Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and in case you need a few ideas of thing to do or places to eat this weekend in the Lynchburg area, I thought I would share my favorites.

Events
Saturday, the Lynchburg Community Market is host to the 3rd Annual Chocolate Challenge. I blogged about this earlier in the week, and now have some official news. Tasting tickets are $5 each and available the day of (ie: Saturday, at the market). Tasting starts at 10am so get there early and purchase your ticket! While you’re at the market, check out the local vendors both in the Heritage Crafter’s Gallery and the weekly market vendors with delicious produce and baked goods. There was talk of a joint chocolate and wine pairing between Chocolates-R-Us and Chateuau Z Winery!

Local Eateries
Main Street Eatery is hosting a special Valentine’s Day Gala Menu as well as their regular menu AND their special OysterFest menu. I’ve only eaten at Main Street once, the night of our wedding, and it was delicious. A little on the pricey side, perhaps, but well worth it.
Other fun places to celebrate a special day around Lynchburg includes Mangia, dish, Bull Branch, Waterstone Pizza (and be sure to get the hot crab dip!), Robin Alexander, Isabella’s, Millstone Tea Room (with a focus on fresh, local, and humane), and Machu Picchu.
And for a special brunch on Valentine’s Day (since it is on a Sunday this year) check out Basic Necessities in Nellysford (reservations necessary for this lovely small restaurant), Neighbor’s Place, and Isabella’s (with a focus on local ingredients).

Great Gifts
The Lynchburg area is home to a wonderful group of artisans each with unique interests.
- The Community Market is home to the Heritage Crafter’s Gallery, open daily, with a variety of vendors selling everything from goat milk soap (Dixie Soaps) to bird houses to beautiful paintings and greeting cards to doll clothes to hand crafted furniture (Sticks and Stones).
- Brookneal is home to Night Sky Farm, a local Grade A Goat Dairy producing fresh cheeses, goat milk soap, and even laundry soap! Jennifer has designed some lovely soaps with Valentine’s Day in mind. It’s also that time of the year when Jennifer puts out her Chocolate Raspberry chevre! (I tasted it at the last Chocolate Challenge and it’s good!)
- Local goat milk soap producers include Shantara Acres and Delectable Hills. You can buy Shantara’s soaps online, but Delectable Hills soaps are only available on-farm at this time of the year.
- Give the gift of great wine. The Lynchburg area is home to several great wineries. Chateau Z, in Amherest sells at the Lynchburg Market. Also, in Brookneal, there is Sans Soucy Vineyards, available at the winery’s on-site tasting room and at the Lynchburg Market. Sans Soucy is a member of the SoVA Wine Trail. Both wineries at the Lynchburg Market offer tastings. The Lynchburg area is also extremely close to the Bedford Wine Trail, hosting unique wineries such as Peaks of Otter (specializing in fruit wines, not necessarily from grapes). In nearby Nelson County, you can find a host of fine wineries and breweries with delightful offerings — including some of my favorites, Lovingston Winery (by appointment only) and Devil’s Backbone Brewery.
- A gift of luxury? What’s better than a massage or pedicure? Luckily, Lynchburg is home to some amazing spas and salons. Acorn Hill Lodge & Spa offers a chocolate truffle body wrap that is divine. Trust me, I know, HB gave me one for my birthday last year. And if you’re looking for a manicure or pedicure (or both!) in Lynchburg, look no further than the Parlor Spa downtown. The Parlor Spa offers their signature mani and pedi which is amazing, complete with a massage. The Spa is small and inviting, offering you a glass of wine or a bottle of water while you enjoy your pampering. Their heated massage chairs are the BEST! While you’re at it, include lunch at the new Market at Main (I’ve heard their sweet potato pancakes are amazing) just around the corner.
- Need a last minute gift? Check out these fun local stores! The Beeswax Candle Company has a beautiful selection of candles crafted from beeswax, some made right here in Lynchburg! Their store front downtown has more than just candles, featuring local artists’ paintings, jewelry, and housewares. Looking for a big gift? Check out Lynchburg’s own Thomas A. Johnson Furniture Co. for a selection of beautifully crafted furniture.
*Vintage Valentine’s cards from Curly Wurly and Vintage Holiday Crafts.
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