Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society Walking Tours McIntire Building, 200 Second St. NE. 296-1492. www.albemarlehistory.org. Guided tours of historic Downtown every Saturday through October, 10am. Suggested donation of $5; kids free.
Beginner Bike Ride www.cambc.org. Join the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club for an easy, socially paced ride, select Tuesdays and Sundays. Next ride is Tuesday, October 3, at Observatory Hill, 6pm. Free.
Bird Walk at Ivy Creek Natural Area 973-7772. www.ivycreekfoundation.org. Learn about Virginia’s birds with experienced birders from the Monticello Bird Club on the first Saturday of each month, 7:30am. The October 7 walk will focus on fall migration. Meet in the parking lot.
Charlottesville Astronomical Society On McCormick Road. 975-4231. www.cvilleastro.org. Listen to speakers discuss astronomy and space on the first Wednesday of each month at the McCormick Observatory. The next meeting is October 4, 7pm. Free.
Charlottesville Hash House Harriers 963-9394. www.chhh.com. This “drinking club with a running problem” meets for a three- to five-mile trail run and dinner every Sunday, 3pm. Free the first time, $5 afterwards.
Charlottesville Orchid Society Church of Our Saviour, 1165 E. Rio Rd. 975-4231. Listen to speakers discuss various aspects of orchid horticulture on the second Sunday of each month, 2-3:30pm. Free.
Junior Naturalist Program Ivy Creek Natural Area. 973-7772. www.ivycreekfoundation.org. Children who enjoy the outdoors and want to be a part of Virginia’s natural resource management and conservation are invited to register for this special program. For ages 6 to 11.
McCormick Observatory On McCormick Road. 924-7494. www.astro.virginia.edu. See the stars on the first and third Friday of each month at the observatory’s public night. Telescope observation (weather permitting) and audio-visual presentations and tours are included, 9-11pm. Free.
Montalto tours Monticello, off Route 53. 984-9822. www.monticello.org. Enjoy a walking tour of “the high mountain” next to Jefferon’s home. Daily, 1pm and 3pm, weather permitting through October 31. $6-12. Reservations recommended.
Mornings in the Mountains 3421 Wintergreen Dr., Nellysford. 325-8169. www.twnf.org. Join a Wintergreen Nature Foundation naturalist for an interpretive hike, Saturdays and Sundays through October and every Saturday starting in November. 10am. $3-6.
Outdoor Adventure Social Club 760-HIKE. www.outdoorsocial.com. This outdoor-loving social group holds outdoor activities throughout the year, from afternoon hikes and whitewater excursions to week-long backpacking adventures. Upcoming trips include an October canoe camping trip in the Roanoke River watershed, a December vacation in the Virgin Islands, and a February tour through Florida’s Everglades. Call or e-mail to become a member.
Plantation Community Tours at Monticello off Route 53. 984-9822. www.monticello.org. Tour Mulberry Row, the center of slave life at Monticello. Daily, on the hour from 10am-3pm, through October 31. General admission.
Rivanna Trail Foundation Work Party 244-5763. www.rivannatrails.org. Join others as they maintain and preserve one of the best urban trails in the South, every second Saturday, 9am-noon. Meet at Melbourne Road trailhead; tools are provided, but bring shears and clippers if you have them. The next work party is on October 14,. Free.
Scheier Natural Area nature exploration Scheier Natural Area in Palmyra. 971-1553. www.rivannariver.org. All-ages guided nature exploration, every fourth Sunday. 3pm. Free.
SeaDevil Divers 2001 Commonwealth Ave. 975-5570. www.seadevildivers.com. This scuba diving club meets the second Tuesday of each month at Starr Hill Restaurant & Brewery. Enjoy a social hour with other Central Virginia divers and a presentation related to diving. Next meeting on October 10, 6:30pm. Free.
Senior Citizen Softball Darden Towe Park, off Route 20. 245-4024. Watch the Lake Monticello Chiropractors and other whimsically named teams slug it out every Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30am. Spots are available for men, 55 and up, and women, 40 and up. If you’re interested, call Larry at 245-4042 to find out how to suit up yourself.
Sunday Social Bike Ride www.cambc.org. Join the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club for a socially paced ride on local trails every Sunday. Free. Visit the website for location and details.
Trout Unlimited meeting UVA Astronomy Building, McCormick Road. 531-6938. Visit the Thomas Jefferson Chapter’s monthly gathering about coldwater conservation and fisheries. Every fourth Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
Wednesday Night Bike Ride www.cambc.org. The Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club leads an intermediate/advanced pace ride every Wednesday at 8pm. Free. Visit the website for locations and details.
Women’s Mountain Biking www.cambc.org. Join the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club twice a month for a noncompetitive, social ride. Free. Visit the website for locations and details.