Whether you want to enjoy some quiet time by yourself, or find an activity to do with your friends without breaking the bank, watching the sunset can be the answer! In this article, I will break down some of my personal favorite spots to watch the sunset in Charlottesville!
Carter’s Mountain
If you’ve been around Charlottesville for a while, you probably know about sunsets at Carter Mountain Orchard. Located in Albemarle County, just minutes from Downtown Charlottesville, Carter Mountain provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole city from above. Not only are the views top tier, but you can go fruit-picking depending on the season! In the summer, peaches are in season and you can try the famous peach ice cream there as well. In the fall, you can go apple picking, try the apple cider donuts, and hot apple cider as well as pick up pumpkins from the pumpkin patch! Sitting at 1,120 feet of elevation, sunsets at Carter’s Mountain are some of the best in the area.
Rivanna Ridge Stick’s Parking Lott
An underrated location in town to get a good view of the sunset is the Stick’s in Rivanna Ridge Shopping Center. Make the drive up Pantops to the parking lot right outside Stick’s and you will see why it is on this list. It overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains and you can still get a good view of the town from above while staying close to home.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Another classic destination is Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. If you are willing to take a bit more of a drive, and want to see an ethereal view, it is definitely worth the 30 minutes. As you are driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway, stop at one of the many overlooks to take in the lovely views. One of the closer ones along the road is the Rockfish Valley Overlook!
Driving West on Barrack’s Road
Another great place to watch the sunset is as you are driving west on Barrack’s Road. As you continue driving down the road, it turns into Garth Road, which cuts directly through fields of grass and mountains providing a beautiful drive and view of the sunset.
CHS Parking Lot
Sometimes, driving far just to watch the sunset isn’t an option. In this case, check out sunsets in the CHS parking lot! While the views around it aren’t as top tier as some of the other places on this list, some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen have been here, especially in the fall and winter months.
