Whether you’re looking for the profoundly historic or the completely contemporary, the serious or playful, active or delicious, Lynchburg has a must-see spot for you. Our Love sign is an Instagram icon, Amazement Square will fascinate the curious of every age, and our museums are places of teaching and sharing. On the waters of the James River or strolling downtown, exploring historic districts or picturesque gardens, Lynchburg is an unforgettable experience.
The iconic LOVE sign at the entrance to the Percival’s Island Trail
BLACKWATER CREEK TRAIL, JAMES RIVER & PERCIVAL’S ISLAND
Weaving throughout the City, the trails of Blackwater Creek incorporate several sections of earthen and paved trails perfect for biking, walking, running and hiking. Make sure you grab a pic at our famous LOVE sign at the entrance of Percival’s Island where you can catch stunning views of the James River.
Amazement Square
AMAZEMENT SQUARE
This nationally recognized children’s museum offers four floors of hands-on interactive exhibits designed to make learning fun for all ages. Paint on the walls, float a boat down the James River, rock out in your own rock band or enjoy the mazes of slides, ladders and tunnels. Anything is possible here.
LYNCHBURG MUSEUM
Start your visit at the Lynchburg Museum where visitors can explore the rich history of Central Virginia, enjoy rotating exhibits, and speak with our knowledgeable Visitor Services staff to help plan your trip into Lynchburg. You won’t forget this true Virginian experience.
Downtown Lynchburg
Downtown, The Hill City
LYH is known as The Hill City—and the walk-up is the best free exercise you can get. Rising more than 200 feet from Jefferson to Court St., there are several spots—including the Bluffwalk and Monument Terrace—to catch your breath for views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the James River.
Pet a sloth at Seaquest!
SEAQUEST AT RIVER RIDGE
Have a land & sea adventure right here in LYH. Located inside Lynchburg’s River Ridge mall SeaQuest is a place the entire family can enjoy an exciting journey around the planet while interacting, meeting, and feeding animals from five continents.
The Antique Rose Festival at Old City Cemetery
Old City Cemetery
Explore this 27-acre “history park” filled with hundreds of varieties of native and heirloom plants, including the largest public collection of antique roses in the state. Five small museums tell the stories of the diverse population of nearly 20,000 buried here. You won’t want to miss the annual Antique Rose Festival in May and fall Candlelight Tours.
The Anne Spencer House and Garden is the location of internationally acclaimed Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer’s writing cottage.
PIERCE STREET RENAISSANCE HISTORIC DISTRICT
This historic district in LYH was home to notable African American Civil Rights influencers, including Anne Spencer, Harlem Renaissance poet; her son Chauncey Spencer, an aviation pioneer; and Dr. R. Walter Johnson, the first black physician granted
practice rights at Lynchburg General Hospital and tennis instructor to both Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson. Find respite in the garden at 1313 Pierce St., Anne Spencer’s retreat and source of inspiration for much of her poetry.
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
THOMAS JEFFERSON’S POPLAR FOREST
Just to the west of the City of Lynchburg, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest offers a unique and memorable experience for those interested in history, architecture and landscapes. Jefferson chose this site for his private retreat and visitors can learn more about his family and the free and enslaved craftspeople who built this architectural masterpiece.
The Maier Museum of Art
MAIER MUSEUM OF ART AT RANDOLPH COLLEGE
One of LYH’s best-kept secrets, the Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College is home to an exceptional collection of 19th and 20th-century American art. In 1951, the National Gallery of Art selected the campus as the site of a confidential storage facility in the event of a national emergency. The college agreed to keep silent about the project, dubbed “Project Y.” The Maier Museum of Art also hosts an annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art, the longest-running exhibition of its kind on an academic campus in the country.
Pick your own veggies and talk to farmers at the Community Market downtown.
LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY MARKET
One of the oldest public markets in the nation, this is a popular Saturday gathering spot to experience the flavor of LYH. The Market features local produce, meats, and seafood sold by area farmers, local restaurants, artisan shops, and seasonal entertainment.