Free things to do in Charlottesville

Fifeville

Tonsler Recreation Center

Busy gathering place offers a recreation center, life-size chessboard, playground & sports courts.

Fry's Spring

Azalea Park

This 23-acre park features athletic fields, basketball courts, paved pathways & a playground.

Outdoors

Chris Greene Lake Park

Outdoors

Humpback Rocks

Large rocky summit with sweeping views from 3,080 ft., reached via a steep, 2-mi. loop trail.

Outdoors

Ivy Creek Foundation

Family

The Lawn

This large, grassy space designed by Thomas Jefferson is ringed by historic university buildings.

Outdoors

Preddy Creek Trail Park

571-acre recreation area offering miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking & horseback riding.

Outdoors

Walnut Creek Park

Outdoors

Darden Towe Park

County park with a canoe launch, athletic fields & courts, playground, off-leash dog area & trails.

Greenbrier

McIntire Park

City park offering woods & streams, along with sports fields & activities from golf to hiking.

Fifeville

Forest Hills Park

Forested spot with mountain views, picnicking, sports courts, a merry-go-round & a water park.

Barracks Rugby

Greenleaf Park

Grassy park with climbing & water play equipment for kids, plus nature trails & a picnic shelter.

Outdoors

Ravens Roost Overlook

Woolen Mills

Riverview Park

A 27-acre riverfront preserve offering a playground, picnic areas & adjacent biking & walking trail.

Outdoors

Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead

Rose Hill

Booker T. Washington Park

Public recreation area with an outdoor pool, athletic fields & courts, picnic spots & playground.

Locust Grove

Pen Park

280-acre city park offering a golf course, sports fields, picnic areas & a nature trail.

Outdoors

Saunders-Monticello Trail

Monticello's 89-acre park with scenic views, an arboretum & a pond, plus running & biking trails.

10th & Page

Kardinal Hall

Large indoor/outdoor beer garden featuring seasonal German fare, housemade sausages & bocce.

Downtown Mall

Virginia Discovery Museum

Small children's museum emphasizing discovery with interactive exhibits in art, history & science.

Downtown Mall

The Paramount Theater

Historic setting for live music, comedy & theatrical performances, plus film screenings.

Ridge St.

IX Art Park

Downtown Mall

The Jefferson Theater

Restored 1912 theater with a balcony, now used for smallish concerts of name bands & up-&-comers.

Sports & Recreation

Keswick Hall

Luxe option set on a 1912 country estate featuring elegant rooms, a spa & a golf course.