How Locals Spend Free Time in Charlottesville
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Charlottesville? If you like the idea of hiking through mountain trails, getting artsy at local galleries, and are daring enough to try hot air ballooning above vineyards, Charlottesville is calling you home! This list of fun things to do will take you from sunrise hikes to moonlit concerts and give you a proper taste of Charlottesville's thriving cultural playground scene.
Laura, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Laura arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea she’d still be here decades later—now basically an honorary ambassador for the state. She’s tracked down over 800 of Virginia’s iconic LOVE signs, a feat that probably deserves its own license plate. When she’s not at the beach or debating which El Azteca location does the best Nacho Fajitas, she’s editing Snappy Scout’s Virginia guides, helping readers discover the local quirks and hidden gems she’s been living (and loving) for years.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Charlottesville?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
on a Saturday with perfect weather
Downtown Mall stroll followed by wine tasting on every corner, Farmers Market fun
when the gals come to town for the weekend
Vineyard hopping in sundresses pretending you're in Tuscany
rainy dreary day
Monticello tour where you contemplate Jefferson's contradictions indoors
intellectually stimulating
UVA Rotunda visit to feel smarter by architectural osmosis
artsy
McGuffey Art Center where local artists actually work and sell, a festival at IX Art Park
outdoorsy
Hike Old Rag and join the cult of people who won't stop talking about it or enjoy the Ivy Creek Natural Area
fitness oriented
Rivanna Trail loop because jogging through forests beats treadmill purgatory
with your dog
Darden Towe Park where your pup makes more friends than you
family oriented
Carter Mountain for apple picking and cider donuts worth the crowds
you have to see this
Monticello because Thomas Jefferson's genius and hypocrisy coexist spectacularly
on a budget
Free First Fridays at venues citywide celebrating local creative chaos
for sports fans
Scott Stadium tailgating where orange and blue run thicker than blood
My Favorite Local Spot in Charlottesville
The IX Art Park is a wonderful place to stroll around during the Art Festival in May, explore the The Looking Glass, pick up something local at the Saturday Farmers Market or one of the 60+ entrepreneurs vendor booths. Be sure to check out the LOVEwork Sculpture.
— Laura Gray
Virginia Local Expert
Ready to See If Charlottesville Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Charlottesville guide for the bigger picture.