How to Spend a Day Trip to Charlottesville
After a long, hot summer, we’re ready for a bit of a cool-down, but we know as soon as those really cool temps start to hit this fall and winter, we’ll be feelin’ a little cabin fever after days on end (inevitably) spent inside. Lucky for us Richmonders, Charlottesville is a quick drive up the road, making a day trip an easy way to shake things up on a sunny Saturday or Sunday — or hell, even a Tuesday; give yourself a day off!
Read on for some of our favorite ways (which are tried and true, per our pals local to the area, too, BTW) to spend time about 60 minutes to our northwest.
— by Kelsey Heintz, Managing Editor
Where to Eat & Drink
Bodo’s Bagels
University of Virginia students and long-time locals alike will insist you make a stop at Bodo’s Bagels at some point while you’re in the area. Grab a bagel sandwich if you’re starting your day with breakfast in Charlottesville, or order a bag of bagels and some cream cheese to go on your way out of town at the end of your trip — Tomorrow-Morning You will appreciate it.
Location(s): 1418 Emmet St N (Rt 29), 505 Preston Ave (Downtown), 1609 University Ave (Corner)
Hours: Found here
Stock Provisions
If you’re in the mood for your mouth to water right damn now, visit the Stock Provisions website or Instagram feed, then immediately put this spot on your C’ville itinerary. Our local intel says you “gotta eat a ham biscuit from JM Stock, obviously,” and how much more obvious could it be, truly?
Location: 709 W Main St (Starr Hill)
Hours: Found here
MARU
This Korean restaurant and bar is small in size, but the menu packs a punch. The Korean Fried Chicken Wings are the must-try item, but we can’t lie — we’d take one of everything from the looks of it all.
Location: 412 E Main St (North Downtown)
Hours: Found here
Chisolm Vineyards
For you kids-in-tow travelers who’d also love a glass of wine, Chisolm Vineyards is a great choice. Not only is there award-winning vino available, but there’s a wide-open lawn (complete with lawn games) for the kiddos to enjoy, too.
Location: 1135 Clan Chisholm Ln (Earlysville)
Hours: Found here
By the by: Our very own wine expert, Paige Poprocky, also recommends the area’s Wisdom Oak Winery, Veritas, and Stinson Vineyards.
What to Do
Carter Mountain Orchard
Chiles Family Orchards owns two of our favorite local-to-Charlottesville orchards, and Carter Mountain Orchard is one of ‘em. The beautiful spot is open year-round, but we especially like to pay a visit during the fall. Says Carter Mountain Orchard itself, “From mid-August until mid-December, you can pick your own apples or buy ready-picked apples, fresh-pressed apple cider, apple cider donuts (a runaway hit year after year), and our scrumptious apple pies.” Does that not scream big autumn energy? This time of year is also primo for the location’s offerings of pumpkins, gourds, and hayrides around the orchard.
Location: 1435 Carters Mountain Trail (Charlottesville)
Hours: Found here
Chiles Peach Orchard
Chiles Peach Orchard is our other favorite Chiles Family Orchards location. While it’s just a bit outside of Charlottesville, it’s easy to incorporate it into a day trip and even enticing when you consider the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views you’ll get to peep on the way over and while you’re there. Peach-picking season over the summer is, of course, our favorite time to visit, but you can make your way there anytime between April and December for some fresh-fruit fun.
Location: 1351 Greenwood Rd (Crozet)
Hours: Found here
By the by: If you think you’ll hang in Crozet for a bit, our local sources say v-nearby Smoked Kitchen and Tap, Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, and Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery are great go-tos for what to eat and drink while you’re around.
Float on the Rivanna River
Whether you book a trip through an org like Rivanna River Co. or grab your cooler and tubes to (safely) hit the water on your own, a float on the Rivanna River is a great way to get in some outdoorsy time while you’re in Charlottesville. Now, obviousllly, we can’t say it’s quite the same as floating on our beloved James River, but we’ve done this excursion on Fourth of July weekend before and had just as good of a time as we’ve had in the River City.
Location: Access point at Darden Towe Park (Charlottesville)
Take a Hike
Considering how gorg C’ville and its surrounding areas are, it’s no surprise there are plenty of ways to get your steps in while enjoying some stunning views, as well. The Saunders-Monticello Trail and Park System and the Rivanna Trails, in partic, are minutes away from Downtown and offer varying trail lengths and difficulty — and the former allows you to mix in a little history lesson with your dose of fresh air, too.
For more out-and-about ideas:
