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 like residing right here. The record of why I like it’s in depth; 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, you could find loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. Right this moment I’m sharing a roundup of stuff you’ll wish 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 shortly discover about Charlottesville is there isn’t any 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 bought 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 a number of 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 in the future be created! It is a enjoyable strategy 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 a good way to discover all the good places whereas incomes a free reward.
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 retailers and 30 eating places to select from across the space. You will discover consignment retailers for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chew to eat. In case you seize a seat exterior, you possibly can depend on some good folks watching, and most 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’ll be downtown anyway, why not contemplate 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 good likelihood to attempt eating places and make new associates!
Presently, the Downtown Strolling Meals Crawl consists of savory and candy treats at a wide range of eating places – and even consists of round two drinks per individual, plus taxes and gratuity. In case you are searching for much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combo.
You’ll want to arrive hungry and sporting 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 have a look at the imaginative and prescient Thomas Jefferson had relating to training in the US, 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 generally known as The Vary. It makes for a beautiful stroll, and a good way to get to know in regards to the historical past of the College.
In case you are an artwork lover, it’s a straightforward 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’re welcome to go away a donation. It’s open day-after-day besides Monday, although the hours fluctuate by day. Make certain 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 way of 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 occurring at IX, whether or not or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty truthful. An inventory 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 means that you can escape the on a regular basis in a magical method. 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 truth 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 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 situated on the japanese aspect of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely beneficial 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 stunning you’ll discover round 40 wineries inside a 25 mile radius. With views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and exquisite settings, wineries are a should for a romantic outing.
Wineries are literally considered one of my favourite choices in terms of summer time actions in Charlottesville. You possibly can take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer time Actions in Charlottesville put up.
You’ll want to take a look at the Monticello Wine Path (some are award successful!) 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 trip? It’s a distinctive strategy to actually sweep your companion off their ft.
This 45 minute journey up within the clouds will take you hovering over the 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
Totally restored and reopened in 2004, the historic Paramount Theater within the coronary heart of the Downtown Mall is a good choice when planning a romantic night time out. Internet hosting live shows, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you’re certain to seek out the right 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 could have choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a battle? 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 possibly can get pleasure from a cocktail with a twist at Milk Man’s Bar whereas your kiddos get pleasure from ice cream from Moo Via, situated in the identical space of the meals corridor. In case you are searching for a sit down meal, South and Central is a good alternative for Latin delicacies.
For followers of stay music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and luxuriate in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. Additionally they have outside seating should you don’t wish to be inside.
Dairy Market can be at all times internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so make sure and verify them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What may very well be extra good for teenagers than an interactive and academic museum only for them? The Discovery Museum is likely one of the high locations in Charlottesville to take children.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two foremost galleries; you possibly can take a look at their reveals right here. You too can take a look at their packages right here, however notice 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 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 alternative. With stunning mountain views and seasonal produce, it actually is picturesque. My private favourite is to comply with up apple choosing with sizzling apple cider donuts – it’s the good strategy to have a good time the autumn season!
Followers of laborious cider can be pleased to know there may be additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost situated right here. Their hours are seasonal, so you’ll want 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 possibly can even make an entire day trip 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. In case you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s value seeing.
Out of doors Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountaineering
Charlottesville is good for followers of climbing. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each ability stage, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
If you need beautiful views, why not take the thirty minute drive exterior of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You possibly can make the most of the numerous trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra in regards to the completely different climbing itineraries in my Greatest Day Journeys from Charlottesville put up.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m at all times a giant fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the right strategy to just do that. Plus, it means that you can 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
In case 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 crops, it exhibits you what an enormous operation was (and stays) in place at this historic website.
The Gardens & Grounds all day cross is $22 for adults, $8 for teenagers 12 – 18, and free to these beneath 12. It doesn’t embody 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 get pleasure from a free outside live performance expertise.
On each Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, you possibly can get pleasure from free music, with loads of onsite food and drinks distributors to buy from as nicely. Get pleasure from a drink whereas folks watching, as they’ll 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! In case you add these things to your itinerary, you’re certain to get a real really feel of the city.
