Even though the summer season officially ends on September 20, the school year has already started. This means my social calendar has shifted to events mostly related to Darden.
With the conclusion of summer, I’ve found the following to be the best options of the area for an affordable “night out” while enjoying the season’s beautiful scenery and weather. (P.S. These actually all continue into the month of September so they’re also fun alternatives to the usual get-togethers.)
Polo Matches at King Family Vineyard
Weekly on Sunday afternoons
This was my favorite summer gathering place in Cville. The above pictures are from the last weekend of summer before my husband came back from his internship.
Highlights:
- Free admission
- Encouraged to bring coolers and picnic baskets of food and stay all day
- Crose wine (a rose that’s perfect for the hot weather and bonus points for a clever name!)
- Breathtaking view of the mountains
- Plenty of grass to play lawn games while watching polo
- At the end of matches, the players ride the horses close to the crowd for pictures and to meet people.
- A convenient wine cart comes around so I don’t always have to go back to the tasting room.
Low lights:
- It can get extremely hot if our group doesn’t have a pop-up tent for shade.
- Depending on where we’ve sat on the field, the bathrooms can be far away, and they are very limited.
Fridays after Five Concert Series
Weekly on Friday evenings
My co-workers and I liked to go to this event as an alternative to the usual Happy Hour, as it happened right after work at the end of the week. Above photo is when we got caught in the rain.
Highlights:
- Free admission
- We can bring our own food for a picnic, but there are also some food trucks on-site, and of course, nearby bars and restaurants on the Downtown Mall for either dinner beforehand or afterward.
- There are a variety of seating choices: table and chairs, folding chairs, or on a grassy area with a blanket or chairs that we bring.
- It’s a very short drive with the location that’s right in the city.
- Drinks are decently priced at $5 each with some local options for wine and beer. (The event requires you to purchase tickets when entering the venue that you later exchange for drinks. One ticket =$5)
- Tons of bathroom stalls that are maintained and with a line that moves quickly
Low lights:
- Parking can be a pain. I try to park for free on the street, which tends to be on Monticello Road – It’s a bit of a walk but worth the savings in money. Try to get to the area before 5:30 p.m. if possible to score free spots.
- It can get very crowded, which means the grassy area also gets occupied fairly quickly.
- The music is oftentimes a bit too loud for me, as I prefer it to be more background noise to conversation.
- Kind of annoying that I couldn’t just buy a drink directly from the vendor. Plus: You can’t use leftover drink tickets on another night – So purchase wisely!
Starry Nights at Veritas Vineyard
Monthly on a Saturday evening
The first photo is in the tasting room. The second photo is when my friend Esther visited from Michigan, and we took a walk through the vineyards on a trail she discovered just before the sunset.
Highlights:
- I’ve really liked the bands they’ve had here: I’ve heard a variety – Motown, Beatles and 80s cover. The acoustics/sound/space work well with varying crowd participation. (ie. I could jump on stage or dance in front of it, OR I could sit farther away so that the band acts as background music to my conversation.)
- I can bring my own food or I could purchase a nice sit-down dinner. Although I never took the second option, I’ve known those who have who liked what they ate, and the dining area is a bit fancier.
- There is a variety of affordable wine – especially if you’re in the Wine Club or, like me, have a friend who is in it. (Wine Club members have free admission for one guest, and friends can continue to reap their benefits by getting a discount on bottles. Splitting a $14 bottle of wine is a bargain!)
- There are plenty of bathrooms – Porta Potties scattered throughout the area and restrooms in the tasting room.
- On a clear night, there is a beautiful view of the stars and moon above the vineyards.
Low lights:
- Must pay $15 for admission ahead of time online or $20 at the door if there isn’t a Wine Club friend available 😉
Sunset Series at Carter Mountain Orchard
Weekly on Thursday afternoon/evenings
It was a bit of a cloudy day, but we still got a beautiful view of the sunset. This photo was taken while sitting on the grass underneath the patio/deck.
Highlights:
- Sweeping view of the mountains and city at sunset
- Tons of activities: fruit picking, picnicking, wine tasting, browsing the Country Store (must try the apple cider!)
- Samples of fresh fruit are available in the store when I just want to buy a bag. My fav fruit I tasted the last time I came were the juicy, sweet white nectarines!
Low lights:
- Limited bathrooms – I’ve waited in long lines.
- I couldn’t hear the music as well in certain areas.
- They do not allow you to bring your own food, and I was not a fan of the restaurant because they quickly ran out of items and what I had (chicken salad wrap) was not flavorful.
- The wine is not made on the premises (although it is local), and it isn’t especially memorable.
I’ve wanted to try out other outdoor concert series and vineyards, but these were the most popular with close drives to where I live. What are your favorite summer nighttime options in the Cville area?
A partner's perspective on life at Darden 