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 dwelling right here. The listing of why I like it’s in depth; there are such a lot of implausible 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 will discover loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. At the moment I’m sharing a roundup of stuff you’ll need 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 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 received their begin. Charlottesville continues to play a giant 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 several other positioned close to the pedestrian Downtown Mall.
Given the proximity of the breweries to 1 one other, it was inevitable an Ale Path would at some point be created! It is a enjoyable strategy 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 an effective way to discover all the good 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 retailers and 30 eating places to select from across the space. Yow will discover consignment retailers for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. In case you seize a seat outdoors, you may rely on some good individuals watching, and lots of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are often actions going down 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’ll be downtown anyway, why not contemplate taking a strolling meals tour? In any case, 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 buddies!
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 particular person, plus taxes and gratuity. If you’re searching for much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combo.
Make sure you arrive hungry and carrying 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 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 relating to 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 possibly 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 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, images, 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 on daily basis besides Monday, although the hours range by day. Make certain and try 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 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 honest. A list of occasions will be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Wanting Glass at IX. This immersive artwork house is a very distinctive strategy to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest lets you escape the on a regular basis in a magical approach. 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 reality 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 strategy 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 positioned on the japanese aspect of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely really helpful 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 isn’t 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 considered one of my favourite choices relating to summer time actions in Charlottesville. You’ll be able to try my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer season Actions in Charlottesville put up.
Make 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 strategy 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 consists of photos and a conventional 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 possibility when planning a romantic night time out. Internet hosting live shows, the ballet, the opera, comedy reveals, and extra, you’re positive to seek out the proper match on 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 might have choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a battle? The Dairy Market is a implausible 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’ll be able to 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. If you’re searching for a sit down meal, South and Central is a superb selection for Latin delicacies.
For followers of reside music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and luxuriate in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. Additionally they have outside seating in case you don’t need to be inside.
Dairy Market can also be all the time internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so make sure and verify them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What might be extra excellent for teenagers than an interactive and academic museum only for them? The Discovery Museum is among the high locations in Charlottesville to take youngsters.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two predominant galleries; you may try their displays right here. You may as well try their packages right here, however be aware 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 youngster or grownup (solely youngsters 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 actually is picturesque. My private favourite is to comply with up apple choosing with scorching apple cider donuts – it’s the excellent strategy to rejoice the autumn season!
Followers of exhausting cider will likely be comfortable to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so remember to try the web site first (that is additionally an effective way to see which fruits are in season for choosing).
You’ll be able to even make an entire 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. In case you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s price seeing.
Out of doors Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountaineering
Charlottesville is right for followers of mountaineering. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each ability stage, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
In order for you gorgeous views, why not take the thirty minute drive outdoors of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You’ll be able to benefit from the numerous trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra concerning the totally different mountaineering itineraries in my Greatest 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 strategy 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 virtually 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 nicely).
Discover Monticello Gardens
In case you’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 reveals 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 teenagers 12 – 18, and free to these beneath 12. It doesn’t embrace 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 nicely. Get pleasure from a drink whereas individuals 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! In case you add this stuff to your itinerary, you’re positive to get a real really feel of the city.
