Location: Forest
Top Things to do in Forest
Top 8 Things to do in Forest, United States
Forest is a census-designated place (CDP) in Bedford and Campbell counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 9,106 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Forest
1. Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 302 reviews
Poplar Forest is Thomas Jefferson's personal retreat and plantation located in Forest, Virginia. It is one of only two homes that Mr. Jefferson designed and built for his own use.
Reviewed By Thelmadee - Rohnert Park, California
The retirement home of Thomas Jefferson isn’t always easy to.find but well worth the effort. First visit Monticello and if you have time visit Poplar Forest. The two homes go hand in hand although no mention is ever made of Poplar Forest during Monticello tours.
Poplar Forest is still in the process of becoming the fully restored retreat of Thomas Jefferson but it’s come a long way since my first visit there nine years ago.
Poplar Forest suffered damage and neglect so more restoration is needed to bring it up to the glory it once was.
If you want to see the inside of the house you need to take a guided tour but the outside can be viewed without paying for a tour.
It's a very relaxing place and the life Thomas Jefferson and his family had there was easier and perhaps less hectic. Our tour guide made it sound like time spent at Poplar Forest was the equivalent of a city dweller going to a summer home.
2. Amazement Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
Amazement Square is Central Virginia's first multidisciplinary, hands-on children's museum! Climb, slide and discover as you make your way through four floors of exciting, interactive exhibits, activities and programs. Visitors of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can explore global and regional topics, the arts and humanities, science and health-related themes, as well as expand their creativity.
Reviewed By Franklin H - Palm Coast, Florida
Absolutely the best place in town for kids. Maybe the best anywhere. Lots of hands on experiences and games for all ages. The kids will stay all day and beg to come back.
3. Apocalypse Ale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Brandon E - Forest, Virginia
Apocalypse offers an ever-changing variety of brews made on site in a repurposed firehouse. While no food is offered onsite, save for the occasional food truck, you are able to bring in outside food to pair with their delicious beer selections. The bar staff is knowledgeable and a fantastic group of people who aren't afraid to cut loose and share insults and unwarranted ribbings. When it's nice outside Apocalypse has an incredible seating area complete wth a selection of outdoor games and music.
4. Old City Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
The Old City Cemetery, established in 1806, is one of the oldest public cemeteries in the United States still in use today. Mayors and other prominent civic leaders, along with the city's indigent and "strangers," are among the estimated 18,000 people buried here. Two thirds of those interred here are of African descent, both enslaved and free. The cemetery's Confederate section contains the graves of more than 2,200 soldiers from 14 states. Museums on the property interpret the diverse history of this rehabilitated graveyard and its inhabitants. Today, Old City Cemetery is the most visited historic site in the City of Lynchburg and is Central Virginia's most unique public garden. It is a Virginia Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reviewed By Franklin H - Palm Coast, Florida
Great history in an old well taken care of cemetery. Even has swings to keep kids occupied lots of old monuments back to the civil war
5. Historic Sandusky
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Sandusky is a federal style home built in 1808 by Charles Johnston. Today, the home is open as a historic house museum and is currently under ongoing restoration to the 1864 period when the home was used as Union Headquarters by General David Hunter. Historic Sandusky is operated by the Historic Sandusky foundation in partnership with Lynchburg College.
Reviewed By Jack L - East Syracuse, New York
Sandusky is compose of two structures: a mansion & visitor center/museum.
The mansion was built in 1808 by Charles Johnson. The mansion went through three owners before the civil war. During the Battle of Lynchburg, June 17-18, 1864, Sandusky was occupied by Union Gen. David Hunter with two staff officers that became US presidents-Rutherford Hayes & William McKinley. Also the mansion was used as an union hospital.
In 2000 the last Hunter owner sold Sandusky to the Historic Sandusky Foundation to preserve & interpret Sandusky's history.
My tour guide was Kelly. Since I was the only visitor, she was able to take her time, detailing the mansion's history, all family members & owners. Only half of the first floor is available for viewing, with all rooms getting the detail treatment. The tour lasted about 40 minutes, what a group tour would last I have no idea. The mansion is red brick, with the surrounding grounds with surrounding grounds well taken care of. On the grounds are two info stands-Sandusky's Headquarters & Lynchburg ' Early & Hunter'.
The museum is small only one large room. Here are a few weapons, about a field hospital during the Battle of Lynchburg, civil war medicine, 'Lynchburg Citizen Soldier's. A complete museum visit probably will last 30 minutes at most if a visitor takes the time to view & read all.
I was more interested in the museum before arriving than the mansion, however Kelly's detailed tour changed my thinking. She was able to answer all questions. There might be only two or three original mansion items, all the rest are time period, close the mansion's early period. Photography is allowed, however NO flash. The upstairs is currently under restoration.
Any person with an interest in early & mid-1800's life style, furniture & architecture would enjoy a visit. Even with only a 40 minute mansion tour & a 25 museum visit-my museum stop lasted about 45 minutes-a tour of both is recommended.
6. One Way Out - Lynchburg Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5 based on 260 reviews
One Way Out is a real-life escape room business in Lynchburg, VA. This exciting new type of game "locks" guests in a room with only one way out-- discover the clues, solve the puzzles, and work together as a team to escape the room in under 60 minutes. Are you up for the challenge?
Reviewed By Z0rra - Lynchburg
A fun way to spend the an hour or so. Good for getting you to think out of the box and there are clues that all ages can get involved in. Great fun once you actually solve the room.
7. Locked Up Lynchburg
Overall Ratings
5 based on 106 reviews
Locked Up is an interactive game experience in which your group must find the clues and solve the puzzles in order to escape the room. You’re trapped in a room, and the clock is ticking down from 60 minutes. Your intellect and attention to detail is your only means of escape. Use the clues in the room and your problem solving skills to find the way out!
Reviewed By Lauren L - Richmond, Virginia, USA
We had a group of parents of young children, as a kid free activity do the newest room, The Heist last weekend. We had an absolute blast! None of us (8 total) had done an escape room before. We all left wanting to do another room and plan on going back again. Peter helped us and he was fantastic. We had solved one of the puzzles correctly, but there was an issue with it (can't give too much away!) and Peter was quick to fix it and adjust our time accordingly. My husband and I think this would also be a fun date night! We will definitely be going back!
8. Putt-Putt Fun Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Tchowell - Columbia, Tennessee
We spent several hours here on a night in July. My family of 5 had a blast, even when it rained! We played 6 games of lazer tag!!! When we are in the area we will defiantly come back.
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