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 really like residing right here. The record of why I like it’s intensive; 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 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. At the moment I’m sharing a roundup of belongings you’ll wish to do while you’re 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 a scarcity of breweries. Chances are high 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 a giant 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 positioned 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 someday be created! It is a enjoyable approach to take a strolling tour of the world, as you may 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 a good way to discover all the good places 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 retailers and 30 eating places to select from across the space. You could find consignment retailers for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. Should you seize a seat outdoors, you may depend on some good individuals watching, and lots of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are often 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 take into account taking a strolling meals tour? In any case, among the best methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This domestically owned and operated meals tour is a superb probability to attempt eating places and make new pals!
At the moment, 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 individual, plus taxes and gratuity. In case you are on the lookout for much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combination.
You should definitely arrive hungry and sporting snug 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 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 have a look at the imaginative and prescient Thomas Jefferson had concerning training in america, 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 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.
In case you are 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, 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 differ by day. Be certain and take a look at 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 via 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 taking place at IX, whether or not or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty truthful. An inventory of occasions might be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Trying Glass at IX. This immersive artwork area is a very distinctive approach to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest lets you escape the on a regular basis in a magical method. Tickets might 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 truth about Charlottesville is it’s dwelling to a museum devoted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork. The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Artwork Assortment is the proper approach 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 jap aspect of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely really helpful and might 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 stunning 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 one in all my favourite choices on the subject of summer time actions in Charlottesville. You may take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer time Actions in Charlottesville put up.
You should definitely take a look at the Monticello Wine Path (some are award successful!) 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 attempt a sizzling air balloon journey? It’s a distinctive approach to actually sweep your associate off their toes.
This 45 minute journey up within the clouds will take you hovering over the town of Charlottesville. The occasion even contains photos and a standard 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 live shows, the ballet, the opera, comedy reveals, and extra, you might be certain 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 Children in Charlottesville, VA
Dairy Market
Do you’ve got choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a wrestle? The Dairy Market is a incredible meals vacation spot for households as a result of there are a ton of choices out there.
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 Through, positioned in the identical space of the meals corridor. In case you are 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 luxuriate in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. In addition 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 ensure and verify them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What may very well be extra excellent 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 youngsters.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two primary galleries; you may take a look at their reveals right here. You too can take a look at their packages right here, however observe 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/individual 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 picture ops), Carter Mountain Orchard is an ideal selection. With lovely mountain views and seasonal produce, it really is picturesque. My private favourite is to observe up apple selecting with sizzling apple cider donuts – it’s the excellent approach to have a good time the autumn season!
Followers of laborious cider will likely be pleased to know there may be additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so make sure to take a look at the web site first (that is additionally a good way to see which fruits are in season for selecting).
You may even make a complete time out of your go to by including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to the schedule. This Unesco World Heritage Website is positioned proper subsequent to the orchard, making it tremendous handy. Should you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s value seeing.
Outside Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountain climbing
Charlottesville is good for followers of mountain climbing. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each talent degree, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
If you’d like beautiful views, why not take the thirty minute drive outdoors of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You may benefit from the various trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra concerning the totally different mountain climbing itineraries in my Finest Day Journeys from Charlottesville put up.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m all the time a giant fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the proper approach to just do that. Plus, it lets you get a real style for the world, 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
Should you’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 vegetation, it reveals 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 teenagers 12 – 18, and free to these underneath 12. It doesn’t embody admittance into the home. You should buy 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 may take pleasure in a free outside live performance expertise.
On each Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, you may take pleasure in free music, with loads of onsite food and drinks distributors to buy from as effectively. Get pleasure from a drink whereas individuals watching, as they’ll get a giant crowd.
You can also 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! Should you add this stuff to your itinerary, you might be certain to get a real really feel of the city.
