Weekend in Lynchburg & The Virginian Hotel Review
Lynchburg, VA
Weekend in Lynchburg
It’s been almost a month since my trip to Lynchburg, VA and I am so happy to be writing this post reliving the weekend again. A year ago, I visited Lynchburg for the first time. I went for a solo day trip and fell in love. It is only a two and a half hour drive from Raleigh, so I left early and made a day of it. I spent the day walking trails, drinking coffee, trying amazing restaurants, and soaking up the warmth and charm within the city. I loved that day so much that I knew I wanted to go back, so last month I decided what better place to celebrate my birthday weekend!
Within this post, I’m sharing my favorite coffee shops and eats from my recent visit to Lynchburg and all the details about The Virginian Hotel in Downtown Lynchburg that hosted me for a weekend stay. Enjoy!
“A centerpiece of downtown Lynchburg since 1913, this magnificent hotel has been thoughtfully restored to its historic grandeur and refreshed with modern amenities. Walk to restaurants and boutiques, stroll along the James River, and dive into the arts and creative scene.”
During my weekend in Lynchburg, I had the pleasure of staying at The Virginian Hotel. My hotel experience was exceptional. When I stepped into my room, I felt like I had been transported to my dream New York City studio apartment. From the city views, the most comfy bed, to the AMAZING bathroom, every bit of the room was exquisite. I think this was the first time I’ve ever stayed in a hotel and actually didn’t miss my room back home one bit! It was just so spacious and calming that I felt like I could actually live there lol! Inside the room was a Keurig for your morning coffee, a comfy sitting area, dining table, a bathtub and shower, a roomy closet, plush robes, and an excess of towels (which I really appreciate!!). In my experience, it is quite rare to find spacious hotel rooms. Many can look large online and then you arrive and you’re like…that’s it? I was so impressed by how this room was even bigger and better in person than it looks online. I could not recommend it enough. It is not only huge, but feels luxurious for such a great price.
Aside from the rooms being incredible, I also highly recommend The Virginian because of its convenient location. It is in Downtown and is walkable to my favorite coffee shop and lunch spot (keep reading for these!) Within the restaurant is Lynchburg’s best rooftop bar and dining area, The Skyline. I visited here last year during my day trip and it is a must see. Picture sitting by a fire wrapped in a blanket with fried oysters and a glass of bubbles. Need I say more? The set up is a little different right now because of the pandemic, but it is still a must for grabbing a cocktail or dinner with an amazing view of Downtown.
I know The Virginian Hotel also has a very nice restaurant, William & Henry Steakhouse, but I did not have a chance to try this during my trip. I will have to add it to my list for next time! To explore The Virginian Hotel’s offerings and specials, click here.
Now that we’ve covered where to stay, let’s talk FOOD & DRINK. My favorite subject. I feel like I could go on and on for days talking about this so let’s skip the intro and dig in.
COFFEE
Here are my top recommendations for coffee in Lynchburg, Virginia!
White Hart Cafe- delicious lattes, very cozy, lots of wood and antique furniture, only a few minutes walking distance from The Virginian and a whole food menu as well
Golf Park Coffee- very trendy, plants, black and white aesthetic, realllyyyyy good seasonal menu, and great cold brew
Backline Coffee- inside a record store, chill vibes, also walkable to The Virginian
DRINKS
Skyline Rooftop- beautiful views, fires going, and delicious cocktails + apps
Reserve Wine Bar- brand new in Downtown, wine flights!!!, hot bread, and an amazing charcuterie board. You have to check this place out
The Water Dog- incredible beer selection, really good margaritas, and it is the best lunch spot
El Jefe- if you love margs, go here
FOOD
The Water Dog- this is my favorite lunch spot in Lynchburg! I highly recommend a platter of fried oysters, the oyster po boy, side of fries, and their margarita
Rivermont Pizza- this place was so good that I ate it both nights I was in town. I could not get enough. You must try the spinach dip and the pistachio pesto pizza. Now I am drooling
Grey’s on Fifth/My Dog Duke’s Diner- adding these to the list based on all the positive feedback though I have not tried them yet! If you ask people where to go in Lynchburg, I am 100% sure you will hear this too
I haven’t explored many dessert options to add to the list, but I will say that Mama Crockett’s Donuts are a must. Okay now you are ready to conquer a weekend in Lynchburg. Thank you to all my friends who gave me recommendations before I visited for the first time! I highly recommend doing a day trip or weekend in this city. The people are so kind, the food scene is fantastic, and you can’t beat being close to the Blue Ridge Parkway! I also want to give a huge thank you to The Virginian Hotel for hosting me during this beautiful weekend. I can’t wait to go back again soon. Cheers to more safe adventures!
-from Anna with love
