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 like residing right here. The listing of why I like it’s intensive; there are such a lot of unbelievable 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, yow will discover loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. Right this moment I’m sharing a roundup of stuff 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 shortly 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 1 one other, it was inevitable an Ale Path would at some point be created! This can be a enjoyable approach to take a strolling tour of the realm, 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 present.
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 retailers and 30 eating places to select from across the space. You will discover consignment retailers for sustainable buying, 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 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 think about taking a strolling meals tour? In spite of everything, among the best methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This regionally owned and operated meals tour is a superb likelihood 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. 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 you 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 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 perhaps even cease by Edgar Allan Poe’s room on the part often known as The Vary. It makes for a beautiful stroll, and a good way to get to know concerning the historical past of the College.
If you’re an artwork lover, it’s a straightforward 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’re welcome to depart a donation. It’s open each day besides Monday, although the hours fluctuate by day. Make sure 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 the entire 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. 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 permits you to 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 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 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 a substitute, 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 beneficial 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 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 with regards to 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 you take a look at the Monticello Wine Path (some are award profitable!) for an inventory of the wineries. All of them have one thing distinctive to supply.
Sizzling Air Ballooning
For a extra dramatic romantic assertion, why not attempt a scorching air balloon experience? It’s a distinctive approach to actually sweep your companion off their toes.
This 45 minute journey up within the clouds will take you hovering over the town of Charlottesville. The occasion even contains footage 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 concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy reveals, and extra, you’re positive to seek out the proper 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 Children in Charlottesville, VA
Dairy Market
Do you will have choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a wrestle? The Dairy Market is a unbelievable 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 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. If you’re 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 revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. In addition they have outside seating in case you don’t wish to be inside.
Dairy Market can be at all times internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so make certain 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 without doubt one of the high locations in Charlottesville to take children.
Situated on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two principal galleries; you may take a look at their reveals right here. You can even take a look at their applications 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 charge of $10/individual whether or not little one 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 lovely mountain views and seasonal produce, it really is picturesque. My private favourite is to comply with up apple selecting with scorching apple cider donuts – it’s the good approach to have a good time the autumn season!
Followers of arduous cider will probably be glad to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so you should definitely 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 an entire day trip 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 price seeing.
Outside Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountain climbing
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!
If you’d like gorgeous views, why not take the thirty minute drive outdoors of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You may reap the benefits of 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 publish.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m at all times a giant fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the proper approach to do exactly 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 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 properly).
Discover Monticello Gardens
Should you’ve already toured Monticello itself, why not think about 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 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 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 foods and drinks distributors to buy from as properly. Take pleasure in a drink whereas folks watching, as they will get a giant crowd.
You may 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 this stuff to your itinerary, you’re positive to get a real really feel of the city.
