Your Sunrise-to-Sunset Guide to Local Eats, Culture, and Fun

By: Olivia Carter

Whether you’re a longtime local or just visiting for the weekend, Lynchburg is bursting with charm, history, and hidden gems—especially in the summertime. From riverfront views and historic neighborhoods to top-tier local eats and family-friendly adventures, there’s no shortage of ways to spend a memorable day. This guide walks you through the perfect way to experience it all, from sunrise to sunset. So grab your sunglasses, some good walking shoes, and maybe a friend or two.

Morning: Rise & Dine

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at: The White Hart Café – Known for its cozy atmosphere and locally sourced menu, perfect for a relaxed morning meal.

Located at 1208 Main Street, don’t let the ongoing construction fool you, this block is still very much open for business! This place is known as “Lynchburg’s Living Room” for a reason. The cozy gathering space has been operating for nearly 20 years and prides itself on offering locally sourced food, freshly roasted coffee, and a relaxing atmosphere. The menu includes coffee, seasonal lemonade, matcha, various teas, and comfort food and bakery items.

The White Hart hosts events, live curated collaborations, and open mic nights, making it way more than just a coffee shop.

Owner Myke Barron has a mission of staying community-minded and has strategic partnerships with Lynchburg City Schools and Iron Lives, aiming to support education and community development. During the COVID pandemic, White Heart opened its space to the Lynchburg Community Kitchen, which helped keep the shop afloat. Support them so they can continue to support our community!

Mid-Morning: Explore Riverfront Park

Visit the newly opened Riverfront Playground – Lynchburg’s first fully accessible playground, designed for children of all abilities. Enjoy the splash pads, interactive play areas, and scenic views of the James River.

This playground, which just opened at the beginning of May, was a direct result of the partnership between Lynchburg City and the Kiwanis Club of Lynchburg. Located at 1000 Jefferson Street, this ADA-accessible playground is conveniently located between The Water Dog and the soon-to-be amphitheater (opening in 2026).

The playground features equipment such as sensory play areas, swings, and wheelchair-accessible merry-go-rounds.

Before it opened, the downtown area had no playground for children, so this addition is another great asset for families visiting Jefferson Street. Bonus: there’s also a fountain for kids to splash around in on hot days.

The park is also used for various events throughout the year such as the upcoming annual fireworks show put on by the Downtown Lynchburg Association.
The park connects to the Riverwalk trail and is great for walking, running, or biking.

Lunch: Local Flavors

Choose from these local favorites for lunch: Hit Bedford Avenue to dine at The Dahlia, Taco Jesús, or Truss – Over the past several years, this connector road from Rivermont Avenue to downtown has grown exponentially and now has a number of shops and restaurants, so be sure not to miss this secret gem that’s sure to expand even further in the future.

Head to Depot Grille – A riverside restaurant known for its American fare and historic ambiance.
At 10 9th Street, this is one of Lynchburg’s OG lunch spots downtown. They offer indoor and outdoor dining and spots to lock up your bike if you’re stopping for a bite after a ride on the trails.

Grab a Bite After the Bike Trail at Trailhead – A newer concept for downtown that offers relaxed vibes where you can seat yourself and order via QR code, is Trailhead at 1312 Jefferson Street.

The owner of Bikes Unlimited, John Seinar, opened this cool new spot right off the Riverwalk trail last year and it’s been a huge success so far. This laid-back joint has corn-hole, a firepit, and relaxed seating all over the deck and yard.

No judgement here, come as you are!

They offer a loaded menu of brews, ciders, and nonalcoholic drinks, as well as sandwiches and pizzas.

Afternoon: Culture & Nature

Engage in one of these activities:
Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum – Explore the historic home and gardens of Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer at 1313 Pierce Street.

Inside the preserved home of Anne Spencer, a distinguished Harlem Renaissance poet and civil rights activist, the house remains intact with 95 percent
of its original furnishings, providing a glimpse into early 20th-century life.

The legacy lives on as the home continues to be run by Spencer’s granddaughter, Shaun Spencer Hester.

Percival’s Island Natural Area – Take a leisurely walk or bike ride along this scenic trail with views of the James River located at 1600 Concord Turnpike.

For bike rentals, stop by Bikes Unlimited at 1312 Jefferson Street. It’s a stone’s throw from the trails. Start at the LOVE sign, snap a few photos to capture your visit and hop on the trail which offers side hikes, viewing decks of the James River, and picnic spots. The entire trail spans about one and a half miles long.

Lynchburg Museum – Discover the city’s rich history through exhibits and artifacts at 901 Court Street.

Perched atop Monument Terrace in downtown Lynchburg, the Lynchburg Museum at the Old Court House offers a journey through Central Virginia’s rich past. Housed in a historic 1855 Greek Revival courthouse, the museum showcases the city’s evolution from its founding days to the present.

Evening: Dinner

Conclude your day with dinner at:
Skyline – Located atop The Virginian Hotel, offering panoramic views of downtown Lynchburg along with a menu of seafood and craft cocktails. Skyline is one of Lynchburg’s two downtown rooftop bars (also check out 7 Rooftop Bar at 1208 Commerce Street!) At 712 Church Street, Skyline sits at the top of the historic Virginian Hotel and offers captivating views of the downtown scenery. Their menu offers chef-inspired seafood dishes, local beers, craft cocktails, and international wine selections. This is the perfect spot to feel snazzy and snap a few pics of the Lynchburg skyline!

William & Henry Steakhouse – Known for its upscale dining experience and views of the James River. Downstairs, you’ll find elevated fine dining on the ground floor of the hotel.

The menu at William & Henry Steakhouse showcases USDA prime steaks, premium seafood, and a selection of appetizers and unique salads. Signature dishes include the 30 ounce porterhouse, dry-aged beef, and seafood towers. Don’t forget the world-class wine selection! The bar features a fabulous happy hour at surprisingly affordable prices in a cozy lounge space.

Optional Evening Activity:
Catch a performance at the Academy Center of the Arts or The Music Hall.

Last year, the Academy opened a new venue, The Music Hall (see page 25)! Located at 722 Commerce Street in Downtown Lynchburg. The space fosters local music and talent with a reasonable cover charge. With a 100-person capacity, this intimate space is designed to provide a much-needed home for local musicians and music enthusiasts.

In the much larger historic Academy Center of the Arts, located at 600 Main Street, performances of all kinds are found. Ranging from professional and community theater productions to concerts, dance performances, and comedy shows, there’s something for everyone.

Hot. Cold. Lounge. Repeat.

By: Megan L. Horst | Photos By: Ashlee Glen

You may have seen the viral cold plunge videos on social media where people jump into freezing water. But what you may not know is that dunking into cold water in combination with the heat from a sauna actually has a variety of health benefits.

Sam Foster, a physical therapist at Rehab Associates, and her husband, Robb, opened Frostfire after having a healing experience at a similar spa in North Carolina.

“We fell in love with sauna and cold plunge when we participated in sauna cold plunge in Asheville, North Carolina,” Foster said. “We were sitting there, it was a community experience, we were sitting with people we barely knew. We used it as recovery after a jujitsu camp. We felt so much better and felt more united with the people we were experiencing it with that we said, ‘We need to bring that to Lynchburg.’”

Since October 14, 2024, when they opened as part of Launch LYH—a Downtown Lynchburg Association program that supports entrepreneurs who are ready to start a new business, relocate their business, or expand their existing business—Frostfire has sought to promote both community and wellness.

“We’ve always felt that Lynchburg is truly community-oriented…very supportive people,” she said.

“We knew that Lynchburg would like the community wellness aspect of sauna and cold plunge.”

While promoting community engagement, Frostfire’s mission is to empower people to take control of their health through education, support, and personalized care. Although they are most known for their traditional sauna and cold plunge, they offer additional services, such as red-light therapy and Normatec leg compression.

They offer one- or two-hour sessions, during which people alternate between the sauna and cold plunge, a technique known as “contrast therapy.” Typically, they spend 10 to 15 minutes in the sauna, rest to let their heart rate return to normal while enjoying a provided beverage and then take a dip in the cold plunge for 20 seconds to three minutes.

“We have two cold plunge tubs,” Foster explained. “One is set at 42 degrees; one is set at 50.

They run as individual pools, so they are treated with chlorine, just like a pool would be, and run twenty-four/seven on a pool filter.”

Sauna and cold plunge therapy—contrast therapy—has numerous health benefits, both short-term and long-term.

“There’s nothing that makes my body feel the endorphin release that sauna mixed with cold plunge can,” Foster said. “It literally lasts for six hours afterwards. You feel invigorated.”

Although muscle recovery, in a sense, is a short-term benefit, she explained that it also has long-term health benefits. People who sauna for about nine times a month for fourteen minutes or more, at a minimum of 176 degrees, reduce the likelihood of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

“There’s also research about cardiovascular health improvement and reducing the risk of death from cardiovascular events,” she said. Since traditional saunas are so hot, which opens the pores to help flush out the body, they are also used for detoxification.

“We’ve had people come here to help with detox of mold exposure,” she said. Firefighters also utilize the sauna to help eliminate environmental toxins from their bodies.

Between contrast therapy sessions, guests may enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of their lounges and also experience other wellness therapies. Red light therapy is used to stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation and puffiness in the face, and enhance cell metabolism. You may also lean back in an anti-gravity chair and relax while enjoying a Normatec massage on your legs.

Aside from their contrast therapy sessions, Frostfire offers other activities to promote community. Every Wednesday at 6 p.m., they host a book club. They are currently reading Positively Wealthy by Emma Mumford.

“It’s all about manifesting positivity into your daily life,” Foster said.

“Ways to bring a more positive spin on the daily stressors of life.”

After the book club meeting, they do a sauna and cold plunge session.

Additionally, they host “Sauna & Stretch” on Tuesdays and Thursdays, where participants can sauna and then lie on mats and stretch for about twenty minutes.

“Since I’m a physical therapist, I gather all the stretches that I often give my patients and we work through them together,” Foster said. Twice a week, they also offer classes that focus on hip and core strength in their lounge, which is uniquely decorated with local art.

“We have a wonderful space here,” she said. “It’s a really nice lounge area.” With plants scattered throughout the facility and overhead strung lights, they have worked to create a serene, tranquil, and supportive vibe that promotes relaxation and community. Foster said that we cannot take away the stress of each day, but we can improve how we respond to it, and that is what they are all about.

“The whole vibe is community-based,” she said. Although you can participate individually, most people go in groups or even organize a “wellness party.” Their wellness parties last two hours; within that time, participants are given robes and slippers, and they can go back and forth between the sauna and cold plunge, enjoy other wellness activities, drink hot tea, and relax together, seeking wellness.

“It’s a shared experience,” Foster said. “We need more time together to form these bonds and relationships. It’s so much fun! It’s an experience unlike
any other.”

Foster encourages the community to visit their facility and take advantage of a complimentary tour.

“Our motto is you deserve to relax and feel good,” she said. “We feel that people deserve it.”