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 honest to imagine I really like residing right here. The checklist of why I like it’s intensive; 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’ll find loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. At present 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 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 situated 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 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 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 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 purchasing, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. In the event you seize a seat outdoors, you’ll be able to rely on some good individuals watching, and most of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are normally actions going down 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 spite of everything, probably the greatest methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This domestically owned and operated meals tour is a superb probability to attempt eating places and make new mates!
At present, the Downtown Strolling Meals Crawl consists of savory and candy treats at a wide range of eating places – and even contains round two drinks per individual, 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.
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 have a look at the imaginative and prescient Thomas Jefferson had concerning schooling in the US, 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 generally known as The Vary. It makes for a beautiful stroll, and an effective way to get to know in regards to 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 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 might be welcome to go away a donation. It’s open each 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 via 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 taking place at IX, whether or not or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty honest. An inventory of occasions may be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Wanting Glass at IX. This immersive artwork house is a very distinctive approach to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest lets you escape the on a regular basis in a magical method. 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 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 an alternative, 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 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 all my favourite choices in relation to summer season actions in Charlottesville. You possibly can take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer season Actions in Charlottesville submit.
Be 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 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 town of Charlottesville. The occasion even contains photos and a standard 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 evening out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy reveals, and extra, you might be certain to seek out the proper 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 have got 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 obtainable.
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 Through, situated 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 stay 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 wish to be inside.
Dairy Market can also be all the time internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so be certain and examine them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What could possibly be extra excellent 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 youngsters.
Situated on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two major galleries; you’ll be able to take a look at their displays right here. You can too 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 fee of $10/individual whether or not little one or grownup (solely youngsters beneath 1 get in free).
Carter Mountain Orchard & Nation Retailer
For some healthful household enjoyable (with loads of instagrammable photograph 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 choosing with scorching apple cider donuts – it’s the excellent approach to have fun the autumn season!
Followers of onerous cider will probably be completely happy 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 an effective way to see which fruits are in season for choosing).
You possibly can even make a complete 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.
Outside Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountain climbing
Charlottesville is right for followers of climbing. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each talent degree, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
If you need gorgeous views, why not take the thirty minute drive outdoors of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You possibly can reap the benefits 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 proper 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 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 think about 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 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 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’ll be able to get pleasure from a free out of doors live performance expertise.
On each Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, you’ll be able to get pleasure from free music, with loads of onsite foods and drinks distributors to buy from as nicely. Get pleasure from a drink whereas individuals watching, as they’ll get an enormous crowd.
You may 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 these things to your itinerary, you might be certain to get a real really feel of the city.
