When you stay at Winridge Manor, whether for a vacation or a weekend getaway, you will discover a treasure trove of attractions and activities in the Lynchburg, VA area. If you are not sure where to begin, your innkeepers would be happy to help you plan an itinerary for your visit. To get you started, here are brief descriptions of some of the things you might enjoy seeing and doing near the inn.
You will want to begin your exploration of Lynchburg by visiting the Lynchburg Visitor Information Center. There you will find a wealth of information, including a self-guided walking tour brochure for Lynchburg’s Historic Districts. These seven stunning neighborhoods sprang up in Lynchburg during the 19th Century when tobacco tycoons, doctors, and attorneys made Lynchburg the wealthiest city in the nation for its size. You will delight in seeing the impressive Queen Ann and Federal style mansions and in learning about the historic families who called Lynchburg home.
Along your tour, you will encounter Point of Honor, a stately home built by Dr. George Cabell, Sr. around 1815. Dr. Cabell, a renowned physician, was the personal physician for Patrick Henry, one of our nation’s founding fathers. Point of Honor was later the home of several prominent Lynchburg area families, including the Daniels, the Paynes, and the Owens.
Point of Honor is open to visitors every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Monday – Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday noon-4pm
Admission is $6.00 for adults.
Welcome to a cemetery like no other! This 27-acre public garden, burial ground and wedding center offers visitors a glimpse into Lynchburg’s past and present. Established in 1806, more than 2,200 Civil War soldiers are buried here. Admission is free from dawn to dusk daily for self-guided tours. There are also guided tours available with advanced notice. During October, costumed actors take guests on candlelit tours, which typically cost $18.00 per person. This requires advance tickets that go on sale September 15th.
Come and experience one of the nation’s oldest markets. Established in 1783, the Lynchburg Community Market, now located in the heart of downtown Lynchburg on the corner of 12th and Main Street, plays a vital role in our beautiful downtown as a community gathering place. It offers the very best products from our region. Hours are Tuesday- Saturday, 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
Just outside the Lynchburg city limits you will find Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s retreat home. This distinctive octagonal home is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Visiting Poplar Forest offers a unique opportunity to explore the personal world of Jefferson, and to learn about the people—both free and enslaved. Poplar Forest is open to the public for tours and events from March 14th through December 30th. Hours are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM with the last tour leaving at 4:05. Tickets are $16 for adults.
Come celebrate history. The Battle of Appomattox Court House, fought on the morning of April 9, 1865, was one of the last battles of the American Civil War. It was here that General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia surrendered to the Union Army under Ulysses S. Grant. The Visitor Center is FREE and open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. -with the exception of closures on the following federal holidays during the winter: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Once owned by Thomas Jefferson and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this majestic 215-foot tall Natural Bridge is a limestone gorge carved out by the Cedar Creek. While here, you will want to take the easy hike along the Cedar Creek Trail that leads from the bridge to the Monacan Indian Village and Lace Falls with its 30-foot cascade. The Park is open from 9:00 AM till 5:00 PM and admission is $8 for adults. The Natural Bridge area also offers a wonderful cave within walking distance of the bridge, a zoo and a drive-through Safari Park.
You can easily spend a full day exploring Lexington, Virginia. Take time to stroll down the city streets, visit VMI and Washington and Lee University campuses, tour Lee’s Chapel and see Stonewall Jackson’s Memorial Cemetery. However, the best way to experience Lexington is by taking a fascinating journey back in time via a Historical Lexington Horse and Carriage Ride. Enjoy this fully narrated tour to the sound of hoof beats as you visit several historical sites. Tickets are $16 for adults.
Enjoy discovering quaint Charlottesville and the homesteads of two early-American presidents — Monticello (Thomas Jefferson) and Ash Lawn-Highland (James Monroe). Charlottesville features terrific Revolutionary War-era architecture and is home to the University of Virginia.