I’m pretty lucky that I’ve gotten to spend most of 2020 in Charlottesville. It was a privilege to quarantine here, but when things started to open back up, I realized that there are so many socially distanced activities you can do in town!
I usually get at least 5-10 DMs a week from folks saying they’re coming to Charlottesville and asking for recommendations on things to do in Charlottesville. I did write a C’ville Travel Guide before COVID. However, some spots have closed since I wrote that article, some new places have opened their doors, and some wineries have started taking reservations in the area.
Thinking of booking a trip to Charlottesville in the coming months? Here’s everything you need to know!
Things to do in Charlottesville
Traveling to Charlottesville During COVID-19: What You Need to Know
As always, when traveling during COVID-19, I highly recommend reading up on your destination’s travel advisories before booking a trip. You can keep up to date with all Virginia travel restrictions at the Virginia Department of Health‘s website.
At the moment, Virginia does not have any quarantine requirements for domestic or international visitors. There is a Governor’s mandate that masks are required for any person 10 years or older while inside public buildings. All of the businesses I’ve listed below also require masks to be worn in their outdoor spaces, unless you’re seated at your table and eating/drinking.
Virginia is currently in Phase 3 of reopening, so indoor dining has opened. However, if you’re not comfortable with being indoors right about now, there are still plenty of things to do! Charlottesville’s weather is also pretty mild, so we still have a few months of great weather before winter hits.
If you’re traveling with a group of more than 6 people, make sure to do your homework. Certain spots in town will not accept parties larger than 6, so make sure to book reservations accordingly.
Traveling to Charlottesville During COVID-19: Getting Around Town
I have more detailed information about how to get to Charlottesville in my original guide here. The closest airports, CHO and RIC, are still operating flights daily if you’re coming from afar!
I personally like having a car in Charlottesville. Parking downtown is fairly cheap, and there are so many places right outside of town that are worth the drive. Uber and Lyft are still operating as well, and masks are required to ride. However, I do not recommend taking an Uber or Lyft out to a winery. Wineries are in more rural areas; it is often hard to get phone service in these areas to request a ride back to town. Also, since there’s not a ton of traffic outside of town, you might end up waiting an hour or more for your ride to come!
If you need a ride to the wineries, I’d highly recommend booking a private tour with Monticello Wine Tours. Their drivers are friendly, knowledgeable, and they’ll help you plan the best route possible.
Traveling to Charlottesville During COVID-19: Where to Stay
- Quirk Hotel Charlottesville: The Quirk Hotel Charlottesville opened in June 2020, and I think it’s safe to say that it’s the cutest hotel in town. I love that they renovated two historic properties in town in addition to the new construction. They really took the time to consider the community’s needs, and as a result, it’s a great space for both locals and visitors to enjoy.
This hotel is one of a kind: it has an art gallery on-site, the best rooftop bar in the city, and they partner with local businesses for fun events regularly. I’m hoping to catch a rooftop barre class soon! Location-wise, it can’t be beat. It’s right in Downtown Charlottesville, steps away from the Downtown Mall, and within walking distance of UVA’s campus. There are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.
- Graduate Charlottesville: The Graduate Charlottesville is a cute, quirky hotel that’s super close to the UVA grounds. I’ve stayed here a couple of times, and it’s always a solid bet. The service here is incredible, and I’m also a fan of their rooftop bar as well. I love how walkable this location is
- The Inn at Stinson Vineyards: If you’re looking for a more socially distanced getaway, I’d recommend the Inn at Stinson Vineyards. It’s a charming bed and breakfast about 25-30 minutes outside of town in Crozet, VA, and sits atop Stinson Vineyards. It is one of the most gorgeous properties I’ve ever stayed at in the area, and you really can’t beat the vineyard views. They have a pool, a kitchen available for guest use, and as a guest, you’ll receive a complimentary tasting at Stinson Vineyards as well. This property tends to book up fast, so I would try to make a booking ASAP.
Traveling to Charlottesville During COVID-19: Things to Do
- Take a Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway: Want to enjoy the best views without hiking? Here’s my secret — take I-64 to Afton, VA (Exit 99), and hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is free, and Skyline Drive has an entrance fee, so we usually opt to take this drive instead. My favorite overlook is the Ravens Roost at milepost 10.7. Best views and incredible photo op!
- Hiking in Charlottesville: If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, there are several hikes available in and around Charlottesville! Admittedly, I haven’t done most of these hikes, but there’s a great guide here you can reference. By far, the Humpback Rocks Trail is the most popular in the area.
- Shop on the Downtown Mall: The Downtown Mall is one of my favorite town spots to shop and people/dog watch! Consider shopping at a small business when you’re in town — they could use your support. Some of my favorite shops here include:
- Darling Boutique: If you’re looking for secondhand pieces, this is the spot for you! They have an incredible, curated selection of consigned goods, and they also carry items from local artisans. P.S., if you’ve ever wanted to shop my closet, I consign my clothes here!
- Rock Paper Scissors: If you’re a stationery fanatic like I am, this is the spot for you! Rock Paper Scissors is open for “knock to shop” — just knock on the door, and an associate will let you in!
- Jean Theory: Do you love designer denim? This is the boutique for you! They have a great selection of some of my favorite denim brands, including AGOLDE, Citizens of Humanity, Levi’s, and more.
- Darling Boutique: If you’re looking for secondhand pieces, this is the spot for you! They have an incredible, curated selection of consigned goods, and they also carry items from local artisans. P.S., if you’ve ever wanted to shop my closet, I consign my clothes here!
Traveling to Charlottesville During COVID-19: Best Wineries to Visit
Ok, now let’s chat about the recommendations you frequently ask for: the wineries.
If you can make a reservation in advance for a winery, I would highly recommend it! Some wineries can accommodate walk-in visitors; however, they are operating at limited capacity. The wineries listed below have an ample amount of outdoor space and have great social distancing measures, in my opinion!
- Early Mountain Vineyards
- Stinson Vineyards
- King Family Vineyards (this winery will get crowded on weekends, so plan accordingly!)
- Afton Mountain Vineyard
- Gabriele Rausse Winery (a smaller winery with limited seating, but one of my faves in the area! Not open on Saturdays.)
- Montifalco Vineyard
Need more winery recommendations? Check out my original Charlottesville guide here!
Traveling to Charlottesville During COVID-19: Best Breweries and Distilleries
As always, you can view my original guide to check out a more complete list. Some of the breweries and distilleries we’ve visited that we think have great social distancing measures are:
- Selvedge Brewery: New brewery in town that just opened in the summer of 2020. This brewery is open by reservation only. You’re going to love The Wool Factory in general, so do a beer tasting here and do a quick wine tasting at The Workshop next door.
- Ragged Branch Distillery: Ragged Branch is, hands down, our favorite distillery in the area. They have ample amounts of seating, some of the best views, and incredible seasonal cocktails!
- Champion Brewing: What we love about Champion is that they have a ton of outdoor seating options between their downtown taproom and the Champion Grill in Stonefield.
Traveling to Charlottesville During COVID-19: Best Restaurants In Town
Now more than ever, local restaurants need your support! There’s no shortage of incredible food options in the area. You can reference my older guide for more food options in the area, but some other spots in town that we love are:
- Tonic Charlottesville: To say that I’m obsessed with Tonic is an understatement. They just opened this past summer, and I think it is a brilliant concept! They serve coastal, Southern-inspired small plates that are veggie-heavy, so if you’re looking for a lighter yet fulfilling meal, this is the spot for you. They also have a huge outdoor seating area and incredible cocktails. If you’re visiting this fall, try their “Sweater Weather” cocktail — it’s my personal favorite!
- Superette Saison: When Brasserie Saison reopened in late July, they also introduced a new concept: Superette Saison. Superette is a casual concept that offers to-go sandwiches and a curated wine and beer selection as well. If you’re on the Downtown Mall and need a quick bite to eat, this is a great option!
- Public Fish and Oyster: For some reason, this spot was not in my original guide to Charlottesville, but it’s one of Tom and I’s favorite spots in town. Fun fact: this is the spot we first met! If you’re craving seafood, Public has an incredible selection of oysters and coastal dishes. They also have a patio with a good amount of outdoor seating. If you’re big into oysters like I am, don’t miss their happy hour!
- Tavola: Hands down, Tavola is my favorite restaurant in town. We’re still not 100% comfortable with indoor dining, so we’ve personally ordered takeout from them, but you can snag a distanced seating by reservation.
- Quirk Hotel Rooftop: I love the Quirk Hotel’s Rooftop for drinks and snacks. We loved the cocktails, the appetizers, and the view! They also do serve pizzas, but IMO, I think those are a bit overpriced, and you can get a better pizza in town elsewhere. You can likely expect a bit of a wait here on the weekends, but you can make a reservation in advance for parties of 7-14 guests.
Don’t forget to check out my original Charlottesville Guide for more things to do in the area!
Photos by Tom McGovern
Which of these things to do in Charlottesville are you most interested in trying? Let me know in a comment below!
