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 dwelling right here. The record of why I like it’s in depth; 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 properties, 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 now I’m sharing a roundup of belongings 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 rapidly discover about Charlottesville is there isn’t a scarcity of breweries. Likelihood is 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 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 1 one other, it was inevitable an Ale Path would sooner or later be created! This can be a enjoyable strategy to take a strolling tour of the realm, as you may 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 a good way to discover all the good areas 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’ll find consignment retailers for sustainable buying, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chew to eat. In the event you seize a seat exterior, you may 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 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 contemplate taking a strolling meals tour? In spite of everything, among the best methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This domestically owned and operated meals tour is a superb likelihood to strive eating places and make new mates!
At the moment, 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 individual, 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 combination.
Remember to arrive hungry and sporting 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 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 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 often known as The Vary. It makes for a stunning stroll, and a good 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, 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 on daily basis besides Monday, although the hours range by day. Be certain and take a look at 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 means of 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 strategy to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest permits you to 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 novel 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 strategy 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 japanese 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 isn’t stunning you’ll discover round 40 wineries inside a 25 mile radius. With views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and exquisite settings, wineries are a should for a romantic outing.
Wineries are literally one among my favourite choices with regards to summer season actions in Charlottesville. You may take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer time Actions in Charlottesville submit.
Remember to take a look at the Monticello Wine Path (some are award successful!) 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 strive a sizzling air balloon journey? It’s a distinctive strategy 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 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 superb possibility when planning a romantic night time out. Internet hosting live shows, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you might be certain to seek out the proper match to 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’ve gotten choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a battle? The Dairy Market is a improbable 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 take pleasure in a cocktail with a twist at Milk Man’s Bar whereas your kiddos take pleasure in 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 superb alternative 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 outside seating in case you don’t wish to be inside.
Dairy Market can be all the time internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so be certain and test 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 without doubt one of the prime locations in Charlottesville to take children.
Situated on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two principal galleries; you may take a look at their reveals right here. You can even take a look at their applications right here, however observe 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/individual whether or not baby or grownup (solely children 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 alternative. 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 strategy to rejoice the autumn season!
Followers of onerous cider will probably be completely happy to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so make sure you 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 an entire 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 good for followers of mountaineering. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each ability degree, 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 may benefit from the various trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra in regards to the completely different mountaineering itineraries in my Finest Day Journeys from Charlottesville submit.
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 strategy to do exactly that. Plus, it permits you to 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 nicely).
Discover Monticello Gardens
In the event you’ve already toured Monticello itself, why not contemplate 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 web site.
The Gardens & Grounds all day cross 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 may take pleasure in a free outside live performance expertise.
On each Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, you may take pleasure in free music, with loads of onsite foods and drinks distributors to buy from as nicely. Take pleasure in a drink whereas individuals watching, as they will get a giant crowd.
You can also 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! In the event you add this stuff to your itinerary, you might be certain to get a real really feel of the city.
