Girls walking under pink cherry blossoms on fifth street, butterfly mural on exterior of building behind them
Itinerary

Spring Guide in LYH

Itinerary Overview

Spring in LYH is calling! Your go-to guide for the season is here! From sunny patios to blooming streets and everything in between, here’s how to make the most of spring in LYH.

Plan A Visit to See LYH in THE Spring


1 Day
Daily Breakdown
1
Where to Find Spring Blooms
  • Awareness Garden: Located along the Blackwater Creek Trail in Lynchburg, the Awareness Garden offers a peaceful space with beautiful blooms and a reflective memorial honoring those impacted by cancer.
  • Riverside Park: Riverside Park offers scenic views of the James River alongside open green spaces, walking trails, and seasonal blooms throughout the park.
  • Old City Cemetery: Old City Cemetery features a beautiful garden with hundreds of native plants and Virginia’s largest collection of antique roses, making it a must-visit spot for spring blooms.
  • Anne Spencer Home & Garden: Anne Spencer House is the only known restored garden of an African American in the United States, maintained by Hillside Garden Club. Be sure to check out the rose garden, which includes all of Anne Spencer’s original roses.
  • Miller Claytor House: Features a charming historic setting surrounded by a colorful garden, making it a peaceful spot to enjoy spring blooms.

BEST SPOTS TO SEE SPRING BLOOMS

2
Restaurants with Outdoor Seating
  • Isabella’s Italian Trattoria: Dishes range from traditional Italian antipasti to hand-tossed pizzas, salads, fresh house made pasta, seafood, seasonal entrees, and desserts
  • Bentley’s on Bedford: Located in the heart of Lynchburg, Bentley’s on Bedford is set in a beautifully restored fueling station and offers a unique mix of small plates and American cuisine in a charming, character-filled space.
  • Iron & Ale: Fresh, flavorful fare with an extensive beer and cocktail selection, served in a comfortable setting with outdoor seating.
  • Eight O’ One: Eight O One Raw Bar is a premier seafood spot offering fresh oysters, seafood boils, and a full bar alongside a diverse menu of sandwiches, pasta, and more.
  • Truss: A stylish eatery with sleek, modern décor and a carefully crafted menu offering cocktails and creative main courses.
  • Skyline Bar & Grill: Located atop The Virginian Hotel, this rooftop spot offers chef-inspired seafood dishes, craft cocktails, and cozy fireplaces for a chic atmosphere.
  • The Vaughan Garage: The Vaughan offers a vibrant atmosphere with live music nights, weekend brunch, and a lineup of upcoming events to enjoy.
  • The Water Dog: A riverside favorite serving craft brews, raw oysters, grilled cheese sandwiches, and more. Enjoy the splash park and a 150” screen projector for game days.
  • Neighbor’s Place: Casual family dining with a diverse menu including steaks, fresh seafood, burgers, and a full-service bar.

RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR SEATING

3
Upcoming Spring Events
  • April 4: Spring Thomas Jefferson’s Wine Festival Poplar Forest
  • April 9-12: 2026 PDGA Champions Cup
  • April 18: Lynchburg Wine & Music Festival at City Stadium
  • April 18-25: Historic Garden Week
  • April 21: Historic Garden Day in LYH
  • April 19: Blooms & Brews
  • April 24: Amphitheater Free Community Event
  • May 2: International Festival
  • May 2: Antique Rose Festival at Old City Cemetery
  • May 8: Everclear at the Amphitheater
  • May 21: Dwight Yoakam & ZZ Top: Dos Amigos Tour at Lynchburg Amphitheater
  • June 19 & 20: 41st Annual Batteau Festival  

lyh events calendar

4
Coffee Spots
  • Golf Park Coffee Co: 2306 Bedford Ave
  • Montana Plains: 4925 Boonsboro Road
  • The Loving Co.: 901 Jefferson Street
  • The Muse Coffee and Roastery: 1509 Enterprise Drive
  • Nomad Coffee at Blackwater Creek Trail: 1700 Old Langhorne Road
  • Ironclad Coffee Roasters & Baking Co.: 3700 Candlers Mountain Road Suites 8 & 9
  • Buttercup + Friends: 6103 Boonsboro Road
  • Hill City Donuts: 500 Fifth Street
  • Troublemaker Cafe: 2236 Lakeside Drive
  • Cafe Monte Bello: 828 Main Street Suite 302

WHERE TO FIND YOUR NEXT CUP OF COFFEE

5
Outdoor Activities
  • Walk or bike the Blackwater Creek Trail: The Blackwater Creek Trail is a scenic paved path perfect for walking and biking, featuring a historic rail bed, creekside views, and connections to the city’s larger trail system.
  • Hollins Mill: Hollins Mill Park offers shaded picnic areas, scenic views of Blackwater Creek and the historic dam, along with trail access and a canoe/kayak launch for fishing and paddling.
  • Ivy Creek Park: Ivy Creek Park is a peaceful green space featuring a scenic lake, ADA-accessible trails, and opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and relaxing in nature.
  • Percival’s Island Natural Area: Percival’s Island features a scenic paved trail along the James River, offering peaceful views, wildlife spotting, and easy access for walking, biking, and fishing.
  • Riverside Park: Riverside Park offers scenic river views, walking trails, playgrounds, and a seasonal sprayground, along with unique historic features like a train display and engineering landmarks.
  • James River Adventures: Located along the James River, James River Adventures offers canoe, kayak, and batteau experiences with guided tours and scenic paddles through both downtown Lynchburg and its surrounding natural landscapes.
  • Kiwannis Centennial Riverfront Playground: Located in downtown Lynchburg, Kiwannis Centennial Riverfront Park features a vibrant, ADA-accessible playground, scenic river views, and access to trails and an upcoming amphitheater for community events.
  • Peaks View Park: Peaks View Park is one of the city’s largest outdoor spaces, offering trails, disc golf, sports fields, playgrounds, and a variety of recreational amenities for all ages.
  • Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre: Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre offers year-round skiing and snowboarding on a unique synthetic slope, along with tubing, lessons, and scenic mountain views.
  • Hill City Howlers Baseball Game: The Hill City Howlers are a High-A minor league baseball team that brings exciting games to Calvin Falwell Field, offering a fun, family-friendly atmosphere all season long.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

6
Places for Drinks
  • Hueso Loco: This vibrant cantina serves up bold bites like tacos, burritos, and aguachiles alongside creative cocktails in a lively, flavor-packed atmosphere.
  • Palmera House: Unwind with friends and enjoy a nourishing meal or explore their curated collection of home goods and greenery. Perfect for relaxing a cold beverage and healthy meal. 
  • No. 7 Rooftop Bar: No. 7 Rooftop Bar offers sweeping views of the city and James River alongside craft cocktails, wine, and a cozy open-air patio with fire pits.
  • Starr Hill on Main: Starr Hill Brewery is a pioneering craft brewery and one of Virginia’s oldest, offering a wide selection of beers in a laid-back taproom setting.
  • Raven Lounge: Lynchburg’s premier wine and charcuterie bar! Raven Lounge offers wine cocktails, wine slushies, mocktails, intense list of mimosas and beers!
  • Three Roads Brewing Co.: Three Roads Brewing Company is set in a former Ford dealership and offers a relaxed taproom experience with indoor and outdoor seating, live music, games, community events, and craft beer.
  • Cavalier Store: The Cavalier is a beloved local staple set in a historic carriage house, known for its carve-your-table tradition, eclectic decor, and classic burgers and seasoned fries.
  • Trailhead: Trailhead offers a welcoming indoor-outdoor setting with a covered deck and fire pit, perfect for relaxing with friends over quality food after a day of exploring.

eat & drink

Featured In This Itinerary
Percival’s Island Natural Area
Percival’s Island is a familiar landmark in downtown Lynchburg.  Visitors may see herons, migrating waterfowl, and many native plants and animals as they follow the paved trail, which bisects the […]
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Blackwater Creek Trail & Bikeway
The Blackwater Creek Trail is one of the most popular trails in the City of Lynchburg. Following the winding Blackwater Creek and built on an abandoned railway bed, this 3-mile […]
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Nomad Coffee – Blackwater Creek Trail
Enjoy a cup of coffee at the physical Nomad Coffee Company location, and check out the awesome LOVE sign made from coffee! Go to the website to learn more about […]
View more about Nomad Coffee – Blackwater Creek Trail
Trails of Blackwater Creek
Lynchburg is home to a beautiful network of earthen and paved trails that run through the Blackwater Creek Natural Area.  Although many residents and visitors are familiar only with the trails of […]
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Hollins Mill Park
This popular park provides large shade trees, picnicking areas, fishing access, and wonderful views of Blackwater Creek and historic Hollins Mill Dam. The park also includes trail connections to the Blackwater […]
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Old City Cemetery
Established in 1806, this restored public cemetery is a Virginia Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Interpretive plaques, signage, and brochures are available throughout the 27-acre site. […]
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The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum
Internationally acclaimed poet who was part of the Harlem Renaissance, Anne Spencer was the only black woman and the only Virginian included in the Norton Anthology of Modern American and […]
View more about The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum
Come to Lynchburg during Historic Garden Week
The Awareness Garden
The Awareness Garden honors the families, friends and caregivers whose lives have been touched by cancer. The Garden provides the opportunity to honor a loved one with engraved bricks and […]
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Claytor Nature Center
Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Claytor Center encompasses freshwater streams, woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, rare plants, wildlife, and a portion of the Big Otter River. A […]
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Miller Claytor House
The Miller-Claytor House, erected in 1791 for tavern keeper John Miller, is Lynchburg’s only remaining 18th-century town house. Serving as an historic exhibit, the two-story frame building is an intriguing […]
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Riverside Park
The second oldest park in Lynchburg, Riverside Park has over 49 acres of rolling parkland with lovely stands of trees and walking trails that provide views of the wooded hillsides […]
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People cheersing their wine and cocktail glasses together at a table.
Isabella’s Italian Trattoria
Experience Isabella’s northern Italian Cuisine in an upscale casual atmosphere. Featuring gourmet pizzas, pastas, Tuscan grilled meats and fresh seafood. Reservations accepted.
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Iron & Ale Lynchburg Tap and Table
No matter the occasion or dining experience you are looking for, Iron & Ale has you covered. You can expect prompt, professional, friendly service. Fresh and flavorful fare in a […]
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Truss
Truss is located in the shared building, 2204 Bedford Ave. This beautiful eatery takes fine dining to a more casual level, with unique, sleek, modern décor and a carefully crafted […]
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The Skyline Grill
On the rooftop of The Virginian, Skyline offers exceptional views of the city, both inside and out. You’ll enjoy delectable food and a relaxing atmosphere. Sit outside around one of […]
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Delicious pizza and fries at The Vaughan Garage
The Vaughan Garage
Restaurant & Nightspot in Downtown Lynchburg, VA 1124 Church Street featuring a Great Menu, Brunch on Weekends, Full Bar, 21 Tap Beer Wall, Live Bands
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The Water Dog
The Water Dog brings together great craft brews and tasty food with an awesome riverside environment. Their food is focused on what tastes great with beer and friends, think raw […]
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The Neighbors Place
Casual Family Dining. A diverse menu including appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, delectable desserts and a full service bar.
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Golf Park Coffee Co.
At Golf Park Coffee Co., their journey started with a simple yet powerful vision: to invigorate the local coffee culture in Lynchburg, VA. They firmly believe in the magic that […]
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The Original Montana Plains Bakery
Family-owned and operated, all of their products are made with fresh, natural ingredients. They serve a wide selection of cakes, pies, breads, breakfast items and coffee. Their newest addition to […]
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The Loving Co.
The Loving Co. seamlessly combines a coffee shop and retail space, serving a variety of delicious menu items while showcasing locally-made products available for purchase throughout the store!
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The Muse Coffee Company
The Muse Coffee Company is a coffee micro-roasting company. Along with roasting the green coffee beans on site, you may also choose from its menu which has Blended drinks & […]
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Nomad Coffee Co.
A traveling, wandering, voyaging coffee company. Where ever their tires park and their feet land, the goal is to find new friends and family while preparing the best coffee and […]
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Ironclad Coffee Roasters & Baking Co.
Ironclad Coffee Roasters & Baking Co. has officially opened its doors in LYH, bringing a unique blend of art and science to the local coffee scene. Ironclad approaches coffee roasting […]
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Hill City Donuts
Grab yourself a delicious treat from Hill City Donuts, located in downtown Lynchburg!   
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Troublemaker Cafe
Sandwiches and coffee cafe in Lynchburg, VA. Located in Givens Books & Little Dickens, open Monday-Saturday!  
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Cafe Monte Bello
Cafe Monte Bello offers specialty coffee, quality products, and a welcoming space where community and customers come first!
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Alpine Trail
Visitors will enjoy the solitude and beauty of the mile-long Alpine Trail as it winds through the steep, wooded hillside of Riverside Park. Though there is no access to the […]
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Peaks View Park
Peaks View Park is the second largest park in Lynchburg and offers both passive and active recreation and trails for everyone. The park has three lighted tennis courts, seven multi-purpose […]
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Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre
Ever wondered if there was a way to ski and snowboard year round? Located in Lynchburg Virginia, Liberty Snowflex allows you to ski and snowboard any season of the year! […]
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Hill City Howlers
The Hill City Howlers are a minor league baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a class high A team in the Carolina League, and are currently a farm team […]
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Hueso Loco
Downtown Lynchburg’s newest spot for cantina bites and creative cocktails. The menu brings the heat with the Mondo Burger, Aguachiles, house burritos, salmon and mahi-mahi tacos, and jalapeño poppers, all […]
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Palmera House
Unwind with friends and enjoy a nourishing meal or explore their curated collection of home goods and greenery. Perfect for relaxing a cold beverage and healthy meal. 
View more about Palmera House
Table and chairs overlooking a rooftop railing
7 Rooftop Bar
Sit on top of the world — or at least the top of Downtown Lynchburg — and have a glass of wine or craft cocktail. Perched high above the Bluffwalk […]
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Starr Hill on Main Brewery
As the second oldest craft brewery in Virginia, Starr Hill has led the way as a pioneer in the industry, helping to lay the groundwork for the growing craft beer […]
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Raven Lounge
Lynchburg’s premier wine and charcuterie bar! We offer wine cocktails , wine slushies , mocktails , intense list of mimosas and beers!
View more about Raven Lounge
Three Roads Brewing Company
Three Roads Brewing Company is opening a new taproom and brewery in the great city of Lynchburg in early 2020. Housed in a former Ford dealership, the Lynchburg taproom will […]
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Cavalier Store
The Cavalier is one of Lynchburg’s unique dining experiences where you can carve on your table and see license plates from around the world while waiting for your meal. Once […]
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Trailhead
Whether you’re stopping by after a hike or meeting up with friends, Trailhead indoor and outdoor seating, complete with a covered deck and fire pit, creates the perfect atmosphere to […]
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