After work, Andy Devault often heads to the trails at Anglers Park to get in a workout and clear his head. A former professional mountain biker, Devault has traveled as far as Colorado and Canada to race on world-class terrain and still remains amazed that an asset like Anglers Park exists in his own backyard.
“Danville is home to one of the longest single track mountain bike trails in the region,” he says. “We’re known for rolling terrain with punchy ups and short, but fun, downs.”
Cycling enthusiasts travel to Danville to navigate the miles of trails in Anglers Park. Photography courtesy of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism
Devault discovered mountain biking as a student at Appalachian State University, and the sport remains an integral part of his life. Now 54, he hasn’t slowed down much. When he’s not riding, he helps maintain the park’s 30 miles of trails, design exciting jumps and obstacles, and recruit prestigious events like World Cup qualifiers.
“We have something for all types of cyclists, from beginners to the most advanced,” he says. “Crooked Stick is a great trail with a little bit of everything — smooth fast and flowy sections, rough sections, and opportunities to catch a little air.”
Like Devault, outdoor enthusiasts who live in this riverside city, just across the North Carolina-Virginia border, know the adventure it holds. But others may not realize the history and culture within this revitalized downtown and beyond. Whether you’re planning your first visit to Danville or a return vacation, read on for a roundup of activities that surprise and delight.
Discover SoSi, the river city full of surprises. From mountain bike trails and river adventures to historic mansions, vibrant downtown shops, and award-winning brews, SoSi offers endless ways to explore, unwind, and be inspired.
Learn more
Family owned and operated, 2Witches Winery & Brewing Co. was inspired by a cherished Polaroid picture of the founders’ daughters dressed as witches for Halloween.
“We have several flagship brews, like our Comeback City Kolsch and the Mojo Magic amber ale,” Head Brewer Justin Meadows says, who recommends sampling their IPAs on tap.
Take the scenic route through Danville by following the Riverwalk Trail. Photography courtesy of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism
In addition to the bike trails, Anglers Park is also a popular launching pad for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards on the scenic Dan River, as well as a starting point for the Riverwalk Trail, a 13-mile paved surface for runners and road cyclists.
You can follow the Riverwalk Trail and adjoining footpath to 2Witches for a pint of beer or a glass of wine made on site. Settle in on the patio and stay for karaoke, live music, or trivia.
Grab a meal in the industrial-chic dining room at Cotton at Riverside Mill. Photography courtesy of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism
Danville began as a place where Revolutionary War veterans met to fish and relax. For centuries, the local economy thrived on tobacco and textiles. As these dominant industries declined nationwide, Danville embraced the opportunity to reinvent itself, converting former mills and warehouses into trendy apartments, charming shops, and acclaimed restaurants.
“You can dine at Cotton at Riverside Mill, inside one of the only few remaining mills on the river, or go to Links Coffee House or Ballad Brewing inside old tobacco warehouses,” historic preservationist Sonja Ingram says, who’s also director of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. “These buildings carry a big part of past and our culture.”
Gather with friends inside the comfortable space at Ballad Brewing. Photography courtesy of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism
Around the corner on Main Street, local shops and cafés are tucked inside late-19th and early-20th-century storefronts. Score vintage clothing and vinyl records along with stylish homewares, upscale clothing, local art, and specialty foods you won’t find anywhere else.
Leaving the River District, Main Street makes way to Millionaires’ Row in the Old West End. “These high-end Victorian mansions have been meticulously restored and are amazing,” Ingram says.
See soprano singer Camilla Williams’s stage attire in the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History. Photography courtesy of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism
Inside the 1859 Sutherlin Mansion, Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History features a rose garden, period furnishings, and collection of permanent and traveling exhibits.
“The two pillars of history we interpret happened here at the museum — the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement,” Ingram says. “The house was considered to be the last capital of the Confederacy and the location of one of the first Civil Rights protests.”
Ingram says Danville’s juxtaposing sides of history coalesce in their exhibit on Camilla Williams, an opera singer who broke racial barriers. In 1946, Williams became the first Black American to perform with the New York City Opera.
The Camilla Williams exhibit at the museum memorializes the artist’s life and accomplishments. Photography courtesy of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism
“Our building once served as the Whites-only library, and Camilla Williams wasn’t allowed inside. She went on to perform on the most prestigious stages in the world,” Ingram says. “When she died, she donated many of her personal items to the museum, including gowns she wore while starring in her signature role as Cio-Cio-San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. She’s a patron saint for us and an inspiration to rise above any circumstance.”
This fall, the museum will host its annual juried Art on the Lawn as well as a retrospective of North Carolina artist Maud Gatewood that showcases more than 200 public and private works.
NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Wendell Scott got his racing start in his hometown of Danville. He made history in 1963 by becoming the first Black driver to win a NASCAR race. His career included 495 NASCAR races and 147 top 10 finishes.
Motorsports still remain a driving force in Pittsylvania County. Dating back to 1957, Virginia International Raceway is one of the oldest permanent racing venues in the country and best known for its high-speed straights, challenging turns, and dramatic elevation changes. VIR’s 4.1-mile Grand Course is home to Car and Driver’s annual Lightning Lap, determining the fastest cars in the world. (This year’s winner was a $250,000 Lucid Air Sapphire.)
Catch some high-speed action in person, or better yet, join VIR Club to give your own vehicle a spin around the famed track. Racing aficionados can stay on site at “America’s Motorsport Resort” with family-friendly lodging, dining, and activities like skeet shooting, high-speed go-karting, golf cart rentals, and more.
Settle into spacious rooms at The Holbrook Hotel on Main Street. Photography courtesy of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism
Check in at The Holbrook Hotel inside a former doctor’s office in the Old West End. Originally built in 1957, the hotel embraces a mid-century style with pops of color and modern amenities. Stock your kitchenette with goodies from Midtown Market or unwind with a glass of wine at Crema & Vine.
The Bee offers guests a stylish home base from which they can embark on downtown explorations. Photography courtesy of Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism
Another local favorite is the The Bee Hotel in the heart of The River District. Once home to a buzzing newsroom, today the boutique hotel welcomes visitors looking to escape to a serene and unhurried setting — the perfect launchpad to rest and rejuvenate for another day of riverside exploration.
Take your pick between The Holbrook or The Bee and start mapping out all the adventures you’ll discover during your time in this river city. From exploring the revitalized mill town to following in the footsteps of local icons, click here to plan your time in Danville.
From the stone that built Mount Airy, one man shapes a living story of community.
Snow in North Carolina may be fleeting, but when it falls, the state settles into a peaceful pause.
A long-forgotten series of recordings from 1925 puts a new spin on the beginnings of one of our most enduring music genres.
In tight-knit Southern circles, recipes get around. The ones that impress find their place in community cookbooks, local encyclopedias of care and feeding.
