If you like the Avett Brothers, Dave Matthews, fabulous restaurants, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, I’ve got a place for you. Some place warm, where the beer flows like wine, where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I’m talking about a little place called… Charlottesville. (If you haven’t seen Dumb and Dumber, none of that will have made sense, just move on and then go watch that movie).
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a couple of the most beautiful cities in the country and Charlottesville, Virginia is one of them. It’s nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was the home of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, and is the home of the University of Virginia. It is truly a beautiful city, incredibly family-friendly, and fall is the perfect time to visit when the temperatures start to cool and that southern humidity begins to fade. Here are my top recommendations for family-friendly spots in the area:
★Downtown Mall
There’s a little bit for everyone on the brick-lined pedestrian mall that runs through the middle of downtown Charlottesville. But who cares about “everyone” when you’ve got kids… Your kids will love the many ice cream shops (Splendora’s Gelato and Chaps are my favorite), toy store, and the Freedom of Speech Wall (give them a piece of chalk and let them add a masterpiece). The BEST stop on the downtown mall is the Virginia Discovery Museum. I’ve been to a ton of kids’ museums and this one ranks highly in my book. There’s an antique carousel out front that’s fun, too. Across the street from the mall is the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library and it has a fabulous kids area (ahem, named after my father- you’ve got to check out the John Halliday Reading Room).
★Wineries
If you’re traveling with toddlers or babies, you’ll probably need some wine/cider/beer. The Monticello Wine Trail boasts over thirty wineries, all inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s winemaking at his plantation (Monticello). If you’re questioning why I’m putting wineries on my list of family-friendly destinations then clearly you are not a hot mess mother in need of wine or you simply prefer breweries (of which there are several, so you’re in luck. My favorite is Blue Mountain Brewery). In my dream world I would sip wine at an outdoor patio while my little ones played happily in the grass. In reality I usually end up guzzling down my drink while trying to run after my children. My baby ate a bumble bee the other day because I looked away for two seconds. Either way, it’s still a fun time. My favorite wineries are Veritas, Barboursville, and Pippin Hill. You probably can’t go wrong with any of the ones on this list. King Family holds Polo matches from Memorial Day Weekend until early October and all kids love horses, right??
★Monticello
Speaking of Monticello, the actual house is worth a visit. I should know– I was dragged on the tour over a dozen times as a child. There are family-friendly tours, geared for kids between the ages of 5-11. You’ll spend at least of couple of hours doing the tour and walking around the grounds, and the Visitor’s Center and Cafe are also worth a visit.
The Saunders-Monticello Trail leads up to the Monticello Visitor’s Center and is a kid-friendly hike. The trail is stroller-friendly, very well-maintained, and is about 4 miles round-trip. I’ve walked up to the Visitor’s Center with a baby in the stroller, had a nice lunch at the cafe, and then walked back down. It’s a nice outing.
★Michie Tavern
On your way up to or back from Monticello, Michie Tavern is a fun stop for lunch (and for picking up souvenirs). Servers are dressed in period attire and the food on the buffet is based on 18th century recipes. Added bonus, kids under six eat free. Bonus bonus, there’s the opportunity to dress your little ones in period attire because nothing says “get a taste of the 18th century” like snapping cute photos on your iPhone.
★Visit an Orchard
Chile’s Peaches is our personal favorite. They host a pancake breakfast on weekends from April-December. They also host music on Friday evenings during the spring and summer. If you have little kids and are visiting mid-week, stop by their “Come Grow with Us” Sessions featuring crafts, a cooking project, snacks, and story time!
Carter Mountain Orchard is a favorite for apple picking and there are great views from the top. Through the summer and early fall they have a Thursday Sunset Series with dinner, live music, and hay rides.
★Hiking
There are lots of child-friendly trails in the area thanks to the proximity of the Shenandoah National Park, the Rivanna Trails and the Ivy Creek Natural Area. Use the AllTrails App to find one that suits your family’s difficulty level. The Saunders-Monticello Trail (noted above) is my favorite hike with babies in strollers.
★Outdoor Concerts
Through the spring, summer, and fall there are lots of free outdoor concerts around town, perfect for taking a picnic and letting your kids run and dance around. In the summer, Fridays After Five holds free concerts at the Sprint Pavilion (on the downtown mall) with food/beer trucks. Castle Hill Cider has a beautiful tasting room in Keswick and hosts live music alternating Thursdays and Fridays, May through August. Many of the wineries have live music during the warmer months.
For more information about family-friendly events happening around Charlottesville each week visit https://charlottesvillefamily.com/
