Charlottesville
in the summer has a much different vibe than when school is in session. The
Grounds are less bustling, libraries are virtually empty, parking is easier,
and things are all around a lot quieter. However, having fewer students around
doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. This summer the UVa Admissions Office
interns are taking advantage of all the things there are to do in
Charlottesville – revisiting favorite activities we’ve done with friends during
the school year and doing some extra adventuring around town to places we
haven’t checked out before.
This week
the interns went to trivia night at Mellow Mushroom, a popular pizza joint
located at the end of the Corner, a lively area full of shops and restaurants
that’s always packed when students are around. Not only is Mellow known for its
uniquely named and tasting pizzas, but also for its Wednesday night trivia, an
incredibly popular event for UVa students – this activity has even landed on
the UVa bookstore’s “Things to To Before You Graduate List”!
When we
got to Mellow, it was already pretty crowded with customers chatting and eating
and preparing their trivia teams. We ordered and then set out to create a team
named based off of the theme of the night – non-princess Disney characters.
Although we were far from winning the coveted $50 gift card at the end of the
night, we had an absolute blast and are already planning our comeback next
week.
However,
trivia is far from the only thing to do in Charlottesville whether you’re here
for the school year or for the summer as well. Here’s a list of some of our
favorite (and FREE!!) Charlottesville activities:
The rural
areas surrounding Charlottesville are absolutely gorgeous and you don’t have to
drive far to find great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and, even better,
great food. Chiles orchard is only a 20-minute drive from Grounds and has rows
upon rows of fresh strawberries and peaches for visitors to pick. If
handpicking the fruit yourself isn’t for you, the Chiles Orchard store sells
fresh fruits already boxed for sale as well as their famous strawberry cinnamon
donuts!
Hiking Humpback Mountain
Did I
mention the mountains? There are so many great hiking trails located around
Charlottesville, but the most popular for UVa students is Humpback Mountain.
This short hike is about 20 minutes from Grounds and offers a spectacular view
from the summit. Most students hike Humpback in the wee hours of the morning to
catch the sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Fridays after 5
The
downtown mall is always bustling with activity, but one of the most popular
events for students and locals is Fridays after 5. Every Friday, starting
around 5:30, the downtown mall offers free concerts at the nTelos Wireless
Pavilion, delicious meals from food truck vendors, and even a few discounts and
specials at shops nearby. This is an awesome event to attend with friends or
family and whether you choose to stop by for only a few minutes or stay and
enjoy the music and vendors you’re sure to have a good time!
The Farmer’s Market
Haven’t
had enough of downtown Charlottesville? Come back Saturday mornings for the
farmer’s market, a neat event where local vendors fill the parking lots outside
of the downtown mall and sell everything from flowers to omelets to jewelry to
woodwork to baked goods. The market is always full of students and locals and
is a great place to get brunch or find unique gifts. The mall is just a couple
miles from grounds so it’s not uncommon to see students walking there or taking
the free trolley!
IX Art Park
Located a
stone’s throw from the downtown mall, the IX Art Park is a really neat area
where creativity meets innovation. Local artists create interactive projects
that are completely open to the public. The most recent attractions at the park
include a two-person bike in which the riders sit side-by-side, musical pipes,
a throne built out of books, a chalk wall, and an enormous mural. It’s easy to get
lost in everything the park offers for an hour or two, and no matter which
project you choose to engage with, be sure to take a picture!!
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Like I
said before, there are so many things to do in Charlottesville year round and
these are only a few of the most popular and cheapest options. Check out the
UVa Admissions Office intern Instagram, @uva_summer, to find more pictures of
us exploring the town this summer!
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