Edgar Allan Poe Activities

Poe's Room on UVA Grounds

Did you know Edgar Allan Poe once called Charlottesville home? The American writer and poet attended UVA for about 10 months in 1826. Self-guided tours of his room on UVA Grounds are available year-round, though foot traffic picks up around Halloween thanks to Poe’s flair for gothic and supernatural writing. The room features furniture from Poe’s home in addition to an audio about his life. The room is maintained by the Raven Society, one of the oldest secret societies in the country, aptly named for Poe’s most famous work.

Hike Ragged Mountain Natural Area

After you visit Poe’s West Range digs, head out on the trail that inspired Poe’s only short story set in Charlottesville! A Tale of the Ragged Mountains captures the essence of the wilderness so close to town. Ragged Mountain Natural Area has great hiking trails that surround the reservoir. Plus, October-November is a prime time to see fall foliage, giving you all the more reason to head out on the trail.


Explore Unlocked History's "The Raven" Room

Located just a five minute drive from the Downtown Mall, Unlocked History Escape Room offers three different history-themed adventures — including "The Raven Room." Teams of three to seven players can take part in this mission which centers on the premise that Edgar Allen Poe, in his first year at UVA, has gone missing. The escape room takes about an hour to complete.

Credit: AerowingVA

Watch Halloween-Themed Movies at a Local Theater

Halloween is a great time to rewatch your favorite scary movie or discover a vintage classic for the first time. Charlottesville has a mix of modern and historic theaters that host screenings of Halloween classics throughout the month of October. This year, you'll find screenings of...

The Paramount Theater
The Shining, Edward Scissorhands

Alamo Drafthouse

The Shining, Godzilla Double Feature, Sweeney Todd

Regal Cinema
The Birds

Trick or Treating On the Lawn at UVA

Tuesday, October 31 from 6-8 pm

Pint-sized heroes, ghosts, and the like will descend on the University of Virginia for the annual “Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn” celebration! This longtime tradition established by students in the late 1980s is open to children and families from the local community. Co-sponsored by residents of the Lawn and West Range communities, the residents and members of student organizations will be stationed in each of the 54 Lawn rooms as well as the West Range to give out treats. All candy is donated and distributed by approximately 70 student groups and other organizations. Admission is free!

Twilight Tours in Scottsville

Friday, October 20th & Saturday. October 21st

Discover the charm and history of Scottsville, located in southern Albemarle County, with their annual Twilight Tours! Tour participants will follow a lantern guide on this historic tour exploring Scottsville's past where featured actors portray characters throughout different periods of Scottsville's history. Walking Tours will take place Friday and Saturday nights from 6 - 8 pm with new tours departing every ten minutes. Tours start from the Scottsville Museum (290 Main Street).

A seated, handicap-accessible performance of Twilight Tours will be held Sunday, October 22, at 3:00 PM, and will take place at Victory Hall Theater (401 Valley Street).