Mother’s Day is just around the corner and now is the time to start planning a unique, locally focused day to help any mother in your life feel the most celebrated. Here are four ways to celebrate mom this year right in our own backyard.
Picnic at Peaks of Otter
Take your mom for a scenic drive to Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pack a delicious picnic with her favorite foods, enjoy the stunning views of the mountains, or take a leisurely hike together.
The Peaks of Otter Picnic Area offers 58 picnic tables and grills scattered along a half mile of Little Stony Creek. The picnic sites range from small, cozy tables alongside the creek to large expansive sites perfect for a larger crowd.
Many of the sites have a charcoal grill for you to prepare your mom’s favorite cookout foods. All tables and sites are available on a first come, first served basis. The Peaks of Otter Picnic Area is an open-air area with no covered tables or seating during inclement weather. The picnic area is open seasonally starting in May—just in time for Mother’s Day.
There are a number of hikes around the area, ranging from the stunning and strenuous Sharp Top hike to an easy and meandering stroll around Abbott Lake.
Artistic Workshop
Enroll in an art workshop together at the Academy Center of the Arts. They often offer one-day workshops where you can learn a new artistic skill like painting, pottery, or jewelry making.
Upcoming classes include a highly-anticipated Lego Architecture Workshop, Pottery Basics, Summer Palette Painting, and more.
Historical Tour
Explore Lynchburg’s rich history with a self-guided or staff-guided tour of historic sites like the Old City Cemetery or the Lynchburg Museum. Many tours offer fascinating insights into the city’s past.
Old City Cemetery is an extraordinary 27-acre public garden and history park. Despite being an active place of burial and remembrance, it is one of the busiest and most popular attractions in the City.
Established in 1806, Old City Cemetery is the oldest municipal cemetery in Virginia still in use today. A village of five small museums helps to tell the stories of the diverse population of nearly 20,000 buried here. The grounds are also filled with hundreds of varieties of native and heirloom plants, including the largest public collection of antique roses in the state of Virginia. Their gates are open dawn to dusk, every day of the year.
The Lynchburg Museum System manages the official history museums and archives of the City of Lynchburg. The Museum System is responsible for operating two museums: the Lynchburg Museum at the Old Court House and Point of Honor, the historic site on Daniel’s Hill. These museums care for over 40,000 artifacts and share the diverse stories of three centuries of local history.
Or, opt for a Curious History Walking Tour, an hour-long journey into the depths of the city of the Seven Hills. Tour guests have the option to attend a public tour; a private tour, where groups can bring their friends and family; or even create a custom experience such as hiring a performer to host a personal event or enjoy a custom tour/experience created for a business.
Gourmet Cooking Class
Sign up for a gourmet cooking class in the Flour District’s Teaching Kitchen. Classes include pasta making, baking skills, culinary basics, wine tasting events, and much more. Classes are taught by local industry professionals, who are experts in their field.
Upcoming classes include cupcake decorating, ravioli making, pizza making, and baking 101. Registration usually fills up quickly, so peruse the available classes soon to secure a class in time for Mother’s Day. Private classes are also available.
