17 Activities in 2017

2016 is over and 2017 is here!  For some it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to last year, for others it’s a big Yippee!  Whatever your feelings about 2016, we can all get excited for 2017, if only for the outstanding activities and events happening near us this year!

1. The Brew Ridge Trail and Nelson 151: Nelson 151 is lined with the state’s best wineries, but don’t forget about the Brew Ridge Trail.  We are truly blessed with a varied selection of both wineries, cideries (Blue Toad and Bold Rock), breweries, and even Silverback Distillery and Woods Mill Distillery. 

2. Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains or, for the thirsty athletes, running the Wine Lover’s 5k, which starts and finishes at Cardinal Vineyards.  The race is coming up on February 11, so don’t miss out!

3. Virginia Festival of the Book: Charlottesville hosts some pretty spectacular festivals throughout the year, but one of the best is the Virginia Festival of the Book.  If you’re a bibliophile then you can’t miss this week of workshops, speakers, authors, and book sales!  This year’s festival is March 22-26.

4. Performances at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriar’s Playhouse:  We love all the plays the Blackfriar Playhouse in Staunton produces, but we’re especially excited for their productions of The Merchant of Venice and Romeo and Juliet, which play in the Spring.

5. The Blue Ridge Tunnel: At one time the longest train tunnel in America, this tunnel is listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places for the architectural achievements which made it possible. 

6. Charlottesville’s annual Dogwood Festival: The event includes a carnival, fireworks, and a parade, but we all know what the real showstopper is:  gorgeous, blossoming Dogwood trees throughout the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah. The main activities are in April and that’s when we expect the flowers to be budding at full peak. 

7. Fruit picking at a local orchard. Nothing says summer like berry picking, but the Blue Ridge Mountains are home to a number of farms which allow fruit picking from spring to fall.  Fruits you can pick yourself during various seasons throughout the year:  strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, apples, peaches, and pumpkins.  

8. Monticello Events.  We realize that’s a pretty broad descriptor, but Monticello hosts so many engaging events throughout the year, it’s difficult to pick one to add to the list! From Jefferson’s Birthday Celebration to their Heritage Harvest Festival and everything in between, there are plenty of exciting things to do at Thomas Jefferson’s historic home.

9. Tours of Swannanoa Palace:  Built as a summer home by the Dooley family in the early 1900’s, this Italianate structure is a beautiful marble structure you don’t want to miss.  On weekends throughout the summer tours of the main house are offered, though the grounds are always open for exploration. 

10. Tom Tom Founders Festival in Charlottesville April 10-16. Artists, murals, bands, and speakers, food trucks, craft beer, block parties.  Need we say more?

11. Live music at Pro Re Nata:  One of the newest breweries to hit the area, Pro Re Nata, hosts live music 4 days a week.  Relaxing with a cool beer in front of their fire pit while listening to live music is the best way to end a day. 

12. Frontier Culture Museum:  This museum in Staunton is truly one of a kind, allowing you to walk and wander amongst recreated dwellings from all stages of rural civilization growth. 

13. The Grand Caverns:  The tour at Grand Caverns is the oldest tour service of any cave in the nation.  Imagine as you traipse pass stalagmites a group of Victorian-era tourists exploring via candlelight!

14. Winery trail ride: Why drive to a winery when you can ride to it on horseback? Rebel’s Run and Indian Summer are two outstanding services that allow you to do just that.

15. Waynesboro’s Fall Foliage festival is the most well-known craftsman and artistry festival in the area.  On October 14-15, Waynesboro downtown streets will shut down of traffic and fill up with vendor booths of art, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, and other miscellaneous goods.  Sip a cup of cider, coffee, or beer while you explore the local wares.

16. Silverback Distillery:  Wine and beer not really your thing? Stop by the award-winning Silverback Distillery of vodka, gin, and grain spirit just down the road from us.  Don’t forget to hit up Woods Mill Distillery while you’re in the area too.

17. Historic Garden Week in Virginia is April 22-29.  Private and presidential homes alike open their gates to entice visitors to admire the state’s most beautiful botanical offerings, all on historic properties.  The festival spans the entire state, so be sure to check out the itinerary of gardens near us.