How To Spend A Weekend In Danville, VA
The city of Danville, Virginia is less than an hour from our home. Yet, it's a place we'd never thought of visiting until recently. Taking that short drive across the border did not disappoint.
Danville doesn't have beaches. Therefore, it isn't considered a summer travel destination like more popular Virginia locations. However, that depends on what you're looking for.
What Danville has is the Dan River & its picturesque Riverwalk Trail; A variety of activities throughout the city; A growing River District with enough shops to keep you browsing & dining options to keep your palate pleased.
C'mon… Let me show you how to spend an eventful (or relaxing) weekend there.
Scroll to the end for vlogs from our trip!
HOTEL - THE BEE DANVILLE
You'll gasp in awe when you enter the South Union Lobby, but the building is majestic all on its own. From the grand architecture to the rich colors & elegance, we were impressed! It was a perfect stay in this beautiful boutique hotel. We're very thankful to The Bee for hosting us.
Patton Street Lobby is another guest entrance. We didn't get a chance to see it, but you can take a peek here.
An interesting fact we learned is that the two Bee Hotel buildings were once newspaper headquarters. Home to the Danville Register and the Danville Bee. In 1989, they merged to form the Danville Register and Bee. Memorabilia from that time period serves as decor throughout the hotel. From the front desk en route to the elevators, you'll pass an old spiral staircase once used to connect the different floors.
The Bee has three levels consisting of suites & standard rooms. Our stay was in the Editor's Suite. A 2 bedroom/2 bathroom home-away-from-home. The master bedroom comes with a king-sized bed & walk-in closet. The guest bedroom has a queen-sized bed & spacious closet. We made sure to take advantage of the well-equipped kitchen & hang out in our stylish living room.
I purposely didn't show you everything in my photos so you can visit their website & be just as amazed as I was!
Another area you'll appreciate is the rooftop deck. There's plenty of seating and views of the city. Yoga classes are held here & you can reserve the deck for special events.
It's a relaxing space to unwind after a busy day. And next time, it's where I'll also enjoy my morning coffee. I'm definitely looking forward to that.
Let's talk parking. The hotel is located in the center of downtown. There's street parking out front which we found to be plentiful during the day. By late evening, those spaces are full. The Bee uses another private parking lot about a block away. Spaces are specifically marked for guest use.
Lastly, I have to mention Union Street Park which sits between the hotel's two buildings. You can access it by stairs or elevator. Entering the park is like stepping through a portal into a small oasis. There's a tropical feel to it that you can't deny.
Whether your trip to Danville is overnight or extended, I consider The Bee your best pick for comfort, convenience, & peace of mind. I say that because I've now experienced it. And if you find yourself in need of anything, staff members are beyond generous with their time and information.
Visit their link above for pricing, availability, & other information concerning accommodations. Also, be on the lookout via social media for more hotel content. You can soon join us on our Youtube channel for a full vlog tour of our suite and Danville getaway. Subscribe to be notified about new uploads.
Address —> 420 Patton Street., Danville, VA 24541, (434) 234-9440
Activities
This is located inside of The Crossing at the Dan complex. Full of interactive games & experiments, our crew was busy with activity. In the main building are water & principles of movement exhibits. We spent most of our time here.
The Creativity Lab offers weekly staff guided activities for visitors. The Digital Dome is where guests are seated to travel the expansiveness of the solar system, underwater worlds, and more via a 40 foot screen. Both of these are also in the main building, but were closed at the time. The Dome reopens on September 5, 2023.
Another fun stop is the Butterfly Station & Garden. It's located in an adjacent area of the complex & is still a part of the Science Center. Here you'll find more exhibits & a train caboose you can walk through as well. The entire attraction is a must if you're traveling with kids or if you just enjoy hands-on learning like we do. You can easily spend a few hours here.
Afterwards, feel free to leave the area or walk across the parking lot for a little adventure. Keep reading…
Address —> 677 Craghead Street, Danville, VA 24541, (434) 791-5160
Offering miles of trail alongside the Dan River, you can access it easily from the same complex mentioned above. And you don't have to drive anywhere else to do it! The access point we used took us across a huge bridge with great scenic views. This led to steps & a ramp to get down to the water.
People were running, hiking, & biking peacefully. There was also a picnic table to have lunch or rest. We weren't able to walk very far because of our time restraints, but I'd love to do more exploring here. (As always, take proper safety precautions when hiking or doing other outdoor activities-especially in extreme temps.)
DINING
Friendly atmosphere, great service, and although a popular spot, it wasn't crowded. A win! Our lunch choices were a burger, fish tacos, Reuben sandwiches, french fries, & sweet potato fries.
Full transparency… it was a little pricey in my opinion, but everyone's budget is different. I suggest checking out their online menus ahead of your visit. Overall, we enjoyed our meals & time there. In cooler months, I'd love to try their patio seating!
Address —> 215 Craghead St, Danville, VA 24541, (434) 791-3191
A RETURN TRIP
We didn't do many things we'd planned to. Instead, we took advantage of Danville's laid back pace & acted accordingly. We're on the go a lot & it was nice to slow down.
There are a few more attractions we'd like to see so we're planning a return day trip. I'll then add that content to this post & notify you of the update. In the meantime, this guide has plenty to fill your weekend stay!
If you've been to Danville or visit after reading this, let me know what you enjoy(ed) doing. Comment below or email me at thrillermomlove@gmail.com.
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