Lynchburg is open and ready to be explored! Governor Northam’s Forward Virginia economic reopening plan has progressed into Phase Three, meaning most businesses and community hubs can be open with strict safety guidelines. As a result, many businesses have reopened at close to normal capacity (fitness establishments and entertainment venues will remain at 75 and 50 percent capacity, respectively). This means that it’s game on for the Virginia Commonwealth Games on July 24-26 at Liberty University and several other Lynchburg venues! Here’s what you need to know about Lynchburg’s community landscape during this exciting, action-packed weekend of sports competitions, and how the Lynchburg area is taking great measures and precautions to help everyone stay safe.
Lynchburg: A Travel Destination
The Virginia Commonwealth Games have been around for over 30 years, but the last four years’ worth of Games have taken place in Lynchburg. This has provided many with the chance to experience all that our beautiful city has to offer.
Diverse Dining
Visitors will work up an appetite participating in the Games, and Lynchburg will have an incredible menu to choose from. Whether a carb fix is needed (isn’t it always?) or a sweet tooth needs to be satisfied, visitors will have access to diverse and delectable dining opportunities from one of our incredible local restaurants, from RA Bistro, Waterstone Pizza, Ploughcroft Tea Room and El Jefe by the James River to Delicia’s Latin American Cuisine on Leesville Road and Jade Palace on Timberlake Road. Lynchburg is also home to literally dozens of bakeries and ice cream shops and a quality selection of local breweries. And that’s just the beginning of Lynchburg’s fantastic restaurant scene. Not only that, every restaurant in Lynchburg is doing everything it can to accommodate social distancing and enhanced cleaning initiatives. Some of them have even made major renovations to make guests feel more comfortable, safe and welcome.
Luxurious Lodging
Lynchburg visitors will also have access to best-in-industry lodging options. The shoe-themed Craddock Terry Hotel is pet-friendly (it even has its own furry mascot, Penny Loafer) and offers shoe-shining services. Its rooms, hallways and elevators are complete with original, historic shoe factory interior decor, like exposed brickwork and wood slatting. The elegant Hilton Garden Inn offers an exceptional modern lodging experience in keeping with the Hilton brand, including digital keys, indoor fitness and pool opportunities and an in-house restaurant. The 20th century Beaux Arts-styled Virginian Hotel features vaulted roofs, curved windows and skylights, and offers dining options like a coffee shop and the rooftop Skyline Grill and bar. These hotels have spared no expense to keep their facilities clean and offer safety-conscious state-of-the-art amenities for their guests, like individually wrapped foods and silverware, digital keycards and hospital-grade disinfectant.
Local Learning
This city also offers guests of all ages the opportunity to learn new things at popular historic and educational spots. Point of Honor and Poplar Forest offer opportunities to learn about the early years of United States history through exploration, touring and living history experiences like viewing archaeological digs (though at Point of Honor, only the outdoor grounds are open at this time). The Lynchburg Museum (which is currently closed but has online resources) and the Legacy Museum of African American History provide comprehensive perspectives of Lynchburg’s history as a city from the colonial period up to the present day. They offer thought-provoking exhibits that illustrate just how important learning history is to changing the present and creating a better future. The Maier Museum offers a wonderful selection of American art dating back to the 1800s, and Amazement Square presents a multitude of opportunities for children to experience hands-on STEAM learning in an engaging way. You and your family can discover how our proud community has played its role in the history of our nation, while also (in most cases) enjoying the air conditioning!
Adventurous Activities
Of course, Lynchburg guests also have access to all of the entertainment experiences that this city has to offer, from nature trails and parks to One Way Out Escape Rooms and Jump trampoline park to Rise Up Climbing and all of the experiences offered by Liberty Mountain. Visitors can climb, jump, walk, run, bike, ski, snowboard, tube, boat and collaborate with one another through many activities that show off not only the beauty of Lynchburg’s culture, but also the spectacular beauty of its natural surroundings, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the James River.
Superb Shopping
Lynchburg is also home to many local stores. Meanwhile Back on the Farm makes custom bags and accessories, while Gilded offers coffee, cards and gifts and Speakertree sells vinyl records and collectible Lynchburg gear. Givens Books and Bookshop on the Avenue present a peaceful and contemplative book-buying experience, and on the opposite side of the spectrum, Bikes Unlimited, Blackwater Bike Shop and Scene 3 offer resources to those who love a good biking or skateboarding adventure.
Lynchburg Is Here For YOU!
We’re ready to have a blast with you at the Virginia Commonwealth Games this year, and we’re excited to share the memorable Lynchburg experience with everyone who will be participating and attending! It is with great pleasure that we present to you the best of what Lynchburg has to offer whenever you visit, complete with compliance to COVID-19 safety and sanitation guidelines and a willingness to serve. We hope you enjoy your next trip to LYH, and we look forward to seeing you soon!