Coming to Charlottesville? Right here’s an inventory of what to do in Charlottesville throughout a keep, from outdoorsy actions to wineries to sightseeing.
As a longtime resident (14 years!) of Charlottesville, VA, it’s truthful to imagine I like residing right here. The listing of why I like it’s intensive; there are such a lot of implausible actions to participate in it doesn’t matter what your preferences!
From a ton of historic websites and former presidential properties, the various parks boasting pure wonders, and the hidden-gem eating places, yow will discover loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. At the moment I’m sharing a roundup of stuff you’ll need to do if you are in Charlottesville.
What to Do in Charlottesville
Enjoyable Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
The Charlottesville Ale Path
One factor you’ll shortly discover about Charlottesville is there isn’t any scarcity of breweries. Likelihood is you’ve had a beer from Charlottesville – it’s the place Starr Hill, Satan’s Spine, and Three Notch’d all obtained their begin. Charlottesville continues to play an enormous function within the craft beer scene, with extra nice breweries persevering with to open within the space, together with a number of spots inside strolling distance of each other, and several other positioned close to the pedestrian Downtown Mall.
Given the proximity of the breweries to 1 one other, it was inevitable an Ale Path would sooner or later be created! This can be a enjoyable option to take a strolling tour of the realm, as you possibly can choose ones inside strolling distance of each other.
It’s simple to take part – you’ll merely go to their web site and obtain your passport. Each time you go to a spot on the tour, get a stamp. It’s a good way to discover all the nice areas whereas incomes a free present.
Pizza at Blue Mountain Brewery
The Downtown Mall
Generally, it may be enjoyable to easily stroll round and discover, and the Downtown Mall is ideal for simply that. A pedestrian strolling mall, there are 120 outlets and 30 eating places to select from across the space. You’ll find consignment outlets for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. In case you seize a seat exterior, you possibly can rely on some good folks watching, and lots of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are often actions happening downtown, from stay music to occasions at eating places. Check out the occasions calendar when planning your go to.
C-ville Bites Meals Tour
If you will be downtown anyway, why not contemplate taking a strolling meals tour? In any case, among the finest methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This domestically owned and operated meals tour is a superb likelihood to strive eating places and make new associates!
At present, the Downtown Strolling Meals Crawl consists of savory and candy treats at a wide range of eating places – and even contains round two drinks per particular person, plus taxes and gratuity. If you’re searching for much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combo.
Be sure you arrive hungry and sporting comfy footwear, as you’ll be strolling throughout the Downtown Mall!
Distinctive Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Academical Village and Fralin Museum of Artwork
When visiting Cville, you undoubtedly need to pencil in a go to to the College of Virginia, beginning with the Academical Village. Opened in 1825, it’s a distinctive have a look at the imaginative and prescient Thomas Jefferson had concerning schooling in america, and the structure is gorgeous. It’s simple to see the Roman-Greco affect.
Take a stroll across the village – and perhaps even cease by Edgar Allan Poe’s room on the part generally known as The Vary. It makes for a stunning stroll, and a good way to get to know concerning the historical past of the College.
If you’re an artwork lover, it’s a simple stroll from right here over to the Fralin Museum of Artwork. The gathering includes over 14,000 objects starting from European and American work, pictures, African artwork, Asian artwork, Native American artwork, and extra.
The museum is free to go to, although you’re welcome to depart a donation. It’s open daily besides Monday, although the hours range by day. Make sure and try the hours earlier than visiting.
IX Artwork Park and The Wanting Glass
IX Artwork Park is a 24-hour mural and sculpture artwork park free to the general public to roam and discover. Take a stroll by and discover all the artwork on show, adopted up by lunch at one of many eating places, like Three Notch’d Brewery.
There at all times appears to be one thing taking place at IX, whether or not or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty truthful. A list of occasions may be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Wanting Glass at IX. This immersive artwork area is a very distinctive option to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest permits you to escape the on a regular basis in a magical approach. Tickets may be bought on-line and are $15 for ages 14 and up, $12 for ages 4 – 13, and free for these 3 and underneath.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Artwork Assortment of the College of Virginia
A singular reality about Charlottesville is it’s house to a museum devoted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork. The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Artwork Assortment is the proper option to get a style for Australia with out the lengthy flight.
The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Whereas it’s a part of the College of Virginia, you’ll not discover it on the UVA Grounds. As an alternative, it’s housed in a historic home positioned on the japanese facet of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely beneficial and may be made on-line.
Romantic Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Wineries
There’s a lengthy historical past of wine in Virginia – it’s known as the birthplace of American wine – so it’s not shocking you’ll discover round 40 wineries inside a 25 mile radius. With views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and exquisite settings, wineries are a should for a romantic outing.
Wineries are literally one in every of my favourite choices relating to summer time actions in Charlottesville. You possibly can try my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer time Actions in Charlottesville put up.
Be sure you try the Monticello Wine Path (some are award profitable!) for an inventory of the wineries. All of them have one thing distinctive to supply.
Scorching Air Ballooning
For a extra dramatic romantic assertion, why not strive a scorching air balloon trip? It’s a distinctive option to actually sweep your accomplice off their toes.
This 45 minute journey up within the clouds will take you hovering over the town of Charlottesville. The occasion even contains footage and a conventional champagne (or celebratory NA drink) toast.
Dinner and a Present on the Paramount Theater
Totally restored and reopened in 2004, the historic Paramount Theater within the coronary heart of the Downtown Mall is a superb choice when planning a romantic night time out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you’re positive to search out the proper match to your pursuits. Take a look at their occasions right here.
Whereas out in town, why not add on dinner or an after theater drink at one of many many nice eating places?
Issues to Do with Children in Charlottesville, VA
Dairy Market
Do you will have choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a wrestle? The Dairy Market is a implausible meals vacation spot for households as a result of there are a ton of choices obtainable.
For vegetarians/vegans, you’ll discover GRN Burger, in addition to Citizen Burger Bar for you carnivores. You possibly can take pleasure in a cocktail with a twist at Milk Man’s Bar whereas your kiddos take pleasure in ice cream from Moo Through, positioned in the identical space of the meals corridor. If you’re searching for a sit down meal, South and Central is a superb selection for Latin delicacies.
For followers of stay music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. Additionally they have out of doors seating for those who don’t need to be inside.
Dairy Market can also be at all times internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so be certain and test them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What might be extra good for teenagers than an interactive and academic museum only for them? The Discovery Museum is likely one of the high locations in Charlottesville to take youngsters.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two most important galleries; you possibly can try their displays right here. You too can try their applications right here, however notice that many of those are paid or require registration.
Open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM, it’s a flat fee of $10/particular person whether or not little one or grownup (solely youngsters underneath 1 get in free).
Carter Mountain Orchard & Nation Retailer
For some healthful household enjoyable (with loads of instagrammable photograph ops), Carter Mountain Orchard is an ideal selection. With lovely mountain views and seasonal produce, it really is picturesque. My private favourite is to comply with up apple selecting with scorching apple cider donuts – it’s the good option to rejoice the autumn season!
Followers of arduous cider can be joyful to know there may be additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so remember to try the web site first (that is additionally a good way to see which fruits are in season for selecting).
You possibly can even make a complete time out of your go to by including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to the schedule. This Unesco World Heritage Web site is positioned proper subsequent to the orchard, making it tremendous handy. In case you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s price seeing.
Out of doors Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountaineering
Charlottesville is right for followers of mountaineering. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each talent degree, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
If you would like beautiful views, why not take the thirty minute drive exterior of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You possibly can benefit from the various trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra concerning the totally different mountaineering itineraries in my Greatest Day Journeys from Charlottesville put up.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m at all times an enormous fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the proper option to just do that. Plus, it permits you to get a real style for the realm, from domestically sourced produce to jewellery from native artisans and extra.
Gathering nearly each Saturday morning of the 12 months, these are held simply off the Downtown Mall and within the close by IX Park (although there are different choices all through the county as effectively).
Discover Monticello Gardens
In case you’ve already toured Monticello itself, why not contemplate doing simply the backyard tour?
The gardens at Monticello are an attention-grabbing sight to see. From flowers to edible vegetation, it exhibits you what an enormous operation was (and stays) in place at this historic web site.
The Gardens & Grounds all day cross is $22 for adults, $8 for teenagers 12 – 18, and free to these underneath 12. It doesn’t embrace admittance into the home. You should purchase your tickets right here.
Fridays after 5
Fridays After 5 is a Charlottesville establishment. Held from mid-April to early September and held within the Ting Pavilion in downtown Charlottesville, you possibly can take pleasure in a free out of doors live performance expertise.
On each Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, you possibly can take pleasure in free music, with loads of onsite foods and drinks distributors to buy from as effectively. Take pleasure in a drink whereas folks watching, as they will get an enormous crowd.
You may make a complete night time of it and head off to dinner afterwards. As you’ll be proper downtown, it makes it good and handy.
That finishes out my round-up of a few of my favourite issues to do when visiting Charlottesville! In case you add this stuff to your itinerary, you’re positive to get a real really feel of the city.
