Itinerary

Long Weekend Getaway in Lynchburg, Virginia

Make the most of your long weekend with a relaxing blend of food and fun in Lynchburg.
Itinerary Overview

Before you pack your bags, check out How to Get Around Lynchburg for parking, maps, and travel tips to make your long weekend easy and enjoyable.

Who’s ready for a three-day weekend? Whether you’re craving outdoor adventures, rooftop dining, or a little R&R, Lynchburg offers the perfect mix of relaxation and exploration. Here’s how to spend Labor Day weekend in LYH, one memorable day at a time.


3 Days
Daily Breakdown
1
Friday – Time to Kick Back
3:00 PM
Check In & Settle Down

Arrive in Lynchburg and check into your hotel — treat yourself to a relaxing stay at The Craddock Terry Hotel, one of the city’s most charming boutique properties. Or, explore one of our local B&Bs or Airbnb options for a more intimate experience.

📍 Craddock Terry Hotel – 1312 Commerce Street

5:00 PM
Stroll Downtown

After settling in, take a relaxed walk through Downtown Lynchburg or along the Bluffwalk as the sun sets over the James River. Admire the outdoor art displays, like the Water Bearer statue, the Lynchburg History mosaic, and the mural at the Academy Center of the Arts. It’s the perfect way to ease into your weekend.

📍 Start near Riverfront Park on Jefferson Street

7:00 PM
Dinner Downtown

Wrap up your first evening with dinner downtown. Choose from casual patios or elegant dining rooms—each offering a delicious welcome to LYH. Try Dish for seasonal fare, Shoemakers American Grille for steak and seafood, or The Water Dog for riverside dining with craft beer.

📍 Various Downtown LYH restaurants

2
Saturday – Tour Time & Rooftop Views
9:00 AM
Breakfast at Barb’s Dream Hut

Sleep in, then start your day at Barb’s Dream Hut inside the Lynchburg Community Market. Order the pancakes or biscuits and gravy — hearty Southern breakfast classics that locals swear by.

📍 1219 Main Street

10:30 AM
Tour Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest

Head just west of town to Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Jefferson’s private retreat and architectural masterpiece. Join a guided tour to learn about its construction, the enslaved people who worked the land, and Jefferson’s vision for the home.

📍 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest VA

12:00 PM
Explore the Grounds

Take a self-guided walk through the surrounding gardens and trails. Enjoy peaceful scenery and glimpses of early autumn color beginning to appear across the landscape.

2:00 PM
Return to Downtown & Rest

Head back into the city for a midday break at your hotel or a local coffee shop like Golf Park Coffee Co. or The White Hart Café.

6:00 PM
Dinner with a View at Skyline Grill

Dress up for dinner at Skyline Grill, located atop the Virginian Hotel. Order crab cakes, a signature salad, or their Skyline Burger, and toast to a gorgeous sunset over Downtown Lynchburg.

📍 712 Church Street

3
Sunday – Brunch, Adventure & Fun
10:00 AM
Brunch at The Depot Grille

Ease into your day with brunch at The Depot Grille, a beloved downtown staple housed in a beautifully restored train station along the riverfront. Enjoy hearty Southern favorites, fresh seafood, and classic comfort dishes served in a warm, historic setting.

📍 10 Ninth Street

11:30 AM
Reach New Heights at Rise Up Climbing

After brunch, challenge yourself at Rise Up Climbing, an indoor rock-climbing gym offering fun routes for all skill levels. Instructors are available for first-timers, and regular climbers can test their speed or endurance on color-coded routes.

📍 1225 Church Street

1:30 PM
Visit AquaZoo

Next, head to AquaZoo, an interactive aquarium where you can meet sloths, stingrays, iguanas, and other amazing creatures from around the world.

📍 3405 Candlers Mountain Road (inside River Ridge Mall)

3:30 PM
One Way Out Escape Room

Test your teamwork at One Way Out Escape Room, where you’ll work with friends to solve clues and puzzles before time runs out. It’s a lighthearted way to add a dose of mystery to your weekend!

📍 2264 Lakeside Drive

5:30 PM
Dinner at Small Batch BBQ

Refuel with delicious pizza creations at Rivermont Pizza off of Rivermont Ave — think unique pizza toppings and dive-bar vibes.

📍 2496 Rivermont Avenue

7:00 PM
Cap the Night with Ice Cream

End your evening with a sweet stop at MayLynn’s Creamery for homemade soft-serve, rolled ice cream, or a sundae piled high with toppings.

📍 1016 Jefferson Street

4
Monday – Outdoor Adventure Time
9:00 AM
Breakfast at Market at Main

Fuel up for your final day with breakfast at Market at Main on Commerce Street. Try the fluffy waffles, eggs benedict, or their hearty “Downtown Omelet.”

📍 904 Main Street

10:30 AM
Blackwater Creek Trail & Hollins Mill Park

Get moving with a stroll or bike ride along the Blackwater Creek Trail, one of Lynchburg’s most scenic outdoor spaces. Make a stop at Hollins Mill Park to see the waterfall and historic mill ruins.

📍 2301 Hollins Mill Road

12:00 PM
Picnic at Old City Cemetery

Pack a lunch or pick up something to-go for a picnic under the trees at Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum. Wander among the gardens and antique roses — it’s the perfect spot for a quiet farewell to the weekend.

📍 401 Taylor Street

2:00 PM
Frisbee Golf at Peaks View Park

If you have energy left, finish your trip with a round of frisbee golf at Peaks View Park, one of Lynchburg’s largest and most loved outdoor destinations.

📍 1200 Ardmore Drive

3:30 PM
Lunch & Farewell at Bootleggers

Before heading home, unwind with lunch at Bootleggers on Main Street. Known for its gourmet burgers, craft beer selection, and rooftop views of downtown, it’s the perfect spot to savor one last taste of Lynchburg before you go.

📍 50 13th Street

Featured In This Itinerary
Craddock Terry Hotel and Event Center
Located along the James River in downtown Lynchburg, Craddock Terry Hotel & Event Center is a boutique hotel and event venue housed in a restored historic shoe factory. The property […]
View more about Craddock Terry Hotel and Event Center
The Bluffwalk
The Bluffwalk is a pedestrian walkway providing views of the James River and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. Located between Jefferson and Commerce Streets, a stroll along the […]
View more about The Bluffwalk
The Water Bearer Lynchburg, Virginia
Water Bearer
This bronze statue, known as the Water Bearer, has quite the history behind it. Originally made of zinc, this figure was purchased from a catalog as a decoration for the […]
View more about Water Bearer
CityArts Mosaic Mural in Downtown Lynchburg, Virginia
CityArts Mosaic Mural
Located on Jefferson Street across from Amazement Square, a 4,800 square foot tile mural chronicles the history of Lynchburg’s riverfront from before the European contact period to a view of […]
View more about CityArts Mosaic Mural
Shoemakers
Shoemakers offers upscale American dining inside the historic Craddock Terry Hotel, blending exposed brick, wood beams, and warehouse architecture with an elegant atmosphere. The menu features steaks, fresh seafood, and […]
View more about Shoemakers
The Water Dog
Located along the James River, The Water Dog pairs a large selection of craft beer with a menu of oysters, burgers, sandwiches, hand-cut fries, and shareable appetizers. Indoor and outdoor […]
View more about The Water Dog
Barb’s Dream Hut
Located inside the Lynchburg Community Market, Barb’s Dream Hut serves Southern-style comfort food and all-day breakfast in a casual, welcoming setting. The locally loved spot is known for hearty breakfast […]
View more about Barb’s Dream Hut
Lynchburg Community Market
The Lynchburg Community Market, at the corner of 12th and Main, has operated continuously since 1783 and is one of the oldest public markets in the country. It includes indoor […]
View more about Lynchburg Community Market
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
Just a 10-minute drive west of Lynchburg, Poplar Forest is Thomas Jefferson’s secluded retreat and a National Historic Landmark. Jefferson designed the distinctive octagonal house during his presidency and later […]
View more about Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
The Skyline Grill
Located atop The Virginian Hotel, Skyline offers panoramic views of downtown Lynchburg alongside a menu of seafood, steaks, burgers, flatbreads, and handcrafted cocktails.
View more about The Skyline Grill
Depot Grille
Located along the downtown riverfront, Depot Grille is a railroad-themed restaurant serving a wide variety of American fare in a unique historic setting. The restaurant features an antique bar and […]
View more about Depot Grille
Rise Up Climbing
Rise Up Climbing is an indoor rock climbing facility in downtown Lynchburg offering bouldering and climbing routes for all skill levels. The gym emphasizes accessibility, allowing first-time climbers to start […]
View more about Rise Up Climbing
Hill City AquaZoo
Hill City AquaZoo is an interactive indoor zoo and aquarium offering hands-on encounters with animals from around the world. Located inside River Ridge Mall, the attraction features immersive exhibits inspired […]
View more about Hill City AquaZoo
One Way Out Escape Rooms
One Way Out Escape Room features six unique, in-house designed escape adventures, including train robberies, time travel quests, fantasy challenges, and mystery-filled expeditions. Teams have 60 minutes to solve puzzles, […]
View more about One Way Out Escape Rooms
MayLynn’s Creamery Downtown
MayLynn’s Creamery Downtown serves soft-serve ice cream, rolled ice cream, sundaes, shakes, and edible cookie dough in the heart of downtown. Known for its creative flavors and custom-made rolled ice […]
View more about MayLynn’s Creamery Downtown
Market At Main – Downtown
Market at Main is a historic breakfast and lunch spot known for classic Southern cooking. The menu features traditional diner favorites, including hearty breakfast plates, biscuits, sandwiches, and daily lunch […]
View more about Market At Main – Downtown
Blackwater Creek Trail & Bikeway
Blackwater Creek Trail is one of Lynchburg’s most popular outdoor destinations, offering a scenic paved pathway for walking, running, and biking along the winding Blackwater Creek. Built on a former […]
View more about Blackwater Creek Trail & Bikeway
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 […]
View more about Hollins Mill Park
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. […]
View more about Old City Cemetery
Peaks View Park
Peaks View Park is the second largest park in Lynchburg, offering a mix of active recreation and trails. The park includes lighted tennis courts, seven multi-purpose fields, volleyball and basketball […]
View more about Peaks View Park
Bootleggers
Located along downtown Lynchburg’s scenic Bluffwalk, Bootleggers is a vibrant, speakeasy-inspired restaurant famous for custom-ground craft burgers and seasonal adult milkshakes. Hidden down a lower-level alley entrance, it features a […]
View more about Bootleggers