Danville (Virginia)
Danville is a city of 40,000 people (2018) in the state of Virginia on the Banks of the Dan River close to the border with North Carolina. Founded in 1793 , Danville is perhaps best known for its role in the Civil War, when it was an important railroad stop for the Confederacy and became the last Confederate capital after Richmond fell to the North.
Get in
By car
The most convenient way to reach Danville is by car.
By train
Amtrak's Crescent train connects Danville with cities like New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham, and New Orleans. The 🌍 Amtrak station is situated at 677 Craghead Street. Trains depart and arrive late at night (11:24 pm, Southbound) or early in the morning (8:28 am, Northbound) (times as of January 2023), making this an inconvenient way to get to Danville in most cases.
By bus
The nearest Greyhound station is in Greensboro, North Carolina, about an hour away by car or Amtrak.
Get around
The Danville Transit System provides bus service Monday–Saturday except some holidays.
See
Danville has several historic districts, representing a variety of architectural styles.
- 🌍 Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, 975 Main Street, ☏ +1 434 793-5644. Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 2-5PM. Located in the William T Sutherlin Mansion, famous as the last capitol of the Confederacy for a week at the end of the Civil War. $10.
- 🌍 AAF Tank Museum, 3401 US Highway 29 Business. American Armored Foundation Tank Museum displays over 100 tank, cavalry, and artillery artifacts. Adults: $15. Seniors: $12. Children: $10. Veterans: $10.
Do
- Virginia International Raceway, 1245 Pine Tree Rd, Alton, ☏ +1 434-822-7700. This racetrack, 12 miles east of Danville, is the site of driving events for both amateurs and pros. 3.27 miles long, it offers numerous fun and challenging corners with a few long straights. There are wonderful facilities including garage suites for both you and your car. Hook up with a car club hosting an event there and you will have the time of your life.
- 🌍 Dan Dan Memorial Park, 900 River Park Dr. City park with baseball fields, picnic area, river walk trail, and most notably, a memorial to honor local war veterans.
- Anglers Park, 350 Northside Drive, ☏ +1 434 799-5215, crossks@danvilleva.gov. Boasts a variety of mountain biking trails.
- Riverwalk Trail. Dawn to dusk. A trail along the Dan River for walking and biking (map available at the linked address).
- 🌍 Caesars Virginia Casino, 1100 W Main St, ☏ +1 434 483-4500. Open 24h.
Buy
- 🌍 Danville Mall, 325 Piedmont Dr, ☏ +1 434 792-0400. Monday-Saturday 10AM-9PM, Sunday noon-6PM.
- Farmers' Market, 629 Craghead St, ☏ +1 434 797-8961. Saturday mornings.
Sleep
- Sleep Inn, 1483 South Boston Rd, ☏ +1 434 793-6090. This is a modestly priced hotel which is often used by participants at Virginia International Raceway. Totally acceptable.
- Gæstehuset i Danville, 327 West Main St (across the street from Averett University), ☏ +1 804 314-3412. Check-in: after 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Home-share facility bookable directly or through Airbnb and Booking.com. Rated very highly in customer reviews. Features a large master suite with private bath in a 1913 historic home near the center of town. $58.
Go next
North Carolina
| Routes through Danville |
| Washington, D.C. ← Lynchburg ← | N S | → Greensboro → Charlotte |
| Charlottesville ← Lynchburg ← | N S | → Reidsville → Greensboro |