A Fall Weekend in LYH

Welcome to LYH! Check into your hotel or local stay and take some time to settle in before heading out for your first evening in the city. Stay Downtown for easy access to restaurants, shops and the Bluffwalk, or choose a stay closer to the Blue Ridge Mountains if scenic drives are part of your weekend plans.

Once you’re settled, grab a jacket and get ready for a cozy fall evening in Lynchburg.

Start your weekend with dinner at one of Lynchburg’s locally owned restaurants. From casual Downtown favorites to cozy neighborhood spots, there are plenty of places to settle in after a day of traveling.

• The Water Dog
• The Dahlia
• Isabella’s Italian Trattoria
• Bentley’s on Bedford
• Tori Blue

If the weather is nice, take advantage of patio season while it lasts and enjoy dinner outdoors surrounded by the cooler fall air.

Keep your first night going with a local craft beer or cocktail. Lynchburg’s breweries, bars and lounges offer plenty of places to relax and get a taste of the local scene:

• Three Roads Brewing
• Starr Hill on Main
• Reserve Winery
• No. 7 Rooftop Bar
• Tiger Sun Bar & Lounge

Looking for something spooky instead? Friday and Saturday nights are the perfect time to discover Lynchburg’s haunted side with Hill City After Dark. Choose from Echoes on the Avenue, Ghosts of Gallows Hill or a Haunted Pub Crawl through Downtown and hear some of the stories and legends behind the Hill City’s haunted reputation.

Fall mornings call for a warm cup of coffee. Start your Saturday with a seasonal latte or your favorite brew from Golf Park Coffee Co., Batter Bar, Troublemaker Cafe or Ironclad Coffee Roasters & Baking Co.

Then make your way to the Lynchburg Community Market. A Saturday morning staple, the market is a great place to browse local vendors, shop for seasonal produce and goods, and get a taste of the community before starting your day.

Spend your Saturday morning discovering more of what makes LYH unique. Dive into the city’s history and culture, or plan your visit around one of the festivals, races and special events that fill Lynchburg’s fall calendar.

Explore History & Culture: Start at the Lynchburg Museum & Visitor Center at the top of Monument Terrace to learn more about the people, places and stories that shaped the Hill City. From there, explore Old City Cemetery, tour a historic home, discover local art and galleries Downtown, or visit one of Lynchburg’s other museums and cultural attractions.

Plan Around a Fall Event: Fall weekends in LYH are packed with festivals, races, live music, arts and seasonal celebrations. Depending on when you visit, your Saturday could include:

• September 12 | Day in the Park at Miller Park
• September 19 | 53rd Annual Lynchburg Art Festival at E.C. Glass High School
• September 19 | Lynchburg Beer, Wine & Cider Festival at Lynchburg City Stadium
• September 19 | Annual Party on Pierce at 1301 Pierce Street
• September 25 | The Amazing Mile at Amazement Square
• September 26 | Virginia 10 Miler at E.C. Glass High School
• October 3 | Day at the Point at Point of Honor
• October 18 | Books & Brews at Lynchburg Community Market
• November 7 | Fall Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival at Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest

Take a break from exploring and refuel at another local favorite. Whether you’re craving barbecue, pizza, sandwiches or something a little different, make lunch part of the experience:

• County Smoak
• Rivermont Pizza
• Magnolia Foods
• The Neighbors Place
• Hueso Loco

Fall is the perfect season for a scenic drive. Head outside the city toward Nelson County and Route 151, known as the “Brew Ridge Trail.” The route winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains and is home to wineries, breweries, cideries and plenty of mountain views. Make an afternoon of visiting a few stops, enjoying the fall foliage and slowing down to take in the scenery. A few places to consider include:

• Blue Mountain Brewery
• Devils Backbone Brewing Company
• Bold Rock Hard Cider
• Veritas Vineyards & Winery
• Afton Mountain Vineyards
• Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery

After an afternoon in the mountains, make your way back to Lynchburg for dinner. Fall evenings are perfect for settling into a cozy restaurant and trying somewhere new:

• Dish
• Iron & Ale
• Bootleggers
• Palmera House
• Skyline Bar & Grill

End Saturday with a little entertainment. Check our Fall Guide and events calendar for concerts, performances and special events happening during your visit. A few events include: 

• September 25 – October 17 | The Addams Family Musical at Wolfbane Productions
• October 16 | Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox the Future is Vintage World Tour at the Academy Center of the Arts
• October 17 | Hill City Soul at the Lynchburg Amphitheater
• October 1-23 | Candlelight Tours at Old City Cemetery & Endstation Theatre Co.
• October 22 | Clint Black & Midland at the Lynchburg Amphitheater
• October 23 | Amazement Square 21+ Adult Night at the Museum at Amazement Square

• October 23 – November 1 | Sweeney Todd at Wolfbane Productions

Or keep things simple with an evening walk Downtown. Explore the Bluffwalk, take in the lights along the James River and stop for a nightcap before calling it a day.

Ease into your final day in LYH with brunch. Grab a table, order something warm and enjoy a slower start before squeezing in a few more fall activities:

• My Dog Duke’s Diner
• Market at Main
• The Bistro at Acorn Hill
• The Vaughan Garage

Before heading home, spend a little more time outdoors. Lynchburg’s parks and trails are especially beautiful as the leaves begin to change, and you don’t have to travel far from the city to find a colorful view. Take a walk at:

• Blackwater Creek Trail
• Hollins Mill Park
• Ivy Creek Park
• Riverside Park
• Old City Cemetery

Want to make a longer adventure out of it? Take a scenic drive toward the Blue Ridge Parkway, where overlooks and mountain views make for a memorable ending to your fall weekend.

Before wrapping up your trip, make time for one more local favorite. Browse the shops along Main Street and Rivermont Avenue, stop into Givens Books & Little Dickens, or pick up a locally made souvenir to remember your weekend. If you’re ready for lunch before hitting the road, stop at:

• Texas Inn
• The Cavalier Store
• Trailhead
• Beer 88

With colorful trails, mountain views, seasonal events, local food and drinks, and plenty of ways to enjoy the crisp fall weather, there’s always more to discover in Lynchburg.

Already planning your next trip? Explore our Fall Guide in LYH, check the Events page and start building your next getaway to Lynchburg, Virginia.