Love scenic mountain towns, but hate the crowds? Lynchburg may be your best bet for a relaxed, nature-filled weekend. Situated on the bluffs overlooking the James River, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the peaceful city with its brick-paved streets, vibrant maker scene, and winding trails is an inviting change of pace. Book your ticket before the rest of the region catches on. This story is part of our July Explore Virginia by Train issue. Check back as we share additional weekend trips in Virginia that are just a train ride away.
What to Do
Stroll the Riverwalk Trail beginning in Lynchburg’s historic downtown and see urban attractions before crossing onto Percival’s Island Nature Area, where you can spot herons and native plants on the wooded island that remains in its natural state of splendor. Explore the urban trails of the Bluffwalk and sit for a picnic on its overlooks with panoramic river and mountain views. In total, there are 40 miles of urban trails for hiking, biking, or walking. Rent a cruiser, e-bike, or kids’ pull-behind trailer at Bikes Unlimited. Enjoy snowless skiing, tubing, or snowboarding year-round at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, Virginia’s only year-round ski slopes.
Downtown also blooms with a vibrant arts scene. Art Alley on the Bluffwalk features colorful art from 14 Central Virginia artists. Visit Main Street on the first Friday of every month for Lynchburg’s First Fridays event featuring open galleries, food, music, and more. Meet more makers at Lynchburg Community Market, one of the oldest continuously operating public markets in the country.
Old City Cemetary houses the largest collection of heirloom roses in Virginia on its grounds, with more than 425 varieties (they’re celebrated at an Antique Rose Festival every spring). Spot more rare flowers at the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum in the former home of the Harlem Renaissance poet; an impressive 95 percent of the cottage and original furnishings are intact. The Civil Rights advocate opened her home to other leading thinkers of the day like Langston Hughes, Martin Luther King Jr., and Zora Neale Hurston in those very rooms.
Where to Dine
Outdoor scenes and Southern hospitality extend to Lynchburg’s variety of dining options. Mingle with locals at The Water Dog, a popular gathering place with outdoor seating, games for kids, beer (there are 36 rotating craft brews on tap), and fresh East Coast oysters. More breweries include the established Starr Hill on Main (an outpost of the second oldest craft brewery in Virginia) and Three Roads Brewing Company, a welcoming taproom inside an airy old Ford dealership. Stop for smoothie bowls, salads, and live music at the newly opened Palmera House. For an upscale evening, find surf and turf and she crab soup at Shoemakers American Grille inside the Craddock Terry Hotel, or enjoy seafood and craft cocktails on the rooftop at Skyline. As to be expected in a college town, coffee options abound, and Golf Park Coffee Co., with its direct-trade, single-origins and blends, is a favorite.
Where to Stay
Stay in a converted shoe factory where high ceilings, exposed wood beams, and shoe-themed decor bring a whimsical feel to the Craddock Terry Hotel, a downtown hotel that’s simultaneously industrial and comfortable. Say hi to resident pup Penny Loafer and marvel at a wall of shoes that were once produced onsite; at its peak, more than 100,000 shoes were completed daily when it was one of the largest shoe manufacturers in the world.
Feeling both romantic and adventurous? Plan ahead and book James Station, a train caboose Airbnb from Stay Different by All Belong Co. It overlooks the James River and comes with stylish, completely renovated interiors, a porch swing fit for two, and a fire pit and a gas grill. The shiny red caboose even has the word “Love” emblazoned across one side — Virginia is for lovers indeed!
Feature image by SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our July Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
