1. Run a Race

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or looking to tackle your first footrace, there are plenty of options this spring in Charlottesville and Albemarle County! If you’re looking for a challenge, we recommend the Charlottesville Ten Miler on March 22nd! This Charlottesville staple is celebrating its 50th anniversary and falls on the same weekend as the Festival of the Book and Indie Short Film Festival! For a more complete list of spring races, check out this page.

2. Play a Round of Golf

Spring in Charlottesville offers the perfect weather to hit the greens. With top-rated courses set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’re in for a memorable experience no matter where you go. Here are five local courses for the perfect golf getaway!

3. Go See the Foxfield Spring Races

Head on over to the horse races on April 26th! Foxfield has been hosting nationally recognized steeplechase races for more than forty years, giving residents and visitors alike the opportunity to witness spectacular horse racing in the beautiful countryside of Albemarle County. Tickets are on-sale now, including private tent rentals for large groups! Plus, when you attend, not only are you supporting tradition, you’re also supporting Foxfield’s mission to foster the conservation of open space and our countryside. Learn more here!

4. Kick Off Water Season

On the water is our favorite place to be in the spring, with tons of activities to take part in! Whether you’re looking to tube the Rivanna River, kayak the James River in Scottsville, or lounge lakeside on a beach at one of our many parks, we’ve got you covered! Most of our local outfitters begin rentals in April, so grab a paddle or a tube and hit the water ASAP! More of an angler? Check out these diverse fishing options in Charlottesville and Albemarle County – featuring accessible docks, privately led fly-fishing opportunities, and more!

5. Shop Like a Local

The Charlottesville-area is full of small businesses to support, no matter what niche you’re shopping for. A full listing of businesses can be found here. We recommend the Crozet Artist Depot to shop items from local artists. Looking for seasonal produce, local art, and delicious baked goods? Stop by the City Farmers Market (restarts in April) and the Farmers Market at IX Art Park! Both are held on Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM.

6. Visit a Local Orchard

The mild climate and rich soil of Charlottesville and Albemarle County allows for the growth of many, beautiful farms and orchards! People from all over are drawn to this area to spend a fun day picking their own fruit and gaining a better appreciation of what farm-to-table really means. We recommend Chiles Peach Orchard, located in Crozet, and Carter Mountain Orchard, located near Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, for breathtaking views and fun for the whole family. Check their calendars for multiple Easter Egg Hunts in March and strawberry picking at Chiles in late April! In addition to being family-run, these two orchards are also doing incredible work to increase their sustainability. They’ve been installing solar panels since 2018, culminating in a combined 2,823 solar panels that produce nearly a megawatt of power and clean energy for the next 30-plus years. For a full list of farms and orchards in the area, head to this page!

7. Listen to Free Music at Fridays After Five

Back for its 37th season on April 18th, Fridays after Five is hosted on the historic Downtown Mall at the Ting Pavilion and runs every Friday beginning at 5:30PM through September 5th . This summer series features local artists performing a wide range of music and volunteer-run concessions that raise money for a variety of local non-profits. Plus, the Ting Pavilion offers accessible accommodations when needed – advance notice is needed in order to prepare as these events get busy! More information here.

8. Go On a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Ready to take in scenic Central Virginia from thousands of feet in the air? Treat yourself to a hot air balloon ride! This unique experience is perfect for families, couples, or solo adventurers. We recommend checking out Monticello Country Ballooning and Blue Ridge Ballooning. They offer a combination of sunset/sunrise trips, private flights, and all-inclusive packages!

9. Explore the Monticello Wine Trail

There’s a reason we were named Wine Region of the World in 2023 by Wine Enthusiast! With more than 50 wineries across the region, you can spend a whole week exploring Charlottesville and the Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA), with plenty of family-friendly events, food trucks, and live music. Looking to attend something special, like a blending workshop or a seasonal tasting? Explore our events page and sort by “drink”. Our wineries are also home to various wine clubs like Oeneoverse, and at King Family Vineyards, and Eastwood Farm and Winery. These clubs offer a combination of community events, quarterly pickups, and great excuses to come back and visit!

Booking for a special occasion or looking to treat yourself to something more unique? Many wineries offer private tours or tastings. Explore Mt. Ida Reserve on horseback or reach out to our friends at Indian Summer Guide Service for more options. We love their Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard Ride – an hour-and-a-half private ride followed by a wine tasting in their eclectic tasting room! Bonus points if you stay onsite at their beautiful Clementine Cottage.

While exploring, we recommend paying special attention to the incredible sustainability efforts our local wineries have invested in! To name a few:

  • Oakencroft Farm & Winery runs 100% on solar power, utilizes 17,500-gallon storage tanks for collecting rainwater, and is working with the Center for Urban Habitats to convert two acres of its farm back into a native Pine Savannah.
  • Knight’s Gambit Vineyards runs on solar power.
  • Jefferson Vineyards supports 400,000 bees with seven acres of wildflower meadows and has over 600 acres under conservation easement.
  • Glass House Winery uses solar and geo-thermal energy sources.
  • Loving Cup Winery is the only certified organic winery in Virginia.

10. Dine on the Downtown Mall

Longer days and warmer weather mean patio dining is back, and we couldn’t be more excited! Your trip to Charlottesville and Albemarle County isn’t complete without enjoying an outdoor meal on the historic Downtown Mall and thankfully, there are tons of options! Head over to our Outdoor Dining page to find your favorite spot – most places have space for walk-ins, but some accept reservations too!

11. Attend a Festival

Virginia Festival of the Book

March 20–23

Book lovers unite! Plan to attend free events, bookish parties, and more at this year’s festival. Featuring authors such as Earl Swift, Emma Donoghue, and Louis Bayard!

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Indie Short Film Festival

March 21–23

This festival will feature over 80 short films with Q&As, table reads, panel discussions, and an acting workshop – all located at five different walkable venues in Downtown Charlottesville.

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Daze of Rosé

April 5

Celebrate Virginia’s finest rosé at Daze of Rosé! Sip, vote, & enjoy a day of wine, food, music, & pink vibes in Charlottesville!

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Tom Tom Festival

April 16–20

This annual festival of music, art, and ideas is family-friendly and includes a two-day block party on the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall.

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Virginia Historic Garden Week

April 26–27

This statewide event includes access to over 120 private homes and gardens throughout Virginia. Proceeds from this event fund the restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historic public gardens and provide graduate level research fellowships.

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Foxfield Spring Races

April 26

Foxfield has been hosting steeplechase races in the heart of Virginia for over forty years, giving residents and visitors alike the opportunity to witness spectacular horse racing and enjoy the beauty of the countryside.

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Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival

May 10–11

Set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Albemarle County, the festival features more than 120 fine artists and contemporary craft artisans from around the country.

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Charlottesville Arts Festival

May 24–25

Ix Art Park comes alive for a weekend of live music and performing artists, demos and workshops, and booths from more than 50 fine artists.

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12. Take an Art Class

Whether you're looking to develop a new skill, find a fun activity to take on with loved ones, or even a parent whose child loves to create, there's something for everyone this Spring! McGuffey Art Center is a creative hub in Downtown Charlottesville that's full of opportunity. They offer a wide range of classes, from dance and watercolor to animation and improv. Check out their website for a full list.

Our events page is the best way to stay up to date on one-off classes in the area, perfect for couples, solo adventurous, and friends!

Do you have a creative young mind? We recommend checking out The Art Bar, Scrappy Elephant, and Rose's Inspiration Station (Crozet). Drop in and do a craft or sign up for an instructor-led class!

13. Do the Downtown Bookstore Crawl

Did you know that there are SIX independent bookstores within walking distance on the Downtown Mall? All six shops carry the crawl card AND the final prize, so start wherever you'd like! We recommend grabbing a drink from Lone Light Coffee and kicking off at Daedalus Bookshop! In order to receive a stamp from each bookstore you need to purchase something (darn, an excuse to get more books). Once you have the completed card, turn it in for a *prize redacted*

The Beautiful Idea

411 E Main St Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 tbi.cville@gmail.com

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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.

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With plenty of reasons to come visit this Spring, we hope you’ll stay a few days to maximize your trip! Spring is a beautiful time to explore shops, enjoy the warmer weather, and unwind. Whether you’re traveling solo to one of this season’s foot races, or bringing the whole family to get away, take a look at our ‘Places to Stay’ map to find the perfect accommodations for your trip! Looking to add even more local events to your trip? Keep an eye on our events page for all the local happenings!

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