The Top Visitor Experiences on Lynchburg’s College Campuses
By Laura Lee
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains beside the James River, Lynchburg is an inspirational location for learning. In fact, the city was named one of the country’s top 10 college towns by 24/7 Wall St. Even if you’re not a prospective student, Lynchburg’s renowned colleges and universities are worth a visit. From acclaimed art museums, dynamic performances and collegiate sporting events to picturesque quads, scenic hiking trails and even a ski park, our university campuses welcome visitors with open arms.
“We love taking people up into the Freedom Tower for the most beautiful view of Lynchburg with a 250-foot-high perspective,” says Edward Parker, director of Liberty University’s Visitor Center. “For the folks living here locally or traveling through the area, we offer free 30-minute tours of campus. We’re really proud of all the changes on campus in the past 10 years, and we love sharing all our amenities with our students and the public.”
Whether you’re a college student, business traveler or tourist, read on for a roundup of Lynchburg colleges’ lively music scene, arts and museums, and outdoor activities.
JUMP AT THE OLYMPIC TRAMPOLINE PARK AT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S SNOWFLEX CENTER
Liberty University
1971 University Blvd.
- Stop by the Hancock Welcome Center for a complimentary tour of campus.
- At the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, enjoy snow-less skiing, snowboarding, tubing and sledding—as well as jumping at the Olympic trampoline park.
- Soak in the stunning views at Barrick-Falwell Lodge, and refuel with treats from The Muse Coffee Co.
- Hike more than 50 miles of scenic trails at Liberty Mountain.
- Learn to ice skate, or catch the excitement of a hockey game at the LaHaye Ice Center.
- Watch one of 20 NCAA Division sports teams play at first-class venues around campus.
- Catch one of the many concerts hosted by the Liberty University School of Music.
- Don’t miss the popular Broadway musicals, plays, or special performances by both students and professionals on stage at the 600-seat Tower Theater.
THE MAIER MUSEUM OF ART LOCATED AT RANDOLPH COLLEGE
Randolph College
2500 Rivermont Ave.
- Enjoy free admission to Maier Museum of Art, which focuses on American Impressionism and early 20th-century Realism. Admire the works of Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Cole, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe and Andrew Wyett.
“We are a small museum, making us manageable for visitors with limited time and less intimidating than larger institutions,” says Curator of Education Laura McManus. “Though small, our collection includes well-known American artists whose work tells the story of American art across time, including present day.”
- Stroll the campus to see organic and pollinator gardens, stunning trees and other sustainable practices at work, making Randolph College among the nation’s greenest campuses.
EXPLORE THE SCENIC GROUNDS AT CLAYTOR NATURE CENTER. PHOTO BY CLAYTOR NATURE CENTER
University of Lynchburg
1501 Lakeside Drive
One visit to campus, and you’ll see why students love it here, says Janika Carey, University of Lynchburg’s director of communications. “We are lucky to be surrounded by a vibrant community. We hope visitors will get the chance to dine on great, local food in our cafeteria, take a selfie at the LOVE sculpture on The Dell, and check out our extra welcoming Big Red Chair near Shellenberger Field.”
- Take a picture in the iconic Big Red Chair, and tag #lyncburgbigredchair on social media.
- Visit the Daura Museum of Art, dedicated in memory of the Catalan-American painter Pierre Daura and his wife, Louise Blair Daura. Here, you can admire 2,500 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures.
- Stroll through The Dell in the heart of campus and soak in the scenery — the campus was built on the grounds of a resort hotel in 1903.
- Take a selfie at the University of Lynchburg’s red-and-white LOVEworks sculpture.
- Visit the Claytor Nature Center, home to rare plants, wildlife and 7.5 miles of hiking trails.
- Attend a “Daytime Sky Series” event, and see the sun and moon through state-of-the-art telescopes at Belk Astronomical Observatory.
- Visit Cloverlea Farmhouse and Memorial Gardens, affording stunning panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and three Peaks of Otter.
HON. CHRISTELLE VUANGA FROM THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO VISITED LYNCHBURG WITH HER FRIEND AND TRANSLATOR MME. LAETITIA BASONDWA. MME. VUANGA CAME SPECIFICALLY TO SEE THE GRAVESITE OF OTA BENGA, THE TWA MAN FROM THE KASAI RIVER REGION OF THE CONGO WHO LIVED BRIEFLY IN LYNCHBURG AND WAS BURIED IN WHITE ROCK CEMETERY IN 1916.
Virginia University of Lynchburg
2058 Garfield Ave.
- Visit one of the country’s Historic Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) and the oldest college in Lynchburg, founded in 1886.
- Pay homage to Ota Benga, a former seminary student in the early 1900s who was once treated like an animal and put on display at the Bronx Zoo.
- Admire Humbles Hall, the largest and most elaborate building on campus and was designed by African-American architect Romulus C. Archer in the 1920s.
Laura Lee is a Virginia-based freelance writer who loves to explore the state with her husband, two boys, and dog, Lillian.