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 like residing right here. The record of why I like it’s intensive; there are such a lot of incredible 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. Right now I’m sharing a roundup of stuff you’ll need 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 is no such thing as 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 received their begin. Charlottesville continues to play an enormous 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 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 technique to take a strolling tour of the world, as you’ll be able to choose ones inside strolling distance of each other.
It’s simple 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 nice places whereas incomes a free present.
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. You will discover consignment retailers for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. In the event you seize a seat exterior, you’ll be able to depend on some good folks watching, and lots of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are normally actions going down downtown, from dwell 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 take into account taking a strolling meals tour? In spite of everything, top-of-the-line methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This domestically owned and operated meals tour is a good probability to attempt eating places and make new pals!
At present, 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 particular person, plus taxes and gratuity. If you’re on the lookout for much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combo.
Be sure you 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 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 concerning training in america, and the structure is gorgeous. It’s simple 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 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, pictures, African artwork, Asian artwork, Native American artwork, and extra.
The museum is free to go to, although you might be welcome to depart a donation. It’s open every single day besides Monday, although the hours fluctuate by day. Be 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 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 may be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Wanting Glass at IX. This immersive artwork area is a very distinctive technique to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest lets you escape the on a regular basis in a magical manner. Tickets may 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 singular 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 technique 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 positioned on the jap facet of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely advisable and may 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 one in every of my favourite choices with regards to summer time actions in Charlottesville. You may take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer season Actions in Charlottesville publish.
Be sure you 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.
Sizzling Air Ballooning
For a extra dramatic romantic assertion, why not attempt a scorching air balloon trip? It’s a distinctive technique to actually sweep your associate off their ft.
This 45 minute journey up within the clouds will take you hovering over town of Charlottesville. The occasion even consists of footage and a standard 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 evening out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy reveals, and extra, you might be positive to seek out the right match on your pursuits. Take a look at 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 will have choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a wrestle? The Dairy Market is a incredible 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, positioned in the identical space of the meals corridor. If you’re on the lookout for a sit down meal, South and Central is a good selection for Latin delicacies.
For followers of dwell music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and luxuriate in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. Additionally they have out of doors seating for those who don’t need to be inside.
Dairy Market can be all the time internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so ensure and examine them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What may very well be extra excellent for youths than an interactive and academic museum only for them? The Discovery Museum is without doubt one of the prime locations in Charlottesville to take youngsters.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two principal galleries; you’ll be able to take a look at their displays right here. It’s also possible to 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 charge 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 lovely mountain views and seasonal produce, it actually is picturesque. My private favourite is to comply with up apple selecting with scorching apple cider donuts – it’s the excellent technique to have a good time the autumn season!
Followers of laborious cider shall be pleased to know there may be additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so make sure 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 may even make a complete day trip of your go to by including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to the schedule. This Unesco World Heritage Web site is positioned proper subsequent to the orchard, making it tremendous handy. In the event you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s value seeing.
Outside Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Climbing
Charlottesville is right for followers of climbing. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each talent stage, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
If you’d like beautiful views, why not take the thirty minute drive exterior 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 climbing itineraries in my Greatest Day Journeys from Charlottesville publish.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m all the time an enormous fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the right technique 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 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 the event you’ve already toured Monticello itself, why not take into account doing simply the backyard tour?
The gardens at Monticello are an attention-grabbing sight to see. From flowers to edible crops, it reveals you what an enormous operation was (and stays) in place at this historic web site.
The Gardens & Grounds all day go is $22 for adults, $8 for teens 12 – 18, and free to these beneath 12. It doesn’t embody 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’ll be able to take pleasure in a free out of doors live performance expertise.
On each Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, you’ll be able to take pleasure in free music, with loads of onsite food and drinks distributors to buy from as nicely. Take pleasure in a drink whereas folks watching, as they will get an enormous crowd.
You can also make a complete evening 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 the event you add this stuff to your itinerary, you might be positive to get a real really feel of the city.
