursions.
AM Activity:
Culpeper has some great scenic biking trails that loop in and around the town and through the beautiful hills and farms of the Piedmont. Our pick is this great 23 mile loop by Culpeper Cycling that starts and stops in downtown Culpeper. It’s perfect for a not-too-strenuous weekend ride. Plus–the loop is conveniently close to not one, but two breweries: Far Gohn and Beer Hound Brewing. Nothing better than a cold beer to finish up a ride!
Lunch:
Any nature appreciating foodie loves a good picnic. But when you’re day-tripping, who has time to pack a lunch? Ole Country Store has got you covered, with a huge selection of sammies and sides perfect for a picnic lunch. Scenic picnic locations are aplenty around Culpeper, but our favorite has to be Lake Pelham. Speaking of…
PM Activity:
Burn off those calories with some good old-fashioned fun on the lake. Lake Pelham Adventures has paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boat rentals so you can cruise on the water in any way that works for you. Plus, if you’re a fishing aficianado–this reservoir lake has plenty of fish to catch, including crappie and channel catfish. Fish on, foodies!
Dinner:
We’re keeping the outdoor theme going with our pick for dinner: La Chiapaneca Food Truck. Enjoy traditional flavors of Chiapas Mexico with a dash of Salvadoran. They have plenty of covered outdoor picnic tables to enjoy your food in the cool evening air.
Trip #3: For the History Buff Foodie
Breakfast:
Start off your history-filled day trip with a breakfast a the Frost Café, this vintage diner is like stepping into a 1950s time capsule, complete with booths straight out of Happy Days. Their menu has all the no-fuss favorites of yesteryear, perfect for a history-loving foodie to start their day trip off right.
AM Activity:
The Burgandine House is a true gem of colonial-era Culpeper. This restored log plank property dates back to the late 18th century and is a rare example of a working-class house. The Burgandine House is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is open for visitors Friday 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm, and Sunday 1:00 pm-5:00 pm. It’s free to visit, but donations are encouraged.
Lunch:
We’re keeping the classic Culpeper vibes rolling for lunch! Baby Jims Snack Bar opened in 1947, and has been serving generations of Culpeper residents ever since. This classic American food counter is no frills, just good food.
PM Activity:
This stop is a few miles outside of Culpeper proper, but a great choice for anyone who likes a bit of history in the great outdoors. Cedar Mountain Battlefield is the place where a Civil War battle occurred over 150 years ago. Present day, its a great place for walking and learning via many educational waysides along the paths. You can also request a guided tour to get the full historical experience.
Dinner:
End your day with farm-to-table cuisine and cocktails at Grass Rootes, located in Culpeper’s oldest commercial building, if you play your cards right- there might be some live music too!
Trip #4: For the Virginia Spirits Lover
Breakfast:
For a day of imbibing, it’s best to start off on a good foot. Get a filling breakfast and some quality coffee from Raven’s Nest Coffeeshop in downtown Culpeper. The do offer local beer and wine, but you should probably hold off until later in the day.
AM Activity:
We have a solid day of tastings ahead! First stop is Old House Vineyards, Virginia’s first “trifecta” aka a brewery, winery and distillery. Sounds like fun! They normally offer a “Trifecta Tour”, but COVID has nixed those for now. However, the tasting room is open for business, and it is a veritable paradise for anyone who loves a good drink. You can also walk the property, which includes a picturesque pond that looks like it’s straight out of a story book.
Lunch:
Old House has a Brewery Taproom on-site with an ever-changing selection of seasonal eats. They also have their very own Irish Pub located next door. Sounds like a recipe for a fun–and boozy–lunch!
PM Activity:
Culpeper continues to amaze with our picks for this next activity. You have a few options to get your drink on in the afternoon, depending on your tastes and the day of the week. You can do some wine tasting at Vinosity on Saturdays from noon to 5pm or you can check out one of the other area breweries/distilleries like Far Gohn Brewing, Belmont Farm Distillery or Mountain Run Winery.
Dinner:
Any spirits lover visitor should make a stop at Flavor on Main. This art-deco themed fine dining joint harkens back to the 20’s and 30’s with their luxurious decor alongside 20’s-themed cocktails with names like “All That Jazz” and the “Great Gatsby” just to name a few.
Trip #5: For the Foodie Family
Breakfast:
Satisfy even the most pickiest of eaters with a breakfast at Moving Meadows Bakery. Their homemade cinnamon buns are famous in Culpeper and beyond. Definitely take some to-go to fuel the rest of your fun-filled family day trip
AM Activity:
Kiddos need to blow off some steam? Rockwater Park is a relatively new addition to Culpeper. It opened in 2018 from retired farmland and it’s rolling hills and family atmosphere have been drawing fans ever since. It’s got plenty to wear out both kids and parents with amenities like a splash pad, climbing boulder, Fitcore Extreme obstacle course and a disc golf course.
Lunch:
What’s more family-friendly than barbecue? Shawn’s Smokehouse BBQ has got a little something for everyone in the foodie fam: classic barbecue, smoked wings, homemade sides, and killer cheesecake. Seriously, get the cheesecake y’all, and thank us later.
PM Activity:
We have a couple options for an afternoon activities for the fam depending on the day of the week you make the day trip. Pick 1 is the Bealeton Flying Circus Air Show. They put on amazing aerial shows every Sunday from May-October. Pick 2 is Yowell Meadow Park. It’s got a paved educational walking trail, nature trail, play areas for the kiddos, and a skate park!
Dinner:
An active day with the fam calls for some quality eats for dinner. Pinto Thai is family-owned and operated, and has built up a reputation as a family favorite with their generous portions, and an extensive menu filled with authentic Thai dishes. Talk about a crowd-pleaser!
So there you have it, foodies! Five different day trips to satisfy any kind of foodie, whether you’re a window shopper, nature-lover, history buff, spirit swiller, or foodie fam. The town of Culpeper has got it all, and is perfectly situated as the ultimate daytrip distance away DC, Charlottesville, and RVA. Want to stay awhile? Check out these lodging options if you plan on a multi-day vacay. Cheers to Culpeper!
(This article is part of a paid partnership with the Town of Culpeper.)
