With its deep historical roots and dramatic natural features, the area finds itself a popular getaway

Situated at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Central Virginia boasts beautiful panoramic views of tree-filled summits. From old-fashioned railroad festivals to wine tastings, Christian music concerts, craft shows and more, the Central Virginia area resonates with activity as families and friends find pleasure in socializing year round over good food and fun, while immersed in natural beauty.

Attractions

Lynchburg

• Amazement Square, The Rightmire Children’s Museum: Located in downtown Lynchburg, it’s a hands-on wonderland where children are encouraged to roam and learn. (434) 845-1888
• The Community Market: The third oldest farmers’ market in the USA. Located in downtown Lynchburg on the corner of Twelfth and Main Streets. On Friday evenings during the late spring and summer, it features a series of concerts and block parties known as “Friday Cheers.” On Saturday mornings local residents can shop for fresh fruits and vegetables. (434) 455-4485
• Legacy Museum of African- American History: This museum offers exhibitions and programs on all aspects of local African American history and culture from the first arrival of Africans in Lynchburg until the present day. (434) 845-3455
• Miller-Claytor House: For anyone fascinated with Thomas Jefferson, the Miller-Claytor House near the entrance of Riverside Park is a must. Legend has it that this is where Jefferson first ate a tomato to prove the “new” fruit wasn’t poisonous. (434) 847-1640
• Monument Terrace: This newly restored and beautifully landscaped, 139-step hillside stairway is dedicated to the memory of the city’s wartime dead, from the Civil War to Vietnam. It is Lynchburg’s most recognizable architectural feature and gathering place, often serving as the scene of patriotic rallies.
• Old City Cemetery: Not only does this cemetery feature an extensive section of Confederate graves, but it also offers the Pest House Medical Museum, a restored train station, a hearse museum, a chapel, diverse natural and horticultural resources, and a year-round program of lectures and tours. (434) 847-1465
• Point of Honor: Named for its early reputation as a dueling site, this 19th century mansion on Cabell Street was once the residence of Patrick Henry’s personal physician, George Cabell. (434) 455-6226
• Blue Ridge Parkway: Less than 20 miles west of Lynchburg, the Blue Ridge Parkway passes through Bedford, Amherst and Nelson counties. Vistas are most spectacular in spring and fall.

Amherst/Nelson County

• Monacan Indian Village and Museum: Recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Monacan Indian Nation, located in Amherst County, is a small tribe composed of 1,000 people. Its culture in the region dates back 10,000 years. The tribal museum was developed by the Monacans with grants from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, the Sweetgrass Foundation, and the Easley Foundation. (434) 946-5391
• Crabtree Falls: With five separate cascades, this natural feature near Montebello is one of the more spectacular waterfalls east of the Mississippi and south of Niagara. (800) 732-5821
• Oak Ridge Estate: Oak Ridge is a 200-year-old estate formerly owned by a number of businessmen prominent in Virginia history. Wall Street financier and Nelson County native Thomas Fortune Ryan purchased the estate in 1901 and transformed the small, Federal-style dwelling into a 50-room Colonial Revival mansion. Much of Ryan’s American Empire furniture remains in the home. The Holland family acquired the 4,800 acre estate (with 50 outbuildings) in 1989 and has been restoring it ever since. (434) 263-8676
• Walton’s Mountain Museum: Opened on October 16, 1992, this building formerly served as an elementary and high school. “The Waltons” creator and John-Boy’s alter ego, Earl Hamner, grew up in the home across the street. Walton’s Mountain Museum offers replicas of John-Boy’s bedroom, Ike Godsey’s Store, “The Waltons” kitchen and living room as well as displays of hundreds of photographs and pieces of memorabilia. (434) 831-2000

Appomattox County

• Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park: This is the site where Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered his sword to Union General Ulysses S. Grant and ended the Civil War. A federal historic park occupies the site, offering a reconstructed 1860s village, and performances from a battalion of re-enactors. (434) 332-5996
• Clover Hill Village: The original “Clover Hill Village” served as the site of organizational meetings resulting in the formation of Appomattox County in 1845. The Appomattox Historical Society now runs Clover Hill as a living history museum. (434) 352-3996

Bedford County

• National D-Day Memorial: The D-Day Memorial was constructed atop a sweeping hillside just outside Bedford City. Framed by a magnificent arch, the national memorial was designed to pay homage to all the Allied soldiers who died in the Normandy invasion of 1944. It was built in Bedford to honor the community’s loss of 23 young men that day, the highest per capita sacrifice of any town in America. (540) 586-3329
• Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest: Thomas Jefferson built his unique octagonal house as a getaway. Today, the home is not only open daily for tours, but is the scene of concentrated archaeological activity designed to unearth even more about Jefferson and his world. (434) 525-1806
• Avenel Plantation: Historic Avenel, circa 1838, was the focal point of a 200-acre plantation that has served as the centerpiece in the social, cultural and political life of Bedford for over 150 years. It has played host to many distinguished visitors including General Robert E. Lee and Edgar Allen Poe. The unique and original architectural features of the house make it one of the region’s treasures. (540) 586-1814
• Peaks of Otter: At milepost 86 along the Parkway, twin mountain peaks rise to an elevation of 4,200 feet. In their shadows are hiking trails, self-guided wildflower walks, picnic clearings, campgrounds, a charming restaurant and lodging facilities. (540) 586-4496
• Booker T. Washington National Monument: This monument honors the life and legacy of African-American leader Booker T. Washington. Born into slavery on a tobacco plantation in 1856, Washington rose to prominence as an educator, orator, and founder of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. This historic site interprets Washington’s life through exhibits, film, a living history farm, guided tours, and special events. (540) 721-2094

Campbell County

• Avoca Museum: The home and burial place of Colonel Charles Lynch, a Revolutionary War patriot and the brother of Lynchburg founder John Lynch, Avoca also hosts a series of summer music festivals on its grounds. (434) 369-1076
• Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial: Patrick Henry established his mansion and working farm near Brookneal. A pleasant 35-mile drive from Lynchburg down US 501, the property has a museum dedicated to Henry’s life and features the largest Osage orange tree in the state. (434) 376-2044

Festivals/Events

Lynchburg

• The James River Batteau Festival: This week-long return to the James River, which began in 1986, celebrates the flat-bottomed wooden craft that hauled tobacco downstream in John Lynch’s day. Reconstructed by local communities and civic groups, these “bateaux” take a leisurely trip from Lynchburg upriver to Richmond in mid-June, stopping each night to camp and play.
• Celebrate America: Held during the Fourth of July weekend with activities for the entire family, festival goers enjoy carnival rides, food, tours, games and music. The grand finale of the day is the largest fireworks display in Central Virginia. The event is sponsored by Thomas Road Baptist Church.
• Friday Cheers: Held during the summer months, Friday Cheers is a social event featuring music and dancing provided by area bands. The event helps raise money for local non-profit organizations while offering a fun pastime for area people.
• Kaleidoscope: This is Lynchburg’s annual fall festival, a three-weekend collage of events ranging from Day in the Park to the Lynchburg Art Festival to the Lynchburg Craft Show. Another high point is the Virginia Ten-Miler, which uses Lynchburg’s challenging topography to test an annual field of runners that include both local hobbyists and world-known award winners.
• Garden Day: Garden Day in Lynchburg is part of Historic Garden Week in Virginia, the oldest and largest statewide house and garden tour event in the nation. The tours offered each year at the peak of Virginia’s springtime color benefit the restoration of historic grounds throughout the state. Many houses have interesting family histories intertwined with the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the Victorian era.
• The Virginia Christmas Spectacular: On the first two weekends of December, Thomas Road Baptist Church gives new meaning to the term “family tree.” From its simple beginnings in 1971 to today’s Broadway-style production now featuring two giant living Christmas trees, an elaborate and entertaining musical with a Christian message is put on for the public.
• Winterfest: Staged at Liberty University in late December, this has become one of the most popular celebrations of Christian rock in America, attracting high-profile groups like Jars of Clay and Casting Crowns.
• Christmas at Point of Honor: This event re-creates the celebratory style of the early 19th-century Federalists.

Amherst County

• Virginia Wine and Garlic Festival: Every October, Rebec Vineyard in Amherst County attracts a multitude of garlic lovers, or just “fun lovers,” who eat garlic-fortified food, sample Virginia wines, listen to bands and help to crown a Garlic Queen.
• Steeplechase: Held at Oak Ridge Estate in Nelson County, the race is sanctioned by the National Steeplechase Association and attracts top horses, riders and trainers.
• Monacan Powwow: The annual Monacan Powwow features Native American dancers, drummers, and artists from Virginia and across the U.S.

Appomattox County

• Appomattox Railroad Festival: Treat the family to a full fall weekend of small-town ambiance and good old-fashioned fun that includes a parade, music, train rides and fireworks. The Good Ole Days exhibit is a festival favorite, featuring the clothing, tools, food and other products of a bygone era.

Bedford County

• Smith Mountain Lake Festivals: Families looking for a day of games, food and fun head to Smith Mountain Lake each autumn for the Fall Festival, while house and garden enthusiasts flock to the Charity Home Tour. Entertainment at the Annual Wine Festival draws tasters and non-tasters alike.
• Centerfest: This old-fashioned downtown celebration is held on a Saturday in the early fall. Several of Bedford’s streets are blocked off and the area quickly fills with thousands of visitors enjoying food, music and crafters’ booths.
• The Elk’s Home Christmas Lights: Hundreds of thousands of Christmas bulbs are strung around the grounds of the National Elk’s Retirement Home, and the flipping of the initial switch is a landmark holiday moment.
• Point-to-Point Races: This horse racing event includes competitive team jumping, stick horse riding, and unpredictable Jack Russell terrier racing.

Campbell County

• Uncle Billy’s Day: What started as a summer flea market in the Town of Altavista has turned into a music festival, mass reunion and community block party. But, as a flea market, it remains one of the largest you’ll find anywhere.

Vineyards/Wineries

Central Virginia is known for its wealth of Orchards, Vineyards and Wineries.

Amherst/ Nelson County

• Rebec Vineyards: (434) 946-5168
• Mountain Cove Vineyard and Winery: (434) 263-5392
• Wintergreen Vineyard and Winery: (434) 361-2519
• Hilltop Berry Farm and Winery: (434) 361-1266
• Delfosse Vineyard and Winery: (434) 263-6100
• Veritas Winery: (540) 456-8000
• Afton Mountain Winery: (540) 456-8667
• Cardinal Pointe: (540) 456-8400

Bedford County

• LeoGrande Winery: (540) 586-4066
• Savoy-Lee Winery: (540) 297-9275
• Hickory Hill Vineyards (540) 296-1393
• White Rock Vineyards & Winery: (540) 890-3359
• Peaks of Otter Winery: (540) 586-3707

Orchards

Central Virginia is known for its wealth of Orchards, Vineyards and Wineries.

• Amherst/ Nelson County Morris Orchard: (434) 929-2401
• The Apple Shed: (434) 263-8843
• Drumheller’s Orchard: (434) 563-5036
• Saunder’s Brothers Orchard: (434) 277-5455
• Mountain Cove Orchard: (434) 263-5392
• Bedford County Gross Orchard Apple Valley: (540) 586-2436
• Johnson’s Orchard: (540) 586-3707

Back to Top