The Ultimate Guide to Liberty University’s Graduation
Each May like clockwork, 60,000 visitors descend upon the charming city of Lynchburg, population of 80,000. During graduation week, there’s a collective buzz across town as shops bustle and restaurants collect lines out the door. Festivities and feasting are on everyone’s agenda.
Amidst the excitement, though, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or aggravated if you’re not prepared.
And so that you don’t miss out on a single moment of the fun, we’ve created this insider’s guide to navigating Lynchburg during Liberty University’s graduation festivities!
The Ultimate Guide to Liberty University’s Graduation
A great graduation visit starts long before you load the car.
Preparing for Your Trip
Accommodations
Your first (and most important) assignment is to secure lodging as early as possible. Seriously, don’t hit snooze on this one! Many people reserve their spot a year or more in advance because everything fills up FAST.
Location
Weigh your priorities: is it most important for you to be closest to the university? (Here’s our recommendations for the top Airbnb’s near Liberty.) Or would you be willing to sacrifice a few extra minutes for a killer view, a hot tub, or a larger space, for example? There aren’t any neighborhoods walkable to LU (only a few select hotels), so you’ll be driving to commencement no matter what.
But hey, the good news is, Liberty's right off Highway 460, so you've got easy access to other cool spots nearby.
Hotel vs Airbnb?
Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but we’re gonna be a little biased on this one. (Can you blame us?)
Sure, you could go the traditional route and book yourself a cookie-cutter hotel room, where you'll be packing in with hoards of other guests down the same hallway. But why settle for that when you could have your OWN private space, complete with separate bedrooms for maximum spread-out potential? And get this: it'll probably cost you less than shelling out for multiple hotel rooms.
No surprise here. We think booking a short term rental is the way to go.
TIPS FOR FINDING AN AIRBNB
If you do decide to search for an Airbnb, we’ve got some pro tips:
First off, look for hosts with a score of 4.85 (or higher) who have earned at least 5-10 reviews.
Here’s why.
Plenty of homeowners in town know they can earn some serious cash at Liberty University’s graduation. (And hey, who can blame them?) But here’s the thing: these homeowners aren’t in the habit of hosting. They might forget to clear out their fridge or leave you fresh, clean towels. You’ll be staying with their personal belongings. And do they have someone to save the day if something goes wrong at the house?
On the other hand, experienced hosts know the drill. They’ve fine-tuned their spaces to meet your needs and they’re prepared to respond quickly should any issues arise.
So when it comes to choosing your Airbnb, trust us: experience matters.
You can thank us later.
Price
We’ve got good and bad news for you when it comes to price.
Bad news first: get ready to open your checkbook.
We’re talking peak weekend pricing here. Those typical nightly rates? Triple ‘em.
And don’t hold out for the last minute deal because everything up to an hour away from Lynchburg will be booked solid.
BUT! (Here comes the good news.) There’s a trick to saving cash when you book an Airbnb. Most people don’t even know about it, but if you spot a host offering the option to book direct, you can save the extra Airbnb fees! Every little bit helps, right?
So look for that “book direct” button!
What to Pack
Weather
While we never quite know what Mother Nature has up her sleeve until the last minute, here’s the average May in Lynchburg:
Low's hover around 55°
Highs reach around 77°
Chances of rain: around 40% for a sprinkle or two
If you’re staying in the mountains, plan to toss an extra layer into your suitcase because it tends to be ~10° less cool.
What happens if the weather decides to rain on the graduation parade? Keep your eyes peeled here.
What to bring
No one wants to get stuck at the gate fumbling through their bags, so you should know about Liberty’s clear bag policy at Williams Stadium.
You will go through security which includes a bag check. You’re gonna need a clear tote bag that doesn’t exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. One-gallon plastic freezer bags work, too. (that’s my go-to!)
Or you can bring a small, handheld clutch purse no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”. And parents, you can bring a diaper bag for the little ones.
Other things you’re allowed to bring:
snacks (the ceremonies get lengthy)
binoculars
cameras
cellphones
stadium seats/seat cushions
strollers/wheelchairs
What to leave at home
Glass, thermal, or metal containers (sorry, no water bottles allowed). But you’ll be able to purchase concessions inside the stadium.
Keep it clear, keep it compact, and you'll breeze through security like a pro.
Graduation Day
*First things first: there are two different ceremonies on two different days.
Commencement: This is the campus-wide affair featuring a high-profile speaker and wrapping up with fireworks. Gates open at 3pm sharp, the procession kicks off at 5:15pm, and the main event starts at 7pm.
Degree Presentation Ceremonies: This is the walk-across-the-stage moment, divided by your graduate’s field of study and spread out throughout the week/weekend.
Parking
You’ll want to allow at least one hour to snag a parking spot and make your way to the stadium.
Recommendation #1: Park at Thomas Road Baptist Church or any of the parking lots on campus East (across Highway 460 from the main campus) and ride a shuttle to the stadium. The shuttle might feel, ahem, cozy, but at least it beats a marathon walk.
Recommendation #2: Park at the Staples or Get Air parking lot and it’s a straight shot to the stadium. You’ll get those steps in for the day.
DINING around town
After all that pomp and circumstance, everyone gets hangry.
If you plan to venture out to dinner, brace yourselves to wait 1-2 hours to be seated. Be patient with the businesses and restaurants around town- they’re working overtime to handle all the overflow crowds.
Consider these ideas:
Eat off-hours if you can swing it.
Make reservations if you can.
Skip the the Wards Road area (nearest to campus) and explore smaller establishments in the area. Think Forest, Boonsboro, Madison Heights, Amherst, or Bedford. (See our recommendations below for the hidden gems!)
When in doubt, grab takeout or pre-plan a home-cooked meal ahead of time and dine privately at your Airbnb. (See? Another reason to book a short term rental.)
If you’re looking to grab a bite on Liberty’s campus, here’s all the info.
DINING RECOMMENDATIONS
Special Meal Out:
Isabella’s: delicious Italian cuisine in a sophisticated, yet casual setting.
The Glass House: downtown dining with incredible ambiance and small dishes.
Skyline Grill: downtown rooftop dining with chef-inspired dishes
William and Henry Steakhouse: elegant dining within the Virginian Hotel downtown
RA Bistro: wide variety of seasonally-inspired American cuisines (no tips required, 20% surcharge included in meal)
Off-the-beaten path hidden gems:
The Dahlia: seafood restaurant with authentic pub grub near downtown (reservations encouraged)
Rivermont Pizza: wood-fired, premium pizzas and craft beers in a dive bar environment
Mizumi: downtown Japanese bistro with boba tea
Blue Ridge Barbecue: casual barbecue with a variety of sauce options
Best Sight-Seeing
If you’ve got some extra time to enjoy the area, here’s a few of our favorite things to do:
Get outside the “Liberty bubble” and explore Downtown Lynchburg! Take pictures by the “LOVE” scultpure at the intersection of Washington & Commerce Street, then take an easy stroll on the sidewalk to the lookout across the James River. Get some great photos on the steps of Monument Terrace. If you’re up for a nice walk, continue the trail onto Percival’s Island with more river views. If you’ve got someone with food sensitivities in your group, they’ll forever thank you for finding gluten-free gourmet cinnamon rolls at Cinn City.
Hike the Blue Ridge Mountains OR drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and stop to enjoy the overlooks. (Take a picnic and find a spot!) Here’s our recommendations for the best hikes!
Visit historic sites like Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest summer home, Appomattox Courthouse, and Old City Cemetary.
If you’re a lover of historic homes, take a drive downtown via Rivermont Ave and drive through the Daniel’s Hill and Diamond Hill neighborhoods.
Young kids will adore a few hours at Amazement Square or SeaQuest.
We’re so excited to welcome you to our city! With a little extra planning, you can make the most of your time and take advantage of all the Hill City has to offer.
And when you’re looking for accommodations, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking for a studio, a 7 bedroom home, a train caboose (yes, you read that right!), or anything in between, check out our 25+ diverse properties scattered throughout the Lynchburg area!