Archives
James River Heritage Trail
We’ve been enjoying the opportunities to get outside this summer – especially when it isn’t too terribly sweltering. But since the rivers are running a bit dry, making tubing hard
Chiles Family Peach Orchard
Peaches have arrived! While the best peach picking is still to come as different types of peaches come in, yellow peaches are clinging to trees, ripening, ready for little hands
Ice Cream Round Up
Some articles we don’t mind compiling research on at all. Like this one. In fact, we’ve quite enjoyed rounding up all the ice cream locations in the Charlottesville area and
Tom Sox Baseball
There is something so perfectly summer about baseball games. The dirt, the pace, the hot dogs, the between-inning hijinks… And the Tom Sox baseball games fall right in line. This
Memorial to Enslaved Laborers at UVA
Right off of The Corner, where students dine and drink, as soon as you step on Grounds, is a recently added installation. It is an unassuming broken ring that invites
4th of July in Charlottesville (2021 Edition)
After a strange and mostly-canceled 4th of July last year, many of us are looking forward to celebrations this year! But, things have changed. Of course, we have lots of
Azalea Park
I am not going to bury the lede today: there aren’t any azaleas at Azalea Park. Many of you will likely say, “DUH.” But I hauled my family out here
Decades Arcade
I have two boys, one a tween, and, as you may imagine, this is hands-down one of their favorite things to do in Charlottesville. When it comes to a rainy
Greenleaf Park and Sprayground
After a few 90-degree days full of sunshine, everyone’s thoughts have turned fully to summer! And given last year’s strange and shut down summer in Charlottesville, parents and kids alike
Putt Putt in Charlottesville
My children love putt putt. I, myself, had a wildly frustrating experience with minigolf as a kid and try to avoid it when possible. But when my kids were persistent
The Glass Palette: Hands-on Glass Art for Kids
Tucked behind Firefly restaurant is an art studio like none other: an art studio to play with glass! Yes, that’s right! There is a spot where kids of all ages
Rocky Top Climbing Gym
Rocky Top Gym has a special place in our hearts. We’ve had birthday parties here, been part of the kids climbing club, and on rainy days, snowy days or hot
What Happens at Youth Conservation Corps
I have been collecting National Park Junior Ranger badges since I was five. The outdoors has always been fun and exciting because of the endless possibilities it provides, and I
Two Local Students Start “Key to Learning”
When two local high school students’ senior year was derailed due to COVID, they could have spent the time frustrated and dejected. Instead, Aditi Prakash and Rimi Kaur, friends for
Pro Re Nata Brewery
Out in Crozet, close enough to hiking and on the way back from Wintergreen adventures, is one of our favorite family spots to stop, eat some juicy burgers, and try
Meet CVille Parent: Kath Eats
We are thrilled to introduce you today to Kath, of Kath Eats. A mom who balances a business, a family and her passion for healthy eating, she inspires thousands. And,
Pinwheels for Prevention: Bringing Awareness to the Uptick in Child Abuse and Neglect Calls
The COVID pandemic changed and strained families in the past year. As life looked so different for families and kids, as support and networks that were previously available diminished, there
The Hidden Surprise in Hosting an Exchange Student
This whole story started last year when the French teacher at my school needed host families for the French exchange program. Even though I have been studying Spanish since fourth
Chris Greene Lake Park
Spring has sprung and we are ready for it! While we sneeze through this week’s pollen, though, it is hard not to immediately think of warm days outside, yard sprinklers,
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
It’s become a summer family tradition to head to Richmond for a few Wednesdays every month. We spend the morning at a museum, grab a bite to eat at a
Visiting the Dairy Market
The Dairy Market in Charlottesville brings the first food hall to the area: it is hip, on point, and super-fun for the family. Does someone want a craft cocktail and
SOCA Goes to Spain
I have played soccer almost all my life, and most of the time I played with SOCA, one of the local clubs here in Charlottesville. Every year, SOCA takes the
Renting a Movie Theater at Violet Crown
I was going to start by saying we aren’t a screen-heavy/movie-heavy family, but who am I kidding? It is currently March Madness and we are tuned in (even if our
Skiing at Massanutten
What I’ve learned is that if you live in Charlottesville you have to have an opinion on two things: 1) how you feel about Tony Bennett’s Pack Line defense and
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail
On a wet winter day, to close out 2020 (a year of a worldwide pandemic) and start 2021 (one in which we are feeling hope), we walked through the dark
Charlottesville Skate Park at McIntire
Easily visible off the side of Route 250 is the Charlottesville Skate Park. Usually bustling with activity and kids (of all ages), you can expect to find us there some
Snow Tubing at Wintergreen
When we relocated here a couple of years ago, I remember sitting at Blue Mountain Brewery watching a family in their ski gear, clearly having just returned from a day
Biking the Chessie Trail Along the Maury River
Our family loves (like, someone should get us a T-shirt because we’d proudly announce this love) rails-to-trails systems. Lucky for us, Virginia and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy have invested time and
Frontier Culture Museum (COVID times)
On a very chilly day, looking for something to change up the routine of virtual school and expand our horizons a little, we hopped in the car and drove to
Wreath Making at the Market at Grelen
I love the holidays, and during a pandemic year, they felt even more precious and special. Light in the darkness, hope, peace… all of those things. Yet, of course, our
8 Great Family Hikes in the Charlottesville Area
We love hiking as a family – getting outdoors, creating memories together, and being active. We’ve explored a lot of hiking trails in the area (and even moreso as once
Luray Caverns
This article is about an excursion farther afield, yet certainly worth the time: Luray Caverns. This is an entire different world – that is UNDER OUR FEET! How have I
Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Charlottesville
I was hesitant to share this article and experience since it really isn’t accessible to everyone. A flight in a hot air balloon is anywhere from $250-$300 a person (depending
IX Art Park: Through the Looking Glass
We love going to IX Art Park, and one rainy, messy night, we bought tickets to their immersive art exhibit “Through the Looking Glass” and spent time enjoying the creative
Apple Picking at Carter Mountain
Google “apple picking at Carter Mountain” and the word that repeatedly comes up in reviews and articles is “magical.” And we’ll have to agree. This experience is what fall daydreams
Firefly Restaurant in Charlottesville
Eating as a family at Firefly restaurant in Charlottesville may have been more fun for us (mom & dad) than our kids. While we waxed nostalgic about the video games
Monticello with Kids (COVID times)
When COVID hit, we were a family that decided to be exceptionally cautious and to do what we thought was our duty (to listen to scientists and control the spread).
Tubing on the Rivanna River
Charlottesville offers an abundance of opportunities to get outside with the kids, as we celebrate and love, but nothing is as high-reward and low-stress as tubing the Rivanna River on
Peach Picking at Carter Mountain Orchard
I love pick your own farms. Something about connecting with the actual season, understanding that peaches are truly only available a few months of the year, seeing a tree produce
Hiking at Ivy Creek Natural Area
At 219 acres, with very little elevation change, streams and creeks to splash in, and 7-miles of walking trials, Ivy Creek Natural Area is a great place for Charlottesville families
Strawberry Picking at Critzer Family Farm
We have an annual tradition when summer starts to sweeten and the strawberries start to come out. We head to a local farm, get two large plastic buckets, the kids
Biking at High Bridge State Park
I suppose that, unofficially, our family is working on experiencing all the rails-to-trails we can. There are worst hobbies to have as a family, so I am on board with
Biking at Piney River (The Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail)
This is such a wonderful hidden gem that I feel hesitant to share it – we like feeling like this little secret is just ours to love. But in the
Jump Trampoline Park
As a mom to two boys who has raised them in three different cities (thus far), we’ve been around some trampoline parks. I love these parks for how they allow
Visiting Montpelier (with kids!)
It’s worth warning you right away that most of the pictures on my camera from this excursion are of old books. I have an unhidden love affair with old books
King Family Vineyards Polo
This is easily one of my favorite family-friendly activities to do in the Charlottesville area: King Family Vineyard Polo. Nestled against the mountains in Crozet, this is one of the
Harry Potter Festival in Staunton
We are big Harry Potter fans and not ashamed of that fact at all. I mean, what’s not to love?! Escaping to a special world where magic exists (Mrs. Weasley
Albemarle County Fair & James Monroe’s Highland
Like Goldilocks, we’ve searched various cities trying to find the right fit for our family. And Charlottesville feels juuuust right! We love the combination of big enough for resources, art
Skiing at Wintergreen
I love skiing so much that for about 20 minutes I was a ski instructor at Wintergreen (long story best told over coffee). (Actually not that long, if you want