Danville, Virginia is a city shaped by the past. The tobacco and textile industries, the Civil Rights movement, and the Civil War are just a few of the historic eras that have made Danville what it is today. It’s a place where passionate locals are working hard to revitalize historic buildings without forgetting the past, and in recent years, huge investments have been made in the area.
On a trip to Danville, you can spend your day at a gorgeous new Riverfront Park, and your evening at a high end casino with preserved brick smokestacks from a former factory. You can dine in a former tobacco warehouse, visit sites where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke, and stroll down a street lined with huge Victorian homes. You can dive into Civil War and Civil Rights history, and visit stops on the national Civil Rights Trail. The history of the city is rich and complex.
Danville grew as an industrial hub, mainly as a result of its tobacco processing industry. It was also once home to the world's largest single-unit textile mill. Although those factories have since closed, Danville has embraced an impressive revitalization effort, transforming many of its historic industrial spaces and neighborhoods. Seeing the city's blend of history and renewal firsthand was especially memorable.
I spent a few days exploring Danville and loved the outdoor opportunities, the historic architecture, and the delicious food. Use this guide to discover the best things to do in Danville, VA, and plan a weekend getaway that blends history and fun. This is based on my experience visiting Danville in summer 2026.
Full disclaimer: This was a hosted trip by Visit SoSi. As always, my opinions are unbiased and my own. I want to thank the Danville and Pittsylvania County tourism board for their generosity!
12 of the Best Things To Do in Danville, Virginia
1. Enjoy the Outdoors at Riverfront Park
Danville’s Riverfront Park opened to the public in May of 2026. I visited in June, so it was still brand new, and it is an amazing addition to the city. The park took 3 years to build, and features something for everyone.
There is a colorful playground where you can slide out from a giant river otter. There’s also a rock wall, a splash park, and other playground elements. But my favorite part is the river access. You can dip your feet into the Dan River, and the shore is lined with beautiful greenery and flowers.
Along with being a lovely destination on its own, the park connects into the Riverwalk Trail. There is also a great view of Dan River Falls next door. This iconic building on the river used to be a textile mill, but now it’s a mixed-use space with apartments and offices, and they have bigger plans for the future.
This contrast of a brand new park, next to a historic building that has been given a new purpose, is exactly what I love about Danville. There are examples of old meeting new wherever you go.
2. Learn Hands-on at the Danville Science Center
Whether you’re traveling with kids or just like learning, the Danville Science Center is a great place for all ages. The museum has been operating since 1995 and receives over 60,000 guests each year. To put that in perspective, that’s a larger number than the population of Danville.
The museum does an amazing job of making everything interactive. This is NOT a museum where you’ll just be reading signs. You can feel the ways that the water changes form, walk through a rain storm, test your strength as you learn about movement, and so much more.
There is also a Dome theater that can launch the viewer into outer space, underwater, or around the world. And, there’s a Creativity Lab with new activities daily. When I visited, they were teaching kids how to fly drones. Across the parking lot, there is even a Butterfly House full of pollinator plants and hundreds of beautiful insects.
Next to the museum is also an active Amtrak station, and you can take a train from here to New York or New Orleans.
All around, the Danville Science Center is a wonderful place that is not to be missed by anyone who enjoys science.
3. Dive into Danville’s Past at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History
The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History covers topics that can be hard to talk about, but that are immensely important. The museum is housed in the Sutherlin Mansion on Millionaires' Row, and the building has quite the storied history.
The Sutherlin Mansion is considered “The Last Capital of the Confederacy,” because the Confederate cabinet fled there at the end of the Civil War and stayed in this home for 8 days. It was here that Davis wrote the last Confederate proclamation.
Later, this building was Danville’s public, whites-only library from 1928 to 1972. In 1960, a group of local Black students led a sit-in protest inside the library. The city responded by closing the library instead of integrating it. It later reopened without seating.
Today, the museum aims to strike a balance in sharing both the Civil War history, the Civil Rights history, and has plans for the future to continue to improve how they tell those stories.
The middle floor of the museum shares about the history of the home and those who lived there. It was built in 1959, and was home to Jane Patrick Sutherlin and Major William T. Sutherlin. You’ll learn a bit about their daily life and see the wealth of Danville’s 19th-century elite. Enslaved people also worked in the home, and the museum has plans to better incorporate their stories into the exhibits.
Upstairs, there’s a great exhibit about Camilla Williams. She was an African American singer from Danville, and was the first Black woman to secure a leading role in a major American opera company. She is considered the Patron Saint of the Museum, but she wouldn’t have been allowed inside when the building was a library.
Downstairs, there is an impactful exhibit all about the Civil Rights Movement in Danville. You’ll learn stories of the 1960 sit-in at the library, and the protests that followed. In 1963, police brutally attacked peaceful marchers in Danville, and the event was known as Bloody Monday. Today, Danville and this museum is a stop on the US Civil Rights Trail.
Fun Fact: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Danville four times.
I think that a visit to Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is a must-do in Danville, and a great way to learn about the storied history that has shaped Danville today. If you’re interested in a guided tour, you can contact the museum.
4. Bike the Riverwalk Trail
The Danville Riverwalk Trail extends 6+ miles along the Dan River, and connects several parks. You can bike all the way from Ballou Park to Dan Daniel Memorial Park, and enjoy beautiful river views along the way. Much of the trail is shaded, and you have the option to cross back and forth over the river on various bridges. This trail can connect you to Downtown Danville, the Danville Science Center, the Riverfront Park, and more.
Danville also has a bikeshare program through Tandem Mobility. You can find the bikes to rent at 5 different stations right along the Riverwalk Trail, including next to the Riverfront Park, the Science Center, Sandy Creek Park and Dan Daniel Memorial Park.
If you’re not biking or walking the whole trail, I recommend checking out the Trestle Bridge near the Science Center and the Danville Farmers' Market (which occurs on Wednesdays and Saturdays). It’s a beautiful spot to admire views of the Dan River.
5. Rent a Kayak at Abreu Grogan Park
Take in the views of the Dan River from the water! Abreu Grogan Park offers kayak, canoe and stand-up paddle board rentals every Saturday during the summer. You’ll be able to explore a peaceful part of the Dan River and look for birds and other wildlife. I’d love to do this next time I’m in town!
6. Take a Historic Walking Tour
There is a lot of history in Danville. From historic mansions, to the Civil Rights Movement, to the tobacco industry, there is a lot to dive into as you explore the city.
One of the best ways to learn more about Danville is on a guided tour. Joyce Wilburn is a local historian who has been giving guided tours of the area since 2009. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Danville history and will happily answer any and all of your questions (or research them if she doesn’t know the answer!).
Wilburn’s typical tours include a walk on Millionaire’s Row, a tour about the people and buildings on Holbrook Street (a historic African-American community), and a tour that centers around the historic industries of Danville (tobacco, textiles, and trains).
I had a great time taking a tour with Joyce, and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to immerse themselves a little deeper during their trip to Danville. To schedule a tour, you can call or email Joyce.
Joyce Wilburn, Phone: 434.770.1974, Email: joycewilburn@gmail.com
For a fun, self-guided walking tour around the city, try out the SoSi Safari! Pick up a copy of the brochure at the Danville Visitor Center and see if you can find all of the animals that are “frozen” throughout town. You’ll be looking for an elephant, snails, lions, and more.
There is also a self-guided tour about African American Life that highlights historic homes and markers around town, along with local dining and attractions.
7. Take a Walk Down Millionaires’ Row
One unique part of Danville are the historic homes that line Main Street. Dubbed ‘Millionaires’ Row,’ the street is lined with Victorian and Edwardian mansions. Many of these homes were built in the late 1800’s from those who prospered from the local tobacco and textile industries.
Many of the homes eventually fell into disrepair, but there is a movement to restore the homes. In recent years, the city has purchased many of the homes and sold them only to those who agreed to live in and improve the houses. The result has created a community of hard working individuals who are doing a beautiful job of renovating the houses and bringing them back to their historic glory.
I had the privilege of being invited into one of the houses, the Sublett-Miller Mansion, and was so impressed with the work that owners Carla Minosh and Tom Belles have done. They’ve been working on restoring the home for over two decades. They’ve hand painted the patterned walls, hand placed the tiles, and collected period-appropriate art and furniture, as they’ve made their way through the home.
To see the homes for yourself, stop by the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, or the Danville Welcome Center for a free, self-guided walking tour guide. And keep an eye out for seasonal tours that may allow you to look inside the homes. There is typically a holiday tour that can take you inside.
Along with the houses, you’ll find the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, and several churches, along Millionaires’ Row. Five unique churches are located on the drive, which is part of what has given Danville the nickname of the “City of Churches.”
8. Visit Caesars Virginia
Caesars Virginia is a casino and hotel that opened in Danville in 2024. The casino sits where there was once a thriving textile mill, and they kept three brick smokestacks to represent the city's past. The casino is credited for investing millions of dollars in the region, and has also encouraged other new investments in the area. They’ve created many jobs and are credited with bringing a boost in tourism.
The property has 100,000 square feet dedicated to gaming, along with a hotel, a pool, five restaurants, and a Starbucks. One of the restaurants is Ramsay's Kitchen, the only Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Virginia.
They also offer plenty of live entertainment in the form of comedy, live music, and more. I visited around the 4th of July, and got to enjoy an awesome, free fireworks show from the property.
This is a great place to visit if you like casinos, but keep in mind that smoking is allowed indoors. Personally, I found the smell of smoke to be quite intense.
9.Have a Fun Night Out at River District Social
If you enjoy an evening full of games, food, drinks, River District Social is an amazing spot to check out. They have a large space in a refurbished warehouse, and they offer golf stimulators and bowling, along with some arcade games. Their food menu includes lots of bar staples, including wings, burgers, flatbreads, and more.
You’ll also find live music every Saturday. This is a fun space that is perfect for a night out with friends or family.
10. Enjoy Great Food in Danville, Virginia
Danville has some delicious restaurants! Here are some of the places I ate at during my visit.
King Cropp Kitchen
King Cropp Kitchen not only has delicious food, but they have a great mission. They are committed to being allergy-friendly, inspired by a child in their family who developed alpha-gal from a tick bite. This means that everything on the menu is clearly labeled and they take allergies very seriously. I don’t have allergies, but I still find this so helpful as a vegetarian.
I absolutely loved the sesame cauliflower dish. The portion was huge and even came with two sides. The mac and cheese was also creamy and delicious, and they have a great cocktail menu. This is easily one of the best places to eat in Danville.
The Golden Leaf
The Golden Leaf is an elevated restaurant inside of a former tobacco warehouse. I visited for their weekend brunch, and loved my omelette with hashbrowns. They have a large menu that varies based on time of day, and often have live music. In addition to their vibey interior, they also have a great patio space.
Crema & Vine
Crema & Vine is a bustling coffee shop by day, and wine bar by night. Housed inside a former gas station, the space is moody and elegant. They serve breakfast all day, with options like croissant sandwiches, avocado toast and even a breakfast flatbread. For lunch and dinner, they serve sandwiches, pizza, salads, and different types of platters. They even have a self-serve wine station, making this the perfect spot for a girls night, a business meeting, or anything in between.
Links Coffee House
Links is another great coffee shop that is located in the heart of downtown Danville. They serve great coffee and always have some unique speciality drinks. They also have a pretty extensive breakfast and lunch menu, with items like a breakfast club, bagels, and paninis. They have plenty of space for working or having a meeting, and cozy furniture so that you can sit back and relax. This is a wonderful casual spot for your Danville itinerary.
The Schoolfield Restaurant
The Schoolfield Restaurant is a fine dining establishment that used to be a lunch counter for the factory workers across the street. It is right across from what used to be a textile mill, but now is Caesars Casino.
They make wonderful cocktails, and are known for their crab cakes and other seafood dishes. As a vegetarian, I had to order off the menu, and they made me a dish with rice and stir fried veggies.
11. Check for Local Events
It’s always a good idea to take a look at potential events while you’re planning a trip, and I have a couple recommendations of where to look.
First, check out the Virginia International Raceway. It’s located less than 30 minutes outside of Danville, and they host track activities over 300 days per year. This famous raceway first opened in 1957, but closed and reverted to farmland in the 70’s. Later, after a lot of investment, the track reopened in 2000, and became a world-class road racing circuit. This is said to be one of the world’s more scenic road courses.
Another place to look for events is the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex, located in Chatham, Virginia. They host rodeos, horse shows, barrel races, and more. The ODAC is a multi-purpose facility dedicated to all things agriculture. They also have a Farmer’s Market every Saturday during the summer.
12. Stay at The Bee Hotel
If you’re wondering where to stay in Danville, I highly recommend The Bee Hotel. This boutique hotel is housed in a former newspaper headquarters, and they showcase that past in the lobby. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with a neat linotype machine. Down the hall, you’ll find historic photos of the building, blueprints, and a decorative spiral staircase.
Every room at The Bee is different, and many of them have full apartment amenities, such as a full kitchen and a living room. My room definitely felt like a place where I could live for a while.
They also have a lovely rooftop space. On Thursdays, they do a rooftop happy hour with live music, drinks and appetizers.
With a historic space, modern amenities and an amazing location downtown, The Bee Hotel is the perfect place to stay on your trip to Danville.
More Things To Do in Danville and nearby
- Visit Ballou Park, which was one of the first municipal parks in Virginia.
- Explore the nearby town of Chatham.
- Check out the Danville Farmers' Market on Saturdays.
- Visit Funky Fleece Alpaca Farm. Tours are by appointment only.
- Check out 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company.
- Shop in Downtown Danville and check out Main Street Art Collective, Moss Mountain Outfitters, Mama's Attic Thrift Store, and more.
How to Get to Danville, VA
Danville is located in Southcentral Virginia, very close to the border of North Carolina. There is a regional airport, but no commercial flights there as of now.
The closest major airport to Danville is Greensboro, NC, located about 50 minutes south. It’s also under 2 hours from Raleigh, and under 3 hours from Richmond, VA.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you plan an amazing trip to Danville, and encourages you to visit somewhere unexpected. This truly feels like a city on the rise, and it’s really inspiring to see all of the ways that they’re revitalizing historic buildings, retelling important stories in new ways, and investing in the community. Whether you’re taking an east coast road trip, or live nearby, Danville is worth exploring.
For more cities and adventures in the Southeast US, check out these guides:
- How to Spend 3 Days in Asheville
- How to Spend a Long Weekend in Savannah, GA
- The Best Things To Do in New River Gorge National Park
- Take a Day Trip to Cumberland Island, GA
- Things To Do in Orlando Besides Disney
Thanks for Reading!
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