Whether or not you’re native or planning a go to to Cville, listed here are a number of the finest summer time actions in Charlottesville to maintain you cool and fill your days with journey!
Summer time in Charlottesville could also be scorching and steamy at occasions, however there’s no higher time of yr to get outdoors and discover all that town and delightful surrounding countryside has to supply. From mountain climbing to river sports activities to wine tasting, there are actions for all ages.
Perhaps you’re planning a household weekend to Charlottesville and want concepts on easy methods to cool off.
Perhaps you’re dropping off your first-year off on the College of Virginia and are eager to spend a number of days doing outside lively adventures.
Or possibly you reside in Cville and have one thing so as to add to this record within the feedback!
I’d say that Might, June, and September are the perfect months to go to if you wish to dine outdoors with out melting, as July and August can get fairly humid. However if you’re coming within the hottest months – simply discover a river, splash park, or try the Blue Ridge Tunnel hike and also you’ll be high-quality!
I requested my neighbors and pals to record their favourite actions and right here’s what topped their lists.
Summer time Actions In Charlottesville
1. The Rivanna River
The Rivanna River runs proper via Charlottesville, and it’s an effective way to chill off. Riverview Park lies alongside the river and has a pleasant riverfront path and playground for youths. There’s additionally entry to the river subsequent to the playground the place you possibly can wade and swim. The “seaside” isn’t large although, so anticipate to sit down on rocks!
There are a number of rope swings alongside the Riverview Park greenway. You’ll should stroll to get to them, however they’re a great deal of enjoyable!
Lastly, I’m not an outdoorsy kind of woman (snakes!), however lots of my pals LOVE floating down the Rivanna in tubes! Try the Rivanna River Firm for all the main points on how to try this.
2. Crabtree Falls Hike
A little bit over an hour’s drive southwest of Charlottesville is George Washington Nationwide Forest the place you’ll discover Crabtree Falls hike. The path winds subsequent to 1,000 toes of waterfall drop – a brilliant spectacular waterfall! The three.5-mile hike took our household of 4 a few hours, together with stops for pictures, a picnic, and pausing to admire nature’s magnificence : ) Seize sandwiches from Bellair Market to get pleasure from on the prime or head to Camp Trapezium in Amherst for beer and pizza after!
3. Previous Rag Hike
Previous Rag is among the finest mountain climbing trails on the East Coast, if I do say so myself! The 8-mile hike is one large loop that takes the higher a part of a day to do. Pack loads of water, particularly when it’s actually scorching, and a picnic for the highest of the mountain.
After I first hiked it, I used to be stunned at how a lot scrambling we needed to do on the prime. There have been some rocks I couldn’t recover from with no elevate or hand from a companion (at my peak!). So notice that this hike is just not for freshmen or anybody with restricted bodily potential.
Try my weblog put up recap right here.
4. Blue Gap
One in every of our favourite summer time hikes is Blue Gap, a path that has plenty of water all through and ends in a freezing chilly swimming gap! I don’t normally submerge myself, however the boys like it!
5. The Blue Ridge Tunnel
Aka “the good spot all summer time” is the Blue Ridge Tunnel. This tremendous lengthy, darkish tunnel is cool sufficient in the summertime to want a jacket. Convey flashlights and headlamps and good strolling footwear too. Word there are port-a-johns on both facet of the tunnel however no sinks or water fountains.
6. Paddle Boarding
Per the above remark about open our bodies of water, I’m not the individual you’ll discover paddle boarding, however my buddy Ellen is!!
Ellen says: “My favourite summer time exercise is paddle boarding! You might be as lively as you’d like or peacefully float and share a paddle board picnic with a buddy. Beaver Creek is a wonderful place to go together with a straightforward launch dock and serene surroundings. I additionally love paddling at Walnut Creek, Ivy Creek, and Chris Greene Lake.”
7. Boating The James River
A bit south of Cville in Scottsville, the James River Batteau Co. presents each daytime and sundown cruises down the James River on historic boats known as batteaux. As soon as used to move crops down stream, these boats are a enjoyable technique to benefit from the river with out really getting within the water! (Though swimming from the boat is inspired at swimming stops alongside the way in which!) Word presently kids should be not less than 8 years outdated to convey alongside.
Go together with pals for a daytime tour or guide a sundown cruise with charcuterie and reside music.
8. Mountain Biking
There are a number of locations to bike if mountain biking is your factor. The Warner Path and Piney River together with the Ragged Mountain Path have been all beneficial!
9. Cool Treats
The Birthday Cake ice cream at Chaps is the BEST FLAVOR ever!! I can’t even describe the mix of cakey and sprinkles.
La Flor Michocana is understood for its popsicles! They provide quite a lot of flavors, from conventional fruity selections like coconut with strawberry slices to distinctive twists like Rum & Raisins and Tres Leches.
10. Winery Picnics
Cville is understood for our stunning vineyards, and there’s no higher place for a picnic! Our favorites for picnics are:
- Jefferson Vineyards – plenty of area for youths to run. Convey a picnic blanket to place within the grass.
- Eastwood Farm – stunning views, youngsters’ juice flights, meals vans, Adirondack chairs and picnic tables beneath the tent.
- Blenheim – well-known through Dave Matthews! Loads of picnic tables.
- King Household – nice for sports activities as a result of there are many flat fields for tossing footballs or enjoying chase.
- Septinary – this one is grownup solely, so if that’s your vibe, head there!
And plenty of extra!!!
11. King Household Vineyards Polo
On choose Sundays in the summertime, King Household Vineyards hosts polo matches. Convey a giant unfold of meals, open your tailgate, and await the wine golf cart to cease by so you should buy a pair bottles of Crosé! Test their occasions calendar for dates and particulars. (Try Birch’s first birthday at King Household!)
12. Lunch or Dinner at Pippin Hill
Whereas Pippin Hill is a favourite winery to go to yr spherical, it’s particularly nice in the summertime when their gardens are in full bloom. From peas to bees, many of the meals served within the restaurant is grown there. Take pleasure in a charcuterie board or lunch on the gorgeous veranda.
About as soon as a month Pippin’s head chef Ian hosts a cooking faculty. It’s a very enjoyable night together with a backyard tour, hands-on kitchen expertise, and naturally loads of wine. Learn my put up about it right here.
13. Fridays After 5
Each Friday in the summertime there’s a live performance on the Ting Pavilion on the downtown mall. Hearken to music, convey a picnic (or get takeout on the mall), and revel in some native beer and wine with pals. I like to recommend getting a salad from Tilman’s for your self and pizza from Vita Nova or Christian’s for littles! Try the music schedule right here.
14. Live shows on the Pavilion
And along with Fridays, the Pavilion hosts live shows all through the hotter months too. Some well-known of us come via like Willie Nelson and Lord Huron. See upcoming live shows right here.
15. Splash Parks
There are a selection of splash parks on the town:
- Greenleaf Park – a smaller water space and bigger playground. Partially shaded too.
- Tonsler Park – a combo of splash park and playground (with out a lot shade however a pleasant wall for mum or dad sitting!) Parking might be robust in peak hours.
- Belmont Park – smallest splash space, however nice should you’re staying close by.
- Forest Hills – the most important splash park with plenty of options and a playground. Loads of parking alongside the streets.
And should you’re an grownup seeking to cool off, head to ACAC for a exercise after which hit up the rooftop infinity pool to calm down afterwards!
16. Mint Springs
For those who’re in search of a pleasant outside space with a swimming seaside, Mint Springs in Crozet is your choose! Enjoyable for a picnic and a dip when it’s tremendous scorching (should you like lakes!). There are additionally picnic tables and a playground.
17. The Metropolis Markets
Get all of your native produce from the metropolis markets! The downtown market is on Saturdays from 8-12 p.m. and has a mixture of native produce, artisans, and bites to eat. An amazing spot to get breakfast on a weekend morning (choose up pastries at Petite MarieBette whilst you’re close by!).
On Wednesdays there’s a smaller market at Meade Park from 3-7 p.m. Cease by for mid-week staples or dinner elements.
18. Choose Your Personal Fruit
For those who’re like to easily choose your individual, Chiles is our go-to for fruit (and pumpkins within the fall). Simply west of city, they’ve strawberries and blueberries within the late spring and peaches, greens, and flowers in the summertime. Test their web site or name forward to make sure they’ve what you’re hoping to select.
19. Out of doors Eating on the Mall
When the climate is heat (however not scorching) you gotta dine al fresco on the downtown mall! Favourite dinner spots with outside tables and nice folks watching embrace: Zocalo, The Bebedero, Petit Pois, Hamiltons, Bizou, Fitzroy, and Tilman’s.
Extra suggestions: Finest Eating places For Dinner in Cville
19. Monticello
Simply outdoors of city, you possibly can simply spend a complete day at Monticello and Highland. One of the crucial well-known historic websites within the state, Monticello is the house of Thomas Jefferson, the founding father of the College of Virginia, sits on the prime of “little mountain.”
The Monticello Path is a superb shady strolling path that begins on the base of the mountain and goes as much as Monticello. It’s an ideal path for summer time, and the incline is straightforward.
Monticello additionally has a wonderful July 4th celebration with a Naturalization Ceremony. Be taught extra about that right here.
Finest Locations To Keep In Charlottesville VA
- Winery: The Inn at Stinson is like staying in somebody’s dwelling (in a great way!). Do a chef’s dinner and take a dip within the pool!
- Romantic: The Clifton (the place we have been married!) has stunning grounds, a restaurant with a pleasant porch, and a pool to sit down by all day lengthy.
- Luxurious: Keswick Corridor has probably the most stunning infinity pool round. And the restaurant, Marigold, is wonderful.
- Downtown: The Quirk is stylish and an incredible walkable location to downtown and UVA. The rooftop bar is superb!
- Countryside: The Farmhouse at Veritas will handle you with from a multi-course dinner to a scrumptious brunch.
- Homes: Try Be Nonetheless Getaways. It’s a group of Airbnbs managed by my buddy Jamie. Each element has been thought out!
Charlottesville Summer time Camps
For those who’re a neighborhood search for summer time camp concepts, listed here are a few of our favourite day camps!
Dwelling Earth – 100% outside for these youngsters who love being outdoors! Trek via the woods, play artistic workforce video games, swim within the swimmin’ gap, and construct a fort. The right technique to spend a summer time day.
Camp 4 Actual – this all-American camp is all about having enjoyable! Positioned at both the Blue Ridge Faculty or Miller Faculty campus, campers play tons of basic P.E. model video games, have dance events, go swimming and mountain biking, and eat wholesome lunches supplied.
Virginia Exterior – from newbie fishing camps to outside adventures, there are a number of in Cville that go away from the Rivanna River on day journeys to our bodies of water and mountain climbing trails throughout the area. Perfect for outside fanatics, particularly those that love fishing!
Subject Camp – a very good combine of outside and basic camp life, you’ll spend your days outdoors enjoying discipline video games, doing crafts, getting soiled, swimming within the stream-fed pool. There’s an in a single day possibility each Thursday!
ACAC Camp – nice should you don’t love being outside a lot! Tons of swimming within the large pool, P.E. model video games and many apply for sports activities groups in sports activities particular camps. Plus loads of indoor enjoyable while you want a break from the solar from a mini movie show to arts and crafts.
