Guidebook
Food scene
Enjoy the rooftop bar and restaurant (Skyline Rooftop Bar and Grille) or head to the lower level steakhouse (William & Henry Steakhouse) for a more luxurious meal.
9 locals recommend
The Virginian Lynchburg, Curio Collection by Hilton
712 Church StEnjoy the rooftop bar and restaurant (Skyline Rooftop Bar and Grille) or head to the lower level steakhouse (William & Henry Steakhouse) for a more luxurious meal.
We love this place and have been going here for years. This is an Americana restaurant with a bit of everything. My favorites are the steak pasta (the steak marinade is awesome) and chicken parmesan. Great for lunch, dinner, or drinks.
76 locals recommend
RA Bistro
1344 Main StWe love this place and have been going here for years. This is an Americana restaurant with a bit of everything. My favorites are the steak pasta (the steak marinade is awesome) and chicken parmesan. Great for lunch, dinner, or drinks.
This place is in downtown right near the James River and quick access to Blackwater Creek Trail. They have unique pizzas (love the Thai one) and a good drink selection.
113 locals recommend
Waterstone Pizza
1309 Jefferson StThis place is in downtown right near the James River and quick access to Blackwater Creek Trail. They have unique pizzas (love the Thai one) and a good drink selection.
Located in the same building as Craddock Terry Hotel and Waterstone Pizza. This is one of the two more upscale steakhouses in Lynchburg. You can eat at the bar or grab a table. I think they're still closed Sundays.
67 locals recommend
Shoemakers
1312 Commerce StLocated in the same building as Craddock Terry Hotel and Waterstone Pizza. This is one of the two more upscale steakhouses in Lynchburg. You can eat at the bar or grab a table. I think they're still closed Sundays.
This is a very popular hang out in Lynchburg. It is located right on the James River near many other restaurants. Oddly enough, this is your place for grilled cheese sandwiches, extensive beer selection, and oysters from the Chesapeake Bay.
85 locals recommend
The Water Dog
1016 Jefferson StThis is a very popular hang out in Lynchburg. It is located right on the James River near many other restaurants. Oddly enough, this is your place for grilled cheese sandwiches, extensive beer selection, and oysters from the Chesapeake Bay.
Great burgers. Note these are a bit more expensive than the burgers at a chain sit-down restaurant but they are unique and very tasty.
101 locals recommend
Bootleggers
50 13th StGreat burgers. Note these are a bit more expensive than the burgers at a chain sit-down restaurant but they are unique and very tasty.
Cinnamon Rolls as big as your face... seriously. The owner of this bakery won a national cookie competition on Food Network several years ago and opened this bakery. Everything is lovely. She also sometimes has classes like cookie decorating.
14 locals recommend
Mrs. Joy's Absolutely Fabulous Treats
1008B Commerce StCinnamon Rolls as big as your face... seriously. The owner of this bakery won a national cookie competition on Food Network several years ago and opened this bakery. Everything is lovely. She also sometimes has classes like cookie decorating.
Don't ask questions, just go here for donuts. Fresh cider donuts that are amazing any time of year. My boyfriend Ross surprises my coworkers and me with donuts from here sometimes and we love him for it.
24 locals recommend
Mama Crockett's Cider Donuts
500 Fifth StDon't ask questions, just go here for donuts. Fresh cider donuts that are amazing any time of year. My boyfriend Ross surprises my coworkers and me with donuts from here sometimes and we love him for it.
If you're in the mood for BBQ this is your place. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. There is seating outside since the restaurant is pretty small. Save time and order on line since they get pretty busy.
14 locals recommend
County Smoak
7423 Timberlake RdIf you're in the mood for BBQ this is your place. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. There is seating outside since the restaurant is pretty small. Save time and order on line since they get pretty busy.
A great place to eat for lunch or dinner. They also have brunch on the weekends. They also have expanded their outdoor space to include corn hole boards and fire pits. Popular especially with the 20s-30s crowd.
59 locals recommend
Iron & Ale Lynchburg Tap and Table
106 Cornerstone StA great place to eat for lunch or dinner. They also have brunch on the weekends. They also have expanded their outdoor space to include corn hole boards and fire pits. Popular especially with the 20s-30s crowd.
Sightseeing
There are several paved and mostly flat trail systems throughout Lynchburg for walking, running, and biking. Two connected trails in downtown, Blackwater Creek Trail and Riverwalk Trail, are the most popular. Blackwater Creek starts at 8th and Jefferson, just behind Amazement Square (children's museum). Pick up the trail near the railroad tracks and head in 3/4 mile to reach the old tunnel as seen in the picture above. Go through the tunnel and take your first right and keep right. This will follow the river and you'll come up to a really interesting carved tree on the right side. Keep going and you'll enter a park where the water spills over a dam. Here and back to the starting point is about 3 miles.
Pick up Riverwalk Trail across from Waterstone Pizza (the bottom floor of the Craddock Terry Hotel) where you see the giant red LOVE sign. This trail will take you over the river to Percival's Island.
123 locals recommend
Blackwater Creek Natural Area
There are several paved and mostly flat trail systems throughout Lynchburg for walking, running, and biking. Two connected trails in downtown, Blackwater Creek Trail and Riverwalk Trail, are the most popular. Blackwater Creek starts at 8th and Jefferson, just behind Amazement Square (children's museum). Pick up the trail near the railroad tracks and head in 3/4 mile to reach the old tunnel as seen in the picture above. Go through the tunnel and take your first right and keep right. This will follow the river and you'll come up to a really interesting carved tree on the right side. Keep going and you'll enter a park where the water spills over a dam. Here and back to the starting point is about 3 miles.
Pick up Riverwalk Trail across from Waterstone Pizza (the bottom floor of the Craddock Terry Hotel) where you see the giant red LOVE sign. This trail will take you over the river to Percival's Island.
A bit of a hike from the property but well worth the drive if you're a nature lover. Go for a drive on the winding mountain roads or hit up one of many popular hikes:
1. Sharp Top-gorgeous 360 views at the summit but can be a strenuous 1.5 mile hike
2. Flat Top- taller than Sharp Top, many switch backs, longest trail
3. Harkening Hill- gradual climb, not much at the summit, but on the way down you'll go through a wildflower meadow and follow a stream. Take the quick detour onto Johnson Farm Trail to end up at an old homestead of the family that used to farm the area. There are exhibits around the home and a vegetable garden is planted each year.
123 locals recommend
Peaks of Otter
A bit of a hike from the property but well worth the drive if you're a nature lover. Go for a drive on the winding mountain roads or hit up one of many popular hikes:
1. Sharp Top-gorgeous 360 views at the summit but can be a strenuous 1.5 mile hike
2. Flat Top- taller than Sharp Top, many switch backs, longest trail
3. Harkening Hill- gradual climb, not much at the summit, but on the way down you'll go through a wildflower meadow and follow a stream. Take the quick detour onto Johnson Farm Trail to end up at an old homestead of the family that used to farm the area. There are exhibits around the home and a vegetable garden is planted each year.
This is attached to the mall. This indoor aquarium also has a stingray touch pool.
34 locals recommend
SeaQuest Lynchburg
3405 Candlers Mountain RdThis is attached to the mall. This indoor aquarium also has a stingray touch pool.
This little gem was a second home for Thomas Jefferson and the house will feel very familiar to those who have been to Monticello. They offer informative tours and host events throughout the year.
90 locals recommend
Poplar Forest
1776 Bateman Bridge RdThis little gem was a second home for Thomas Jefferson and the house will feel very familiar to those who have been to Monticello. They offer informative tours and host events throughout the year.