When so many journeys require interstate travel, it’s a welcome change when the majority of the drive can be spent on backroads. And from where we start, not a single interstate sign is seen, just miles of quiet rural roads. As we get closer to our destination, I sense a subtle shift in the air. Like a hushed spark has been lit ahead – creating a curious and inviting feeling. So as we make our final turn into town, I wonder what we will find in this intriguing place off the beaten path.
Farmville is a town, located about 1.5 hours south-west of Richmond. It is known for several things, one of which being “America’s oldest two-college town”. Longwood University, the third-oldest public university in Virginia, and Hampden-Sydney College, one of the few remaining all-male colleges in the US. Just this alone makes Farmville a unique and special town to experience.
In addition, Farmville is rich with history, to include being the “birthplace of the student-led civil rights movement.” In this very town in 1951, students held a strike at the R.R. Moton High School, which helped challenge school segregation and led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Much of this critical history can be explored further at the Robert Russa Worton Museum and the Civil Rights Walking Tour in town.
There are three official LOVE signs here – one at PaddleVA (pic features at the top of this blog), another in the main town, and, the third at the Virginia Tasting Cellar. Brett and I spent the weekend here for our wedding anniversary so we got to take our time poking around town.
Where we stayed
Nestled close to downtown, you’ll find the Hotel Weyanoke. Built in 1925, it was the largest hotel in Prince Edward County at the time. While the building has been used for different purposes since then, it has recently been renovated into a boutique hotel within walking distance to Farmville’s North Main Street.
This was a fabulous place to call home while we visited the area. The rooms are comfortable, uniquely decorated with many having a two person balcony to enjoy. They also have a roof-top bar, a breakfast nook, and an up-scale restaurant (which I’ll get into a little later :))
How we spent our time
From outdoor adventures, wine tasting and shopping, we found plenty of things to do in the area:
High Bridge Trail State Park – what was once a railroad, has now become a 32.2 mile trail that you can walk, bike or ride horseback. The trail is remotely flat which created an easy path for us to travel on. The focal point is the High Bridge, over 2,400 feet long above the Appomattox River, it is the longest recreational bridge in Virginia. It provided gorgeous view for pictures and a nice hiking trail to get our blood-pumping.
Greenfront Furniture – when you think of furniture stores, it may not be the most exciting conversation piece. But Greenfront changes that story completely. There are 13 buildings in downtown Farmville filled with some of the highest quality furniture around – rugs, bedroom, living room, vintage, kitchen, bar and outdoor. Brett and I were amazed by the vast selection of items they sold.
The Virginia Tasting Room – when looking for wine, look no further than in the “cellar” of an old tobacco warehouse. They offer wine by tasting, glass and bottle. For hops lovers, they also have beers to savor as well. You can order food that is provided by the neighboring restaurant. All of this can be enjoyed under their covered porch overlooking the Appomattox River.
Antiques on Main – the space might be quaint, but they make up for it by offering a large number of unique antique and vintage goods. It was fun to look around at the one-of-a-kind items and the owners were so nice and fun to talk to. And the prices had Brett and I leaving the place with our hands full.
What we ate
Like many towns in Virginia, Farmville has started venturing into “foodie” territory (and I mean this in a good way). The eateries we found ourselves in included:
In the mornings we grabbed our caffeine from Uptown Coffee Cafe, which also offered a large seating area and sandwiches for both breakfast and lunch. They also have live music at certain times of the week. While staying at the Weyanoke, we dug into breakfast at the Effingham’s First Call Coffee Bar (where I was also able to order a mimosa, or two ;).
For our mid day meal, we savored the food at The Fox and Lamb. The rich colors of the interior and smells from the kitchen will have you cozying up to the tables ready to try anything. From their menu, we started with the fresh burrata and each ordered a pizza as our main. All this goodness was washed down with wine (beer for Brett) while watching Main Street from our window table.
Since we had two nights in town, our first dinner was at Charley’s Waterfront Cafe. If you like to go where the locals go, then this is your spot. The atmosphere was fun, the food was good and the drinks were cold. They regularly have live music and we were lucky enough to catch the Slate River Band – they were fantastic.
On our last night we ate at the hotel restaurant at Taproot Tavern, known as Farmville’s “number one restaurant with upscale dining at comfortable prices.” While the food and fare are high-end, the staff expects you to feel comfortable and casual. So don’t let the linens fool you – be prepared to enjoy a great meal as your authentic self.
Farmville is a place to love…
Farmville is a town where “old-soul” and “young at heart” come together to create a unique place. With its rich history, outdoor adventures, shopping, and college town vibe – there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy. It’s also where the locals still wave as you walk or drive by, making you feel like a part of the community. If you’re looking for a spot with both leisure and energy, then Farmville is ready to welcome you with open arms.
Ready to go off the beaten path? Farmville has you covered.
♥️♥️♥️♥️
| Official ♥️ Signs Visited = 67 | LOVEworks Official Signs = 336 |
| Unofficial ♥️ Signs Visited = 57 | LOVEworks Unofficial Signs = 400+ |
| TOTAL VISITED = 124 | TOTAL LOVEworks Signs = 700+ |
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Important note: I always do my best to ensure everything in my blogs are factual and that I give credit and use quotations when pulling information from sources. If you believe there is something here that needs to be addressed, please email me directly as I want to be sure it is fixed. Thank you and happy LOVE sign hunting.
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