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 really like residing right here. The listing of why I like it’s intensive; there are such a lot of improbable actions to participate in it doesn’t matter what your preferences!
From a ton of historic websites and former presidential houses, the numerous parks boasting pure wonders, and the hidden-gem eating places, you’ll find loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. At the moment I’m sharing a roundup of belongings you’ll wish 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 rapidly 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 obtained their begin. Charlottesville continues to play an enormous 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! This can be a enjoyable approach to take a strolling tour of the realm, 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 an effective way to discover all the good areas whereas incomes a free present.
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’ll find consignment retailers for sustainable buying, 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 individuals 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 will be downtown anyway, why not think about taking a strolling meals tour? In any case, among the finest methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This domestically owned and operated meals tour is a good likelihood to strive eating places and make new pals!
Presently, 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 particular person, plus taxes and gratuity. In case you are 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 sporting snug 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 schooling in the US, 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 often called The Vary. It makes for a stunning stroll, and an effective 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, 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 daily besides Monday, although the hours fluctuate by day. Ensure and try 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 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 all the time appears to be one thing occurring at IX, whether or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty truthful. A list of occasions could be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Trying Glass at IX. This immersive artwork area is a really distinctive approach to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest lets you escape the on a regular basis in a magical approach. Tickets could 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 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 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 situated on the japanese facet of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely beneficial and could 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 one in all my favourite choices on the subject of summer time actions in Charlottesville. You’ll be able to try my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer season Actions in Charlottesville submit.
Be sure you try 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 strive a sizzling air balloon trip? It’s a distinctive approach to actually sweep your associate off their ft.
This 45 minute journey up within the clouds will take you hovering over the town of Charlottesville. The occasion even contains 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 good choice when planning a romantic evening out. Internet hosting live shows, the ballet, the opera, comedy reveals, and extra, you’re positive to search 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 Youngsters in Charlottesville, VA
Dairy Market
Do you’ve got choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a wrestle? The Dairy Market is a improbable 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’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, situated in the identical space of the meals corridor. In case you are on the lookout for a sit down meal, South and Central is a good selection for Latin delicacies.
For followers of stay music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. Additionally they have outside seating in the event you don’t wish to be inside.
Dairy Market can be all the time internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so make sure and test 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 among the prime locations in Charlottesville to take youngsters.
Situated on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two predominant galleries; you’ll be able to try their reveals 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 charge of $10/particular person whether or not baby or grownup (solely youngsters 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 selection. With lovely mountain views and seasonal produce, it actually is picturesque. My private favourite is to observe up apple choosing with sizzling apple cider donuts – it’s the good approach to rejoice the autumn season!
Followers of onerous cider will probably be joyful to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost situated right here. Their hours are seasonal, so be sure you 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 Web site is situated proper subsequent to the orchard, making it tremendous handy. In the event you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s price seeing.
Out of doors Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountain climbing
Charlottesville is good 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’ll be able to 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 submit.
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 approach to just do that. Plus, it lets you 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 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
In the event 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 web site.
The Gardens & Grounds all day go is $22 for adults, $8 for teens 12 – 18, and free to these underneath 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 outside 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 foods and drinks distributors to buy from as properly. Get pleasure from a drink whereas individuals watching, as they’ll get an enormous crowd.
You may make an entire 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’re positive to get a real really feel of the city.
