What to do and see in Lynchburg, United States: The Best Places and Tips

January 17, 2018 Kelli Reichel

Lynchburg, Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has had a prosperous history, serving as a center of trade, the home of numerous notable personages, and the site of the official end of the Civil War. Visit Appomattox Court House, where Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. The house and gardens of Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer, the landmarked Old City Cemetery and Thomas Jefferson's retreat at Poplar Forest are also open for tours.
Restaurants in Lynchburg

1. Amazement Square

27 9th St, Lynchburg, VA 24504-1422 +1 434-845-1888
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 244 reviews

Amazement Square

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.

2. Riverwalk Trail

Jefferson St., Lynchburg, VA +1 434-525-4194
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 113 reviews

Riverwalk Trail

Reviewed By David C - Livonia, Michigan

Starting just two blocks from town, you can walk about a mile and a half to the other end of Percival's Island in the middle of the James River and have no idea that you are that close to the city. The main trail is paved, but there is a trail that goes off to the side for a half mile or so and then comes back to the main trail. When we took that trail, we saw a nursing fawn on the trail less than 50 feet in front of us.

The walk is shaded the entire length of the island, so it is reasonably comfortable, even on a hot day, which it was the day we walked it.

Afterwards, we had lunch at Waterstone Pizza, the top rated restaurant in Lynchburg, which was just a block from the trail.

3. Old City Cemetery

401 Taylor St, Lynchburg, VA 24501-1245 +1 434-847-1465
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 214 reviews

Old City Cemetery

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

4. Point of Honor

112 Cabell St, Lynchburg, VA 24504-1211 +1 434-455-6226
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 101 reviews

Point of Honor

Point of Honor, the elegant Federal-style home built by Dr. George Cabell in 1815. Point of Honor is furnished with period antiques, and the grounds contain a recreated plantation kitchen, gardens, and the Carriage House Gift Shop.

Reviewed By JohnBCowgill - Washington DC, District of Columbia

It is just your average house tour. Not exactly. It is an amazing site. It has many stories. Elizabeth was the tour guide, and she did an excellent tour. Worth seeing.Thank You for visiting! Very glad you enjoyed your tour and hopefully you'll make a return visit!

5. Lynchburg Museum

901 Court St, Lynchburg, VA 24504-1603 +1 434-455-6226
Excellent
55%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 80 reviews

Lynchburg Museum

The Lynchburg Museum at the Old Court House consists of the Court Room Gallery, the history of Lynchburg from the First People to the 21st century, and four other specialized galleries including: Art & Artisans, Piedmont Pride, Lynchburg Life, and An Oranment on the Hill.The First Friday of each month the Museum is open for free from 5pm to 8pm and each month is a different topic relating to Lynchburg history.

Reviewed By ColdWarRelic - Pittsville

We (two adults and one kid) had some extra time on a Saturday and decided to visit this museum prior to attending an event in Lynchburg. What a surprise! The museum is in what was once a courthouse. There are several themes in the facility...MoreThank You for visiting the Lynchburg Museum! We hope you enjoyed the event you came to town for! We hope you'll make a return visit to us, and Lynchburg.

6. Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre

4000 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502-2258 +1 866-504-7541
Excellent
57%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 68 reviews

Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre

Reviewed By denmiller2003 - Ocean City, Maryland

A truly unique year round outdoor ski venue. The slope is challenging and fun.
The lodge is outstanding. A great view of Liberty University awaits visitors. This is a nice spot to spend a little time relaxing and enjoying the spectacular views even if not participating in sporting activities.

7. Maier Museum of Art

1 Quinlan St, Randolph College, Lynchburg, VA 24503-1519 +1 434-947-8136
Excellent
84%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5 based on 25 reviews

Maier Museum of Art

The Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College houses an outstanding collection of American art, chiefly paintings, works on paper, and photographs dating from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Located on the Randolph campus and open to visitors year-round, the Museum serves both the academic community and the general public and offers changing exhibitions, rotating displays of the College’s permanent collection, and educational programs. THE COLLECTION: The Collection’s strengths lie in American Impressionism and in early 20th-century Realism. The Collection in general features excellent works illustrating the evolution of American art from the early 19th century to the present day. Among the artists represented are Mary Cassatt, Thomas Cole, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Georgia O’Keeffe, Gilbert Stuart, and Andrew Wyeth. PROJECT Y: In 1951, the National Gallery of Art (or the NGA) chose the campus of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College as the site of a secret art storage facility in the event of a national emergency. In the face of nuclear threat posed by the Soviet Union, this specially-designed structure would safeguard the nation’s art treasures. In exchange for its ownership, the College agreed to maintain and insure the facility, making it available for emergency storage for a total of 50 years. Given the code name “Project Y,” construction was supervised by NGA staff. Simply called “the art gallery” by the R-MWC community, the facility was dedicated on December 11th, 1952. Though Project Y was never used by the NGA, the gallery remained listed as a viable emergency location until 1979. A 1983 endowment established by the Pauline and Sarah Maier Scholarship Fund created the museum that stands today. The Maier Museum of Art carries the spirit of its original purpose, housing a collection of art for the education and enjoyment of future generations.

Reviewed By Anita M - Lynchburg, Virginia

The Maier Museum on the campus of Randolph College has an exceptional collection for an art museum of its size and location. From its inception Classes and Alumna have donated high quality works of art...Thomas Hart Benton and William Merritt Chase to name a few. If you are an art lover visiting Lynchburg it is a must.

8. Blackwater Creek Trail

1720 Langhorne Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24503-3120
Excellent
69%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Blackwater Creek Trail

Reviewed By Heather F - San Antonio, Texas

I REALLY miss this place!! I have lived all over the world (army brat) and this is the best trail for walking and jogging that I have ever found. It has a bit of everything and is super peaceful and picturesque. I don't live in Virginia any more, but I still compare every trail I find to this one. When you go in the springtime, you can smell wild jasmine at certain places. The Awareness Garden is beautiful also. It can be hard to find parking at popular times on the weekend, but it's well worth it when you do.

9. Historic Sandusky

757 Sandusky Dr, Lynchburg, VA 24502-1429 +1 434-832-0162
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Historic Sandusky

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.

10. Anne Spencer House

1313 Pierce St, Lynchburg, VA 24501-1935 +1 434-845-1313
Excellent
64%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Anne Spencer House

Reviewed By William B - Lynchburg, Virginia

This may be the way Anne would have wanted it. People young and old of all races and creeds reading poetry, and even belly dancing in her garden. Many thanks to Anne's granddaughter and the rest of the board for putting on the fun event.

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