Nestled amid the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, Lynchburg is a beautiful city with a commendable history.
Having many of its districts listed on the National Register of Historic Districts, Lynchburg is a place that history buffs will surely fall in love with.
Apart from attractions that tell stories of the Civil War, Lynchburg is also rich with different museums, monuments, and parks that make it intriguing to tourists.
It’s also home to natural wonders that will take your breath away.
Ready to start planning a visit to this city?
Here are the best things to do in Lynchburg, Virginia:
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The Blackwater Creek Natural Area is one of the most attractive places in Lynchburg.
If you are a nature lover looking for something fun and adventurous to do in the city, make sure to visit this spot.
The Blackwater Creek Natural Area is a vast forest with miles and miles of hiking trails.
Johnny Lynch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 3-mile Blackwater Creek Trail is favored by all.
Everyone loves this one as it has the best views.
The Legacy Museum of African American History is an excellent place to check out in Lynchburg.
It only has one motto: to preserve the heroic tales of the African Americans.
Lynchburg has a huge African American community, and the Legacy Museum of African American History tells the stories of many brave-hearted souls.
You can learn more about the Civil War from a different perspective.
There are a lot of interesting exhibits to check out here.
The Lynchburg Community Market is the third oldest public market in the United States.
You get the absolute best of Lynchburg at this market.
It would be best not to have breakfast before heading here, as there are a lot of stalls that serve delicious breakfasts, and the smell of freshly prepared food will surely make you go crazy.
You can even check out some homemade goods if you are looking for souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
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Amazement Square is one of the most popular spots in Lynchburg.
Its main objective is to make learning fun.
The children’s museum portrays different educational elements so that people have fun knowing about them.
There are four floors, and each one of them has a special something.
Mazes or ladders run throughout these four floors, and you can access different parts of the museum through these ladders or mazes.
You can attend a painting on the walls class, too!
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Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was not a student of architecture?
The great man never went to architecture school or got anyone to teach him.
He learned all of it by himself and solely designed the Poplar Forest.
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It’s registered as a National Historic Landmark, and the detailed architecture is just unique on another level.
Jefferson wanted it to be “the best dwelling house in the state”—and it looks like he was successful in his mission, too!
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Lynchburg has one of the most exciting histories among all the places in America.
Do you want to learn more about that history in detail?
Well, the Lynchburg Museum can help you with that.
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It’s one of the best storytellers in Lynchburg and has a nice way of showcasing its presentations and documents.
Everything around the period ranging from the 1600s to the 2000s can be found here.
Are you ready to check out some of Lynchburg’s gorgeous art?
Stopping by art galleries is one of the best things to do in the city.
When you’re in Lynchburg, be sure to visit Randolph College, as it is home to the renowned Maier Museum.
The Maier Museum contains some of the best art displays in Lynchburg.
Though it contains some modern and contemporary art and photographs, you’ll see a lot of old paintings, too.
Some of them date as far back as the 18th century.
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Winter is amazing in Lynchburg.
With its many available winter activities, it’s a haven for snow lovers.
Be it snowboarding, skiing, or tubing, Lynchburg is here to quench all of your thirsts.
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre is open to the public all year round, but it attracts the most tourist during the winter months.
It’s the best place to enjoy winter in the city.
During the seasons when skiing is not an option, you can admire the godly views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Monument Terrace is one of the top attractive spots in Lynchburg.
It was put up to pay respect to the souls who fought and lost their lives in the Civil War.
The monument also commemorates the lives lost during the Vietnam Wars, World Wars, and Spanish-American War.
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You have to climb a large number of steps to get to the monument.
It is located close to the Lynchburg Museum.
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Laura A. Macaluso, Ph.D., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
One of the best ways to enjoy some of the beauty of Lynchburg is to go on a drive.
The best time to do this is in the fall.
Though the city is mesmerizing no matter when you visit, Lynchburg is beautiful on another level during this particular season.
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After making your way out of the downtown area, drive through the splendid Blue Ridge Parkway.
This is one of the most magnificent roads in the country—its scenic beauty is beyond words.
The James River views make it even more breathtaking.
Point of Honor is one of the most beautiful architectural sights in Lynchburg.
You will notice that the architectural style is a bit different.
The place was once damaged, but it was restored to its former glory after several renovations.
Today, it stounds proudly, showcasing an elegant example of beauty.
Inside, it still has some of the ancient furniture and a kitchen built in the old style.
You can join a tour and learn about the place in detail.
Are you longing for a break amid nature?
Percival’s Island Natural Area is just the place for you.
To get some glimpses of nature in Lynchburg, you don’t even have to travel to the outskirts.
You can head over to the downtown area to treat yourself to natural sights.
Percival’s Island Natural Area lies along the James River and boasts different shades of greenery right in the heart of the city.
You can catch a glimpse of a lot of birds in the park when you are walking around.
Have fun on a lazy afternoon and snap a few photos!
The White Hart & Blackwater Coffee Co. serves some of the best coffee in Lynchburg.
Locals and tourists crowd the cafe every day to have a taste of their coffee.
Coffee isn’t the only thing that you have to try here.
Their menu boasts mouth-watering dishes, too.
Be it waffles, chicken wings, or burgers, White Hart & Blackwater Coffee Co. knows precisely what they are doing.
If you are looking for a bit of exploration, head over to Historic Sandusky.
The area is beautiful, and the architecture is quite gorgeous, too.
If you take a close look, you’ll see that the style and design of the house are a bit different.
It is unique because it was built in a Federal-style of architecture.
The architecture style wasn’t popular back in the old days, and this was the first of its kind.
You can take a guided tour of the area as well.
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For some family-friendly summer fun, catch a game at the Lynchburg Hillcats Minor League Baseball team’s home field, the Calvin Falwell Field at Bank of the James Stadium.
Professional baseball teams first utilized Lynchburg, Virginia’s Bank of the James Stadium, completed in 1939.
The Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees played their first game at City Stadium on April 11, 1940, in front of an estimated 7,000 fans.
Season tickets provide free parking and a discount at the souvenir shop, available from April through August.
For parties of 20 or more, discounted tickets are available, as is an eat-all-you-can buffet package.
Skyboxes with outside balconies are also available if you like to watch from the comfort of your own private area.
Chaplains and other religious leaders played an essential part in the Civil War, and now, a museum dedicated to their memory has been erected on the Liberty University campus.
It was established in 2005.
The Senator Carter Glass-owned Montview Estate’s servants used to live in the museum’s current home before it became the senator’s official residence.
This is the only museum dedicated to preserving the memory of the 3,700 chaplains who fought in the American Civil War.
In addition to religious items and interpretative programs, unique tours and activities are available throughout the year.
Visitors out of town are urged to phone at least 24 hours before their arrival to guarantee that the museum is open.
The first hospital in Lynchburg, the Pest House Medical Museum, is housed in the formerly known as the House of Pestilence building.
In the 1840s and 1850s, it was used as a quarantine facility for those with contagious ailments.
Many patients were buried at the cemetery that surrounded the facility.
Dr. Terrell’s efforts to improve hospital conditions resulted in many troops being cared for during the Civil War in the 1860s.
To this day, the Pest House still has the doctor’s operating table and several of his instruments.
The indoor rock climbing club Rise Up Climbing is the place to be if you want to experience a rush of emotions and excitement.
If you’ve never been rock climbing before, don’t be afraid to try it.
Inexperienced climbers may test their abilities on a Belayer, while those who have already visited the area can experience rout climbing that has auto belays.
Within 30 minutes, you’ll be on your way to the climbing wall.
Climbers with a higher level of expertise may use a shorter but more difficult bouldering wall.
Want to try beer from the first brewery in the area?
It is not exactly in Lynchburg, but the drive to the neighboring town of Forest will be completely worth it.
The beer is that good.
After all, the brewery has been making beer since the 1800s.
The brewery’s biggest customers are restaurants that buy kegs of their beer.
You can go on a tour of the brewery and try samples at their tasting room.
There are also a lot of food trucks lined up in the area, so you can eat here as well!
Lynchburg has so much to offer that it is considered one of Virginia’s top weekend retreats!
Over 100-year-old churches, fine art and cuisine, and lots of outdoor activities await visitors to Lynchburg, located in the east-side foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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