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 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, yow will discover loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. In the present day I’m sharing a roundup of stuff 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 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 bought 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 at least one one other, it was inevitable an Ale Path would in the future be created! This can be a enjoyable option 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 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. Yow will discover consignment retailers for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. For those who 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 going down downtown, from reside 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, the most effective 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 buddies!
Presently, 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 particular person, 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.
Make sure you arrive hungry and carrying 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 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 simple 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 stunning stroll, and a good way to get to know concerning the historical past of the College.
In case you are an artwork lover, it’s a simple stroll from right here over to the Fralin Museum of Artwork. The gathering includes 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 on daily basis besides Monday, although the hours differ by day. Make certain 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 via 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. An inventory of occasions may be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Trying Glass at IX. This immersive artwork house is a very distinctive option to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest lets you escape the on a regular basis in a magical approach. 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 proper option 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 japanese facet of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely really useful 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 time actions in Charlottesville. You may try my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer time Actions in Charlottesville publish.
Make sure you try 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 sizzling air balloon journey? It’s a distinctive option to actually sweep your associate off their toes.
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 night time out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you might be certain to search out the proper match to 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 wrestle? The Dairy Market is a incredible meals vacation spot for households as a result of there are a ton of choices out there.
For vegetarians/vegans, you’ll discover GRN Burger, in addition to Citizen Burger Bar for you carnivores. You may get pleasure from a cocktail with a twist at Milk Man’s Bar whereas your kiddos get pleasure from ice cream from Moo Via, positioned in the identical space of the meals corridor. In case you are searching for a sit down meal, South and Central is a good selection for Latin delicacies.
For followers of reside music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. In addition they have out of doors seating should you don’t need to be inside.
Dairy Market can also be all the time internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so make certain and test 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 high locations in Charlottesville to take youngsters.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two foremost galleries; you’ll be able to try their reveals right here. You can too try their applications 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 price of $10/particular person 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 stunning mountain views and seasonal produce, it actually is picturesque. My private favourite is to comply with up apple selecting with sizzling apple cider donuts – it’s the excellent option to rejoice the autumn season!
Followers of onerous cider can be pleased to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so be sure you try the web site first (that is additionally a good way to see which fruits are in season for choosing).
You may even make an entire day trip 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. For those who 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’d like beautiful views, why not take the thirty minute drive exterior of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You may make the most of the numerous trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra concerning the totally different climbing itineraries in my Finest 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 proper option to do exactly 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 effectively).
Discover Monticello Gardens
For those who’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 vegetation, it exhibits you what an enormous operation was (and stays) in place at this historic website.
The Gardens & Grounds all day move is $22 for adults, $8 for teens 12 – 18, and free to these beneath 12. It doesn’t embrace 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 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 effectively. Get pleasure from a drink whereas individuals watching, as they’ll get an enormous 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! For those who add these things to your itinerary, you might be certain to get a real really feel of the city.