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 truthful to imagine I like dwelling right here. The listing of why I like it’s in depth; 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, yow will discover loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. Right now I’m sharing a roundup of stuff you’ll need 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. Likelihood is 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 a giant 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 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 at some point be created! It is a enjoyable solution to take a strolling tour of the world, as you may 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 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 could find consignment retailers for sustainable procuring, 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 folks watching, and lots of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are often 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 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 superb probability to strive eating places and make new mates!
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 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 combo.
You should definitely arrive hungry and carrying 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 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 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 referred to 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 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 daily besides Monday, although the hours differ by day. Make sure 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 the entire artwork on show, adopted up by lunch at one of many eating places, like Three Notch’d Brewery.
There at all times 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 truthful. A list of occasions may be discovered right here.
Moreover, you’ll discover The Wanting Glass at IX. This immersive artwork house is a very distinctive solution to expertise Charlottesville. Created by native artists, this enchanted forest means that you can escape the on a regular basis in a magical means. 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 right solution 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 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 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 every of my favourite choices in relation to summer season actions in Charlottesville. You’ll be able to take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer season Actions in Charlottesville put up.
You should definitely 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 solution to actually sweep your companion 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 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 night time out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you might be positive to seek out the right 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 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’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, 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 reside music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. Additionally they have out of doors seating in case you don’t need to be inside.
Dairy Market can be at all times internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so be certain and examine them out right here.
Discovery Museum
What may very well be extra good for youths than an interactive and academic museum only for them? The Discovery Museum is among the high locations in Charlottesville to take children.
Situated on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two fundamental galleries; you may take a look at their reveals right here. You can too 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 price 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 picture ops), Carter Mountain Orchard is an ideal alternative. With stunning mountain views and seasonal produce, it actually is picturesque. My private favourite is to observe up apple selecting with sizzling apple cider donuts – it’s the good solution to rejoice the autumn season!
Followers of laborious cider can be glad to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so you’ll want to take a look at the web site first (that is additionally a good way to see which fruits are in season for selecting).
You’ll be able to 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. In the event you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s price seeing.
Outside Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Climbing
Charlottesville is right for followers of mountaineering. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each talent stage, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
In order for you beautiful views, why not take the thirty minute drive exterior of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You’ll be able to benefit from the various trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra concerning the completely different mountaineering itineraries in my Finest Day Journeys from Charlottesville put up.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m at all times a giant fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the right solution to just do that. Plus, it means that you can get a real style for the world, 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 think about doing simply the backyard tour?
The gardens at Monticello are an fascinating 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 go 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 may take pleasure in a free out of doors live performance expertise.
On each Friday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, you may take pleasure in free music, with loads of onsite food and drinks distributors to buy from as nicely. Get pleasure from a drink whereas folks watching, as they’ll get a giant 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! In the event you add these things to your itinerary, you might be positive to get a real really feel of the city.
