I worked with the Lynchburg CVB during my visit to the area, all opinions are my own. 

Lynchburg is a destination with rich history. First established as a city in 1852, it has a lot to offer visiting families. Nicknamed the "Hill City," it lives up to its name with steep sloping streets, which provide the basis for a picture perfect cityscape. There is no need to spend a fortune when you visit with your family though, there are plenty of cheap and free activities for families in downtown Lynchburg that will keep you busy without breaking the bank.

Cheap or Free Activities for Families in Lynchburg

Go to the Nature Zone at the Train Station



This cheap activity for families is almost like getting two activities for the price of one. The Nature Zone is a small, but fun wildlife exhibit area owned by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Here, children can find an array of snakes, lizards, birds, a few mammals and other fun creatures. There is a play and learning area within the Nature Zone, and naturalist classes are taught from time to time as well.




This place may be small, but its employees are knowledgeable, and being able to tour the historic train station at the same time is a bonus. Hours are Fridays from 12-6 and Saturdays from 10-4. Admission is just $1 for children and $2 for adults.

Go Play at Amazement Square



If you're traveling to Lynchburg with kids, particularly those under the age of 10, then you have to stop for a day of play at Amazement Square. Amazement Square features four stories of multidisciplinary hands-on fun and learning for kids, all connected with a slide and climbing area that extends all the way into the roof. Use your imagination, explore animals, electricity, and so much more throughout the exhibits found on each floor. Hours are Tues.-Sat. 10-5 and Sunday 1-5. Admission is $9 for ages 2-59, and $7 for seniors.

Tour the Old City Cemetery


If you have stuck around my blog enough, you know that one of my favorite sources of free entertainment is taking the boys to tour historic cemeteries in the cities that we visit. I feel that there is so much history within cemeteries that we can all learn from. Whether it be a short lesson on the Civil War or an epidemic like Yellow Fever, cemeteries often hold more than meets the eye.




The Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg is no exception. They actually have historical buildings and displays built in throughout their cemetery, including the Hearse House and Caretaker's Museum and the Pest House Medical Museum. The cemetery is open daily from dawn til dusk, and guided tours are available for free by appointment.

Having fun in a city like Lynchburg doesn't have to be expensive. There is an array of cheap and free activities for families in downtown Lynchburg if you just know where to look. All six of the activities above can provide you with several days of fun, and will only cost a total of $17 for adults, and $13 or less for children, depending on their ages. For more information regarding planning a visit to Lynchburg, you can go to VisitLynchburg.org.