You may be asking yourself, “What is there to do in a small town like Farmville?” when rather you should be asking yourself what is there not to do in Farmville. Believe it or not for a small town, Farmville provides many opportunities for adventure, hangout spots, and hobbies that you will never find yourself bored.
If you like the outdoors then you are in luck with High Bridge Trail, Twin Lakes State Park, Briery Creek, Wilks Lake and the Sandy River Adventure Park. All of these locations are within twenty minutes of town and are easily accessible. High Bridge is only a short walk from campus and bikes are available for rent from The Outdoor Adventure Store located on Main Street. All of these options allow you to experience nature while taking a break from studying for that big exam or writing a paper for midterms.
If the outdoors is not for you then do not fret, there are still plenty of options for you to take advantage of. On Tuesday nights, Main Street Lanes host College Night and students can pay five dollars for all you can bowl from 9p.m.-12a.m. This is a small price to pay for lots of fun and bonding time with your friends. Another option is the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) that features different exhibits throughout the year. Located on the corner of Third and Main, the LCVA has many different types of artwork and even hosts children’s workshops throughout the year that many Longwood students volunteer at. The LCVA is free to the public whether you breeze through or stay for a few hours.
Another indoor option is to visit the Moton Museum located on the corner of Main Street and Griffin Blvd. The museum tells the history of how the Civil Rights Movement affected the Town of Farmville and Prince Edward County as a whole. If you love history then this is the place to visit, but prepare to spend a few hours there if you want to be able to read all the information and watch all the videos. This is a great way to learn some of the history of the town and most likely at some point during your college career you will visit the museum for a class or extra credit assignment.
Movie fanatics you are in luck as Farmville has a movie theater called Sunchase Cinema located off campus near the Hampton Inn and Sunchase Apartment Complex. With lower prices than the brand name theaters, Sunchase still shows new releases and midnight showings. This is a great option for a rainy day or for that movie you have been dying to go see. If you do not have a car, do not worry because the Farmville Area Bus (FAB) drops off near the complex every thirty minutes. If you ask any Longwood student they would recommend that you go see a movie there sometime during your four years.
Lastly, if none of the above strikes your interest or you just love shopping then you should take a walk down Main Street to do some window shopping or drop in for that last minute gift for your friend or family. The Sleeping Bee, Penelope’s, Pairets, and Greenfront are a few places students to tend to shop at and these stores often have discounts for college students who bring their I.D. Another option not on Main Street many students utilize for their clothing needs is Belk. It may not be a brand name store like American Eagle or Hollister, but it is another option worth trying. Many students go here to purchase clothing for their internships, jobs, or class presentations.
Whether it is biking on High Bridge or spending a rainy day inside at the movies, Farmville has many options for students to take advantage of. All you have to do is grab some friends and make a plan. Do not worry if you cannot decide which option to do because you will have plenty of time for each option during your time here at Longwood. So, what is your next adventure going to be?
