Guidebook for Amherst County & Surrounding
Food scene
Vitos Pizza Bar & Grill
188 Richmond HwyGood Italian Food, a local favorite.
Small place with a big craft beer selection and very good burgers and sandwiches. It can get crowded, so calling in an order to go might be a good option.
16 locals recommend
The Filling Station
102 Lexington TurnpikeSmall place with a big craft beer selection and very good burgers and sandwiches. It can get crowded, so calling in an order to go might be a good option.
El Mariachi Mexican Food
37 Tanbark PlazaMexican food
One of 2 La Lacarreta less than 2 minutes apart, Its the most popular Restaurant in the county.
8 locals recommend
La Carreta Mexican Restaurant
4678 S Amherst HwyOne of 2 La Lacarreta less than 2 minutes apart, Its the most popular Restaurant in the county.
This is where all the locals meet up. Live music some nights. The food is good, but lately service has been slow, so don’t go here if your in a hurry.
26 locals recommend
The Briar Patch Restaurant
883 S Main StThis is where all the locals meet up. Live music some nights. The food is good, but lately service has been slow, so don’t go here if your in a hurry.
One of 2 La Lacarreta less than 2 minutes apart, Its the most popular Restaurant in the county.
8 locals recommend
La Carreta Mexican Restaurant
4678 S Amherst HwyOne of 2 La Lacarreta less than 2 minutes apart, Its the most popular Restaurant in the county.
There are lots of good places to eat in downtown Lynchburg, This is the one we end up eating at the most.
74 locals recommend
Depot Grille
10 9th StThere are lots of good places to eat in downtown Lynchburg, This is the one we end up eating at the most.
Little pie shop just up the road. Featured by Southern Living and PBS for their awesome pies.
16 locals recommend
Woodruff's Cafe and Pie Shop
3297 Elon RdLittle pie shop just up the road. Featured by Southern Living and PBS for their awesome pies.
Enjoy a rolled ice cream, or one of the other treats on the menu. You can’t go wrong. Near the black water creek trails for a nice walk.
41 locals recommend
MayLynn’s Creamery Downtown
1016 Jefferson StEnjoy a rolled ice cream, or one of the other treats on the menu. You can’t go wrong. Near the black water creek trails for a nice walk.
Laid back, great food and a large selection of craft beer on tap. Oysters, and seafood, burgers and sandwiches.
85 locals recommend
The Water Dog
1016 Jefferson StLaid back, great food and a large selection of craft beer on tap. Oysters, and seafood, burgers and sandwiches.
Waterstone Pizza
1309 Jefferson StBootleggers
50 13th StRA Bistro
1344 Main StShoemakers
1312 Commerce StGood bbq joint to drop in if you are over the mountain towards Natural Bridge or the Safari Park
15 locals recommend
JJ's Meat Shak
1607 Magnolia AveGood bbq joint to drop in if you are over the mountain towards Natural Bridge or the Safari Park
Biscuitville
4712 South Amherst HighwayWhat A Blessing Bakery
195 Ambriar PlazaMrs. Joy's Absolutely Fabulous Treats
1008B Commerce StI Have not been here yet, but I have heard good things. They locally sourced as much of their food as they can, including Morris Orchard peaches on occasion.
Call ahead for reservations.
Bonfire Smokehouse & Whisky Bar
188 South Main StreetI Have not been here yet, but I have heard good things. They locally sourced as much of their food as they can, including Morris Orchard peaches on occasion.
Call ahead for reservations.
If your looking for an upscale steakhouse this is it. Go to their website to make reservations ahead of time.
30 locals recommend
William & Henry Steakhouse
712 Church StIf your looking for an upscale steakhouse this is it. Go to their website to make reservations ahead of time.
Hidden gem for steak and seafood. Call ahead as seating is limited. No kids menu, but my daughter loves the Mac n cheese.
12 locals recommend
Mountain Mama's
632 Front StHidden gem for steak and seafood. Call ahead as seating is limited. No kids menu, but my daughter loves the Mac n cheese.
Entertainment & Activities
Great place to take kids, loaded with educational activities, and slides. They will have a blast.
111 locals recommend
Amazement Square
27 9th StGreat place to take kids, loaded with educational activities, and slides. They will have a blast.
Kids will enjoy riding through the safari Park and feeding the animals. There is also a zoo area to walk through and see more animals. My daughter liked the bird enclosure, where the birds can eat from your had from seed sticks you purchase.
97 locals recommend
Virginia Safari Park
229 Safari LnKids will enjoy riding through the safari Park and feeding the animals. There is also a zoo area to walk through and see more animals. My daughter liked the bird enclosure, where the birds can eat from your had from seed sticks you purchase.
Morris Orchard
226 Tobacco Row LnThis is Us, You will be staying on the Farm.
SeaQuest Lynchburg
3405 Candlers Mountain RdCraft Beverage
Loose Shoe is a small Craft Brewery Located in the town of Amherst. Friendly staff, Good Service and Good Beer. They also keep a their non-alcoholic Root Beer on tap.
15 locals recommend
Loose Shoe Brewing Company
198 Ambriar PlazaLoose Shoe is a small Craft Brewery Located in the town of Amherst. Friendly staff, Good Service and Good Beer. They also keep a their non-alcoholic Root Beer on tap.
Blue Mountain Barrel house allows you to sip beer at their main production facility. Food Truck serving a selection from the Blue mountain brewery restaurant is there seasonally on Fridays and Saturdays.
43 locals recommend
Blue Mountain Barrel House
495 Cooperative WayBlue Mountain Barrel house allows you to sip beer at their main production facility. Food Truck serving a selection from the Blue mountain brewery restaurant is there seasonally on Fridays and Saturdays.
Lazy Days Winery
1351 N Amherst HwyRebec Vineyards
2229 N Amherst HwyAnkida Ridge Vineyards
1304 Franklin Creek RdVirginia Distillery Co.
299 Eades LnLoose Shoe Brewing Company
198 Ambriar PlazaMicrobrewery in the town of Amherst.
Blue Mountain Brewery
9519 Critzer Shop RdAlbemarle Ciderworks makes dry ciders using traditional cider apples. They are similar to what the Thomas Jefferson would have been familiar with.
50 locals recommend
Albemarle CiderWorks
2545 Rural Ridge LnAlbemarle Ciderworks makes dry ciders using traditional cider apples. They are similar to what the Thomas Jefferson would have been familiar with.
Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub
200 Mosbys RunHikes and Trails
There are many opportunities to explore nature in the area, here are a few hikes and trails that may be of interest.
Natural Bridge State Park
6477 S Lee HwyVisit the Natural Bridge a Historic Landmark.
Devils Marbleyard is an easy hike in that opens up to a hillside of large boulders. It is an interesting place to explore and for photos.
Devil's Marbleyard Trail
Devil's Marbleyard TrailDevils Marbleyard is an easy hike in that opens up to a hillside of large boulders. It is an interesting place to explore and for photos.
Nice area for a walk before or after dinner in downtown Lynchburg.
123 locals recommend
Blackwater Creek Natural Area
Nice area for a walk before or after dinner in downtown Lynchburg.
Walking bridge across the James river, connects to the Appalachian trail. It is a neat place to explore and a can be a quick stop. The parking area is often full though.
9 locals recommend
James River Foot Bridge
Appalachian National Scenic TrailWalking bridge across the James river, connects to the Appalachian trail. It is a neat place to explore and a can be a quick stop. The parking area is often full though.
Walking trail through an old railroad tunnel.
57 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, East Trailhead
215 Afton Depot LnWalking trail through an old railroad tunnel.
Otter Lake Loop Trail
Easy walk down and around otter creek and lake.
Nice place for a walk or bike ride across the James River after dinner in Downtown Lynchburg.
77 locals recommend
Percival's Island Natural Area
1600 Concord TurnpikeNice place for a walk or bike ride across the James River after dinner in Downtown Lynchburg.
Flat trail on an old railroad bed. Easy walk or bike ride for kids.
24 locals recommend
Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail Piney River Trail Head
3124 Patrick Henry HwyFlat trail on an old railroad bed. Easy walk or bike ride for kids.
This is one of the more popular hikes around. It is 3.6 miles trail winds up the mountain with views of the tallest series of falls east of the Mississippi. It is a long sloping waterfall.
212 locals recommend
Crabtree Falls
This is one of the more popular hikes around. It is 3.6 miles trail winds up the mountain with views of the tallest series of falls east of the Mississippi. It is a long sloping waterfall.
Popular hike up sharp top mountain from the Peaks of Otter. This is a steep hike with great views at the top. Peaks of Otter Lodge restaurant is at the bottom of the mountain.
41 locals recommend
Sharp Top Mountain Trailhead
Sheep Creek RoadPopular hike up sharp top mountain from the Peaks of Otter. This is a steep hike with great views at the top. Peaks of Otter Lodge restaurant is at the bottom of the mountain.
Essentials
Groceries
Food Lion
4925 Boonsboro RdWalmart Supercenter
3227 Old Forest Rd