Expecting visitors? If you’re hosting guests in Charlottesville, there are plenty of ways to entertain them with all the area has to do, see, and visit.
Nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia’s Piedmont countryside, Charlottesville has the warmth of a small town with the busy calendar of a city. You’ll be able to show your visiting friends and family all Cville has to offer, from seasonal festivals to beautiful hikes, from kid-friendly events to award-winning vineyards.
Rediscover everything there is to love about Charlottesville while you entertain and explore with your guests!
At a Glance
- Entertain guests in Charlottesville with day trips to Monticello, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, or a trek along Skyline Drive.
- Favorite spots to take visitors in downtown Charlottesville include the Fralin Museum of Art, the Ting Pavillion, and Ix Art Park.
- For kid-friendly activities in Charlottesville, visit the Virginia Discovery Museum, stop by a library storytime, or spend an afternoon playing at Decades Arcade. Teens may love an escape room experience.
- Outdoor adventures around Charlottesville include Carter Mountain Orchard, Chiles Peach Orchard, tubing on the James River, or the Blue Ridge Tunnel.
Best Restaurants & Local Eats to Share with Guests
Looking for the best restaurants in Charlottesville to take visiting family? You’re in luck: Charlottesville is known for its delicious local cuisine. Whether you’re hosting foodies who want to try something upscale or searching for a spot for families with small children, there are plenty of options to introduce your guests to some local flavor.
Where To Eat on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall
Charlottesville’s unique historic pedestrian promenade is filled with cafés and street music.
Grab a cup of coffee from Mudhouse while you shop and walk around, and then make a stop for lunch. Local favorites include The Nook or Sombrero’s Cafe for family-friendly eats, Revolutionary Soup for a casual lunch, and Citizen Burger for locally sourced dining.
If you swing by the mall in the evening, visit Monsoon Siam for dinner on the patio, or stop by The Whiskey Jar to enjoy both live music and excellent food.
Where To Eat Brunch in Charlottesville
If you’re looking for a brunch spot, visitors love Farm Bell Kitchen, which serves Southern comfort food with UVA flair. For a classic diner experience that is relaxed enough for all ages, visit Tip Top Restaurant in Pantops.
Birch + Bloom offers a beautiful upscale brunch, and Burton’s Bar & Grill is a great spot to take Charlottesville visitors who need to eat gluten-free.
Do your visitors have kids with them?
Be sure to check out our family-friendly restaurant guide for more suggestions on local dining favorites!
Where To Eat Dessert in Charlottesville
For sweet treats and dessert, stop at Sbrocco Donuts, created by the same family behind Marie Bette Bakery. Grab a slice of cake from Cake Bloom, or get a classic scoop from Chaps Ice Cream on the downtown mall.
Seasonal Adventures in Charlottesville
No matter what season you’re hosting, there are fun local activities and experiences to share with your guests. Here’s what to do with visitors in Charlottesville year-round.
What To Do in Charlottesville in Spring: Gardens, Blossoms & Festivals
If you’re entertaining guests in Charlottesville during the spring, get outside! Plan a visit to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s historic estate, when its gardens burst into bloom, or stop by the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont. You can also take a short drive to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond for a full-day excursion.
Several spring festivals happen in downtown Charlottesville. Take your guests to join locals at the Virginia Festival of the Book or the Tom Tom Festival. Spring is also the time outdoor patios reopen, making it the perfect season for long brunches in the sunshine. Or, spend a day visiting one of the many flower farms around the area!
What To Do in Charlottesville in Summer: Orchards, Trails & Water Adventures
Looking to cool off with your guests? Take them to Mint Springs Valley Park for swimming or take them tubing along the James River. For other water adventures, check out Charlottesville’s many splashpads and pools, including Onesty Water Park for family fun.
Central Virginia is full of farms and orchards. Take guests peach or berry picking at Chiles Peach Orchard, a family-run farm just outside of town. For summer evenings, enjoy sunset concerts at the Ting Pavilion downtown, particularly the Fridays After Five series that happens every week in the summer.
What To Do in Charlottesville in Fall: Mountains, Wineries & Family Fun
Are you entertaining guests in Charlottesville in the fall? Take a scenic drive on Skyline Drive for unbeatable leaf-peeping, then stop for cider and pumpkins at Blue Ridge Mountain Maze or Carter Mountain Orchard.
Are your guests feeling adventurous? Take them to explore the best corn mazes in Virginia.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon at King Family Vineyards in Crozet, part of the Monticello Wine Trail, or nearby Veritas Vineyard & Winery. And don’t forget the many fall festivals that happen around the area—you can probably find one every weekend!
What To Do in Charlottesville in Winter: Cozy Days & Holiday Lights
For guests visiting during the holidays, stroll the Downtown Charlottesville Holiday Market and the Boar’s Head Winter Wander light display.
Warm up with mulled cider at Bold Rock Hard Cider in Nellysford, and explore indoor favorites like the Fralin Museum of Art and the Virginia Discovery Museum on the Downtown Mall. Don’t miss a family-friendly performance of The Nutcracker, which is put on by Charlottesville Ballet every year in December.
CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine has been sharing trusted local recommendations with Central Virginia families since 1998, making this your go-to source for planning unforgettable visits!
Historic Sites & Cultural Attractions in Charlottesville
What historic sites should guests see in Charlottesville? The area is full of choices!
Begin with Monticello and James Monroe’s Highland, both the homes of United States presidents that are a short drive outside of Charlottesville. Stop at Michie Tavern for lunch, a fun buffet-style spot in an old tavern.
Downtown, you can tour UVA Grounds, where Jefferson’s Rotunda and the Academical Village are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
For contemporary culture, explore Ix Art Park, the Fralin Museum of Art, or live music at The Jefferson Theater and Ting Pavilion.
Learn about more historic and cultural attractions in Charlottesville, as well as nearby historic daytrips in Central Virginia.
Where To Take Kids in Charlottesville
If your visitors have kids with them, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to do in Charlottesville. Check out the many storytimes that happen every week, or stop by the Virginia Discovery Museum for hands-on playtime, building, and exploring.
There are playgrounds in every neighborhood in Charlottesville, and in the summer, many of them have free spray grounds where kids can cool off from the heat. If you have skateboards or scooters for the kids, take them to the Charlottesville Skate Park, part of McIntire Park.
For older kids, plan a visit to Decades Arcade on the downtown mall or explore an immersive art exhibit at The Looking Glass in Ix Art Park. Or, spend a few hours at a family-friendly escape room!
Outdoor Adventures & Family Hikes Near Charlottesville
If you’re hosting guests in Charlottesville who love the outdoors, you’re in luck. The area is full of beautiful scenery! Going on a hike or nature walk is a great way to highlight the Blue Ridge’s natural beauty. Depending on the weather, hiking is a year-round option for visitors.
- Humpback Rocks, featuring panoramic views
- Saunders-Monticello Trail, stroller-friendly and shaded
- Rivanna Trail, winding through neighborhoods and riverbanks
- Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail near Afton, a dramatic mountain passage loved by families
Need to bring kids or pets along? Not a problem! There are plenty of kid-friendly and dog-friendly hiking trails in Albemarle County. And if you’re heading out in the summer, be sure to check out some of the locals’ favorite swimming holes!
Charlottesville Wineries, Breweries & Family-Friendly Cideries
Charlottesville is full of wineries, breweries, and cideries where visitors can enjoy local drinks surrounded by stunning mountain views. Try taking your guests to some favorites, such as:
- Pippin Hill Vineyard
- Eastwood Farm & Winery
- Högwaller Brewing
- Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
- Potters Craft Cider
- Albemarle Ciderworks
- Bold Rock Carter Mountain
Which Charlottesville wineries welcome kids and pets?
Many local tasting rooms are surprisingly family-friendly, with menus that appeal to kids, outdoor spaces for running, and lawn games or crafts to keep littles occupied.
King Family Vineyards is a popular local spot that offers weekend polo matches and open lawns where kids love to run around. At Veritas Vineyards & Winery, you’ll find shaded patios perfect for picnics, while Blue Mountain Brewery combines food, games, and mountain views.
Several stops on the Monticello Wine Trail allow leashed dogs outdoors.
Best Local Shopping & Downtown Charlottesville Boutiques
Charlottesville is known for its variety and quality of locally-owned and independent shops. Check out our list of favorite toy stores, as well as a guide to shopping locally.
If you’re looking for books and gifts, visit Bluebird & Co. in Crozet or Whimsies, a local children’s store. For hobbyists, Bricks & Minifigs at Stonefield Shopping Center and The End Games are both popular stops.
For rainy days or leisurely afternoons, the Downtown Mall’s shops are a must. Browse New Dominion Bookshop, the oldest independent bookstore in the U.S., or pick up toys at Shenanigans, a local toy store just off the mall. Don’t miss Caspari for elegant household goods or Rock Paper Scissors for paper goods, stationery, and gifts.
If your guests are interested in local artisans and crafts, take them to the Charlottesville City Market, which happens every weekend.
Local Tip: During the holidays, the City Market transforms into a cheerful winter bazaar, perfect for picking up unique crafts and local gifts.
Where Guests Can Stay in Charlottesville
If your visitors are looking to stay in a hotel, Charlottesville has many options. The Graduate Charlottesville is known for its collegiate charm and The Oakhurst Inn for its boutique experience. Both are located near the UVA grounds.
The Draftsman hotel is also a popular choice, and their restaurant, The Ridley (named for Dr. Walter Nathanial Ridley, the first black student to graduate from UVA) is an elegant but comfortable dining experience. The English Inn of Charlottesville is a convenient stay for families, and it’s located right behind the popular Bodos Bagels.
Just outside town, The Boar’s Head Resort offers golf, spa services, and family activities. For quieter stays with Blue Ridge Mountain views, central Virginia is full of short-term rentals through Airbnb and Vrbo in areas such as Crozet, North Garden, and Scottsville.
For more options, check out our Charlottesville lodging and neighborhood guide.
Hosting Tips & Thoughtful Ways to Welcome Guests
Whether your visitors are staying with you or a nearby hotel, even small gestures make a big impression in welcoming guests.
- Welcome baskets: Fill with local goods such as Route 11 chips, local jam, and a copy of CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine
- Weekend itinerary cards: Look through our seasonal bucket lists to help plan your weekend
- Events list: Print the current CharlottesvilleFamily Calendar so guests can explore independently and choose what they’d like to do!
Every visit is a chance to rediscover what makes Central Virginia so special. Whether you’re walking UVA’s Lawn in spring or sipping cider by a fire in winter, Charlottesville offers something for every season and every guest.
Find new activities every week through our Events Calendar. If you’re new to the Charlottesville area, our Relocation Flipbook can help you discover all the area has to offer!
Don’t miss a thing—sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag and get the latest straight to your inbox. And don’t miss the chance to meet our talented local partners who bring these resources to life.
SUZANNAH SPAAR is the editor of CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, an accomplished poet, beloved teacher, and mom to two adventurous readers.
KATHARINE PALJUG is a freelance writer and novelist. She lives in Charlottesville with two busy kids and proudly owns an unreasonable number of books. Find her on Instagram as @katharinewrites.