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 record of why I like it’s intensive; there are such a lot of implausible 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 stuff you’ll wish 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 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 1 one other, it was inevitable an Ale Path would at some point be created! This can be a enjoyable approach 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 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 outlets and 30 eating places to select from across the space. Yow will discover consignment outlets for sustainable procuring, artwork galleries, and nice locations to seize a drink and a chunk to eat. If you happen to 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 going down 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’ll 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 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 quite a lot of eating places – and even contains 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. 

You’ll want to arrive hungry and sporting 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 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 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 often known as The Vary. It makes for a beautiful stroll, and an effective 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, 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 on daily basis besides Monday, although the hours fluctuate by day. Ensure 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 taking place at IX, whether or not it’s the Saturday morning farmer’s market or a specialty truthful. A list of occasions will be discovered right here.

Moreover, you’ll discover The Trying Glass at IX. This immersive artwork area is a very distinctive approach 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 will 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 truth 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 approach 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 jap aspect of Charlottesville at 400 Worrell Drive. Although it’s free to go to, reservations are nonetheless extremely really helpful 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’s not stunning 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 possibly can take a look at my concepts for winery picnics in my 20 Summer time Actions in Charlottesville publish. 

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.

Sizzling Air Ballooning

For a extra dramatic romantic assertion, why not strive a sizzling air balloon journey? It’s a distinctive approach 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 contains 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 evening out. Internet hosting concert events, the ballet, the opera, comedy exhibits, and extra, you’re positive to search out the right 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 Youngsters in Charlottesville, VA

Dairy Market

Do you have got choosy eaters in your midst, making dinner out a little bit of a wrestle? The Dairy Market is a implausible 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 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. In case you are searching for a sit down meal, South and Central is a superb 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 when you don’t wish to be inside.

Dairy Market can also be at all times internet hosting enjoyable occasions, so ensure and verify them out right here.

Discovery Museum

What might be extra good for teenagers 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 even take a look at their packages 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 charge of $10/particular person whether or not little one 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 lovely 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 approach to have a good time the autumn season! 

Followers of exhausting cider shall be pleased to know there may be additionally a Daring Rock Cider outpost positioned right here. Their hours are seasonal, so remember to 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 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. If you happen to haven’t visited Monticello earlier than, it’s price seeing. 

Out of doors 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 gorgeous views, why not take the thirty minute drive outdoors of Charlottesville to Shenandoah Nationwide Park? You possibly can benefit from the various trails they’ve to supply (over 500 miles!). Learn extra concerning the completely different mountaineering itineraries in my Greatest Day Journeys from Charlottesville publish. 

Farmer’s Markets

I’m at all times an enormous fan of supporting native distributors, and hitting up the Farmer’s Markets are the right approach 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 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

If you happen to’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 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 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 food and drinks distributors to buy from as nicely. Take pleasure in a drink whereas folks watching, as they will get an enormous crowd. 

You can also 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! If you happen to add this stuff to your itinerary, you’re positive to get a real really feel of the city.