Fall is fabulous in Charlottesville! The weather is perfect with crisp, comfortable temperatures, and there are so many activities. Whether you prefer an easy, relaxing stroll through a vineyard or a more rigorous hike in the mountains, you’ll find your perfect match here. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, though, considering that there are so many things to do in the Charlottesville area all year long. We’re sharing three of our fall favorites here.
October is Virginia Wine Month. This means it is a great time to visit the many wineries in the area. How many? In the Charlottesville area, you will find over 40 wineries. As part of the American Viticultural Area, vineyards are thriving in our area. Virginia is one of the top wine-producing states, fulfilling one of Thomas Jefferson’s visions. He established two vineyards at Monticello. One great way to see our wine country is with the Monticello Wine Trail Passport. You can also set out to explore on your own or you can leave the planning and the driving to one of Charlottesville’s wine tour companies. Of course, you can visit the wineries for wine tasting, but you can also enjoy beautiful landscapes, mountain views, delectable food and relaxing lodging.
Fall foliage is at its prime in late October and often into early November. Our region is gorgeous all year, but there is just something about the brilliant fall colors that warm our souls even as the temperatures are falling. If you don’t want to venture too far, head to Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall where the mature oak trees are stunning. You can also get in some shopping and great dining as you stroll this historic pedestrian area. If you want to get a little further away, then head out to the Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive & the Blue Ridge Parkway. Only half an hour from downtown, the views here are breathtaking in any season. The fall colors are a beautiful bonus. Another great place to enjoy the colors is on the campus of The University of Virginia. The University was founded by Thomas Jefferson, so besides the fall foliage, you can enjoy some history too. Or you can enjoy the fall foliage while you are touring our wineries!
Hiking is another activity that is especially pleasant in the fall. If you really want to enjoy the fall foliage up close, head out on one of the amazing hiking trails in the area. Within the Charlottesville city limits, you’ll find the Rivanna Trails with a two-mile section that is ADA accessible. The Saunders-Monticello Trail and Park System is also popular and not too far away. If you are looking for something more challenging, head to Patricia Ann Byrom Forest Preserve Park. If you are hoping to see some wildlife while enjoying the great outdoors, then you’ll want to head to the Ivy Creek Natural Area. This area has a total of seven miles of trails over its 215-acre area. Also, take time to visit the barn, which is a museum and example of a flourishing African American farm in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
There are so many activities in the Charlottesville area that it is hard to limit our list to only three. (So we’ll add a few more: apple picking, golf, art – there really is something for everyone!) It’s no wonder so many people love the beautiful Charlottesville area. It is such a great place to live, work and play. We love it, too! That’s why we are committed to doing our part to help you love your community.
We hope you are enjoying the autumn season!
