The Ultimate Summer Bucket List

Welcome to summer in beautiful Charlottesville and Albemarle County! We’ve got all you need for a summer getaway: stunning views, outdoor adventures, an extensive wine and craft beverage scene, and so much more.

Use this Summer Bucket List to make a plan of all the activities you and your family can take part in during your summer getaway.

Outdoor Lovers
Craft Beverage Connoisseurs
Foodies
DIYers
History Buffs

For Outdoor Lovers

1. Watch a Free Polo Match

Stop by King Family Vineyards on Sundays to watch a free polo match! Matches are scheduled for 12PM (gates open at 10AM) from Memorial Day to July 6th. Once the hottest part of summer hits, polo matches will be held at 5PM and 6:30PM (gates open at 4PM) until August 3rd, when it switches back to noon and runs through the end of October. Learn more about the polo matches here.

2. Go on a Historic Sunset Cruise

The James River Batteau Company in Scottsville offers beautiful two-hour river floats that merge history and community to create unforgettable experiences. Tours go out during the day, at sunset, and twice a month they even offer a special Farm-to-Batteau dining experience. All cruises include live music, a complimentary charcuterie board, and the opportunity to bring your own beverage as you sit back, sip, and enjoy a float down the James River. Book your tour here.

3. Plan a Paddling Adventure

Enjoy our local waterways, including lakes, reservoirs, the mighty James River, and of course, our scenic Rivanna River! Here's a guide of local spots and outfitters to get you started.

4. Go For a Hike

There's no shortage of trails to explore in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Here are some of the best hikes in the area!

Mountain Biking at Preddy Creek Park

5. Get Out for a Ride

No matter your experience level, there's a biking route for everyone here! Explore Charlottesville city, neighboring Crozet and Scottsville, and scenic Albemarle County with these road and gravel routes. Prefer offroad riding? There are mountain biking trails for that! If you're looking for a challenge, we recommend the 28-mile Western Albemarle Scenic Tour loop. For less-experienced riders or those in need of gear, there are plenty of outfitters that offer guided trips and supplies!

The Inn at Stinson Vineyard

6. Go for a Swim

Beat the heat this summer by enjoying a refreshing dip in the water! You can visit our local parks to enjoy a beautiful day at the beach or book a room at one of these hotels (they've got pools): The Clifton, Boar’s Head Resort, Keswick Hall, the Inn at Stinson Vineyards, and the Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery.

For Craft Beverage Connoisseurs

1. Explore 20+ Wineries on Our Gold Medal Trail

Charlottesville was named Wine Region of the Year in 2023 by Wine Enthusiast, and now you can find the best of the best by tasting the gold medal winners of the Virginia Governor's Cup! This is an excellent place to start your adventure on the Monticello Wine Trail! Explore the Gold Medal Trail here!

2. Go on a Brewery Puzzle Crawl

Want to add some extra fun to your exploration of the Charlottesville Ale Trail? Go on a puzzle crawl with Puzzled Bee! This crawl is completely self-led, with the game run through your phone and using GPS. The crawl is inspired by local history and features mysteries and crack codes!

3. Treat Yourself to a Craft Beverage Tour

Want to visit multiple breweries and/or wineries in one day without having to worry about transportation? We've got plenty of tour services to in the area to make your trip fun and unique!

4. Visit a Speakeasy (but Don’t Tell Anyone)

We can't give too much away, but The Alley Light and Lost Saint may be worth a visit...

5. Enjoy a Wine Slushie at Carter Mountain

It's not a true trip to Charlottesville until you've enjoyed a wine slushie atop Carter Mountain! We recommend going on Thursday for their Sunset Series, featuring live music and food trucks.

6. Visit a Local Cidery

Cider is a BIG deal in Virginia, and Albemarle County is home to several exceptional cideries! With frequent live music, fun specialty tours (horseback riding through an orchard anyone???), and breathtaking views, you won't regret making time for these four cideries!

For Foodies

Ice Cream at Carter Mountain

1. Celebrate National Ice Cream Month

Celebrate the BEST holiday the only way we know how -- with a visit to one of our local creameries! Be sure to visit Chiles Peach Orchard for fresh peach ice cream!

2. Explore Farm-to-Table Brunch Spots

Brunch is easily the most important meal of the day, and we teamed up with Rachel of @cville.foodie to round up some of the top brunch spots in the area that are serving up locally sourced ingredients. Check out these seven must-try spots!

3. Visit Local Farmers Markets

Easily the best way to experience Charlottesville and Albemarle County like a local! Visitors are welcome at these open-air markets, which offer fresh produce, baked goods, meats, coffee, flowers, crafts and more. You’ll also find quite a few local food vendors and food trucks serving all sorts of cuisines! Here's a list of all the farmers markets in the area!

4. Support AAPI-Owned Restaurants

From bold flavors to hidden gems, these recommendations from @natchowsfood serve up more than just incredible food -- they offer a taste of culture, community, and creativity! Add these five local Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned restaurants to your must-visit list!

Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards Cooking Class
Credit: Sera Petras Photography

5. Take a Cooking Class

Head out to Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards for their educational, hands-on cooking classes! It's a one-of-a-kind evening with the Pippin Hill culinary team that you don't want to miss.

6. Go on a Food Crawl on the Downtown Mall

Not sure where to eat? C-ville Bites has you covered! Discover the heart of Charlottesville on a delicious walking tour through the historic downtown mall. Led by their friendly and knowledgeable guide, you’ll uncover hidden gems, savor diverse cuisines, and meet passionate artisans!

For DIYers

1. Pick Your Own Fruit

The summer season is ripe with fresh fruit at local orchards just waiting to be picked! Chiles Peach Orchard has blueberries, blackberries, peaches, and flowers (availability varies by month), Carter Mountain Orchard has peaches in late June, and Henley's Orchard has a wide variety of peaches and apples!

2. Cut Your Own Flowers

Head out to Wayflowering Flower Farm, located at Thistlerock Mead Co. to cut and build your own flower bouquet! Guests receive a Mason Jar vase, rental snips, and access to the exclusive flower fields! Tickets are required and available for purchase online or in the Tavern.

3. Visit an Art Bar

Create your own art at one of the many art bars in the area! For adults: Pikasso Swig, City Clay, and the Art Bar. For young DIYers we recommend The Scrappy Elephant and Rose's Inspiration Station in Crozet!

4. Make Your Own Music Festival

There's no shortage of live music in the summer, so why not make a weekend of it? Check out our events page for the most up-to-date information on live music (indoors and outdoors).

For History Lovers

1. See Archeologists at Work

See excavations on the historic Monticello mountaintop and discover how archaeologists unearth history every day. Guests are encouraged to interact directly with the team to learn about recent finds and research, ask questions, and discover Monticello’s past from the ground up. Access is included with all tickets. Get more information here.

2. Celebrate Juneteenth

With a rich history and a vibrant Black community, the Charlottesville area comes alive during Juneteenth. Explore all of the events happening this month to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

3. Escape Edgar Allan Poe’s Dorm Room

Yes, you read that correctly! Head over to Unlocked History to try and escape 'The Raven' room! You and your friends will have one hour to find the missing poet and try and escape his UVA dorm room!

4. Celebrate the 4th of July

Get ready to celebrate! From live music and family-friendly fun to unforgettable fireworks, there's no better place to soak up the spirit of the Fourth. Check out these local events and find the best place to view the city fireworks!

Brantley Ussery
Credit: Brantley Ussery

5. Tour the Historic Downtown Mall

The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society offers a diverse variety of guided walking tours that explore the history of Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. Visit their website to schedule a tour!

6. See a Show at the Paramount Theater

The Paramount Theater has been a local landmark since opening on Thanksgiving Eve in 1931! There's never a shortage of shows -- we recommend checking out their events page for classic movies, Charlottesville Opera performances, comedy shows, and MORE!

7. Visit the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection

Located at the University of Virginia, the museum is the nation's only museum dedicated to Indigenous Australian Art! The space is small, but features a world-class collection of more than 3000 artworks. Admission is free, with guided tours available. Visit their website for more information.

Places to Stay Charlottesville and Albemarle County offer visitors a wide variety of places to stay, including resorts, hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, cabins, and vacation rentals. Learn More
Sip and Stay: Winery Lodging Learn More

Related Content: