Now that the country is opening up, aren’t you excited to be able to get out and start doing all those activities you haven’t been able to do? Here are 5 fun summer activities around Charlottesville, VA that are sure to bring a smile to your face. Come to Charlottesville this summer and begin to safely spread your wings and have fun in the sun. After all, isn’t that what summer is all about?
Farmers Markets
One of the best things about summer is fresh produce. We love to visit local farmer’s markets to get fruits and veggies right from the source. Nothing tastes better than local produce that has been harvested at its peak. It Is also a great way to support local farmers and keep money spent on food close to home. Here is a list of farmer’s markets around Charlottesville. There is also a Featured Farmer Day at Pippin Farms Winery that would be fun to check out (along with the wine).
Gardens at Monticello
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson primarily ate a plant based diet? He used his gardens as a type of laboratory for all types of vegetables and fruit trees, as well as flowers. He recorded the success and failure of these experiments in detail in his “Garden Kalendar” which is a part of his garden book.
Come and tour the gardens and grounds of Monticello! There are self-guided tours as well as guided tours. Be sure to get your tickets in advance. You will be amazed at the variety of plants introduced by Jefferson, and how they are integrated into the landscape. If you are traveling with family, check out the scavenger hunt on the grounds as well!
Tour a Sculpture Garden
A very different type of garden can be found at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection, housed on land originally owned by Thomas Jefferson’s father. The building houses a unique museum of Australian aboriginal art, the only one that can be found outside of Australia. It is part of the University of Virginia.
There is currently an outdoor sculpture exhibit that consists of 13 sculptures created by UVA students in response to the pandemic. The exhibit is entitled “Breathe with Me,” and is an effort to use the Aboriginal practice of “dadirri” (deep listening). This practice encourages slowing down, being outdoors, and immersing in nature. There is a phone app with prompts, again created by students, to assist in connecting with the nature scene. There are also walking trails that are part of the Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital campus connected to the site.
Tour a Fairy Garden
Wake up the inner child, and visit the Wildrock Nature Play and Discovery Center! Enjoy mountain views and innovative play ideas that include a labyrinth, a bird sanctuary, a discovery trail loop and a garden. Perfect for a family outing, with more than twelve different immersive play zones. There are more than three acres of diverse landscapes to enjoy. Again, it is important to purchase tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Live Music
Is there anything that says summer more than outside concerts? Many of the wineries and breweries in the area have scheduled concerts throughout the summer, so you can check out the wine or beer, and the food offerings and enjoy many different kinds of music. The schedule is changing all the time with new concerts being added, so be sure to check back often.These are just a few suggestions for activities around Charlottesville. Plan your stay at Foxfield Inn now! We have many more suggestions of fun things to do. If you don’t see anything, please ask; we love to help.
