Coming to Charlottesville? Right here’s a listing 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 honest to imagine I really like residing right here. The listing of why I like it’s in depth; there are such a lot of improbable actions to participate in it doesn’t matter what your preferences!
From a ton of historic websites and former presidential houses, the various parks boasting pure wonders, and the hidden-gem eating places, you could find loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. As we speak I’m sharing a roundup of stuff you’ll wish to do when you are in Charlottesville.
What to Do in Charlottesville
Enjoyable Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
The Charlottesville Ale Path
One factor you’ll rapidly 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 acquired their begin. Charlottesville continues to play an enormous position 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 a number of other situated close to the pedestrian Downtown Mall.
Given the proximity of the breweries to at least one one other, it was inevitable an Ale Path would in the future be created! This can be a enjoyable method to take a strolling tour of the realm, as you possibly can choose ones inside strolling distance of each other.
It’s straightforward 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 an effective way to discover all the nice places 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 will discover consignment outlets for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chew to eat. If you happen to seize a seat outdoors, you possibly can rely on some good individuals watching, and most of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are normally actions happening downtown, from dwell music to occasions at eating places. Check out the occasions calendar when planning your go to.
C-ville Bites Meals Tour
If you’re going to be downtown anyway, why not contemplate taking a strolling meals tour? In spite of everything, probably the greatest 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 mates!
At present, the Downtown Strolling Meals Crawl consists of savory and candy treats at quite a lot of eating places – and even contains round two drinks per particular person, plus taxes and gratuity. If you’re on the lookout for much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combination.
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 wish to pencil in a go to to the College of Virginia, beginning with the Academical Village. Opened in 1825, it’s a distinctive take a look at the imaginative and prescient Thomas Jefferson had relating to training in the USA, and the structure is gorgeous. It’s straightforward to see the Roman-Greco affect.
Take a stroll across the village – and possibly even cease by Edgar Allan Poe’s room on the part often called The Vary. It makes for a stunning stroll, and an effective 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 contains 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 every single day besides Monday, although the hours fluctuate by day. Ensure and try the hours earlier than visiting.
IX Artwork Park and The Trying 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 means of and discover all the artwork on show, adopted up by lunch at one of many eating places, like Three Notch’d Brewery.
There all the time appears to be one thing occurring at IX, whether or not or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty honest. A list of occasions will be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Trying Glass at IX. This immersive artwork house is a very distinctive method to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest lets you escape the on a regular basis in a magical means. Tickets will be bought on-line and are $15 for ages 14 and up, $12 for ages 4 – 13, and free for these 3 and beneath.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Artwork Assortment of the College of Virginia
A novel truth 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 right method 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 a substitute, it’s housed in a historic home situated on the japanese aspect of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely really useful and will 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 delightful settings, wineries are a should for a romantic outing.
Wineries are literally certainly one of my favourite choices on the subject of summer season actions in Charlottesville. You may try my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer season Actions in Charlottesville publish.
Be sure you try the Monticello Wine Path (some are award profitable!) for a listing of the wineries. All of them have one thing distinctive to supply.
Sizzling Air Ballooning
For a extra dramatic romantic assertion, why not strive a scorching air balloon trip? It’s a distinctive method to actually sweep your companion off their ft.
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 certain to seek out the right match in your pursuits. Try 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 may have choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a battle? The Dairy Market is a improbable meals vacation spot for households as a result of there are a ton of choices accessible.
For vegetarians/vegans, you’ll discover GRN Burger, in addition to Citizen Burger Bar for you carnivores. You may take pleasure in a cocktail with a twist at Milk Man’s Bar whereas your kiddos take pleasure in ice cream from Moo Via, situated in the identical space of the meals corridor. If you’re on the lookout for a sit down meal, South and Central is a superb selection for Latin delicacies.
For followers of dwell music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. Additionally they have outside seating for those who don’t wish to be inside.
Dairy Market can also be all the time 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 without doubt one of the prime locations in Charlottesville to take children.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two primary galleries; you possibly can try their reveals right here. You may also try their packages right here, however word 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 children beneath 1 get in free).
Carter Mountain Orchard & Nation Retailer
For some healthful household enjoyable (with loads of instagrammable picture ops), Carter Mountain Orchard is an ideal selection. With stunning mountain views and seasonal produce, it really is picturesque. My private favourite is to observe up apple choosing with scorching apple cider donuts – it’s the good method to rejoice the autumn season!
Followers of arduous cider might be completely satisfied to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost situated right here. Their hours are seasonal, so be sure you try the web site first (that is additionally an effective way to see which fruits are in season for choosing).
You may even make an entire day trip of your go to by including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to the schedule. This Unesco World Heritage Website is situated proper subsequent to the orchard, making it tremendous handy. If you happen to haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s value seeing.
Outside Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountaineering
Charlottesville is good for followers of climbing. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each talent degree, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
If you need gorgeous views, why not take the thirty minute drive outdoors of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You may make the most of the various trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra concerning the completely different climbing itineraries in my Finest Day Journeys from Charlottesville publish.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m all the time an enormous fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the right method to just do that. Plus, it lets you 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
If you happen to’ve already toured Monticello itself, why not contemplate doing simply the backyard tour?
The gardens at Monticello are an fascinating sight to see. From flowers to edible vegetation, it exhibits you what an enormous operation was (and stays) in place at this historic website.
The Gardens & Grounds all day move is $22 for adults, $8 for teens 12 – 18, and free to these beneath 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 outside 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 individuals watching, as they’ll get an enormous crowd.
You can also make an entire 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! If you happen to add this stuff to your itinerary, you’re certain to get a real really feel of the city.
