How To Spend A Long Weekend In Historic Lynchburg, VA (2024)

Lynchburg, Virginia, is a great place to consider for a long weekend getaway. At the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lynchburg has fascinating historical attractions, over 100-year-old churches, excellent art offerings, delicious food, and plenty of places to get outdoors. Something interesting I learned on my visit is that Lynchburg was a huge shoe manufacturing and tobacco-growing town. This, and the successful railroad, contributed to the wealth it experienced at the turn of the century, which resulted in the gorgeous antebellum mansions around town.

You’ll love Lynchburg’s friendly locals and great Southern hospitality. Here are suggestions for what to see and do, where to eat, and where to stay during your long weekend in historic Lynchburg, the “City of Seven Hills,” based on my press trip experience hosted by Visit Lynchburg, VA. All opinions remain my own.

Things To Do In Lynchburg

Lynchburg runs the gamut from cool street murals and art galleries to picturesque walking trails and river adventures. There is no one type of traveler that will prefer Lynchburg, it is a one-size-fits-all place. Lynchburg is home to Randolph College (originally Randolph-Macon women-only college), Virginia University of Lynchburg, Liberty University, and Lynchburg College.

Lynchburg Community Market

Explore one of the oldest markets in Virginia (circa 1783) at the Lynchburg Community Market. This interesting open-air market offers space (Heritage Crafters Gallery and Artist Alley) for local artisans, vendors, and farmers selling their wares. It’s a reliable place to find souvenirs, home accessories, pottery, jewelry, or even a meal or cup of coffee. While there is a huge indoor space, the market really thrives at the outdoor stalls on Saturdays when the weather turns favorable.

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Point Of Honor

History buffs will love walking through Point of Honor, an early 1800s Federal-style historical home, now turned museum. Point of Honor belonged to a prominent local physician who was friends with Thomas Jefferson. He is thought to be the doctor who killed one of his patients on accident — patriot Patrick Henry. The views of the James River from Point of Honor alone are worth the visit. The antiques and rooms are well preserved and classy.

Academy Center For The Arts

Academy Center for the Arts is the premier center for the arts in Lynchburg. It has been a staple in Lynchburg for 110 years. Besides offering touring and local performances and live music, the Academy Center for the Arts also hosts youth, online, and adult classes and has rental space.

Pro Tip: Don’t miss the eye-catching mural on the side of the building!

Percival’s Island

Lynchburg runs along the photogenic James River. Here, you’ll find Percival’s Island, a perfect place to get outdoors and enjoy a brisk walk or run in a scenic setting. Once an old railroad bed, the 1.5-mile paved trail is a Lynchburg landmark. You can get out on the water of the James River, as well, via kayak, canoe, inner-tubes, bateau (light flat-bottomed riverboat), or standup paddleboard. Rent these items or sign up for a guided tubing or paddling tour with James River Adventures. Be on the lookout for herons and other waterfowl.

Historic Attractions

Lynchburg’s history is great and wide. You’ll find the burial site of 20,000 Confederate soldiers, European immigrants, and tobacco farmers at Old City Cemetery. At Monument Terrace, see the Doughboy statue and tribute to Lynchburg citizens who fought and died in WWI, WWII, the Civil War, Spanish-American War, Korea, Vietnam, and present-day citizens. Courthouse Hill affords picturesque views of the beautiful City Court House. Then, at the Lynchburg Museum, history comes alive through costumed interpreters, artifacts, and old photos.

Colorful Pianos

While driving around town, you will notice colorful and creatively painted pianos. These public artistic gifts are sponsored by Hill City Keys and are available for anyone to sit down and hammer out a tune. The five perfectly tuned pianos (with overhangs to protect them from the weather) make for great fun. Occasionally, you’ll hear some fantastic musicians showing off their talents.

Anne Spencer House

Stroll through the historic house museum and cozy gardens of Virginia’s landmark poet, Anne Spencer. Anne was especially famous during the Harlem Renaissance and was a known Civil Rights activist. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Maier Museum Of Art

Lynchburg has quite a few art galleries, but the most impressive to me is the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College. This venue houses a fascinating collection of 19th- through 21st-century paintings, with impressive works by Audubon, Hopper, and O’Keeffe. Best of all, admission is absolutely free!

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Love Works

Lynchburg has a prevalent arts and culture scene and a cool roadside public art installment featuring “LOVE” displays all around the state. They were created to honor the “Virginia is for Lovers” 50th birthday and were so popular that they keep growing. Ones to look for in Lynchburg include the celebration of the great outdoors at the trailhead of Percival’s Island, a high-heeled shoe near the Craddock Terry Hotel, and at the University of Lynchburg.

Nearby Attractions

Located 20 minutes from Lynchburg are two pretty impressive places to visit: Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest and DeVault Family Vineyards. Poplar Forest is a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. House tours run $18 and focus on the site’s architecture and award-winning restoration as well as the enslaved community that once lived there and Thomas Jefferson’s story.

At DeVault, in Concord, Virginia, sip on your choice of red, white, or blend wines in their tasting room, open Thursday through Saturday. Unlike most wineries, this one offers amenities right on the property, such as an indoor swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts, and a stocked fishing pond.

Best Restaurants In Lynchburg

Lynchburg has so many tasty places to eat, but you may not be able to cram them all into a weekend trip. From impressive farm-to-table eats to a retro diner with an original breakfast offering, I found Lynchburg to be absolutely delicious.

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Market At Main

I recommend Market at Main for breakfast. This old-timey eatery has counter and table service, with breakfast available all day. I don’t know about you, but that is a real thrill for me. A super cool menu item at Market on Main is the Flight of Pancakes. It comes with one each of the corncake, buttermilk, and sweet potato varieties. Red velvet is another option. The Eggs Virginia, with Virginia sage sausage patties, is another great option. For lunch, Market at Main’s burger and sandwich selections are impressive.

My Dog Duke’s Diner

My Dog Duke’s Diner serves up comfort food dishes in a casual setting with indoor and outdoor dog-friendly seating. The Freebird sandwich is wonderful, with crispy chicken, pimento cheese, bacon, and remoulade. For breakfast, consider the avocado toast, hash skillets, or breakfast tacos. While the menu has been scaled back a bit since I visited, I remember an awesome selection of adult grilled cheeses.

Grey’s

Grey’s is another popular dining spot for lunch and dinner. They pride themselves on stellar hand-crafted co*cktails, delicious house-made Burrata, and one-of-a-kind dinner entrees. Popular dishes are the Korean chicken, shrimp and grits, and chicken fried cauliflower. The restaurant was formerly a historic Greyhound bus station. If Grey’s happens to have the fried green tomato stack with pulled pork and fresh peaches on the menu, you are in for a real treat!

Ploughcroft Tea Room

You can treat yourself to a proper English afternoon tea or a plate of pastries and sweet treats at Ploughcroft Tea Room, also offering an a la carte menu. Ploughcroft’s Canterbury Chicken and Mushroom Pie and Notting Hill Chicken Salad both make excellent lunch choices. This authentic British tea room is cute as can be and the pastries are almost too pretty to eat.

The William And Henry

The William and Henry Steakhouse at The Virginian Hotel is one of the finest dining establishments in Lynchburg. Tableside Caesar salads, chops, steaks, and seafood, plus impeccable service and a warm, welcoming dining room, are what make this restaurant so desirable. Also at the hotel is Skyline Rooftop, the only rooftop restaurant and bar in downtown Lynchburg. Stop in for tapas and signature co*cktails, and of course, the views.

Best Hotels In Lynchburg

Two hotels in Lynchburg are standouts: The Virginian Lynchburg and the Craddock Terry Hotel. The Virginian is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton and offers a great location, beautiful luxury rooms, and fantastic hotel amenities. The sitting area (library) off the lobby, 24-hour fitness center, and Marigold Cafe (Starbucks coffee and grab-and-go items) are other highlights of the stunning property.

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The Craddock Terry Hotel is a boutique luxury waterfront hotel that was converted from a previous shoe warehouse. Lynchburg was once quite the leader in the shoe industry, and this hotel pays tribute to those days in the 44 eclectic rooms with whimsical decor. The Craddock Terry Hotel has a beautiful lobby, gift shop, and Penny Loafer, the cute hotel mascot. If you are traveling with your pet, check out the hotel’s Pampered Pet Package.

Pro Tip: Both self-parking and valet are $10 per day at The Virginian Lynchburg. It is a great place to park and explore the downtown area.

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How To Spend A Long Weekend In Historic Lynchburg, VA (2024)

FAQs

How To Spend A Long Weekend In Historic Lynchburg, VA? ›

Things To Do in Lynchburg VA

Is Lynchburg, VA worth visiting? ›

Lynchburg, Virginia is a vibrant arts and cultural hub with a rich history and a thriving arts community. The city offers a diverse range of cultural experiences, including live music, theater, art galleries, museums, and festivals, making it a great destination for art enthusiasts and culture seekers.

Is Lynchburg VA a walkable city? ›

About this Location. This location has a Walk Score of 86 out of 100. This location is Very Walkable so most errands can be accomplished on foot.

What is Lynchburg Virginia known for? ›

Lynchburg, known as the “City of Seven Hills,” should also be known for its food and fabulous restaurants.

Does Lynchburg, VA have a downtown? ›

Situated by the banks of the James River, Lynchburg's historic and vibrant downtown district is the heart of the city.

Is Lynchburg close to gatlinburg? ›

How far is it from Lynchburg to Gatlinburg? The distance between Lynchburg and Gatlinburg is 368 miles. The road distance is 318.7 miles.

How religious is Lynchburg VA? ›

The American Bible Society recently ranked Lynchburg, Va., home to Liberty University, as the third most Bible-minded city in the U.S. The community is saturated in biblical teaching and opportunities to serve, with approximately 250 churches and more than 1,000 nonprofits in the area.

Is Lynchburg still a dry town? ›

Yes, Lynchburg Tennessee is a Dry County. Despite the operational distillery, which is a major tourist attraction, Lynchburg's home county of Moore is a dry county. From Wikipedia, While federal prohibition ended in 1933 with the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, state prohibition laws remain in effect.

Why is Lynchburg called the Hill city? ›

One of the most prominent nicknames of Lynchburg is the "City of Seven Hills." This is due to one prominent feature of its geography, the seven hills that are spread throughout the region.

Is Lynchburg, VA a wealthy city? ›

The per capita income in Lynchburg in 2022 was $28,478, which is lower middle income relative to Virginia and the nation. This equates to an annual income of $113,912 for a family of four. However, Lynchburg contains both very wealthy and poor people as well. Lynchburg is an extremely ethnically-diverse city.

Was there slavery in Lynchburg Virginia? ›

The first documented enslaved people were brought to Central Virginia in the late 1730's. By 1860 the city of Lynchburg was not only home to one of the largest concentrations of enslaved factory workers in Virginia, but it was also a major site for trading and auctioning enslaved people in the state.

What was invented in Lynchburg VA? ›

ChapStick'®, the original lip balm, is now a household name and dedicated to perfecting the science of skincare for lips, so you can put your lips first. The story of ChapStick'® begins in Lynchburg, Virginia, with Dr. Charles Browne Fleet.

What does lyh stand for in Lynchburg, VA? ›

Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH), established in 1931, was originally known as Preston Glenn Airport, named in honor of Lt. Preston Glenn, a Lynchburg native who died in service as an Army Air Corps pilot during World War I. In 1992, the airport's new terminal facility opened for business.

Is Lynchburg VA a nice town? ›

Lynchburg is a town in Virginia with a population of 79,166. Lynchburg is in Lynchburg City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. Living in Lynchburg offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Lynchburg there are a lot of parks.

How far is Lynchburg VA from the beach? ›

How far is it from Lynchburg to Virginia Beach? The distance between Lynchburg and Virginia Beach is 252 miles. The road distance is 218.6 miles.

What is the main industry in Lynchburg Virginia? ›

Our top industries include nuclear engineering, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and higher education.

How far is Lynchburg VA from the mountains? ›

Lynchburg is only 30 minutes from a beautiful drive to see the spectacular mountain vistas during any season.

Is Lynchburg University a dry campus? ›

Students and guests who are age 21 or older may possess and consume alcohol in residential facilities only in accordance with the Student Conduct Code and any policies established by the Office of Residential Experience.

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