Alpaca Weekend – September 27-29

This itinerary was created by the Heartland Regional Visitor Center. Events and venues are subject to change without notice.

Don’t forget to use your passport at each location. With every business you support, you are entered for a chance to win one of three weekend getaway packages in beautiful Farmville, Virginia each valued at $1,000.

This itinerary is a suggestion. We encourage you to use it as inspiration to build your own itinerary. A full list of participating businesses for you to explore is included below. Have fun!

For more details about how the giveaway works go to visitfarmville.com/lovesummer.

Please note: Certain events require pre-registration. Contact the venue to sign up and reserve your spot ahead of time.

Day 1

Friday, September 27, 2019 – Arrive in Farmville for a weekend of camping and exploring the area.

Check in at the Heartland Regional Visitor Center at 121 East Third Street in Farmville (across from Macado’s) to pick up your passport and receive instructions on the Passport Program and prizes (one passport per family – restrictions may apply).

Check into your cabin at Twin Lakes State Park and unpack.  You’re in for a fun evening, so you’ll want to just come back and snuggle up in your cozy cabin!

 Noon Lunch time. You brought groceries with you, because it is, after all, camping. These cabins come with fully equipped kitchens, including dishes, silverware and even a coffee maker with filters. Just bring your own coffee.  

1:30 p.m. Meet the park ranger at the main office for an interpretive session on the expansive history of Twin Lakes from the Civilian Conservation Corps through the Civil Rights Movement, then pick up the kayak or canoe you rented for a paddle around the lake.  

4 p.m. Drive into Farmville for a relaxing early evening at The Virginia Tasting Cellar where you can sample from at least eight regional wineries as well as cideries and meaderies.  

7 p.m. Time for a short drive south of Farmville to The Fishin’ Pig for an evening of great food on the patio, terrific music, and even a game or two of pool.

10 p.m. Take a relaxed ride back to your cabin for an evening around the campfire with other campers. If you bought a bottle or two of wine from the Virginia Tasting Cellar, this is where you get to sit, relax and enjoy!

Bedtime.

Day 2

Saturday, September 28 –

8 a.m. Take a ride into Farmville for breakfast at Walker’s Diner and then amble down the High Bridge Trail State Park to the Farmer’s Market to find some terrific local deals.

10 a.m. Take a short drive out to Bright Eyes Alpaca Retreat to spend some quality time with these soft, gentle animals. Learn about their wool and how to raise these fascinating creatures. You’ll have a chance to mingle with others just as interested as you — this weekend marks National Alpaca Farm Days.

1 p.m. Head back to Farmville for a hearty home-cooked meal in the middle of an art gallery at Riverside Cafe. Yes, you can buy the artwork displayed by Central Virginia Arts or just enjoy the beauty of local talent.

2 p.m. Get crafty with a class at Mainly Clay to make some LOVE dishes to remember your visit to Farmville. The artists there will be happy to introduce you to your new love – making your own clay dishes!

4 p.m. Time to pick up your bikes at Sandy River Outdoor Adventure Store for an 11-mile round-trip ride to the High Bridge.  It’s the perfect way to work up a good appetite.

7 p.m. Time to relax at Third Street Brewing where you can grab a bite from a rotating selection of food trucks while you enjoy a flight or two and enjoy music and the upbeat ambiance inside or on the patio outside.

9 p.m. Take a relaxed drive back to Twin Lakes State Park to rest up for another fun-filled day tomorrow.

Day 3

Sunday, September 29 — Wake up for one more day of interesting and fun things to do. Perhaps you want to go to a local church. The park rangers can provide you a listing of the many places of worship around town. Or you may have rented kayaks from The Outdoor Adventure Store yesterday which were loaded onto your car. You’re all set to head out to Sandy River Reservoir where you can paddle through 745 acres of scenic beauty while watching the sunrise.

10:30 a.m. After the folks at Sandy River Outdoor Adventure Store pick up the kayaks, come back to Farmville for a wonderful brunch at Charley’s Waterfront Café.

1 p.m. Stop at Red Door 104 to hand paint a special LOVE keepsake item.
Once you check out of your cabin, drop off your stamped passport with the Park staff or swing by the Heartland Regional Visitor Center on your way out. It’s time to head for home knowing you had a pretty good introduction to what Farmville has to offer. But guess what? You can ALWAYS come back!

FIND INFORMATION FOR ALL ITINERARIES OFFERED AT VIRGINIA.ORG AND VISITFARMVILLE.COM/LOVESUMMER.

DRAWING FOR THE PRIZES WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 4TH. BE SURE YOUR PASSPORT HAS THE CONTACT INFORMATION YOU WISH US TO HAVE AS WELL ALL STICKERS FROM THE BUSINESSES YOU PATRONIZED. YOU MUST TURN YOUR PASSPORT IN TO THE HEARTLAND REGIONAL VISITORS CENTER TO BE ENTERED. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

PLEASE NOTE – WE WILL NOT USE THIS CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN NOTIFICATION TO THE WINNERS – UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY CHECK THE BOX TO SEND YOU MORE INFORMATION.  

Lodging Options:

• BrightEyes Alpaca Retreat
• Days Inn Farmville
• Hampton Inn of Farmville
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites
• Inn of Barrow Street
• Inn on the Avenues
• Longwood Bed & Breakfast
• Quality Inn
• Sandy River Cabins
• Sandy River Glamping Tipis
• The Hotel Weyanoke
• Tru by Hilton
• Twin Lakes State Park Cabins

Make sure to check Airbnb for additional lodging opportunities

Dining Options:

• Applebee’s
• Barnes & Noble Café
• Charley’s Waterfront Café
• Effingham’s
• Kenny’s Healthy Food Emporium
• Ruby Tuesday
• Shogun Sushi and Hibachi
• The Brew House
• The Fishin’ Pig
• Uptown Coffee Cafe
• Walker’s Diner

Other FUN places to go:

• Briery Creek Wildlife Management Area (kayaking/paddleboarding/canoeing)
• BrightEyes Alpaca Retreat
• High Bridge Trail State Park
• Mainly Clay
• Red Door 104
• Sandy River Outdoor Adventure Park (zipline)
• Sandy River Reservoir (kayaking/paddleboarding/canoeing)
• Twin Lakes State Park

Other cultural/historic places:

• High Bridge Trail State Park
• Longwood Center for the Visual Arts
• Moton Museum
• Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park
• Twin Lakes State Park