Plan a Sustainable Trip to Charlottesville & Albemarle County
It’s Earth Month and there have never been more eco-conscious ways to explore Charlottesville and Albemarle County!
From beautiful cycling routes to sustainable wineries to great deals on train travel, check out these ideas that will help you travel with a smaller footprint on your next trip.
Travel by Train
One of the most efficient and low-emission methods for traveling to Charlottesville and Albemarle County is by train. Visitors up and down the East Coast corridor can take advantage of Amtrak lines like Northeast Regional, Cardinal, and Crescent that stop at the train station located on West Main Street right in the heart of downtown Charlottesville.
To sweeten the deal, Amtrak offers more affordable “Virginia Anytime Fares” for any trip within Virginia and Washington, D.C. Whether you head up to the Charlottesville area from Roanoke or train down from the Nation’s Capital, you’ll receive 15% off your ride when you book through this deal.
Groups of travelers enjoy even lower fares, too. Amtrak Share Fares awards discounts for the number of passengers in your group! The discount increases with each additional ticketed passenger. See the full list of fare rates here.
Once your train arrives in town, take advantage of everything that’s in walking and biking distance of the Charlottesville Amtrak station – including many hotels, restaurants, and shopping experiences, as well as the University of Virginia and the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall.
Explore Sites on Two Wheels
Don’t forget to bring your wheels – two wheels that is – on your next trip to Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Cyclists can explore a “highlight tour” of the area with the Charlottesville Sites Road Tour. The full route is 29 miles and takes you throughout downtown Charlottesville and passes by historic sites like Michie Tavern, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and James Monroe’s Highland, as well as UVA Grounds.
If you’re staying closer to our area’s award-winning wineries, try the Western Albemarle Scenic Tour which passes several wineries, breweries, orchards, coffee shops, and country stores, as well as the stunning Beaver Creek Reservoir. The route can be easily modified to a shorter section, or you can add on the Fox Mountain Gravel Loop which passes by Montfair Resort Farm where you can stay at a small eco-friendly resort that offers EV Charging from your front porch.
Take advantage of unique and eco-conscious shopping opportunities when you explore the array of locally-owned, sustainable shops right here in Charlottesville. The shops in McIntire Plaza near downtown Charlottesville have become a haven for conscious consumers. Stores like Circa and Heyday Antiques specialize in high-quality secondhand furniture and décor, High Tor Gear Exchange offers outdoor consignment with brands like Patagonia and the North Face, the Scrappy Elephant is bursting with unused art supplies that are ready for your next project, and Cville Refill Renew allows you to bring your own bottles and containers to fill up on personal and homecare goods like shampoo, dish and hand soap, laundry detergent, and more.
All of these stores offer the unique opportunity to purchase products that ultimately help you reduce your waste, plastic use, and carbon footprint while supporting a community of local small businesses.
Other wonderful consignment shops can be found around town, including Darling x Dashing, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Neon Soul, as well as many vintage and antique shops on the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall.
Sip at Sustainable Wineries
Charlottesville and Albemarle County are home to 40+ wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail – recently named Wine Region of the Year for the entire world by Wine Enthusiast! Within this award-winning wine scene, you’ll find several innovative wineries that are pairing delicious wine with thoughtful, sustainable growing practices.
Oakencroft Farm and Winery, located just outside Charlottesville, aims to be a carbon-sink farm which means it absorbs more carbon than it produces. With its serene, reservation-only tasting room and beautiful views, it’s a great spot to relax and unwind over a glass of natural sparkling wine.
Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery is the only certified organic vineyard and winery in all of Virginia! Located along US highway 29 in Albemarle County, this family-owned-and-operated winery is creating delicious wine made with a whole lot of love and care.
Lastly, Knight’s Gambit Vineyards located in the beautiful White Hall community, runs entirely off of solar power. Support their solar-powered efforts by planning an afternoon on the patio enjoying a glass of viognier with a stunning mountain view. You might just spot horses enjoying the sunshine in the neighboring field.
Plan a meal at restaurants that prioritize seasonal, local fare.
Right near the Downtown Mall, you’ll find Tonic which proudly specializes in sustainable cuisine that showcases ingredients from passionate local farmers and small-scale producers. On West Main Street is Ethos Wine & Tea -- a fun, social restaurant that serves natural wines, teas thoughtfully sourced from around the world, and a menu of sandwiches and sweets that changes seasonally.
In Albemarle County, the menu at the Ivy Inn also changes often based on what their chefs find at market, what they're inspired by in the moment, what local farmers grow amid climate and weather patterns.
For added sustainability, try the entirely plant-based menu at Botanical on the Downtown Mall and Bar Botanical in Crozet. Their delectable entrees make it so that you don’t even miss the meat, especially when your meal is paired with one of their delicious cocktails.
Plan Your Trip
Whether you’re looking for a spot to stay in the heart of Downtown Charlottesville or a scenic escape in Albemarle County, book your trip today.
Browse all of our accommodations, including B&Bs, boutique hotels, and more, on our Places to Stay Page.
Spring is a popular time to visit, so consider a mid-week trip for the best room rates! Then use the Ultimate Spring Bucket List to map out all the activities you’d like to hit during your stay.
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.
The Ultimate Spring Bucket List for Charlottesville & Albemarle County
It officially feels like spring in Charlottesville and Albemarle County and that means temperatures are ticking up, spring blooms are emerging, and a new season of events is kicking off.