Discover all of the attractions and activities available in the vibrant Charlottesville area of Central Virginia during your vacation at Arcady Vineyard Bed and Breakfast.
Things to Do in Charlottesville, Virginia!
Winery, Brewery and Cider Touring
Grab a map at our registration desk or head to Virginia Wine/Monticello Wine Trail to explore the many options of our award-winning region. Let a local tour company do the driving for you or order up an Uber and you’re all set!
Read More...Wine Tour Itinerary – all within 10 miles of Arcady Vineyard Bed and Breakfast
Jefferson Vineyards – Just a mile and a half from Arcady Vineyard Bed and Breakfast! Currently open Wednesday – Monday on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring a picnic lunch from nearby Simeon Market! Traditional tastings have been suspended, but seasonal flight options are available as is bottled water and charcuterie type offerings.
Blenheim Vineyards & Trump Winery – Blenheim is owned by once local musician Dave Matthews and is currently offering guided wine tastings by reservation only Thursday through Monday with extended evening hours on Saturday. A unique timber frame tasting room with outdoor patio space for wine sales by the glass, bottle or flight during operating hours. Trump Winery, the largest winery on the East Coast, is open every day except Tuesday and offers a seasonal dining menu and breathtaking views with plentiful seating options both indoors and on the expansive property. Wine flights, glasses and bottles are offered and no appointment is necessary. Both wineries are on the same road and just 7 miles from Arcady Vineyard Bed and Breakfast.
Keswick Vineyards & Merrie Mill Farm and Vineyard – Keswick is open 7 days a week offering live music most Saturdays. Enjoy award winning wines from one of the top 100 winemakers in the country – pair with their charcuterie offerings or pack a picnic of your own to bring along. We just heard they installed a mini golf experience – fun! Merrie Mill is an artistic feast for the eyes, a unique and whimsical venue! Lunch plates and sharable menu items compliment their wines and during the warmer months you can visit late on Fridays for their sundowner series entertainment and enjoy blues and jazz on Sunday afternoons. Both wineries are about 10 miles north of Arcady.
Brewery Trail
For beer lovers, there are many great breweries to visit!
In Charlottesville:
Champion Brewing Company
Decipher Brewing
Random Row Brewery
South Street Brewery
Three Notch’d Brewing Company
Beer Trail West of Charlottesville:
Starr Hill Brewery
Blue Mountain Brewery
Wild Wolf Brewery
Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company
James River Brewery
History
Historic Day Itinerary – all within 4 miles of Arcady Vineyard Bed and Breakfast
After our hearty country-fresh breakfast, drive just over two miles to Jefferson’s home at Monticello. We recommend you pre-purchase your tickets online to reserve a tour time for the inside of the home. Park and pick up your tickets at the Welcome Center, where you can also enjoy a free film, museum, fantastic gift shop, and snack area (The Café at Monticello is run by Foods of All Nations, a local specialty grocery store), or after your visit, continue up the road and enjoy a tasting and light lunch and the spectacular view at Trump Winery.
The Monticello Welcome Center will bus you up to Monticello, or you can walk if you like – it’s about a 15-minute walk uphill.
It can take most of the morning to visit the Welcome Center Museum, grounds and mansion.
Read More...Michie Tavern Museum – Just half a mile west of Monticello is Virginia Historic Landmark Michie Tavern offering a true Colonial Lunch Buffet. There you can visit the museum and shop in the Country Store for a special local gift or souvenir.
James Monroe’s Highland – The third historical stop is also about 2 1/2 miles from the inn – Highland, President James Monroe’s home. This is a smaller “Gentleman Farmer’s” home. Just park and walk up to the gift shop where you can purchase your ticket, and they will direct you to the front of the home to wait for your tour. Tours run about every 15 minutes.
On your way back to Arcady Vineyard Bed and Breakfast, Jefferson Vineyards offers a lovely respite currently open Wednesday through Sunday.
Montpelier – If you are a die-hard history fan (or JMU alum!), you’ll want to tour Montpelier, the home of James Madison, which is a scenic 25-mile drive north of the inn. Two hours is a suggested guideline to tour the home, galleries and 8+ miles of public walking trails. The Exchange Cafe on site offers a nice menu selection.
Orchards, Markets & Arts
Carter Mountain Orchard – Just 3 miles from the B&B is this wonderful orchard with a stunning view of Charlottesville. Guests can pick or purchase various fruits in season, taste wine, enjoy the local donuts and apple cider, and on Wednesday and Thursday evenings (May-Sept) enjoy a light dinner and live music at sunset. Purchase tickets for this event on their website.
Saturday Morning Farmers’ Market – The market runs from April through December and is quite an event! They offer not only fresh produce and plants, but also showcase artists and local foods. Park at the adjacent Water Street parking garage.
Shop the Artisan Trail! – Enjoy the work of many area artists.
Ballooning
Always fun but dependent on the weather, there are some fantastic hot air balloon companies in Charlottesville:
Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding in the Vineyards! A beautiful experience for those who enjoy the outdoors. Ride through a scenic local vineyard with a guide, and enjoy a wine tasting at the end.
Hiking
There are several notable hikes – Humpback Rocks, Old Rag Mountain, Crabtree Falls are among the most popular and scenic in our area.
Saunders Three-Mile Trail – A great way to work off that big Arcady breakfast is the gentle hike at the Saunders-Monticello trail, through a native hardwood forest. Located about 4 miles from the inn, the trail winds its way toward Monticello and back in a manageable four miles with a maximum grade of 5%.
Restaurants
Our local favorites, all within 6.5 miles of Arcady Vineyard Bed and Breakfast:
Restaurants on and near the Pedestrian Mall in downtown Charlottesville
Bang! – Asian fusion – funky and fun – tapas style- great martini menu – inside and outside dining
The Bebedero – Modern Mexican cuisine for an affordable price
Bizou – Contemporary bistro – sophisticated comfort food in a retro setting with inside and outside dining
Broadcloth – One of a kind innovative and locally sourced dining with a reasonably priced 4, 6 or 10 course offering menu that changes weekly! Open Thursday – Saturday and an experience like no other!
C&O Restaurant – Celebrated local favorite – French country cuisine in a serene setting
Citizen Burger Bar – Great place to take in a game and create a custom burger – other selections besides beef as well. Inviting and informal setting with inside and outside dining
Fleurie – Intimate setting; upscale modern French cuisine
Hamiltons’ – Upscale – inside and outside dining contemporary American cuisine
Maya Restaurant & Bar – Southern fare with fork tender ribs
Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar – Industrial-chic spot serving Mediterranean fare
Public Fish & Oyster – Great raw bar in a rustic-chic space
Tastings of Charlottesville – Old World wine bar and restaurant, currently offering take out only
Ten or Now and Zen – Both favorites for sushi!
Zocalo – Contemporary – Latin influenced dining inside and outside tables
The Belmont area restaurants:
Conmole – Traditional Oaxacan cuisine with an ever-changing menu
Mas Tapas – Spanish eatery offering tapas – lively bar and patio
The Local – Local new American cuisine in a warehouse vibe brick/wood space
Tavola – Our absolute favorite Italian restaurant, open Mon-Sat
Other Charlottesville restaurants:
Maya Restaurant & Bar – Southern fare with fork tender ribs
Ivy Inn Restaurant – Our “go-to” for special occasions; refined American fare in an early 19th century house – just under 12 miles from us but still in Charlottesville
Restaurants in Albemarle County just a couple miles from the inn:
Clifton Inn – Under 2 miles and closest to the B&B – recently updated lovely mid-century venue offering local wine and seasonal fare
And last but not least, “The Charlottesville 29” – annual ranking of the top 29 restaurants with a Charlottesville mailing address.
