Lynchburg, Virginia is primarily known as the home of Liberty University and Central Virginia Community College, but it’s also quickly becoming a popular destination for families, young professionals, and retirees alike. Downtown Lynchburg has undergone tremendous revitalization in recent years, from the construction of beautiful new condominium complexes to the renovation of beloved old buildings like the Virginian Hotel and Lynchburg City Hall. With all this development comes an influx of new residents in Lynchburg. These residents want to make the most of their day in Lynchburg, so here are some ideas on how to do just that!…
What To Do In Lynchburg - Work
Despite its small size, Central Virginia is home to hundreds of businesses and employers. That means there are plenty of jobs for those looking for work. One thing Lynchburg does not have at present is a thriving nightlife. As such, younger crowds may have difficulty finding interesting evening activities. For those who enjoy networking and socializing, business opportunities abound throughout Central Virginia but offer fewer outlets for nightlife than you might find elsewhere (unless you’re willing to drive a few hours).
To make up for that, many people tend to head downtown on weeknights when it’s more crowded. Rivermont Avenue is often filled with people out walking their dogs, jogging or getting some exercise after work; if nothing else, it’s great for simply soaking up a beautiful sunset over downtown while having your own quiet moment. Between work and playtime, there’s still time left over to fill other interests. You can read books at local bookstores or dine with friends in historic Lynchburg restaurants.
What To Do In Lynchburg - Eat And Drink
The food scene is vibrant, and there are many places to explore. Rivermont Avenue is a walking street, which means you can stroll from one dining experience to another. Start downtown at Waterstone Pizza and then walk towards Rivermont, stopping for cocktails at Bootleggers as you go. If you want a snack in between meals, check out Shakers or Mario’s Pizza. If you’re looking for somewhere swanky, try LaCaretta (the good one) or Skyline Bar—they have great views over Lynchburg. Of course, no discussion of local eats would be complete without mention of The Dahlia – if it’s the Rivermont Vibe that you’re after, head on over!
What To Do In Lynchburg - Family Fun
Lynchburg has plenty of family-friendly activities, especially along Rivermont Avenue downtown. Many restaurants offer a kids menu, and there are also some great playgrounds. Liberty University has many on-campus activities for students and families alike, including a great ski resort. The Lynchburg area is home to Blackwater Creek, which offers several trails for hiking or biking (including an 8.5 mile loop that goes through both Lynchburg and neighboring Bedford) as well as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and other water sports.
What To Do In Lynchburg - Exercise And Fitness
It’s important for those in their twenties and thirties to stay fit. Lynchburg has a state of the art gym, plenty of parks and trails and fantastic trainers on hand. The city is also in close proximity to several fantastic fitness retreats, which are well worth the expense when you need a little extra motivation. And as far as fitness retreats go, there aren’t many places in the world better than nearby Amherst County.
What To Do In Downtown Lynchburg - After Dark
There’s not a lot going on after dark for twenty- and thirty-somethings looking for a good time. In fact, nightlife isn’t even a word that applies to most people in our city, but things are getting better. There are no real dance clubs or pubs downtown—but you can still have fun! It just takes some imagination and an eye toward downtown development projects underway.
Here’s what twenty-somethings can do on any given evening in Downtown Lynchburg
Check out galleries featuring local artists, hip hop groups performing downtown (or at least get your mixtape signed!), head over to Main Street where there is often poetry reading on Friday nights, then grab dinner at one of Lynchburg’s newer restaurants.
Keep an eye out for special events sponsored by local businesses or your favorite online news source; I’m sure you’ll find something going on almost every weekend somewhere near Main Street.
We’re all about meet-ups here in Central Virginia and many active groups host regular tech sessions (check social media for details) as well as group podcast sessions during which they post episodes relevant to their members and open up discussions afterward.
Things to Know About Nightlife in Central Virginia
At the moment, Lynchburg, Virginia isn’t exactly a nightlife destination. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own fun in the city. Get to know the scene and look for events going on in downtown Lynchburg as well as activities happening throughout Central Virginia. There are plenty of opportunities to have fun within a short distance of the city. And if you have friends visiting, direct them to our resident attractions! We’ve all heard about how great Richmond is at night; but, there’s plenty to do near Lynchburg too!
Local Activities That Don't Require A Car
Need something fun to do on a Wednesday night? You’re probably not one of those people that needs a scene when you go out. Whether you live downtown or out in one of Lynchburg’s suburbs, there are plenty of things going on that are close by and don’t require you to use your car.
There are some fantastic local spots with amazing talent and menus to match. Some even have hookah bars so you can smoke without worrying about having to drive home afterwards. If you’re still feeling ambitious after all of that, there are always concerts at Liberty University.
Downtown Events: There’s lots going on downtown from Thursday nights on Main Street to gallery crawls on First Fridays and more during warmer months.
Bookstores & Coffee Shops: Lynchburg has no shortage of great bookstores and coffee shops—plenty to keep you occupied as long as it takes to read a good book or study for exams.
Favorite Spots on Rivermont Avenue
Starting off your day with coffee and breakfast on Rivermont Avenue is a popular activity for Lynchburg’s 25-to-45-year-olds. For daytime activities, you’ll find many people at Rivermont Bierhaus, enjoying local craft beer, a selection of hearty meals, and friendly service. For lunch and dinner, try Rivermont Pizza, Small Batch Barbecue and The Dahlia. If it’s a nice day out, you can’t go wrong sitting outside Riverside Park for some prime people watching on Rivermont Avenue. And after dark? Head straight over to Cavalier Store, otherwise, check out Mario’s Pizza or Exxon across from the Virginia Preparatory Institute.
