Kayaking Weekend – June 7-9

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. 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, June 7, 2019 – Arrive in Farmville for a weekend of fun in the sun.

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 The Hotel Weyanoke and leave your bags with the valet!

12 p.m.  Have lunch at Riverside Café for a hearty home-cooked meal in an art gallery.

1:30 p.m. Pick up your bicycles at Sandy River Outdoor Adventure Store and head out to High Bridge, an approximate 10-mile round-trip ride.

2:30 p.m. Meet the Park Rangers at the Prince Edward County side of the High Bridge Trail State Park for a special tour and chat about the history of the bridge and its importance to the American Civil War.  Don’t forget to go under the bridge for a unique view of this incredible landmark.

4 p.m. Drop your bikes off at the Outdoor Adventure Store and head back to The Hotel Weyanoke to unpack and prepare your room for the weekend.  You’re in for a fun evening, so you’ll want to be ready to come back and fall into those wonderful beds.

5 p.m. Walk down to Third Street Brewing Company for a flight or two and some terrific music. Games and free popcorn make this a great spot for kids and families.

7 p.m. Walk back up to The Hotel Weyanoke for dinner at Effingham’s – enjoy artisan pizza from a coal fired oven and hearty sandwiches.

9 p.m. Take a short drive out to Camp Paradise Road where High Bridge Trail State Park will be hosting the first night of its Firefly Festival. You’ll see tens of thousands of fireflies from the top of High Bridge. Park rangers will be on hand to interpret the many species of fireflies. Be prepared for a truly magical night.

Bedtime.

Day 2

Saturday, June  8 – Stroll downstairs for a leisurely breakfast at Sassafras right in the hotel that features a delicious coffee bar and fresh-made pastries.

9 a.m. Wander down to the Farmer’s Market to see what goodies there are to purchase.

10 a.m. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Green Front Furniture using their interactive mobile-friendly field guide. Explore incredible eclectic furniture and accessories from around the world in massive tobacco warehouses, an old shoe factory and more. Enjoy quaint Downtown shopping at several of many unique shops.

Noon Swing by Uptown Coffee Café for a light lunch and a GREAT coffee bar.

1 p.m. Take a short drive out to Wilck’s Lake for the Appomattox River Company’s Demo Day – try out kayaks, canoes and paddle boards all afternoon.  Perhaps you will find the one (or two!) you absolutely need to own.

4 p.m. Drive back to Main Street to The Virginia Tasting Cellar – a cozy and unique spot to enjoy wines from at least eight regional wineries as well as cideries and meaderies.

6 p.m. Walk upstairs to Charley’s Waterfront Café for a full-service dinner on the deck overlooking the Appomattox River or enjoy your meal in the air-conditioned dining room. Sit back and relax with an evening of music and camaraderie with the new friends you will make.

Back to the hotel after a long day of fun in Farmville.

Day 3

Sunday, June 9: Wake up for one more day of exploring Farmville. Perhaps you want to go to a local church. The hotel can provide you with 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 and watch the sunrise.

10:30 a.m. After the folks at the Outdoor Adventure Store pick up the kayaks head over to The Fishin’ Pig for a marvelous brunch.

1 p.m. Once you’re packed up and checked out of the hotel, head over to Mainly Clay for a pre-registered class and make a LOVE sun catcher.

Leave your passport with Mainly Clay or swing by the Heartland Regional Visitor Center to drop it off. You can head for home knowing you had a good introduction to what Farmville has to offer.  But guess what? There will be ANOTHER weekend in July that’s being scheduled just for YOU!

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
• Sassafras Coffee Bar
• 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