CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) The annual Carter Mountain fireworks will again be the centerpiece of the Charlottesville-area’s Fourth of July celebration, but spectators don’t have to visit the mountain to get a great view of the show.
“At Carter Mountain, we have a front row seat to the display where the fireworks really are right over our heads,” said Cynthia Chiles, one of the orchard’s owners. “But I will say that the fireworks are visible from so many places around Charlottesville, so don’t feel like you are missing out if you can’t attend our event.”
There are any number of public and private sites for individuals and families to post up and take in the spectacle on Friday night. And be sure to check out Cville Right Now’s full guide to Fourth of July festivities in our area.
Sweeping Sights
If you are looking for views from high places, then consider some of Charlottesville’s tallest buildings.
Rooftop Charlottesville at The Doyle will host a rooftop cookout starting at 3 p.m. with a $15 cover for those over 12 years old. The Doyle offers great views over the city on the fifth floor of their West Main St location.
The Graduate Hotel will offer free entry to their ninth-floor rooftop from 5 p.m. to midnight. It will have themed drinks, food specials and a family-friendly atmosphere along with their direct view of Carter Mountain.
“As long as you can see the radio towers on top of Carter Mountain, you will be able to see the fireworks,” said Chiles.
Outdoor Fun
Some outdoor areas are perfect for viewing the fireworks are some of Charlottesville’s green spaces. Head over to McIntire Park with a picnic and view the show from on top of the hill.
Looking south from the park will give you the perfect view of the fireworks.
Another outdoor space with great views of Carter Mountain is Piedmont Virginia Community College. PVCC offers lots of open space and parking for viewing the show and has a direct view of the fireworks display.
The View from Just Below
Looking right up at the mountain are two of Charlottesville’s schools.
On Avon St Extended, Mountain View Elementary School, as seen in the name, has the perfect view of Carter Mountain and is directly across from where the fireworks will take off.
Monticello High School, on Independence Way, offers a similar view to the show and has plenty of parking available.
Vast Views
Looking for larger scale views? Enjoy the show from afar from the parking areas of more of Charlottesville’s schools.
Sunrise Elementary, formerly Burnley-Moran, on Long St., has great views to the South of the Carter Mountain show.
Jackson Via Elementary School, on Harris Road, looks Southeast to the fireworks display and Charlottesville High School has plenty of parking over on Melbourne Road and hosts great views of Carter Mountain to the South.
“We’re really proud to be a sponsor,” said Chiles. “We just want the whole community to enjoy the fireworks whether they’re watching them from here at Carter Mountain or somewhere else all over town.”
