Lynchburg, Virginia, offers students the best of both worlds.
Our setting near the Blue Ridge Mountains and the James River means you’ll have lots of opportunities for outdoor fun. And because four other institutions of higher learning call Lynchburg home, the student population here is roughly 16,000. It’s the quintessential college town with plenty going on.
The Lynchburg area is home to a diverse community of more than 130,000 people and hundreds of dining and entertainment options. For instance, you can hear a wide range of live music at 10 area venues. Restaurants range from diners to upscale options. Trendy coffeehouses abound, and movie theaters are easy to get to.
And if that’s not enough for you, hop in the car: we’re an easy drive from both Richmond and Washington, D.C.
On just about any given day, you can:
Hike the Appalachian Trail
Mountain bike in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
Swim at Smith Mountain Lake
Take a scenic drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway
Kayak (or canoe) on the James River
View an art exhibit at one of several local galleries, including Randolph College’s own Maier Museum of Art
Jam to live music at the Sedalia Center
Enjoy a play at the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center
Shop till you drop at the River Ridge Mall
Sample new cuisine at local restaurants and cafés offering an eclectic range of options
Catch a rock, blues, or bluegrass concert at the Lynchburg Community Market (also the place for food festivals and craft shows)
Attend special events such as the Garlic Festival, James River Blues Festival, Uncle Billy’s Day at Altavista, Point-to-Point Races in Bedford, Foxfield races in Charlottesville, and the Living Christmas Tree
Discover the rich heritage of the area with a walk through the Lynchburg Historic District or a visit to several museums and historical landmarks
Downhill ski at the Wintergreen Resort
Take a road trip to Raleigh/Durham in North Carolina or to Washington, D.C. (just three hours away)
Savor the sun and splash in the water at Virginia Beach (just four hours away)
On Fridays and Saturdays, you can catch the Lynchburg/Randolph College shopping shuttle and go to various destinations, including Wal-Mart, Target, Kohls, Best Buy, Sam's Club, Macy's, Leggett, JC Penney, Talbots, Dick's Sporting Goods, Home Depot, Lowes, Blackwater Bike Shop, Barnes and Noble, Givens Books, River Ridge Mall, and the Dollar Theatre. The shuttle is free to Randolph students.
