Lynchburg, VA: History, Food, and Outdoor Fun

1. Amazement Square

Offering four floors of interactive exhibits and educational workshops, Amazement Square is a museum dedicated to providing a place for people of all ages to learn about the world in a hands-on fashion. The exhibits cover everything from the arts and humanities to science and technology; visitors can paint on the walls, create a simulated rainstorm over the city, or learn about life on one of the farms in the area. Another major highlight of the museum is the Amazement Tower, a maze of ladders, slides, and tunnels that stretches through all four floors of the museum.

27 9th St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, Phone: 434-845-1888

2. Blackwater Creek Natural Area

Encompassing approximately 300 acres of forest along Blackwater Creek, the Blackwater Creek Natural Area offers 8 miles of hiking and biking trails. The most popular trail is the 3-mile-long Blackwater Creek Trail, a paved trail that runs along an abandoned railway bed beside the creek and can be easily accessed right from downtown. A number of earthen trails extend off the main path, allowing hikers to better explore the forest and visit the historic Point of Honor home. Some sections of the trails are accessible to those with limited mobility, and maps can be obtained from the visitor information center.

3. Legacy Museum of African American History

Established in 1995, the Legacy Museum of African American History is dedicated to collecting and preserving items that tell the story of the African American community in Lynchburg throughout the years. The museum offers a rotating series of exhibits covering topics such as life during the Civil War and the history of African American education in Virginia. The Legacy Activity Museum next to the museum provides children's programs, and special programs are offered to people of all ages during the summer months. The museum is typically open Wednesday through Sunday in the afternoons, but visits during other times can be arranged by appointment.

Legacy Museum of African American History, 403 Monroe St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, Phone: 434-845-3455

4. Lynchburg Community Market

The third oldest farmer's market in the United States and conveniently located right downtown, the Lynchburg Community Market offers an excellent selection of local produce and arts and crafts made by artisans from the area. There is a variety of permanent stalls selling everything from breakfast and lunch to specialty gifts, and a full farmers market with produce takes place every Saturday.

The permanent stalls in the market are open all year round on Tuesday through Saturday between 7am and 2pm, and a green market is held every Wednesday during the summer season between 10am and 2pm (please double check the hours before you go).

1219 Main St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, Phone: 434-455-4485

5. Lynchburg Hillcats Minor League Baseball

The Lynchburg Hillcats Minor League Baseball call the Calvin Falwell Field home, and the field is a great place to head for some family-friendly summer entertainment. Games take place between the months of April and August, and season passes come with free parking and a discount in the souvenir store. Group ticket prices are available for groups of 20 people or more, and groups can purchase an all-you-can-eat picnic buffet package. There are also special skyboxes with outdoor balcony seating available to anyone who would like to watch the game in the lap of luxury.

3180 Fort Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24501, Phone: 434-528-1144

6. Lynchburg Museum

Situated inside the Old Court House, the Lynchburg Museum provides an excellent introduction to the fascinating history of Lynchburg. The exhibits tell stories about the people and events that shaped the region over the past four centuries; highlights include a complete timeline of Lynchburg history between 1607 and 2007, a media program that introduces visitors to some of the city's most famous historical faces, and a display of art, furniture, and silver pieces that were made by local artisans. There is no fee for admission, and the museum is open every day of the week.

901 Court St, Lynchburg, VA 24504, Phone: 434-455-6226

7. Monument Terrace

Originally built to honor those who lost their lives in World War I, Monument Terrace is now a city landmark that stretches along an entire block and commemorates veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the campaigns in Vietnam, and several others. The monument's 139 steps and terraces lead up to the Old Courthouse, providing pedestrian access to the building that now houses the Lynchburg Museum. The city's iconic doughboy statue stands at the base of the stairs, and a number of other sculptures and small monuments line the steps all the way to the top.

313 9th St, Lynchburg, VA 24504

8. National Civil War Chaplains Museum

Found on the campus of Liberty University, the National Civil War Chaplains Museum was established to share the story of the role played by chaplains and other religious heads and organizations during the Civil War. Exhibits include religious artifacts and interpretive programs that discuss the importance religion held for soldiers during the war, and special tours and programs are offered all throughout the year. The museum is usually open every day of the week except for Sunday, but visitors coming from out of town are advised to call at least 24 hours in advance to ensure that it will be open.

National Civil War Chaplains Museum, 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA 24502, Phone: 434-582-7090

9. Percival's Island Natural Area

Percival's Island Natural Area serves as a refuge for plants and animals in downtown Lynchburg, and it's a great place to take a mid-day stroll or bike ride with excellent views of the James River. The island is approximately 1.5 miles long, and a paved, well-maintained trail runs along the length of the island through an old railway bed. It's not uncommon to spot wildlife along the trail, including herons and migrating birds. The James River can be accessed from several different points along the trail, and many people come here to fish and enjoy the water during the summer.

1600 Concord Turnpike, Lynchburg, VA 24504, Phone: 434-856-2489

10. Pest House Medical Museum

Formerly known as the House of Pestilence, the Pest House Medical Museum was the first hospital in Lynchburg. It served as a place of quarantine for people with infectious diseases in the 1840s and 1850s; most patients ended up buried in the graveyard that surrounds the building. Conditions in the hospital were improved by Dr. Terrell in the 1860s, and he went on to treat a good number of soldiers here during the Civil War. The Pest House can now be seen just as it was during this time period, and it still holds the doctor's operating table and many of his tools.

Pest House Medical Museum, 401 Taylor St, Lynchburg, VA 24501, Phone: 434-847-1465