Lynchburg is steeped in history, as proven by its eye-catching architecture, some of which date back to the 19th century. It even served as the South’s capital for a brief period sometime in the 1860s. Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge, the city, which is dubbed as the City of Seven Hills, also boasts gorgeous natural attractions. In the past years, it has seen a lot of development: travelers who prefer more modern entertainments, such as foodie destinations, art galleries, and other urban activities are bound to find some activities that they will like here. Check out this list for the top things to do in Lynchburg, Virginia.
1. Bond with the animals at SeaQuest Lynchburg
As the name promises, you will see plenty of sea creatures at SeaQuest Lynchburg, but there is a lot more to see here beyond these. The animals, which number over a thousand, come from owners who can no longer take care of their pets, are rescued, or were injured and need help. Make sure to check their website to find out when the park will re-open. Guests can feed some of the animals, including the birds, the stingrays, and the sloth, for additional fees.
SeaQuest Lynchburg
Address: 3405 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502, United States
Website: SeaQuest Lynchburg
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 7pm; Sun: 12pm - 6pm
Price: 15 USD onwards
2. Go back in time by visiting The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum
The Anne Spencer House was the home of Anne Spencer, an acclaimed lyric poet during the Harlem Renaissance. Their home, where she did most of her writing, features memorabilia and different artifacts from a bygone era. A stroll along the garden will allow you to see the beauty that inspired her works. Appointments need to be made in order to take a tour around the house. The garden is open from dusk until dawn, but do visit their website before your visit there make sure that they have already re-opened.
The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum
Address: 1313 Pierce St, Lynchburg, VA 24501, United States
Website: The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum
Price: Anne Spencer House: 10 USD onwards; Garden: free
3. Sample the goodies sold at Lynchburg Community Market
Lynchburg Community Market is one of the oldest markets in the country. Besides fresh produce, you can also buy baked goodies, handicrafts, accessories, and more here. What’s great about this market is that you can actually order what products you want to get from the website so all you need to do is to pick them up upon your visit, so you don’t have to worry about getting disappointed that the goodies you want to get have already been sold out.
Lynchburg Community Market
Address: 1219 Main St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, United States
Website: Lynchburg Community Market
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 7am - 2pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
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4. Learn more about the history of the city at the Lynchburg Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you’re a history buff, be sure to visit this museum so you can learn more about the city’s rich story, starting from the pre-colonial period to the present. The museum is housed in a former court building. Should you have any additional questions about the displays, the staff there are more than willing to provide more insights about Lynchburg’s history. You can enjoy views of the city from here. Do visit their website to get updates on when they will re-open.
Lynchburg Museum
Address: 901 Court St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, United States
Website: Lynchburg Museum
Price: Free admission
5. Bond with nature at Blackwater Creek Natural Area
Want to take a break from exploring the indoor attractions of Lynchburg? Explore its natural beauty by heading over to Blackwater Creek Natural Area, which features a number of hiking and biking trails that will take you into the woods so you can spend a relaxing time amid the greenery. The main trail takes you through an old train tunnel, which is always fun to explore. Do visit the official website to double-check if they’re already open before heading here.
Blackwater Creek Natural Area
Address: Lynchburg, VA 24501, United States
Website: Blackwater Creek Natural Area
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
6. Take your kids exploring at Amazement Square
If you’re traveling to Lynchburg with your children, consider visiting Amazement Square, an interactive museum where kids can have fun playing and learning. There are plenty of activities awaiting visitors, and there are even some that adults will enjoy trying out. Please visit their website to know whether Amazement Square is open during your visit to Lynchburg.
Amazement Square
Address: 27 9th St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, United States
Website: Amazement Square
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed from Sun - Tue)
7. Percival's Island Natural Area
Percival’s Island Natural Area is another option available if you want to spend some time amid nature. Once an old abandoned railroad bed, this attraction was converted into a park and now features hiking and biking trails that traverse the island. There are some spots here where visitors can do some fishing - of course, however, compliance with the State of Virginia fishing regulations is necessary. Visit their website to check if they are open during your visit.
Percival's Island Natural Area
Address: 1600 Concord Turnpike, Lynchburg, VA 24504, United States
Website: Percival’s Island Natural Area
Opening hours: 5:30am - 8pm (daily)
8. Go skiing at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre is the first synthetic ski slope in North America. Head over here to go skiing, tubing, and snowboarding no matter what the weather is. This attraction is open for anyone of all ages. If, however, you don’t want to hit the slopes, there’s a viewing deck where you can catch all of the action.
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre
Address: 4000 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502, United States
Website: Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre
9. Pay a visit to the historical home Point of Honor
Point of Honor serves as a silent witness to key points of Lynchburg’s history. The land once served as the hunting grounds of Native Americans. It then became converted into farmland. It was also used as a venue for people to settle disputes of honor, hence its name. Over the years, the house has seen a lot of remodeling and renovations, and traces of these different stages can be seen in its structure. Do check the website to find out when this attraction will re-open prior to your visit.
Point of Honor
Address: 112 Cabell St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, United States
Website: Point of Honor
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm
10. Stroll along Diamond Hill Historic District and enjoy sights
As you may have noticed on this list, Lynchburg is a place where you can see buildings that span generations, and Diamond Hill Historic District is a place where many of these are clustered together. The area features a number of homes dating back to the 19th century, many of which follow the Colonial Revival and Georgian Revival styles of architecture. According to stories, the district got its name from the triangular shape of the lots here.
Diamond Hill Historic District
Address: Lynchburg, VA 24504, United States
Live it up in Lynchburg
Lynchburg is a fantastic city that combines modern attractions with traditional sights, with a splash of natural attractions thrown in the mix. If you want to enjoy a holiday that takes you to the road less traveled, consider spending it in this southern city and see what it has to offer to its visitors.
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