Summer in the ‘Burg
July 23, 2018
Written by: Danielle Ledgerwood
Summer in Lynchburg has a certain flair to it.
Once you get used to the Southern summer trifecta: insanely frequent thunderstorms, the sweltering combination of heat and humidity, and the relentless hordes of mosquitos, it’s actually quite nice.
There’s a stillness in the summer. Time slows down, days feel longer (especially when there’s light until 9 p.m.) and thoughts of school drift from your consciousness. That is – unless you’re one of the lucky few still in town for intensives.
During the summer, the majority of the Liberty student population is mostly absent, meaning the restaurants and local attractions in town aren’t nearly as crowded with college-aged kids.
The most frequent question I find myself asking: what is there to do?
When the weather cooperates and the air is not sweltering, there are a lot of things to do outdoors that are both physically active and fun.
- Go hiking. Whether you hit up a classic like Sharp Top, Humpback Rock, or McAfee’s Knob, or want to try something new like Crabtree Falls or Devil’s Marble Yard, just be sure you take a buddy and always obey posted signs and warnings.
- The James River flows right through downtown Lynchburg and offers opportunities for float trips or kayaking excursions. Although Outdoor Rec doesn’t rent out our kayaks during the summer months, there are other local outfitters that do.
- Go for a run on Blackwater Creek Trail or the Liberty Mountain Trail System.
- Take a swim at Miller Park or David’s Place Pool.
After a day of adventuring, you can always support the local minor league baseball team, the Lynchburg Hillcats, by going to one of their games at Lynchburg City Stadium. If you just want to unwind over good food, the patios at Bootleggers or El Jefe, or the rooftop at the newly reopened Virginian Hotel, are all perfect atmospheres for a quiet sunset dinner with good company.
When the weather is inevitably unbearable and you just need a break from it, there are a few things that I found to keep me entertained indoors:
- If there’s one thing Lynchburg has in abundance, it’s coffee shops. Whether you stop by The White Hart or Dublin3 downtown, 5th Street Grind or the new Bedford Ave hotspot Golf Park, or just stick to a local staple like The Muse, Bean Tree, or Third Wave, you’ll never find yourself very far from your favorite caffeinated beverage.
- Summer DIY projects. Build a desk, paint a canvas, or sand and stain your coffee table. Get your living space ready for the school year or just reorganize your closet.
- Get yourself a Movie Pass. Trading off between the Regal Theater at the River Ridge Mall or the discount Venue Cinema, it’s a perfect way to spend an afternoon and get out of the humidity for a while.
- If all else fails, get in your car, blast the AC, put on some good music, and cruise down the Blue Ridge Parkway.
There’s lots to do in Lynchburg if you give it a chance. Get creative, get together with friends, and find something in this city to make your summer days fly by.