Albemarle

Day Trips

Arrive early at Monticello to explore the house, gardens, and sweeping views of the surrounding Blue Ridge foothills. Learn about Thomas Jefferson’s architectural innovations as you wander through the meticulously restored rooms. Don’t miss the timekeepers’ garden, where heritage vegetables and fruits are grown as they were in Jefferson’s day.

Join a guided tour of the Monticello grounds to uncover stories of daily life on the plantation and Jefferson’s agricultural experiments. Visit the exhibition galleries to see artifacts, letters, and inventions that reveal the complexities of his legacy. Cap your visit with a stroll along the Mulberry Row service lane and former slave quarters.

Head into nearby Charlottesville for dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing Albemarle County produce. Savor seasonal dishes paired with local wines and chat with winemakers or chefs. End the night with a leisurely walk down the historic Downtown Mall, stopping for a nightcap or live acoustic music.

Begin at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards for a tasting on their hilltop terrace overlooking rolling vines. Learn about Albemarle’s unique terroir and sample bright Viognier or robust Cabernet Franc. Enjoy a light brunch featuring artisanal cheeses and freshly baked bread sourced from local farms.

Continue to Blenheim Vineyards, founded by a famous local musician, and explore the tasting room and art installations scattered around the property. Chat with the vintners about sustainable farming practices and barrel aging. Finish with a guided tour of their barrel cellar before sipping a flight of reds and whites.

Make your way to King Family Vineyards for sunset views over the Malvern Hills. Dine al fresco with a gourmet picnic box designed to pair perfectly with their estate wines. As twilight falls, savor a glass of sparkling wine while the last light glimmers over the vineyards.

Drive north along the scenic Skyline Drive and stop at Hogback Overlook for panoramic mountain vistas. Lace up your boots and tackle a section of the Ridge Trail or a gentle loop like the Stony Man summit. Breathe in crisp mountain air as dawn breaks over the Blue Ridge peaks.

Descend to a shaded valley to picnic by a bubbling stream and listen to the song of native birds. Then challenge yourself with the strenuous Old Rag circuit for thrilling boulder scrambles and ridge-top views. Keep an eye out for deer, black bears, and wildflowers carpeting the forest floor.

Check into a cozy mountain lodge or cabin just outside the park entrance. Warm up by a roaring fireplace and swap stories of the day’s adventures over a hearty comfort meal. Drift off under a canopy of stars visible in the park’s dark-sky sanctuary.

Set off along the Blue Ridge Parkway at dawn to catch golden light filtering through the trees. Stop at purchase overlooks such as Humpback Rocks and Rockfish Gap for short walks and photography. Read interpretive signs to learn about local flora, fauna, and mountain geology.

Enjoy a packed lunch at one of the park’s picnic areas before continuing southward. Pull off at Mabry Mill to watch a live demonstration of the historic gristmill and blacksmith shop. Sample corn chowder and apple butter at the adjacent snack bar before hitting the road again.

Descend into the valley near Asheville for dinner at a traditional mountain cabin restaurant. Feast on smoked trout or slow-roasted pork in a rustic dining room. Cap the evening with live bluegrass music and sweet tea on a wraparound porch.

Arrive just after sunrise at Carter Mountain Orchard to beat the crowds and gather freshly picked apples, peaches, or cherries, depending on the season. Wander through fragrant orchards with sweeping views of Charlottesville’s skyline. Don’t forget to sample homemade apple cider donuts, still warm from the fryer.

Explore the orchard’s farm market offering jams, local honey, cheeses, and handmade crafts. Attend a cider-pressing demonstration to see how fruit is transformed into tangy local cider. Enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch overlooking the mountainside.

Head down the mountain to a nearby cider house for a tasting flight of hard ciders made from heirloom apple varieties. Pair your flight with wood-fired flatbreads topped with seasonal toppings. Gather around a bonfire ring for storytelling and live folk music as the day winds down.

Stroll the brick-lined streets of Charlottesville’s historic district, admiring federal-style architecture and hidden courtyards. Pop into independent boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops to uncover one-of-a-kind finds. Sip a specialty coffee from a local roaster while watching the world awaken.

Browse the Charlottesville City Market (open on Saturdays) for fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts made by regional artisans. Sample local cheeses, freshly baked pastries, and seasonal fruit while you chat with vendors. Stop at a food truck for a gourmet lunch featuring international flavors with a local twist.

Return to the Downtown Mall for dinner at one of its many eclectic eateries, from Spanish tapas to Southern comfort food. Choose a rooftop bar or sidewalk table to enjoy the evening air. Wrap up your night with live jazz or a theatrical performance at the historic Paramount Theater.

Head to the James River for a guided kayaking or paddleboarding trip through Class II and III rapids. Feel the thrill of navigating churning whitewater framed by forested bluffs. Pause mid-rapids to spot turtles basking on sunlit rocks.

Pull onto a gravel bar for a riverside picnic of gourmet sandwiches and salads. Spend the afternoon tubing downstream or exploring hidden swimming holes. If you prefer hiking, trek a segment of the Virginia Capital Trail that parallels the river.

Set up camp at a riverside campsite or return to a riverside lodge for a shower and change of clothes. Roast marshmallows over a campfire while swapping stories of river adventures. Drizzle local honey on vanilla ice cream for a sweet, rustic dessert under the stars.

Kick off your day with a tour of Champion Brewing Company to learn about their brewing process and sample flagship IPAs. Chat with the head brewer about hop varieties and barrel-aging techniques. Wash down your flight with a hearty breakfast sandwich from the on-site cafe.

Make your way to Starr Hill Pilot Brewery for a behind-the-scenes look at small-batch brewing. Taste seasonal taps and limited-release beers paired with artisan charcuterie boards. Then explore a local food hall for tacos, ramen, or gourmet grilled cheese from rotating chefs.

Dine at a chef-driven restaurant specializing in Appalachian-inspired cuisine, where foraged mushrooms and farm-raised meats feature prominently. Pair each course with craft beers or ciders from local producers. End the evening with a nocturnal brewery tour and a glass of barrel-aged stout.

Rise before dawn to meet your hot air balloon crew and watch the wicker basket inflate in the morning light. Drift silently over vine-covered hills, orchards, and distant mountains as the sun peeks above the horizon. Toast your flight with a complimentary glass of sparkling cider once you land.

Return to the valley for a leisurely brunch at a nearby farm-to-table inn, sampling quiches, fresh fruits, and local pastries. Spend the midday hours relaxing with a massage or spa treatment that uses botanical products grown on-site. Take a nap in a hammock under a shady oak tree or read in an outdoor pavilion.

Head back out to Carter Mountain Orchard or a hilltop vantage point for a vibrant sunset over the Blue Ridge. Share a pre-packed gourmet picnic of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and a bottle of local rosé. Watch the sky shift through pinks and purples as evening birdsong fades into night.

Unwind with an outdoor yoga session among the vines, guided by an instructor who specializes in vineyard wellness retreats. Let the gentle breeze and bird calls enhance your meditation practice. Follow up with a light breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, and herbal tea.

Indulge in a spa treatment using grape seed oil and mineral-infused mud masks to nourish skin and soothe muscles. Afterward, enjoy a wine-paired lunch featuring small bites from local farms amid panoramic vineyard views. Spend the rest of the afternoon lounging by an infinity pool or strolling between vine rows at your leisure.

Dine privately under the stars in a vineyard pavilion set with flickering lanterns and rustic-chic décor. Savor a multi-course tasting menu created by a guest chef, each dish paired with estate wines. End the evening around a fire pit, sipping port-style wine and reflecting on a serene week in Albemarle.