A November Day in Crozet: Mint Springs and Smoked BBQ
A hike above town and an early barbecue lunch, planned around Smoked's Thursday-to-Sunday schedule
A November day in Crozet pairs well: walk the trails at Mint Springs Valley Park in the morning, then settle in for barbecue at Smoked Kitchen and Tap. Smoked is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 8 PM, so plan your Crozet day for one of those four.
Quick Facts
- Morning: Mint Springs Valley Park, open daily 7 AM to 8 PM
- Midday: Smoked Kitchen and Tap, open Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 8 PM
- Closed: Smoked is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Morning: Mint Springs Valley Park
Mint Springs Valley Park is a county park above Crozet with more than five miles of trails, ranging from easy lakeside paths to strenuous mountain climbs. That range makes it a flexible start: a gentle loop by the water if you want an easy morning, or a harder climb if you want to earn lunch. The park is open daily from 7 AM to 8 PM, and its Albemarle County Parks phone line is (434) 296-5844. It holds a 4.7 Google rating.
Fall weekends can bring a mix of cool mornings and warmer afternoons, so layer up and bring water; the park's own information is the place to check for trail conditions on the day.
Midday: Smoked Kitchen and Tap
Smoked Kitchen and Tap is a barbecue-focused, independent restaurant in Crozet, and it is repeatedly listed among the town's most popular places to eat. It is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM, and closed the first half of the week. It holds a 4.5 Google rating. Menu items and prices were not part of the information available for this guide, so check the restaurant's website for the current menu before you go.
Because Smoked closes at 8 PM, a late-afternoon hike followed by an early dinner also works, as long as you arrive well before closing.
Make It a Longer Day
If you want a third stop, Crozet and the surrounding Albemarle County countryside are well suited to a wine stop on the way home. For a historic detour, consider Blenheim Vineyards, a family-run winery established in 2000 by Dave Matthews. Blenheim is open Thursday through Monday, with Saturday hours running to 7 PM, and closed Tuesday.
Planning Your Visit
- Mint Springs Valley Park: Crozet, Albemarle County, VA. Open daily 7 AM to 8 PM. Phone (434) 296-5844. Website: albemarle.org parks and recreation
- Smoked Kitchen and Tap: Crozet, VA. Open Thursday through Sunday 11 AM to 8 PM; closed Monday through Wednesday. Phone (434) 205-4881. Website: smokedkt.com
- Blenheim Vineyards: Charlottesville, Albemarle County, VA. Open Monday and Wednesday through Friday and Sunday 11 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 7 PM; closed Tuesday. Phone (434) 293-5366. Website: blenheimvineyards.com
Places in this story
Sources
Reporting drew on sources available for these places:
- Mint Springs Valley Park — venue signals
- Smoked Kitchen and Tap — venue signals
- Blenheim Vineyards — venue signals
Frequently asked questions
What days is Smoked Kitchen and Tap in Crozet open?
Smoked Kitchen and Tap is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM and closed Monday through Wednesday.
How long are the trails at Mint Springs Valley Park near Crozet?
Mint Springs Valley Park has more than five miles of trails, from easy lakeside paths to strenuous mountain climbs. It is open daily from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Where can I get barbecue in Crozet, Virginia?
Smoked Kitchen and Tap is a barbecue-focused independent restaurant in Crozet, and it appears repeatedly on lists of the town's most popular places to eat.
This article was written from local venue data and reviewed by AI. Learn how we write these stories
Photo via Unsplash