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 residing right here. The checklist 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 properties, the numerous 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 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 rapidly discover about Charlottesville is there is no such thing as a 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 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 several 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 someday 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 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. Should 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’re going to be downtown anyway, why not contemplate taking a strolling meals tour? In spite of everything, among the finest 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 present, the Downtown Strolling Meals Crawl consists of savory and candy treats at quite a lot of eating places – and even consists of round two drinks per individual, plus taxes and gratuity. If you’re in search of much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combination.
Make sure to arrive hungry and carrying 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 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 the USA, and the structure is gorgeous. It’s straightforward 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 referred to as The Vary. It makes for a stunning stroll, and an effective way to get to know in regards to 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 might be welcome to go away a donation. It’s open every single day besides Monday, although the hours fluctuate by day. Ensure 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 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 it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty truthful. A list of occasions could 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 approach. Tickets could 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 novel reality about Charlottesville is it’s residence 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 an alternative, it’s housed in a historic home situated on the japanese facet of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely advisable and could 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 certainly one of my favourite choices on the subject of summer season actions in Charlottesville. You may take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer time Actions in Charlottesville publish.
Make sure to 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 experience? It’s a distinctive method to actually sweep your associate off their toes.
This 45 minute journey up within the clouds will take you hovering over town of Charlottesville. The occasion even consists of photos 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 night time out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you might be positive to search out the right match to 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 Youngsters in Charlottesville, VA
Dairy Market
Do you have got 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 obtainable.
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, situated in the identical space of the meals corridor. If you’re in search of a sit down meal, South and Central is a superb alternative for Latin delicacies.
For followers of stay music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. In addition they have outside seating if you happen to don’t need to be inside.
Dairy Market can be all the time internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so make certain and verify them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What could possibly 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 important galleries; you possibly can 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 fee of $10/individual whether or not baby or grownup (solely children 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 alternative. With stunning mountain views and seasonal produce, it really is picturesque. My private favourite is to comply with up apple selecting with sizzling apple cider donuts – it’s the good method to have a good time the autumn season!
Followers of onerous cider shall be glad to know there may be additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost situated right here. Their hours are seasonal, so make sure you take a look at the web site first (that is additionally an effective way to see which fruits are in season for selecting).
You may 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. Should you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s price seeing.
Out of doors 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 ability degree, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
In order for you gorgeous views, why not take the thirty minute drive exterior of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You may make the most of the numerous trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra in regards to the totally different mountain climbing itineraries in my Greatest Day Journeys from Charlottesville publish.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m all the time a giant fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the right method 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 nicely).
Discover Monticello Gardens
Should 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 move is $22 for adults, $8 for teens 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 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 nicely. Get pleasure from a drink whereas folks watching, as they will get a giant 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! Should you add these things to your itinerary, you might be positive to get a real really feel of the city.
