User:(WT-en) Jpatch/Lynchburg

Lynchburg is an independent city of 75,000 in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It lies east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia.

Understand
Lynchburg, Virginia began in 1757 as a ferry town, fording traffic across the James River. The city is built on centuries of history, boasting strong connections to Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other early American patriots. Because of the city's use by the Confederacy as a supply and hospital center, it served as a battlefield in the American Civil War. Lynchburg has been designated a portion of Virginia's Rail Heritage Region. Lynchburg's historic districts contain many beautiful homes from the 19th century.

Lynchburg's name is derived from its founder, John Lynch, who, at the age of 17, began a ferry service across the James River to facilitate travel to and from New London. He would later be responsible for the bridge which would make his ferry service obsolete. Despite common misconceptions, neither John Lynch nor Lynchburg is associated with the origination of term, "lynching," though it may have originated with John's brother, Charles.

Geography and climate
Lynchburg's nickname, the "City of Seven Hills," is very descriptive of the geography of the city. Though it refers most directly to the hills near where the city was founded, these hills extend far beyond the riverfront at the James River. The area includes much of Candlers Mountain.

Spring in Lynchburg is short-lived, often it is simply a period of wide fluctuation between mid-late winter and early-mid summer temperatures. Summers are humid and hot with temperatures generally reaching 90°F. Autumns are mild; temperatures stay somewhere between 40°F and 55°F. Once winter hits, temperatures will top out near freezing until February and, perhaps, beyond. Recently, winters have brought lots of snow to the Lynchburg area, bringing about three one-foot snowstorms each winter.

Generally, storms will pass through over the course of a few hours, but rain systems without lightning and thunder will stick in Lynchburg for days at a time, lending to the nickname "Drenchburg." When there is wind in Lynchburg, it tends to be a very high wind. Unlike nearby areas, the warmest part of the day in this part of Virginia is generally 5PM.

Information Center

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By car
Lynchburg currently does not have direct interstate access. Instead, you can get to Lynchburg by one of three major US Routes: US 29 North and South, US 460 East and West, and US 501 North and South. US 501, however, is generally only convenient for travel from the immediate northwest and southeast.

Travelers from the north should note that US 29 currently merges with US 460 at a three-way junction. When traveling to Lynchburg via US 29S, a right exit is required to continue along US 29S / US 460W. Changes to this intersection are currently in progress.

By plane
Lynchburg Regional Airport  is located just south of the city limits alongside US 29. Piedmont Airlines operates a US Airways Express regional flight between Lynchburg Regional Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, NC. These flights operate on a schedule of approximately one plane arriving and departing every two hours. The airport offers a café with free wireless access.

By train
Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg is a stop on two Amtrak-operated passenger services: The Crescent Line and the Northeast Regional. The Crescent runs through Lynchburg on its way between New York City and New Orleans. For the Northeast Regional, Lynchburg serves as one of two southern terminals. The train continues from Lynchburg toward either Boston or Springfield, MA.

By car
Driving is perhaps the most convenient way to get around Lynchburg. Apart from the Downtown area, most of the city is not very friendly to pedestrian traffic.

The Lynchburg Expressway connects most of the major roadways in Lynchburg, intersecting and merging with the business segments of US 29, US 460, and US 501.

The official city limits may require that you drive outside the official city limits before reentering the city further on. For instance, the planned community at Wyndhurst, officially within the Lynchburg City Limits, can only be accessed via Enterprise Drive. This road begins and ends in two different counties. Also note that a few major roads change names with no indication as to where these changes take place. For examples, Lakeside Dr becomes Forest Rd, Fort Ave becomes Timberlake Rd, and Memorial Ave becomes Fifth St.

Several lots and limited on-street parking are available in Downtown Lynchburg. Two lots, the Midtown and Clay Street Parking Decks, are metered, operating on the mPARK system used in several other cities in the United States and abroad.

During the afternoon rush hour (4:45PM - 5:45PM), Candlers Mountain Rd, Wards Rd, and Timberlake Rd experience significantly increased traffic. Drivers arriving in Lynchburg during rush hour should be wary of exiting onto Candlers Mountain Rd in particular, as the timing of the first two intersections off US 460 tend to cause drivers to become trapped in the first one at Mayflower Dr.

By taxi
Several dispatch taxi services operate in Lynchburg.
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By bus
Greater Lynchburg Transit Company (GLTC) offers bus services to the area. Single-direction trips are $1.50, and day and multi-day passes are available. Most routes run though the Plaza Shopping Center as a central hub and transfer point. Because of this layout, however, travel from some points in the city to others may take in excess of an hour in spite of being only a few miles away. GLTC also operates intracampus bus services to Liberty University. This service is free to students, faculty, and visitors.

See

 * Open during the college academic year only.
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 * This historic house served as the Union Headquarters during the Civil War Battle of Lynchburg. Sandusky is open by appointment.
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 * Commemorates Lynchburg citizens who fought and died in the Civil War, Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. A 139-step staircase, the terrace's base is located at the intersection of 9th and Church Streets and ends at Court Street in front of the Lynchburg Museum.
 * The oldest continuously-operated public cemetery in Virginia, museums on-site give a glimpse into rituals of mourning over the centuries.
 * Located in the former Lynchburg court house. Parking is located in the Clay Parking Deck immediately behind the building.
 * 37 acre park includes a pool and a beautiful historic aviary, now used as a banquet hall.
 * 47 acre park includes the Sprayground, an outdoor water playground.
 * 250 acre park includes may trails, sports fields, a frisbee golf course, and picnic facilities.

Do
Lynchburg's hills make the city great for hiking and recreational biking. Percival's Island Trail, which connects with the Blackwater Creek Trail, forms a 13.5 mile paved trail that travels through Lynchburg. The trail can be accessed at three major points off Washington St, Jefferson St, and Langhorne Rd. The trail follows both the James River and the Blackwater Creek. Off of the trail there are several hiking and mountain biking opportunities. Liberty University also maintains a mountain biking and hiking trail on Candlers Mountain.

Lynchburg hosts a minor-league professional baseball team as well as colleges with active athletics departments.
 * Offers bicycle sales, repair, and rentals. Located near the connection between the Blackwater Creek Bikeway and RiverWalk trails.</do>
 * <do name="DASANI Community Bicycle Program" alt="" address="1755 Park Ave" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="Free">Rentals of single-speed bikes are avaiable through the city's Department of Parks and Recreation. The bikes are located near Kemper Street Station at 1755 Park Ave, but users must register for the service at 301 Grove St from 8:30AM-5PM, Monday through Friday. Residents of Lynchburg and the surrounding counties are registered indefinitely; all others are registered for five days.</do>
 * <do name="Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre" alt="" address="4000 Candlers Mountain Rd" directions="" phone="+1 866 504-7541" email="snowflex@liberty.edu" fax="" url="http://www.liberty.edu/snowflex" hours="M-Th Noon-Midnight, F Noon-1:00AM, Sa 10AM-1AM, Su 1PM-Midnight" price="$5/non-peak hour, $7/peak hour, $12 ski/board rentals, $5 tube rental">This year-round ski resort is made possible with an artificial terrain technology that makes the resort the first of its kind in the United States.</do>
 * <do name="LaHaye Ice Center" alt="" address="1971 University Blvd" directions="Directly across from Extended Stay America at 1910 University Blvd" phone="+1 434 592-3953" url="http://www.lahayeicecenter.net" hours="M-F 11:30AM-1:30PM; F-Sa 7PM-9PM, Su 1PM-3PM" price="$5 Admission, $3 Rental" lat="" long="" email="lahayeicecenter@liberty.edu" fax="+1 434 522-0549">Open year round, hours subject to change for summer.</do>
 * <do name="Lynchburg Hillcats Baseball" alt="" address="3180 Fort Ave" directions="" phone="+1 434 528-1144" email="" fax="+1 434 846-0768" url="http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t481" hours="" price="">Class A Advanced affiliate to the Atlanta Braves. Free parking for all games located behind the stadium.</do>
 * <do name="Liberty Flames Athletics" alt="" address="1971 University Blvd" directions="Box office is located in the Vines Center" phone="+1 434 582-7328" email="tickets@liberty.edu" fax="" url="http://www.libertyflames.com" hours="" price="">NCAA Division I (FCS football), Big South Conference.</do>
 * <do name="Lynchburg Hornets Athletics" alt="" address="1501 Lakeside Dr" directions="" phone="+1 434 544-8286" email="" fax="+1 434 544-8365" url="http://athletics.lynchburg.edu/" hours="" price="">NCAA Division III, Old Dominion Athletic Conference</do>
 * <do name="Randolph WildCat Athletics" alt="" address="2500 Rivermont Ave" directions="" phone="+1 434 947-8536" email="" fax="+1 434 947-8859" url="http://wildcats.randolphcollege.edu/" hours="" price="">NCAA Division III, Old Dominion Athletic Conference</do>
 * <do name="Renaissance Theatre" alt="" address="1022 Commerce St" directions="" phone="+1 434 845-4427" email="" fax="RTC@rtc-lynchburg.info" url="http://www.renaissancetheatre.info/" hours="" price=""></do>
 * <do name="Liberty University Tower Theater" alt="" address="1971 University Blvd" directions="Inside Campus North beside the Tilley Student Union" phone="+1 434 582-7328" email="" fax="" url="http://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=2876" hours="" price="Adults $12, Seniors $10, Students $7"></do>
 * <do name="Lynchburg College Theater" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 434 544-8380" email="theatre@lynchburg.edu" fax="" url="http://www.lynchburg.edu/theatre.xml" hours="" price="Adults $10, Seniors $8, Students $5"></do>
 * <do name="Randolph College Theater" alt="" address="2500 Rivermont Ave" directions="" phone="+1 434 947-8562" email="kparks@randolphcollege.edu" fax="" url="http://faculty.randolphcollege.edu/theatre/" hours="" price="Adults $12, Seniors $7, Students $5"></do>
 * <do name="Regal Cinemas River Ridge Stadium 14" alt="" address="3411 Candlers Mountain Rd" directions="Inside the River Ridge Mall" phone="+1 800 326-3264" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">This theater is brand-new to the mall, and is accessible through the mall. Premium 3D showings.</do>
 * <do name="Cinemark Movies 10" alt="" address="3700 Candlers Mountain Rd" directions="Inside the Candlers Mountain Shopping Center" phone="+1 800 326-3264 ext. 1190" email="" fax="" hours="" price="$1.00 - $2.00" url="">Commonly known as the "Dollar Theater," this theater shows second-run films at a discounted price. Premium for 3D showings.</do>

Buy

 * <buy name="Givens Books and Little Dickens" alt="" address="2236 Lakeside Dr" directions="" phone="+1 434 385-5027" email="" fax="+1 434 385-6382 " url="http://givensbooks.com/" hours="M-F 8AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-7PM, Oct-Dec Sa 9AM-9PM" price="">Independently-owned bookstore also serving as a teacher supply, toy store, and café. Sells new, used, and antique books.
 * <buy name="Outdoor Trails" alt="" address="4925 Boonsboro Rd #2" directions="" phone="+1 434 386-4302" email="john@outdoortrails.com" fax="+1 434 386-4306" url="http://www.outdoortrails.com/" hours="M-F 10AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-6PM" price="">Wide selection of quality camping, hiking, and other sporting goods. Prepare to be greeted by two well-behaved dogs, both good with children.
 * <buy name="Lynchburg Community Market" alt="" address="219 Main Street" directions="" phone="+1 434 455-4485" email="" fax="+1 434 847-1552" url="http://www.lynchburgcommunitymarket.com" hours="" price="">Indoor/outdoor farmers' market and more. Seasonal offerings, several locally-owned restaurants, and many locally-made crafts.
 * <buy name="Easter Island" alt="" address="5505 White Oak Dr" directions="Located behind Long John Silver's on Wards Rd" phone="+1 434 237-4700" email="easterislandinc@easterisland-va.com" url="http://www.easterisland-va.com" hours="M-Sa 10AM-7PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price="" lat="" long="">Quirky shop with locally-crafted jewelry, a wide selection of incense, clothing, unusual musical instruments, and much more.

Budget

 * <eat name="La Carreta Mexican" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="http://www.lacarretaonline.com/" hours="M-F 11AM-2:30PM &amp; 5PM-11PM, Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-2:30PM &amp; 5PM-9PM" price="$7-$11" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">Authentic Mexican restaurant with several locations in the area.
 * <eat name="" alt="" address="2245 Langhorne Rd" directions="" phone="+1 434 528-6800" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">
 * <eat name="" alt="" address="8004 Timberlake Rd" directions="" phone="+1 434 239-9701" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">
 * <eat name="" alt="" address="120 Simons Run" directions="" phone="+1 434 237-4009" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">


 * <eat name="Texas Inn" alt="" address="422 Main St" directions="" phone="+1 434 846-3823" email="" fax="" url="" hours="Daily, 24 hours, closed Christmas Day" price="">
 * <eat name="StikFire Grill" alt="" address="2629 Wards Rd" directions="" phone="+1 434 832-7066" email="" fax="" url="http://www.stikfiregrill.com" hours="M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-7PM" price="$8-$12">A unique on-a-stick grill with outdoor seating and great prices.

Mid-range

 * <eat name="King's Island Restaurant" alt="" address="2804 Old Forest Road" directions="" phone="+1 434 384-0066" email="info@kingsislandrestaurant.com" fax="+1 434 384-0068" url="http://www.kingsislandrestaurant.com/" hours="" price="">Voted best Chinese year after year.
 * <eat name="WaterStone Pizza" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su noon-10PM" price="$10-$15">
 * <eat name="Sakura" alt="" address="6113 Fort Ave" directions="" phone="+1 434 237-3900" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F 11AM-10:30PM, Sa 2PM-10:30PM" price="">Low-key Japanese restaurant. Not a dinner-and-show restaurant, but great food.
 * <eat name="Depot Grille" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11AM-9PM" price="">

Splurge

 * <eat name="Bull Branch" alt="" address="109 11th St" directions="" phone="+1 434 847-8477" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-Tu 8PM-1AM, W 6PM-1AM, Th-Sa 6PM-2AM, Su 8PM-midnight" price="">
 * <eat name="Koto" alt="" address="2160 Wards Rd" directions="" phone="+1 434 237-9134" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Teppanyaki-style Japanese steakhouse with sushi bar. Offers free dinner meals for birthdays (dine-in only, show ID for verification).
 * <eat name="Shoemakers American Grille" alt="" address="1312 Commerce St" directions="" phone="+1 434 455-1510" email="" fax="+1 434 455-1511" url="http://www.shoemakersdining.com/" hours="M-F 11AM-2:30PM & 4:30PM-10PM, Sa 4:30PM - 10PM" price="$12-$40">Offers private rooms and extensive wine selection.

Drink

 * <drink name="Inklings Bookshop & The White Hart" alt="" address="1208 Main Street" directions="" phone="+1 434 455-1659" email="Inklings@ntelos.net" fax="" url="http://www.inklingswhitehart.com/" hours="M-Sa 7:30AM-10PM" price="">
 * <drink name="The Drowsey Poet" alt="" address="3700 Candlers Mountain Rd" directions="In the Candlers Mountain Shopping Center" phone="+1 434 845-8800" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-Th 7AM-11PM, F 7AM-midnight, Sa 9AM-midnight, Su noon-10PM" price="">
 * <drink name="The Muse Coffee Company" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 434 237-8878" email="" fax="" url="http://www.themusecoffeeco.com/" hours="" price="">Local coffee roaster.
 * <drink name="The Muse Coffee Company" alt="" address="1509 Enterprise Dr" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="M-W 7AM–10PM, Th–Fr 7AM–11PM, Sa 8AM–11PM" price="">
 * <drink name="The Muse Eight-Thirty Club" alt="" address="1415 Kemper St" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="W 4PM–9PM, Th 4PM–9PM, F 4PM–11PM" price="">


 * <drink name="Phase2 Dining & Entertainment Club" alt="" address="4009 Murray Place" directions="" phone="+1 434 846-3206" email="" fax="" url="http://phase2club.com/" hours="" price="">
 * <drink name="The Comedy Zone at the Kirkley Hotel" alt="" address="2900 Candlers Mountain Road " directions="" phone="+1 434 455-1319" email="tickets@kirkleyhotel.com" fax="" url="http://www.comedyzone-lynchburg.com/" hours="" price="">

Sleep

 * <sleep name="The Residence Bed & Breakfast" alt="" address="2460 Rivermont Ave" directions="" phone="+1 888 835-0387" email="" fax="" url="http://www.theresidencebb.com" checkin="" checkout="" price="">
 * <sleep name="Federal Crest Inn" alt="" address="1101 Federal St" directions="" phone="+1 800 818-6155" email="" fax="" url="http://www.federalcrest.com/" checkin="3PM-6PM" checkout="11AM" price="$165-$245">
 * <sleep name="Novell-Otey House" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 877 320-1020" email="" fax="+1 434 528-1188" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="$169-$199">
 * <sleep name="Ivy Creek Farm" alt="" address="2812 Link Rd" directions="" phone="+1 800 689-7404" email="" fax="" url="http://www.ivycreekfarm.com/" checkin="4-6PM" checkout="11AM" price="">
 * <sleep name="Craddock Terry Hotel" alt="" address="1312 Commerce St" directions="" phone="+1 434 455-1500" url="http://www.craddockterryhotel.com/" checkin="4PM" checkout="Noon" price="$169-$209" lat="" long="">Located on the waterfront of the James River a few hundred feet off of Main St.
 * <sleep name="Kirkley Hotel and Conference Center" alt="" address="2900 Candlers Mountain Road" directions="" phone="+1 866 510-6333" email="" fax="+1 434 237-4277" url="http://www.kirkleyhotel.com/" checkin="" checkout="" price="$83-$360">

Stay safe
For emergencies occurring on the campus of Liberty University, call the <listing name="Liberty University Police Department" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="+1 434 592-3911" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">

Get out

 * <do name="Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest" alt="" address="1542 Bateman Bridge Rd, Forest, VA 24551" directions="Avoid the bridge on Bateman Bridge by taking Thomas Jefferson Rd" phone="+1 434 525-1806" email="" fax="+1 434 525-7252" url="http://www.poplarforest.org/" hours="Daily 10AM-4PM" price="$14" priceextra="Discounts for children, students, seniors>Open from Mar 15 to Dec 15.</do>
 * <do name="National D-Day Memorial" alt="" address="3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, VA 24523" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.dday.org/" hours="Tu-Su 10AM-5PM" price="$7"></do>
 * <do name="Appomattox Court House National Historical Park" alt="" address="VA 24, Appomattox, VA 24522" directions="From U.S. 460, take 24E to U.S. 60" lat="37.37747" long="-78.79619" phone="+1 434 352-8987 ext 26" email="" fax="+1 434 352-8330" url="http://www.nps.gov/apco/index.htm" hours="" price="">Site of the surrender of the Confederate States of America. Reduced fees after Labor Day and before Memorial Day.</do>
 * <do name="Peaks of Otter Lodge" alt="" address="85554 Blue Ridge Parkway, Bedford, VA 24523" directions="" phone="+1 540 586-1081" email="peaksotter@aol.com" fax="+1 540 586-4420" url="http://www.peaksofotter.com/" hours="" price="">Restaurant and lodging at the base of Sharp Top Mountain.</do>
 * <do name="Crabtree Falls" alt="" address="11581 Crabtree Falls Hwy, Rt 56, Montebello, VA 24464" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="Free">Crabtree Falls is the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Viewing area at the base is handicap accessible.</do>
 * <do name="Natural Bridge" alt="" address="15 Appledore Lane, Natural Bridge, VA 24578" lat="37.628200" lon="-79.544653" directions="" phone="+1 800 533-1410" email="info@naturalbridgeva.com" fax="+1 540 291-1551" url="http://naturalbridgeva.com/" hours="" price="">Tickets for cavern and other Natural Bridge attractions are available separately or as a package.</do>