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 houses, the various parks boasting pure wonders, and the hidden-gem eating places, you will discover loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. Right this moment I’m sharing a roundup of belongings you’ll need 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 obtained 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 several other positioned 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 sooner or later be created! It is a enjoyable technique 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 nice places 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. Yow 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’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 normally actions happening 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’re going to be downtown anyway, why not take into account taking a strolling meals tour? In spite of everything, among the finest methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This regionally owned and operated meals tour is a good probability to strive eating places and make new mates!
At the moment, the Downtown Strolling Meals Crawl consists of savory and candy treats at quite a lot of eating places – and even consists of 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 combination.
You’ll want to 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 positively need 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 relating to schooling 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 referred to 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’re welcome to go away a donation. It’s open every single day besides Monday, although the hours differ by day. Ensure 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 occurring at IX, whether or not or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty honest. An inventory of occasions will be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Wanting Glass at IX. This immersive artwork house is a really distinctive technique to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest permits you to 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 underneath.
Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Artwork Assortment of the College of Virginia
A novel truth about Charlottesville is it’s dwelling to a museum devoted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork. The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Artwork Assortment is the proper 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 a substitute, 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 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 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 among my favourite choices in the case 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 profitable!) 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 scorching air balloon journey? It’s a distinctive technique to actually sweep your accomplice 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 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 night time out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you’re positive to seek out the proper match in 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 Children in Charlottesville, VA
Dairy Market
Do you could 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 possibly can 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 searching 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 revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. In addition they have outside seating in case you don’t need to be inside.
Dairy Market can also be all the time internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so ensure and examine them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What might be extra excellent for teenagers than an interactive and academic museum only for them? The Discovery Museum is likely one of the prime locations in Charlottesville to take children.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two primary galleries; you’ll be able to take a look at their reveals right here. You may also 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 fee of $10/individual whether or not youngster or grownup (solely children underneath 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 stunning 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 fun the autumn season!
Followers of arduous cider might be blissful to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so be sure you 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 Website is positioned proper subsequent to the orchard, making it tremendous handy. In case you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s price seeing.
Out of doors 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 would like beautiful views, why not take the thirty minute drive exterior of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You possibly can benefit from the various trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra in regards to the completely different climbing itineraries in my Finest Day Journeys from Charlottesville put up.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m all the time a giant fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the proper technique to just do 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 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 properly).
Discover Monticello Gardens
In case you’ve already toured Monticello itself, why not take into account doing simply the backyard tour?
The gardens at Monticello are an fascinating 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 go is $22 for adults, $8 for teenagers 12 – 18, and free to these underneath 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’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 food and drinks distributors to buy from as properly. Get pleasure from a drink whereas individuals watching, as they will get a giant crowd.
You may make a complete 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 positive to get a real really feel of the city.
