Get the Whole Family Outdoors in Charlottesville & Albemarle County!

Wildrock’s mission is to promote nature play for health and happiness. Their three-acre nature playscape includes twelve zones allowing kids to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. Climb on a giant wooden salamander, explore the rock labyrinth, make a mud pie, visit the bird sanctuary stations, and visit the barn center for even more learning fun! The Discovery Loop trail takes you on a ¾ mile adventure through forest, meadow, and streams, allowing for child sensory play. Stand on “Wild Rock” for a great photo op featuring stunning mountain views. Wildrock welcomes everyone, and play elements are geared toward children ages 3-12. Check their calendar of events for special workshops. Additionally, Wildrock is located next to Patricia Ann Byrom Forest Preserve, with steep hiking and biking trails at the base of the Blue Ridge for more experienced outdoor adventurers!

Discover nature play in Charlottesville via this helpful map of outdoor spaces in the area. The map raises awareness of nearby nature as a vital resource for public health and identifies twelve different styles of nature play conducive to these areas. Venture beyond the playgrounds and sports fields to find forests, streams, and meadows – a wonderland for imaginative, exploratory play!

For more nature play, be sure to check out a Virginia State Park Backpack from any Jefferson Madison Regional Library. The backpack contains a parking pass for Virginia State Parks, nature guides, and nature exploration tools.

Bring your preschool-age explorer to the Little Naturalist Program at Ivy Creek. This ninety-minute program takes place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The program starts with an indoor, hands-on learning activity and is followed by a short nature trail expedition. Children and their accompanying adults engage with trained guides and explore topics such as hibernation, the food chain, how trees grow, and so much more.

Nature activities abound on 129 acres in western Albemarle County. Unique accommodations allow your family to truly get away from it all and reconnect with the natural surroundings as well as one another. Get out on the water and learn to canoe, count butterflies in the wildflower garden, and spend the night stargazing with 360 degree views of mountain silhouettes. Recreational activities such as tennis, biking, and basketball are also family favorites – especially for reunions! Plan a stay to relax in the quiet simplicity of nature at Montfair Resort Farm. Montfair is also part of Blue Ridge Nature Play, which includes itineraries for families. Learn more here.

Staying in Charlottesville and Albemarle County makes it easy to hop on the scenic Skyline Drive of the Shenandoah National Park and be back in time for dinner. The closest entrances to the Charlottesville area are Rockfish Gap at the southern end (mm 105) and Swift Run Gap at US Route 33 (mm 65.5) and both are approximately a half-hour drive from downtown. Tackle easy, 1-2-mile hikes at Little Calf Mountain (mm 99.5), Turk Mountain (mm 94.1), Blackrock Summit (mm 84.4), or Frazier Discover Trail (mm 79.5) while observing wildlife, wildflowers, and geologic formations.

Children ages 7 through 12 can become a Junior Ranger. Download the Junior Ranger Booklet or pick one up for free at either the Byrd Visitor Center or Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. The booklet highlights many of the great activities you can do within the park from hiking and wildlife identification to stargazing and navigation. Complete the activities, attend one Ranger program and receive a Junior Ranger Badge! If you’re visiting in April, The National Park Service celebrates younger visitors with a National Junior Ranger Day. Fourth graders: don’t forget your Every Kid Outdoors pass for free access to the national park!

Educational nature activities for preschool through high school aged kids are available at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont. These activities aim to align nature with music, reading, and hands-on stewardship opportunities. While the garden site is still in development, visitors are encouraged to tour the beautiful natural landscape with 15 acres of trails and gathering areas, all at the intersection of Melbourne Road and the John Warner Parkway, near downtown Charlottesville! Many educational and community events take place within the Botanical Garden including bird walks, tree tours, and story time in the garden – bringing all ages together to delight in nature. Click here to view programs and events for kids at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont. Please note: While there is still programming taking place at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, there is also construction to restore the stream. Click here to learn more.

Rent a kayak, canoe, or tube and gather the family to spend a few hours on the beautiful Rivanna River. The Rivanna River Company also has educational float trips that focus on history, ecology, and environmental science. Once you return, grab a cold drink or homemade popsicle from the store, and take a stroll down the paved section of the Rivanna Trail. The growth of the grassland along the trail, as well as the bird houses, have made it an exceptional setting to observe birds and wildlife. Rivanna River Company partners with the Front Porch to host the Rivanna Roots Concert Series throughout the summer, and kids under 12 enjoy free admission! Bring the lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening under the stars.

The Exploratory Center focuses on the historic expedition of Lewis and Clark and serves as a gateway for learning about history, exploration, the natural environment, native cultures and more. Located in Darden Towe Park on the banks of the Rivanna River, the property consists of exhibits, hiking trails, and even a replica of a keelboat; the vessel used for most of their expedition. Experience art, history, and nature programs based on the skills of exploration, as well as exciting workshops, activity stations, history games, and challenges. Activities like journaling and mapmaking encourage observation of nature and critical thinking. For more exploration, take time to hike nearby Old Mills Trail.

Open by reservation and advance ticket only. Both self-guided and professionally guided experiences are available.

Take in stunning views and buy seasonal fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard, Chiles Peach Orchard, and Henley’s Orchard, or plan to pick your own! Peach season usually runs from June into August and apple season lasts from late August into November. Strawberry, blueberry, and pumpkin seasons are other photo-worthy opportunities to pick your own seasonal fruits. Look for family focused events at local farms throughout the year, including concerts, hayrides, and more.

Charlottesville and Albemarle County are home to many local parks filled with all kinds of activities for families. If you're looking to cool off during a summer visit, you can find beaches at Chris Greene Lake, Mint Valley Springs, and Walnut Creek, usually open Thursday – Sunday, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lakes at Chris Greene and Walnut Creek are also great for kayaking and fishing, and all 3 parks have extensive trail systems. Virginia Fishing License required for ages 16 or older.

Belmont, Forest Hills, Greenleaf, and Tonsler Parks have neighborhood spray grounds and playgrounds that are free to visit. Spray grounds usually operate mid-May to mid-September.

Charlottesville Skate Park – a wheel friendly plaza with pools, rails, and ledges – is perfect for teens who live to skateboard. Kids under 10 require adult supervision.

Ix Art Park

Just a few blocks from the Downtown Mall, Ix Art Park is a great place for kids to venture outside and experience the artsy side of Charlottesville. In addition to a free mural and sculpture park, weekly markets, youth art programs, performances and more, Ix Art Park is home to Virginia’s first immersive art experience, The Looking Glass. Ix Art Park seeks to empower its community through curating welcoming spaces that allow everyone in the community a safe space to exist creatively. Plenty of restaurant options at Ix Art Park include Three Notch’d Brewing Co., North American Sake Brewery, Bad Luck Ramen Bar, Brazos Tacos, and Lampo2GO.

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection

The Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection is the only museum in the United States dedicated to indigenous Australian art, and children and teens readily connect to art on display, so it's a must-see! Bold colors, interesting materials, depictions of animals and landscapes – this is fresh contemporary work deeply rooted in nature, storytelling, and experimentation. An "I-Spy" activity and map of the adjacent walking trails are available at the front desk. Reservations are encouraged and exhibits rotate often.

Yes, even wineries can provide fun for the entire family! Local vineyards along the Monticello Wine Trail have great wines, stunning views, and most also have plenty of room for the youngsters to run around. King Family Vineyards hosts polo matches on Sundays from Memorial Day through late October, with many families enjoying the day from the tailgate or back hatch of their vehicle. Glass House Winery has a tropical conservatory and a beautiful deck along a lake, making for a great place to enjoy the afternoon. Leashed dogs are also allowed outside at both wineries. And at Keswick Vineyards, you can even play mini-golf! These are just a few of over 40 wineries in the Charlottesville area. Visit the winery section of our website to explore all of the options!


Please note: while most area wineries are family-friendly, some solely cater to patrons age 21+. Be sure to call to confirm policies prior to visiting.

Monticello

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello graces the U.S. nickel and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Self-Guided, Highlights, and Family Friendly tours are all free for children under 12 and allow you to explore the first floor of the home. Family Friendly tours, designed for kids 5 – 11, are offered throughout the summer and on special weekends. All admission options provide access to Monticello’s extensive grounds, mobile scavenger hunts, the hands-on Discovery Room, and exhibits at the visitor center. Admission also includes guided walking tours focusing on gardens and slavery at Monticello. Allow at least 2.5 hours for the tours, and make sure to set aside time to hike the popular ADA-accessible Saunders-Monticello Trail, which is free and open to the public. Does your teen love history? Consider the longer Behind-the-Scenes or the From Slavery to Freedom tours.

Highland

James Monroe’s Albemarle County home, called Highland, is less than a 5-minute drive from Monticello and features 4+ miles of rustic trails that are free and open to the public during normal operating hours. New exhibits share recent genealogical research and archaeological findings. Highland hosts fun nature and agricultural events such as historic tree walks and the county fair. It also participates in the Blue Star Museum program for military families.

Michie Tavern

Michie Tavern, c.1784, is a historic site and restaurant near Monticello and Highland. Young visitors love to walk around the property and shop at the General Store, and the whole family can enjoy being immersed in a different time - servers even wear period clothing! The Tavern is most famous for its traditional Southern, midday buffet serving up fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, mashed potatoes, and more. Check the website for special discounts.

University of Virginia

Designed by Jefferson and built between 1817 and 1826, the University of Virginia’s Academical Village remains the centerpiece of college life. Tour the Rotunda and let the kids roam the Lawn (which are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site alongside of Monticello!), visit the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers at UVA, check out Edgar Allan Poe’s room, and see artifacts related to the Declaration of Independence at the Special Collections Library – all for free!

Historic McCormick Observatory

The Historic McCormick Observatory at UVA hosts free public viewing nights to stargaze every 1st and 3rd Friday. Reserve space online in advance. When it opened in 1885, it had one of the world’s largest telescopes. The Observatory is still used for teaching astronomy, astrometry, and spectroscopy.

Hatton Ferry

Experience live transportation history firsthand at Hatton Ferry in Scottsville. The Hatton Ferry is the last poled ferry in the U.S., and it crosses the James River on weekends from 10am-2pm, April 20 – October 13, weather permitting. The river also needs to be between 4ft and 8ft for the ferry to run, check here for river conditions. Stop at the nearby Canal Basin Square to see replicas of batteau and packet boats.

James River Batteau Company

While in Scottsville, take a unique tour on a batteau with the James River Batteau Company. Scottsville was originally the county seat of Albemarle County due to its location on the river, and the batteau (a special type of flat-bottom boat) was used to transport the agricultural riches of Central and Western Virginia to the seaports along the coast. The cruise is wonderful for history buffs and nature enthusiasts 8 years and older. Be sure to check out their new offering called Farm to Batteau for a local dinner cooked on an open fire on the James River!

After all of that activity, plan to grab a bite to eat at one of many family friendly restaurants. Tip Top Restaurant, Al Carbon, Citizen Burger Bar, Fardowners, Firefly Restaurant & Game Room, and The Nook are just a few that rate highly with local families. Check out our food & drink page for more options.

With so much to do, we encourage you to extend your family vacation to fully experience the outdoors in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. From luxurious resorts, your favorite chain hotels, cozy inns and B&Bs, plus a selection of vacation rentals, cabins, and cottages there’s an option for every family. Check out our places to stay page to start planning your stay today!