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 truthful to imagine I like residing right here. The listing of why I like it’s intensive; 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 could find loads of enjoyable methods to remain busy right here. At present 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 shortly discover about Charlottesville is there is no such thing as 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 acquired 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 situated 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 someday be created! This can be a enjoyable option 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 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. You’ll find consignment retailers for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. In case you seize a seat outdoors, you may depend on some good folks watching, and lots of the eating places are canine pleasant on their patios.
Moreover, there are normally actions happening 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’re going to be downtown anyway, why not think about taking a strolling meals tour? In spite of everything, the most effective methods to discover an space is thru its native meals scene. This regionally owned and operated meals tour is a good probability to attempt eating places and make new pals!
Presently, 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 on the lookout for much more to do, C-Ville Bites plans on including extra guided excursions and specialty excursions to the combination.
Be sure you 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 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 take a look at the imaginative and prescient Thomas Jefferson had relating to training 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 often called The Vary. It makes for a beautiful 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 includes 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’re welcome to depart a donation. It’s open every single day 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 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 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 occurring at IX, whether or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty truthful. A list of occasions could 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 means that you can escape the on a regular basis in a magical method. Tickets could 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 truth 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 situated on the japanese aspect of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely really useful and could 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 among 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 submit.
Be sure you 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 attempt a scorching air balloon trip? 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
Absolutely restored and reopened in 2004, the historic Paramount Theater within the coronary heart of the Downtown Mall is a good possibility when planning a romantic evening out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy reveals, and extra, you’re certain to seek out the proper match on 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 Youngsters in Charlottesville, VA
Dairy Market
Do you will have choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a wrestle? The Dairy Market is a improbable meals vacation spot for households as a result of there are a ton of choices accessible.
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 Via, situated in the identical space of the meals corridor. In case you are on the lookout for a sit down meal, South and Central is a good alternative for Latin delicacies.
For followers of stay music, head over to Starr Hill Brewery and revel in a pint whereas supporting native musicians. Additionally they have outside seating for those who don’t wish to be inside.
Dairy Market can be at all times internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so ensure and test 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.
Positioned on the Downtown Mall, they’ve two major galleries; you may take a look at their reveals right here. It’s also possible to 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 fee of $10/individual whether or not youngster 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 alternative. With stunning mountain views and seasonal produce, it really is picturesque. My private favourite is to observe up apple choosing with scorching apple cider donuts – it’s the excellent option to have fun the autumn season!
Followers of arduous cider shall be joyful to know there’s additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost situated right here. Their hours are seasonal, so remember 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 a complete day trip 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 case you haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s price seeing.
Out of doors Issues to Do in Charlottesville, VA
Mountaineering
Charlottesville is good for followers of mountaineering. From lowkey to difficult, there’s something for each talent degree, and also you couldn’t ask for a greater setting!
If you would like beautiful views, why not take the thirty minute drive outdoors 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 totally different mountaineering itineraries in my Finest Day Journeys from Charlottesville submit.
Farmer’s Markets
I’m at all times a giant fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the proper option to do exactly that. Plus, it means that you can get a real style for the world, from regionally sourced produce to jewellery from native artisans and extra.
Gathering virtually 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 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 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 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 properly. Take pleasure in a drink whereas folks watching, as they will get a giant 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 case you add this stuff to your itinerary, you’re certain to get a real really feel of the city.
