

Things to do in Charlottesville
Charlottesville, VA packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Charlottesville by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book.
Quick answer
What are the best things to do in Charlottesville?
Outty ranks 26 bookable experiences in Charlottesville, United States. The highest scoring is Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville at 79 out of 100, followed by Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour, Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour, Private Wine Tours Transportation from 3 People and More. Prices start at $8 per person and 0 experiences score 90 or above, putting them in the Outty 90+ Club. Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Charlottesville, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities.
- Ranked experiences
- 26
- In the 90+ Club
- 0
- From
- $8 per person
- Bookable today
- 26
Top tour operators in Charlottesville
The companies behind the experiences, ranked by how much of Charlottesville they cover.
Let's Roam
373 experiences across 156 cities
Alley Kat Adventures
343 experiences across 203 cities
Jupiter Legend Corporation
239 experiences across 48 cities
WalknTours
183 experiences across 134 cities
Carmel Car & Limousine Service
110 experiences across 55 cities
Drives & Detours
58 experiences across 45 cities
Guide With Action
24 experiences across 16 cities
Ole Crow Tours
4 experiences
Last Minute in Charlottesville
Confirmed availability today or tomorrow.


Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour

Private Wine Tours Transportation from 3 People and More

Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour

5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour

Charlottesville Challenge Scavenger Hunt
Family Friendly in Charlottesville
Works with children in tow, by age policy and pacing.

Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours

Special Private Wine Tours, for 2 or 3 people only

4-Day Tennessee Smoky Mountain Tour from NYC

Airport Transfers to or from Charlottesville Albemarle Airport
Food & Drink in Charlottesville
Food tours, tastings, markets and dinner experiences.

Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville

Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour

Private Wine Tours Transportation from 3 People and More

Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour

5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour

Crozet Virginia Winery and Bike Tour Experience
Culture & History in Charlottesville
Museums, landmarks and stories behind the streets.

Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour

Private Wine Tours Transportation from 3 People and More

Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour

5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour

Charlottesville Challenge Scavenger Hunt
Outdoors in Charlottesville
Fresh air, water, trails and skyline views.

Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Private Wine Tours Transportation from 3 People and More

Self Guided Audio Tour Skyline Drive and Shenandoah NP

Crozet Virginia Winery and Bike Tour Experience

Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours

Shenandoah National Park Self Guided Driving Tour North to South
Nightlife in Charlottesville
After dark: bars, shows and evening cruises.

A Spectacular University Hunt: The UVA hunt

Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours

A Spectacular Scavenger Hunt in Charlottesville
Highest rated in Charlottesville
The top of the Outty Ranking across 26 local experiences
- 1Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville5h • from $49979.0
- 2Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour4h • from $1775.5
- 3Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour5h • from $27072.5
- 4Private Wine Tours Transportation from 3 People and More5h • from $28060.3
- 5Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour5h • from $24858.4
- 65 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour5h • from $27056.5
- 7Charlottesville Challenge Scavenger Hunt2h • from $2256.3
- 8Self Guided Audio Tour Skyline Drive and Shenandoah NP4h • from $1554.9
- 9Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour7h • from $35654.8
- 10Crozet Virginia Winery and Bike Tour Experience6h • from $22054.6
- 11A Spectacular University Hunt: The UVA hunt1.5h • from $1553.4
- 12Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours1h • from $2653.1
People also ask
What are the top 15 things to do in Charlottesville?
Our ranked guide lists the 15 best experiences in Charlottesville with prices, time needed and quick picks for families, rainy days and last-minute plans. Read the answer
Planning questions about Charlottesville
- What are the best things to do in Charlottesville?
- Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville is the highest ranked experience in Charlottesville, scoring 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 664 traveler reviews. Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour, Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour, Private Wine Tours Transportation from 3 People and More, Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour round out the top five. Outty ranks 26 bookable experiences in Charlottesville, United States, and 0 of them score 90 or above.
- How much do activities in Charlottesville cost?
- The median price across everything we rank in Charlottesville is $248 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $8 on Shenandoah National Park Self Guided Driving Tour North to South. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.
- Can I book something in Charlottesville for today?
- Yes. 26 of the top 26 experiences we rank in Charlottesville currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.
- Is Charlottesville good for families?
- Yes. 4 of the experiences we rank in Charlottesville are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.
- How many days do you need in Charlottesville?
- Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
- When is the best time to visit Charlottesville?
- Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Charlottesville, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
- Can I cancel a booking in Charlottesville?
- 21 of the 26 experiences we rank in Charlottesville offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.
- How does the Outty Ranking work?
- Every experience in Charlottesville gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Charlottesville so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.