Charlottesville is a special place to spend a year and one of the many reasons that I chose to attend the UVA McIntire School of Commerce for my graduate education. Here is a list of 20 things I recommend doing if you decide to join the COMMunity!
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#1 – Take a free cooking class at UVA’s International Center
Every month, UVA’s International Center offers a series of free cooking classes to community members, in which students can learn to prepare dishes from around the world! Recent classes cooked Bangladeshi biryani, Chinese spring rolls, and Puerto Rican pastelillos.
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#2 – Take a McIntire professor out for coffee
Thanks to McIntire’s “Take A Professor To Coffee” program, students can check out a UVA dining card from Student Services and treat a faculty member to coffee anywhere on Grounds. The program is a great opportunity to get to know a professor outside of class!
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#3 – Savor a three-course dinner during Charlottesville’s Restaurant Week
During Restaurant Week, many local eateries offer three-course menus for either $29 or $39! UVA students love to take advantage of this deal to sample delicacies at restaurants around town.
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#4 – Compete in trivia at a local restaurant
Trivia night is a favorite venture for students! Popular venues around town include Mellow Mushroom, Crozet Pizza, and Asado.
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#5 – Take a historical tour of UVA’s Grounds
Offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m. every day during the academic year, UVA’s historical tours provide visitors with a unique perspective of the University. On these tours, visitors learn about Thomas Jefferson’s institutional vision for the University and explore the Rotunda and Academical Village.
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#6 – Watch a polo game at King Family Vineyards
On Sunday mornings from Memorial Day through October, King Family Vineyards hosts polo matches at Roseland Farm. Tasting room visitors are invited to grab a glass of wine and view the match along the field.
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#7 – Attend First Fridays at the Downtown Mall
The first Friday of every month, art galleries around town open their doors to the public! At First Fridays, visitors can explore Charlottesville’s local art scene while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and other fun surprises.
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#8 – Check out Final Friday at UVA’s Fralin Museum of Art
Not to be outdone, the Fralin Museum of Art hosts a public event the last Friday of each month! On Final Fridays, students are invited to visit; tour current exhibitions; and enjoy complimentary food, beverages, and live music.
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#9 – Visit McCormick Observatory at night
The first and third Friday of each month, UVA’s McCormick Observatory is open to the public! Visitors are invited to try out the telescopes and tour the observatory – it’s out of this world!
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#10 – Tour Monticello, the home of Mr. Jefferson himself
Monticello, the architectural masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson, is an important site in American history. UVA students are encouraged to tour Monticello at least once, to learn the complex story of Thomas Jefferson’s primary plantation.
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#11 – Hang out, study, or play games at 15/15
Just a 5-minute walk from McIntire, 15/15 offers students everything from a late-night study spot to a photo booth and Skee-Ball machines and Ping Pong tables. Whether you’re looking to cram for an exam or challenge your friends to an arcade game, 15/15 is the location for you!
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#12 – Study on the Lawn
Students can check out an outdoor blanket from McIntire’s Help Desk!
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#13 – Enjoy the view during Sunset Series at Carter Mountain Orchard
Between May and September, the Charlottesville community comes together each Thursday at Carter Mountain Orchard to watch the sunset while enjoying live music, food, wine, and cider! Sunset Series aside, Carter Mountain Orchard is a popular destination for apple, pumpkin, and peach picking!
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#14 -Sweat it out during a fitness class
Charlottesville is home to countless locally owned fitness studios, many of which offer free trial courses to UVA students! Whether you’re passionate about spin, training, or barre, these classes are a great opportunity to burn off some steam and some calories! This year graduate students attended a spin class together, which was a lot of fun, in addition to a great workout. There’s also fitness classes offered at the Aquatic Fitness Center (AFC) located on Grounds.
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#15 – Fly high at Jump Cville
If you like bouncing, flying, and fun, check out Jump Cville, a local indoor trampoline park!
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#16 – Cheer on UVA at an athletic event
It’s no secret that UVA excels athletically as well as academically, and at each sporting event, groups of graduate students proudly wear their orange and blue! In 2020, the Cavaliers hold reigning national championship titles in men’s basketball and lacrosse.
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#17 – Play bingo for a good cause
Many local breweries, including Random Row Brewing Co. and Pro Re Nata Farm Brewery, offer bingo events to raise money for local charities! This year, Pro Re Nata even partnered with the M.S. in Commerce Marketing & Management Track for a course project, brewery tour, and bingo game!
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#18 – Challenge yourself to getting the #1 ticket at Bodo’s Bagels
Bodo’s Bagels, a famous local bagel chain, is a staple for the majority of students. It’s a tradition (and often, competition) at UVA to earn the honor of receiving the #1 ticket of the day!
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#19 – Hike on one of the area’s picturesque trails
Old Rag Mountain, Humpback Rocks, and Sugar Hollow are popular hiking destinations for graduate students. Hike views are especially breathtaking during the times of sunset or fall foliage or both!
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#20 – Check out Charlottesville’s wineries
Visiting wineries in the Charlottesville area is a favorite weekend activity among graduate students! Local vineyards offer staggering views and relaxing atmospheres, in addition to delicious wine and snacks! Popular wineries include Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Veritas Winery, and King Family Vineyards.
