.August’s gift during one of the hottest months? Summer sun sunk low in the Virginia sky for Golden Hour. Join us this summer in Farmville, Va., to chase stunning sunrises and sunsets, enjoy local hospitality and explore the great outdoors!
Enter our Golden Hour Giveaway for your chance to win a stay that offers not just a place to relax, but a scenic journey from the soft morning light to the rich hues of evening. Our lucky winner will enjoy a two-night package on Friday and Saturday, August 9 and 10. In addition we’ll share insider tips for where to catch the best sunrises and sunsets in town, meals for two, drinks and lots of other donated goodies from our local small businesses!
The contest will open July 2 and run through August 1, and we’ll choose a winner on August 2, 2024. Keep reading to discover how you can secure your spot in our August getaway!
The contest is closed.
Your Cabin by the Water│Twin Lakes State Park
Photo Credit: Virginia State Parks
Kick off your weekend getaway with a serene afternoon at Twin Lakes State Park. The earliest check-in is 4 p.m., which will give you plenty of time to explore your charming cabin before Golden Hour. You’ll enjoy picturesque views of Prince Edward Lake, a wood-burning fireplace and a full kitchen. Don’t forget to pack your linens! Also, make sure to request your Visit Farmville gift basket from the Twin Lakes office. It includes lots of goodies for your getaway, plus glasses and drink mixes from The Sassy Sisters!
Once you’ve settled into your queen accommodations, it’s time to enjoy the outdoors in this historic 548-acre state park! Check out your personal picnic area and fire-ring, meander down the Otter’s Path Trail to explore the woodlands or take the two-minute drive to Goodwin Lake for a late-afternoon swim. Make sure to check out the events Twin Lakes has scheduled, which could include guided paddles, kids’ activities and educational programs.
Sky-High Sunsets│Catbird Rooftop Terrace
Photo Credit: Catbird Rooftop Terrace
As evening falls, Catbird is calling — with all the cold drinks, cool breezes and rooftop sunsets.
Spend Golden Hour perched atop the historic Hotel Weyanoke at the Catbird Rooftop Terrace. A local favorite (and tourist hotspot), it’s the perfect place for signature cocktails, craft beer or a glass of wine. Choose from small plates like tirokafteri — a delicious concoction of whipped harissa feta, pickles, olives and smoked sausage served with grilled naan — or the brussel sprouts with lemon tahini vinaigrette. Order a wood-fired pizza to share. Then toast with peachy summer sangria while soaking in panoramic views of Farmville under the glow of a late-summer sunset.
First Light on the High Bridge│High Bridge Trail State Park
Photo Credit: High Bridge Trail State Park
On Saturday morning, wake up early to experience daybreak above the trees! Before leaving to catch your first Farmville sunrise, don’t forget to pack your complimentary Virginia State Parks’ parking pass, fill the water bottles from your gift basket from Appomattox River Company, and bring your assortment of home-baked breakfast goodies courtesy of Miller’s Country Store!
High Bridge Trail State Park sits just 15 miles from Twin Lakes. Park at Camp Paradise and walk the 0.3 miles to one of the most stunning views in Farmville. From atop the High Bridge — a Virginia Historic Landmark and the longest recreational bridge in the Commonwealth — you’ll have an unparalleled view of the sun coming up along the Appomattox River, 125 feet above the ground. Enjoy a picnic breakfast and Golden Hour’s peaceful first light of the morning.
Choose Your Own Small-Town Saturday Adventure│Downtown Farmville
Photo Credit: Farmville Community Marketplace
After Golden Hour, you’ve got the entire day ahead of you, and Farmville has so much to offer!
Start at the Farmville Community Marketplace for fresh local fruits and vegetables, flowers, home-baked breads and pastries, and handcrafted art. Stop in at Mainly Clay for beautiful gifts and pottery supplies. Peruse the galleries at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. Get in a little shopping at Green Front Furniture. Then head back to your cabin and spend some time lounging by the lake with your toes in the sand and a good book in your hands.
Evening Delights│Three Roads Brewery
Photo Credit: Isabel Schlussel
Grab your included drink tokens and cap off your day at Three Roads Brewing Company’s patio against the backdrop of the gorgeous night sky. Hear live music, play a game of cornhole, sample local food trucks and sip on craft brews. Enjoy nightfall alongside seasonal favorites. We recommend the Top Down Belgian Blonde, “Three on the Tree” Peach Tripel or Conversion Cold IPA. Not a beer drinker? Try a hard seltzer or one of Three Roads’ delicious, non-alcoholic craft beverages as you witness your second stunning Farmville sunset.
Sunday Morning Sunup │LOVEworks Sign
Photo Credit: Downtown Farmville
Feeling ambitious? On your last morning, visit Farmville’s very own LOVEworks sign on Main Street as the sun is rising. Grab a selfie and tag your picture with #VisitFarmville and #LOVEVA to commemorate your Golden Hour getaway weekend. Or take the path less traveled to see sunup over the Godwin Lake. Choose a new trail and take it tranquil and slow as you wrap up your getaway weekend.
After checking out of your cabin, grab your gift card and head to Macado’s for lunch. Whether you’re one for spinach artichoke dip or bang bang shrimp, you’ll find something to satisfy your taste at this college-town favorite. Choose from fresh salads, overstuffed sandwiches and other hearty fare as you bid farewell to your weekend spent chasing the sun in Farmville, Virginia!
We can’t wait to share the quiet beauty of dawn and the dramatic colors of dusk with you in small-town Farmville.