Things to Do in Lynchburg

The following are some fun things to do while you're in Lynchburg for the weekend.

 

Central Virginia Invitational Tennis Tournament

Every year the first weekend in June, Lynchburg host the CVITT, which draws top college players, rising pros, and promising juniors (John Isner won the CVITT when he was 14). It's held at Oakwood Country Club (where Carrington spent a lot of time growing up) with the Finals held on Sunday June 7, with play beginning on June 3. Attendance is free and a lot of the Lynchburg tennis community will be there.  Tourney website: CVITT

Appomattox - End of the Civil War
This is the 150th anniversary of Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House, which is traditionally viewed as the end of the Civil War. Appomattox is just a short drive from Lynchburg 20 miles down US 460 to the East.

National Park Website: Appomattox Courthouse

 Brew Ridge Trail

 

The Brew Ridge Trail is a collection of breweries just north of Lynchburg nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most of the affiliated breweries are along state road 151 (Rockfish Valley Highway) and makes for a scenic drive even if you don't drink. James and Carrington have a few times spent a Saturday afternoon having flights and appetizers at each of the breweries along the "trail".

Brew Ridge Trail website: Brew Ridge Trail
Breweries: Blue Mountain, Devil's Backbone, Wild Wolf, Star Hill, South Street
Unaffiliated spots that we also stop at: Apocalypse Aleworks (Forest), Jefferson Street Brewery (in Waterstone in the basement of the Craddock Terry), Bold Rock Cidery (on Rockfish Valley Highway), Silverback Distillery (on Rockfish Valley Highway)

Natural Bridge

Called "the most Sublime of nature's works" by Thomas Jefferson, Natural Bridge is about 30 miles from Lynchburg and contains a number of tourist attractions in addition to the Natural Bridge (a safari park, caverns, FoamHenge...)

 



More information at the main Natural Bridge site: http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is about a 30-minute drive up the James River from Lynchburg but extends from I-64 (where it ends in Skyline Drive) down into North Carolina. There are several excellent hikes along the trail and the drive is worth much more than the price of admission (free).

Blue Ridge Parkway Info
Peaks of Otter
Crabtree Falls
Mill Mountain Star (one of the places Carrington and James went on their first date)

Other Activities
Tour Civil war sites around Lynchburg.
Lynchburg Old City Cemetery
SnowFlex - year round skiing and snowboarding on the Liberty campus
Children's Museum (downtown)
Blackwater Trail (a greenway through Lynchburg)