The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlottesville, VA
April 25, 2022 / By Justine Lopez
Charlottesville may be small, but it sure does pack a punch when it comes to fun things to do! It’s no secret that C’ville is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and just 30 minutes from the 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park, you’ll have ample opportunities to get outside.
Surrounded by farms, orchards, and dairies, Charlottesville is a foodie-centric city that takes its farm-to-table game very seriously. This city is home to more restaurants per capita than almost any other US city. From funky food trucks to trendy food halls to buzzing brunch spots, you won’t go hungry during your trip.
If that’s not enough, you can spend your time sipping local wines on the Monticello Wine Trail or sampling local apple ciders at one of Charlottesville’s many cideries. From exploring the spectacular University of Virginia campus to hunting down historic attractions to taking a scenic drive to check out the fall foliage, there are countless reasons you’re going to fall head over heels for Charlottesville!
With so many things to see, do, and eat, you might not know where to begin. So we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Charlottesville for you. Stick to these fun and unique Charlottesville bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time in this truly unique Virginia city!
15 Fun and Unique Things to Do in Charlottesville
4. Eat Your Way Through Dairy Market
If you consider yourself a foodie or just love to eat, visiting Dairy Market is one of the most fun things to do in Charlottesville. Housed in the 1936 Monticello Dairy building, Dairy Market opened its doors in 2020 and quickly became one of the coolest Charlottesville attractions.
Dairy Market prides itself on being the first market hall in Central Virginia. Today, the space is home to roughly 18 unique vendors, all dishing out seriously good eats and seriously cool products.
Head over to Angelic’s for their signature Southern-style fish and comforting soul food dishes. There’s also Thai street food at Chimm St., delectable wood-fired pizza at Dino’s, authentic Filipino food at Manila Street, and so much more. If you need something to wash your meal down with, grab a curated cocktail at The Milkman’s Bar or a local craft brew at Starr Hill Brewing.
It’s not all about the food, though. You can also shop for clothes, home goods, and more! Plus, there are always pop-up events and live music going on at Dairy Market. Be sure to check their website to see what’s going on during your visit.