Long Weekend Getaway in Lynchburg, Virginia
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.
Friday – Time to Kick Back
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
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
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
Saturday – Tour Time & Rooftop Views
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
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
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.
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.
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
Sunday – Brunch, Adventure & Fun
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
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
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)
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
Refuel with slow-smoked meats and all the Southern sides at Small Batch BBQ on Bedford Avenue — think pulled pork, coleslaw, and house-cut fries.
📍 2309 Bedford Avenue
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
Monday – Outdoor Adventure Time
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
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
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
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
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
Make the most of your long weekend with a relaxing blend of food and fun in Lynchburg.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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)
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
Refuel with slow-smoked meats and all the Southern sides at Small Batch BBQ on Bedford Avenue — think pulled pork, coleslaw, and house-cut fries.
📍 2309 Bedford Avenue
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
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
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
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
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
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
