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 truthful to imagine I really like dwelling right here. The listing of why I like it’s in depth; there are such a lot of incredible 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, you will discover loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. Right now I’m sharing a roundup of belongings 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 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 a number of other situated close to the pedestrian Downtown Mall.
Given the proximity of the breweries to 1 one other, it was inevitable an Ale Path would someday be created! This can be a enjoyable method to take a strolling tour of the realm, as you’ll be able to 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 an effective way to discover all the nice areas whereas incomes a free reward.
Pizza at Blue Mountain Brewery
The Downtown Mall
Typically, 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. Yow will discover consignment outlets for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. If you happen to seize a seat exterior, you’ll be able to rely on some good folks watching, and most of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are normally actions happening downtown, from reside 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 take into account taking a strolling meals tour? In spite of everything, the most effective methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This regionally owned and operated meals tour is a superb probability to attempt eating places and make new pals!
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. In case you are in search of much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combo.
You should definitely arrive hungry and carrying comfy sneakers, 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 positively 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 US, and the structure is gorgeous. It’s simple 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 generally known as The Vary. It makes for a beautiful stroll, and an effective way to get to know in regards to the historical past of the College.
In case you are an artwork lover, it’s a straightforward stroll from right here over to the Fralin Museum of Artwork. The gathering contains over 14,000 objects starting from European and American work, images, African artwork, Asian artwork, Native American artwork, and extra.
The museum is free to go to, although you might be welcome to depart a donation. It’s open daily besides Monday, although the hours range by day. Be certain and take a look at 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 way of 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 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 method to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest permits you to escape the on a regular basis in a magical means. 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 below.
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 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 an alternative, 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 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 isn’t stunning 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 among my favourite choices in terms of summer season actions in Charlottesville. You possibly can take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer time Actions in Charlottesville publish.
You should definitely take a look at the Monticello Wine Path (some are award profitable!) for a listing of the wineries. All of them have one thing distinctive to supply.
Scorching Air Ballooning
For a extra dramatic romantic assertion, why not attempt a sizzling air balloon trip? It’s a distinctive method to actually sweep your accomplice off their toes.
This 45 minute journey up within the clouds will take you hovering over town of Charlottesville. The occasion even contains footage and a standard champagne (or celebratory NA drink) toast.
Dinner and a Present on the Paramount Theater
Absolutely 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 evening out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you might be positive to search out the proper match in 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 Youngsters in Charlottesville, VA
Dairy Market
Do you’ve choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a battle? The Dairy Market is a incredible 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 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, situated in the identical space of the meals corridor. In case you are in search of a sit down meal, South and Central is a superb alternative for Latin delicacies.
For followers of reside music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and luxuriate in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. In addition they have outside seating if you happen to don’t wish to be inside.
Dairy Market can also be at all times internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so ensure and test them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What might be extra good for youths than an interactive and academic museum only for them? The Discovery Museum is among the prime locations in Charlottesville to take children.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two fundamental galleries; you’ll be able to take a look at their displays right here. You too can take a look at 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 price of $10/particular person whether or not youngster or grownup (solely children below 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 alternative. With stunning mountain views and seasonal produce, it actually is picturesque. My private favourite is to comply with up apple choosing with sizzling apple cider donuts – it’s the good method to have fun the autumn season!
Followers of onerous cider shall be comfortable to know there may be additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost situated right here. Their hours are seasonal, so you’ll want to take a look at the web site first (that is additionally an effective way to see which fruits are in season for choosing).
You possibly can even make an entire time out of your go to by including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to the schedule. This Unesco World Heritage Web site 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.
Out of doors Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Climbing
Charlottesville is good for followers of mountain climbing. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each talent stage, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
If you need 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 in regards to the completely different mountain climbing itineraries in my Greatest Day Journeys from Charlottesville publish.
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 method to just do that. Plus, it permits you to get a real style for the realm, from regionally sourced produce to jewellery from native artisans and extra.
Gathering nearly each Saturday morning of the yr, 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 take into account doing simply the backyard tour?
The gardens at Monticello are an attention-grabbing sight to see. From flowers to edible crops, 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 below 12. It doesn’t embody 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’ll be able to take pleasure in a free outside live performance expertise.
On each Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, you’ll be able to take pleasure in free music, with loads of onsite foods and drinks distributors to buy from as effectively. Get pleasure from a drink whereas folks watching, as they will get an enormous crowd.
You can also make an entire evening 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 might be positive to get a real really feel of the city.