A stay in Lynchburg can bring together nature, history and culture in different ways: paved trails through an urban forest, a tour of a house that includes a video and museum visit, and a downtown campus with performing arts, galleries and classes. When planning your stay, first choose the focus that interests you most. For outdoor exercise and wildlife watching, the two trails offer different experiences. At Historic Sandusky, the visit is divided into several program elements; Point of Honor’s grounds are open year-round during set hours. The Academy Center of the Arts adds several types of events and art classes offered year-round to the mix.
Trail distances and nature watching
The Blackwater Creek Trail is three miles long, paved and runs through an urban forest. It is suitable for jogging, walking and cycling. The Creekside Trail follows Blackwater Creek for about five miles through a steep-sided creek valley. It offers opportunities for birdwatching and year-round wildlife watching. Your choice depends on what you are looking for: the paved surface and the activities mentioned define the Blackwater Creek Trail, while the creek, valley and wildlife watching characterize the Creekside Trail. The different trail lengths also offer a point of comparison: three miles for the Blackwater Creek Trail versus about five miles for the Creekside Trail.
Planning a visit to Historic Sandusky and Point of Honor
A visit to Historic Sandusky includes a video of about 15 minutes on the Battle of Lynchburg, a 30- to 45-minute tour of the house and a visit to a small museum. The video and tour together take about 45 to 60 minutes; the museum visit is in addition to that. Check in advance whether you need to make an appointment, as requirements may change.
The four-acre grounds of Point of Honor are open to visitors 365 days a year, from morning until evening. Access details may change, so check them before your visit. The two sites differ in terms of timing: at Historic Sandusky, the approximate durations of the video and tour help you plan individual parts of the visit; at Point of Honor, the grounds’ daily opening hours provide the time frame.
Arts and events downtown
The downtown campus of the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg includes the restored 1905 Historic Academy of Music Theatre, a black-box theater, a pottery studio and several art galleries. Its program ranges from live concerts, plays and comedy shows to visual art exhibitions. Art classes for all ages are also offered year-round. The offerings therefore include live performances, visual arts and a program of classes. If you are interested in a particular concert, play or exhibition, check the dates in advance.
For the broader travel overview: Lynchburg.
