Bedford is ready for you in 2022!
Destination Bedford is full of outdoor recreation opportunities located in the Virginia Mountains Region, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our historic downtown is a short drive off the Parkway and there are miles of county to explore, including Smith Mountain Lake! There are also some great events happening this month and beyond, so plan your trip today! Call or stop by the Bedford Area Welcome Center if we can help you with information about what to do in the area.
Photo by Mark Calhoun, Scenic Winter Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Saturday, January 1
"First Day Hikes" is an initiative of America's State Parks, with hikes and special activities offered in state parks across the U.S. At Smith Mountain Lake State Park, parking fees are waived for the day! For more information, click here. There will also be an Open House at the Park's Discovery Center after the hike.
Sunday, January 2, 4:30 and 6 PM
Everyone can use a good laugh especially at the beginning of the year! Come to Beale's Brewery for a stand-up comedy show by comedians Phoenix Haynes and Kathleen Davis. This is a family friendly event with no entrance fee. Enjoy some great comedy, BBQ, and brews to celebrate the new year.
Sunday, January 9, 1:30 - 4 PM
The Bower Center for the Arts will host two discussions in conjunction with the See ME! exhibition. Hear from visual artist, curator, and critical studies scholar Veronica Jackson, and Ryann Mason, a hometown girl from Bedford, VA, a disability advocate, published model, registered nurse, adaptive athlete, and member of the LGBTQIA community. 
When planning to visit the National D-Day Memorial, purchase tickets online to save money. Two virtual events will take place this month: "The Royal Family at War" on January 6 and "Dispatches of D-Day," on January 22. A trip to the Memorial would not be complete without also stopping by the Bedford Boys Tribute Center located in historic downtown Bedford, just a short drive away. *The Memorial and Tribute Center are both closed on Mondays through the end of February.
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest will be open only on Saturdays and Sundays for Winter Weekends starting January 15. Explore the octagonal villa Jefferson designed as his personal retreat, walk the plantation grounds, shop in the Museum Store (also online) and browse the exhibits. Click here for more information about hours, tours, and special events.
Most of Bedford's wineries and tasting rooms are open with various hours. It's always a good idea to call ahead and verify before visiting. Fables & Feathers has events scheduled including a Paint and Sip Night on January 28. Beale's Brewery and Apocalypse Ale Works have trivia nights each week!
Bedford is home to more than 35 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, scenic overlooks, and hiking trails. You'll also find more than 120 holes of disc golf. Bedford is the perfect place for biking, fishing, hunting, golfing, horseback riding, and more! Be sure to check out the variety of outdoor offerings at Claytor Nature Center, or "Escape the Forest" at ONE Forest School. Click here for more information on outdoor recreation in this Blue Ridge Outdoors Top Adventure Town!
Bedford has a wide variety of dining options including many small and locally owned cafes and restaurants. Dining options including local flavor, casual dining, and fast food are listed on our website. Some restaurants also host live music, provide catering, and are available for special events. (Pictured: Chicken & Dumplings Special from J's Delightful Catering & Cafe in Bedford County.)
Downtown Bedford, as well as the surrounding areas such as Forest and Moneta, have many great places to "shop local" after the busy holiday season! You'll find antiques, art, jewelry, flowers, furniture, clothing, housewares, gifts, specialty stores, and so much more! For a full list of places to shop, check our website. (Pictured: Shopping small at Winey Chicks Boutique located in Forest.)
The Bower Center for the Arts is open Tuesdays-Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gallery admission is free. ElectriCoGallery, a modern art gallery, just opened in downtown Bedford and is located in the same building as ElectriCoMarket. Both are open seven days a week! And don't miss Goose Creek Studio offering art, gifts, custom framing, special exhibits, and more! (Pictured: Paintings inside Goose Creek Studio, downtown Bedford.)
Enjoy live music at Smith Mountain Lake at The Dam Grill as well as other locations! In downtown Bedford, check out Clam Digger's who will host local favorite Christian Q. Trio on January 14. Visit our event calendar for more live music dates!
The Forest Farmer's Market Winter Market will be January 8, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., offering outdoor shopping for local produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, self-care items, arts, crafts, and more! You can also shop for local beef during storefront hours at Chapel Creek Farms. Glenwood Hardware & Supply and Harvest Moon Marketplace both offer locally grown and produced items available for purchase. Vittone Farms has hours M-F and offers produce and frozen organic ground beef.
After the busy and exhausting holiday season, it is the perfect time for a relaxing and long weekend getaway! Bedford has lakefront lodging, mountain cabins, country cottages, as well as places to stay closer to town. Check out the accommodations page on the Destination Bedford website and start planning your trip now! (Pictured: Rosebud Luxury Cabin.)
Be sure to stop by the Bedford Area Welcome Center during your visit! The Center is open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Will be closed on January 1.) We are also happy to send information in advance by mail or email, just let us know what you're interested in via this contact form!
The staff at Destination Bedford is working to keep the event calendar updated with special events that are taking place this month and beyond. Check back often for updates!
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