A Day You and Your Pup Won’t Forget in Lynchburg, VA
It’s said that 58% of owners would rather travel with their pet OVER a friend or family member.
And since Lynchburg has soooo many parks, trails, and dog-friendly restaurants, it’s a great destination to travel with your fur babies!
Here’s an epic itinerary for an unforgettable weekend visit that you and your pup will enjoy!
First, let’s make sure you’re both prepared before you leave.
What to Pack
comfortable walking shoes
water for you
travel water bowl & water for the pup
leash
poop bags
special dog treats for fun hikes (it’s a vacation, after all!)
Where to Stay
You could cram into a hotel room, but we think your fur babies deserve a place to spread out, run, and play.
Hilltop: 5 min to Liberty University, fenced yard + crate
Candy Apple: 5-10 min walk to downtown and nature trails, fenced yard + crate
Colonial Gem: across the street from an AWESOME park, fenced yard + crate
Artist House: luxe townhome, walk to anywhere downtown!
Village Home: 5 min to Liberty University & shopping w/ hot tub! Fenced yard, trails behind home
Now that you’re all settled in, it’s time for the fun.
Start Your Day off Right!
Oliver’s Restaurant
https://www.oliversonrivermont.com/
Rivermont
Grab some brunch on the patio at Oliver’s and sip mimosas while taking in the beauty of Rivermont Avenue, with the lovely campus of Randolph College right next door. Be sure to snap a pic of your pup and submit it on Oliver’s website! Your fur baby might just make it onto their wall of fame for all to admire :-) https://www.oliversonrivermont.com/photo-submission/
Next Up…Did someone say “puppy party”?!
If your pup likes to party with other dogs, there’s a great off-leash park in town. It’s fenced-in and offers two sections - one for the littles (under 30 lbs) and one for medium to bigger kids (30+ lbs). There are some water spigots and plenty of waste stations to keep the park clean.
Lynchburg Dog Park
https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/1991
515 Monticello Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24501
Know before you go:
Dogs must be at least 4 months old.
No aggressive dog behavior.
No female dogs in heat.
Dog handlers must leash their dog when entering or exiting the off-leash dog area and carry their leash at all times.
No more than 3 dogs per handler.
Dog handlers must be in control and in visual contact with their dogs at all times.
Dog handlers must SCOOP THE POOP and dispose of it in the proper containers provided.
Dogs shall not bark on a continuous or frequent basis.
Handlers must fill any holes/divots dug by their dog(s).
Children 7 years old and younger are not allowed in the off-leash dog area. Handlers must be 16 years of age or older. Parents must be in control of their children at all times.
All bites dog-to-human bites must be reported immediately to the Lynchburg Police Department at (434) 847-1602 or Ÿ911" during an emergency.
No smoking, eating, or glass containers allowed in off-leash dog area. Training treats are allowed, but no other food items.
Now it’s Time to Stretch YOUR Legs
We don’t think any trip to Lynchburg is complete without exploring Percival’s Island on the James River!
Percival’s Island and the LOVE Sign
https://www.lynchburgparksandrec.com/trails/riverwalk-trail/
Downtown
Park in the lot next to the LOVE sculpture downtown (Google Maps Link) and snap a commemorative photo of your visit to the Hill City. Continue on the paved path leading left from the LOVE sign, which will take you onto the old wooden bridge that crosses the James River. This is another great photo op!
Percival’s Island Trail
The trail is about a 1 ½ mile out-and-back, so feel free to go as far as you like. There’s another beautiful old wooden bridge a mile down to check out as well as some off-shoot dirt trails.
Who’s Hungry???
You’ve likely worked up an appetite. And whether it’s time for lunch or dinner, you won’t even have to leave downtown. Here’s a couple great options:
The Water Dog
https://www.thewaterdog.com/food
Downtown
If the weather’s nice, you’ll love the spacious outdoor dining seating options and there’s often live music on Friday and Saturday. The Water Dog ($10-20) has a wide variety of menu options, but they specialize in craft beers, raw oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and super yummy handhelds (like the burger, hot dogs, tacos, and other sandwiches).
Ask for the “Patio Pup,” and your dog will get a special treat!
Waterstone Pizza
https://www.waterstonepizza.com/
Downtown
If it's nice out, Waterstone Pizza has a great little outside patio. This restaurant is in the heart of historic downtown, and the atmosphere is super cute. Plus, it’s right around the corner from the LOVE sign.
Their fire-roasted pizzas are soooo good, yet “civilized” in size, which means super-hungry parties can order a few to share. And you can also get them gluten-free! Some local favorites are the Greek and CBR (chicken, bacon, ranch), but, seriously, they're all fantastic. The salads are awesome too!
Both the Water Dog AND Waterstone made our Top 10 Must-Try Restaurants in Lynchburg List. You can’t go wrong with either.
MayLynns Creamery Downtown
1016 Jefferson Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
Downtown
After dinner, cruise down the street to MayLynn’s Creamery (right next to The Water Dog). They serve some seriously delicious ice cream for you - try one of their “stackers” - and a pup cup for your lucky dog!!
What a day!
Seriously, who gets to do that with their pup?! Bravo!! We hope y’all had the most wonderful day on the town, creating lasting memories that make you smile every time you look back. We’d loooove to see what y’all got up to during your Lynchburg vacay! Be sure to share some pics on Instagram and tag us: @allbelong.co. 🤩
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