Location: Palmyra
Top Things to do in Palmyra
Countries
10 Things to Do in Palmyra That You Shouldn't Miss
Palmyra is a census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of Fluvanna County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 census was 104. Palmyra lies on the eastern bank of the Rivanna River along U.S. Route 15. The ZIP code for Palmyra and surrounding rural land is 22963.
Restaurants in Palmyra
1. Red Rocker Candy, LLC
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Red Rocker Candy is a candy factory and store located off of I-64 between Charlottesville and Richmond at exit 136. We make all of our candy in-house, and you can watch it being made through our gallery window! Everything we make is available for purchase in the store, and you can sample anything before you buy.
Reviewed By thymegrower - Troy, Virginia
I love supporting this local business (it will ship if you want). I'm not a fan of that yellow stuff that is often called white chocolate but the white chocolate at Red Rocker Candy is whiter than snow. I love sharing the Rocking Chair Mix...MoreThank you so much, we love our candy too! Thank you for sharing it with others- we appreciate your support of our local business!
2. Cunningham Creek Winery & Farm Store
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Cunningham Creek Winery & Farm Store is located on a 300 acre working farm. We are family owned and operated and produce small batch high quality wines. In addition to grapes, we grow strawberries and pumpkins and raise Boer-Kiko goats. We offer live music weekly throughout the year and offer a selection of local cheeses, meats, and snacks in our farm store. Come meet Snickers & Doodle, our winery Australian Shepherds, and taste our outstanding wines.
Reviewed By Steven R - Portsmouth, Ohio, United States
Cunningham Creek only opened in 2016, but owners Bruce and Debby have done a GREAT job of producing some very good wines and creating a pleasant environment in which to enjoy it.
We are particularly partial to their merlot, Meritage, and petit verdot, but we also enjoy their rose and whites. Their just-released Chardonnay is quite unique and very tasty.
We have been so impressed that we joined their wine club this past spring. We especially appreciate that wine club wines are not pre-selected; they allow you to choose whatever mix you wish.
Cunningham Creek is maybe a 30-minute drive from Charlottesville, in Fluvanna County.
Keep up the great work, Bruce $ Debby!!
3. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Monticello and its many historical rooms, gadgets, furniture, buildings, and artifacts tell us a lot about Thomas Jefferson, the president who built it and lived there.
Reviewed By MasCabron23 - Hampton, Virginia
What more can be said about the home of our 2nd president. The location and view was fantastic. The history behind Jefferson's house was impressive and all the artifacts and the respective stories was informative.
I learned a lot from the visit. The view and the grounds were certainly a site to revel at.
Definitely make an effort to visit
4. Fruit Hill Orchard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By happytravler0815 - Palmyra, Virginia
I'll never return to the massive orchard here in our area again. This small orchard is kid friendly, has simple games set up for kids of all ages, great fruit at a very fair price. The family that owns and operates it is wonderful and we love going there to see "Mr. L" Can't go wrong.
5. Indian Summer Guide Service - Private Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 34 reviews
At Indian Summer Guide Service, we provide private, guided horseback rides through the vineyards and mountains of Albemarle County and surrounding areas. All of our rides are private, meaning your group and one of our guides. We welcome all skill levels. We have a two rider minimum and can accommodate 6 riders per group. Please visit our website or send us an email for more information.
Reviewed By ann g - Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
A friend and I recently spent a lovely afternoon riding around Albemarle Estate with Ashton, Emily and Moe (beautiful border collie). The horses were fabulous--very well-trained, responsive, calm and a pleasure to ride. Our horses were chosen very well for us--one rider with some and one without any previous riding experience. This was not a boring "follow the tail of the horse in front of you" ride and we had a great time! We both felt totally at ease and comfortable and give Ashton the highest possible recommendation!! Whether you ride or not, you will love the entire experience!
6. Fluvanna Heritage Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By chickenlady - Charlottesville, VA
My husband and I are locals who have enjoyed wandering around the Pleasant Grove property off Route 53 ever since it was purchased by Fluvanna County in the 1990s. The Heritage Trail is actually a system of trails through various parts of the 1,000 acre property.
If you're looking for an easy walk (similar to the Saunders Trail at Monticello which consists of boardwalks and wide gravel pathways) then there are two walks that might interest you here: the Rail Trail, which starts at one end of the village of Palmyra. It follows what was formerly an old railroad track high above the Rivanna River and is only a little over 1 mile roundtrip. Just be forewarned that on weekdays it's sometimes hard to find parking for this one.
And on the other side of the river (where most of the Heritage Trail paths are located) is the Sandy Beach Trail. Billed as a handicap-accessible trail, I'm not exactly sure if it could be considered wheelchair accessible (maybe the upper-half only). Parking is readily available at this eastern trailhead, with a dog park right near the parking area, and some picnic shelters within close walking distance. This is probably the most popular walk, so expect to meet a lot of people, and some dogs off-leash (dogs should be leashed outside the fenced dog park, but people seem to forget this). This path takes you right down to the edge of the Rivanna River (and dogs and people alike hop into the water on hot summer days). It's a 2-mile round-trip.
The rest of the trails are akin to what you'd find in the Shenandoah National Park – somewhat narrow pathways through the woods, negotiating all sorts of terrain. Even though there are quite a few foot bridges, be ready to hop across some wet spots or tip-toe over stones to get across other narrow waterways. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear on all of the paths (hiking boots aren't really necessary -- walking shoes or sneakers should be sufficient), and watch where you're going. Sometimes there are small stumps, sticks or rocks in the paths that could trip you up & we recently encountered a limping jogger who had taken a stumble, hence the limp (the high school cross country team runs on a lot of these paths, but I wouldn't say they'd be my first choice for running or jogging).
We love the long hike – 6-miles round-trip on the River Bluff Trail, with a couple of wicked hills to carefully negotiate up and down. This path follows the Rivanna River along the whole length of the Pleasant Grove property, through a young forest that is regenerating from former farmland (every once in awhile there is a spectacularly large & old-ish tree near the trail).
The River Bluff Trail is very well marked, with plastic yellow dragonfly signs tacked to trees along the way, and mileposts every 2/10ths of a mile to let you know how far you've walked (and how far back you have to go to get back to your car). The Equestrian Trail also seems to be very well marked (with white plastic horseshoe signs). But some of the side trails are not as well marked, and most don't even appear on my old copy of the trail map. We bring lots of water with us (and a cell phone), and love to explore, but I'd advise the more casual visitor to stick to the well-marked trails.
If 6 miles is too much of a trek, park at the local Fluvanna County Library and start on the trail in the middle. Behind the library is an entrance to the mid-point of the River Bluff Trail (and other side trails).
There's quite a bit of history across the property as it was a working family farm for much of its history. The old Haden House is located at the west end of the trail system with a large family graveyard in the front yard. Family graveyards also exist near the other major parking areas – one behind the county library, another near the Sandy Beach Trail.
I've been disappointed by the lack of wildlife we've seen along the trails. Maybe we're just unlucky, but usually we only scare up a few napping deer. There are trails through the fields in front of the Haden House that are billed as the Birding Trail. I have seen some fantastic hawks from this trail, but the woods seem fairly quiet. Maybe we need to walk earlier in the morning to enjoy anything more unusual than bluejays, chickadees, titmice, and an assortment of woodpeckers. Nevertheless, we were thrilled to encounter a box turtle eating an overripe pawpaw by the trail this autumn.
And speaking of eating, bring snacks or a picnic lunch for your hike -- there are lovely picnic shelters at both ends of the trail system – near the Haden House & the Sandy Beach walk -- and a few picnic benches & sitting benches scattered along the pathways.
7. Thistle Gate Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By MsSheila8 - Hampton, Virginia
I was traveling along VA-6 and came across this vineyard's open sign. I travelled up the short road to the tasting house and was delighted immediately. I met Leslie Cushnie, who along with her husband own the estate, and she takes care of the vines. Also, met Kim who runs the tasting room.
I had a tasting, only $7.50. I added a warm baguette, a sausage and some locally made cheese - all very good. The tasting room has several tables inside and out, perfect for groups. The view of the vines and the owners' beautiful house is beautiful. They have special events iften including live music on various evenings, and are active participants in the community and as a part of community events.
It's not a place that comes up on the radar normally, but WELL worth a little trek out of the way! I can't wait to go back.
8. Spring Creek Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Jb2346 - Richmond, Virginia
This is the best course in the state of Virginia, guaranteed. The course is immaculate, the scenery is amazing, and the course is challenging. I would not recommend it for beginners, but all golfers will appreciate the course layout and beauty. The staff is incredibly friendly and members that I encountered were pleasant to be around as well. Anyone who has anything negative to say about this course is crazy. It is worth every penny!
9. Mulberry Row
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
A part of the Monticello Plantation where nearly 130 slaves lived, with tours available.
Reviewed By MarkWittkofski - Richmond, Virginia
Mulberry Row contained the cabins where the slaves who worked at the Monticello house lived and worked. The research (archaeological and historical conducted during the past 20+ years has turned up impressive information concerning these people. This is definitely worth seeing!
10. Carter Mountain Orchard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 951 reviews
Located next to Monticello and Michie Tavern, Carter Mountain Orchard is family-owned and operated. Our mountaintop location affords spectacular views of Charlottesville, the Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Open April through November, we offer Pick-Your-Own and pre-picked Peaches and Nectarines (June-August) and Pick Your Own and pre-picked Apples (mid-August through November). Our bakery serves fresh-baked pies and cookies, hand-dipped ice cream, and our famous Apple Cider Donuts! Apple Cider, Apple Butter, jams and jellies, local crafts, pumpkins, and gourmet food products available in our country store. Wine tasting and sales on site, and the Mountain Grille serves lunch. Our school tours are popular-call for reservations. Scouts, Youth Groups, Seniors welcome. Family friendly. Please see our website for more details
Reviewed By Dee G - Advance Mills, Virginia
This is a great spot to take the children and pick apples. They have a large variety and closely monitor ripeness so you will be directed to the best orchard. They have a great shop for all things APPLE! A must is their amazing donuts and pies!!
