Catherine Z.

University of Virginia

This university attracts some of the best professors, because of its reputation and quality of life (Charlottesville is a lot prettier and cheaper than New Haven, e.g.). It attracts some of the best students because of its reputation and quality of life (you don't have to mortgage the rest of your life to go there). The Grounds are beautiful, the student body diverse, and the atmosphere more conservative than your average college. And there is no way to properly convey in this short review format how great an education and wonderful a life experience you would have by attending UVa. Check out the stats, both going into the University (like SAT scores, class rankings, etc.) and coming out of the University (Rhodes Scholars, Fulbrights, etc.), and compare them to any college in the country. Then go there and spend few days visiting.

PROS: "Cheap" tuition, brilliant professors, beautiful Grounds
CONS:

Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics

Don't let the name fool you. They do cranial banding for plagiocephaly, too. And, at a lower price than the other cranial banding place in town, Cranial Technologies. Plus, instead of doing a plaster mold of your baby's head, like some places, they do a laser scan. If you have a baby, you know the latter is definitely preferable. They are also very good about working with your insurance company, no matter how long it takes.

Frontgate

If you need unique, high-end, household goods, this is the place to go. The sales staff is extremely helpful, as you would expect in a store with this price point. Although the store itself is not that big, they also have a catalog with additional items.

PROS: Good quality.
CONS: Pricey.

Saint Mark Catholic Church

Well, you don't really have to have a family to go here, but you'll feel more like everyone else if you do. They have wonderful children's programs, a nursery, a crying room in the back of the church . . . it's a very child-friendly church.
However, it is a huge, suburban church, that just keeps getting bigger. The homilies are nothing that challenging - very milk-toast. They meet in the church's gymnasium because it does not have a dedicated worship space yet. Unlike another Catholic church accessible to NW Charlotteans, this church seems more inward-looking than outward-looking.

PROS: New. Family-oriented.
CONS: Big. Bland.

St Peter's Catholic Church

If you live in the NW part of Charlotte, your choices for Catholic churches are limited. Fortunately, St. Peters is conveniently located downtown, with its very own underground parking. It is run by Jesuits, which gives it a more liberal bent and social service agenda. You'll know that in this parish, your money is going directly to the poor.
It is a small, brick, old-style church (i.e., long, center aisle), right next to uptown. The parishoners are friendly and so are the priests.

PROS: Feels like a church. Location.
CONS:

Bodo's Bagel Bakery Sandwich

Really, there are no better bagels on the East Coast, except for NYC and its suburbs. Some places may come close, but they are just not the same. And, since the owner is, well, the owner and not a franchisee, these bagels are about the cheapest you get anywhere. Each time we find ourselves in Charlottesville, we buy as much as we think we can eat before they get stale (I think next time we'll start buying more just to freeze; they're that good).

PROS: Bagels. The Price.
CONS: The crowds.

Junior League Wearhouse

This second-hand store is a money-making endeavor for the Junior League of Charlotte. It uses the money it raises through the store for charitable projects around the city. As a result, this store tends to be the donation center of choice for many well-to-do Junior Leaguers. That equals real bargains for shoppers.
The store has every kind of men's and women's clothing (including designer threads), as well as jewelry, shoes, books, children's toys, furniture, and random household items. And they all have great prices. For example, I have seen gold necklaces for $20, a cedar trunk for $100, a woman's LeSuit brand suit for $25, and an incomplete men's golf set with bag for $15. The only down side is you have to hunt to find the deals and/or be lucky with your timing.

PROS: Great deals.
CONS: Have to hunt for the deals.

Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

Before December 2005, the last time I'd been to the Grove Park Inn was twenty years ago. Except for the spa, it seemed as if nothing had changed. And that's a good thing. Unlike the other reviewer, we were in a tiny room with an obstructed view, right next to the spa. Who cares? Who spends time in the room in a resort like this? Plus, just to let you know, in case you are traveling with an infant like we were, the GPI has really nice wooden cribs. And, I think the reason we were given the room we were is that we had no neighbors, which is wonderful when you have a loud baby.
It being December, the whole place was decorated for Christmas, with Christmas trees and gingerbread houses everywhere. At night, there was a roaring fire in the gigantic fireplace, with rocking chairs set up in front of it, for a nice drink in the evening. During the day, there were singers and dancing bears (people in costumes) for children's sing-alongs.
Also, if you want a small, quiet place to grab a bite, the spa's cafe was a wonderfully yummy place to go, and you did not have to be getting spa services to go to the cafe.

PROS: Everything, except the cost.
CONS: Pricey.

Shelton Vineyard Inc

This vineyard has a lot of potential. The owners have obviously poured a lot of money into the facility. And it's not just image. Although the grounds are impressive for this area of the country, the grape growing and wine making are also very professionally done. The tasting room is the largest we have seen in Virginia or North Carolina. They have a nifty barrel adoption program. And, it is an easy drive from Charlotte, a major city.
Unfortunately, the wines just aren't there yet. The ones we tasted were generally weak, and just not that sophisticated. That said, we will definitely return, because we are certain that the wines will improve.

PROS: Impressive physical plant.
CONS: The wine doesn't match it.

Valhalla Vineyards

There are many wineries in Virginia with great mountain views. There are few wineries that match that view with their wine. This one does.
In 2005, we stopped by this winery with our 1 month old. The view from on top of their mountain is gorgeous. Their tasting room is inviting, with tables inside and out for relaxing and drinking wine. And the employees are very patient, as was proven by them letting us perch at a table just to feed our child and then not getting upset when she spit up on their floor.
We ended up buying a mixed case of their wine and enjoyed every bottle.

PROS: Great wine, beautiful location.
CONS: