Bedford Virginia Lifestyle
Living in Bedford Virginia As a Virginia Tourism Accredited Community, the Bedford area has an active tourism program, which is positively affecting the economic health of the area. During 1998, travelers to the Bedford area spent over $51 million dollars at local attractions, accommodations, and businesses. Tourism accounts for 2,262 travel related jobs with a combined payroll of over $8,890 million annually.
The Bedford area offers a wide range of recreational and leisure activities.
Bedford is the site for the National D-Day Memorial, which is located at the intersection of US 460 and Rt. 122 near Bedford Elementary School. Bedford was chosen because of its distinction as the community that sustained the highest per capita loss of lives during that invasion..
 The Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic highway extending 470 miles along the crest of the Southern Appalachian mountains, attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Parkway offers a “natural” vacation with breathtaking scenery, hiking on the historic Appalachian Trail, camping and picnic facilities. The Peaks of Otter, twin peaks rising to 4,200 feet, comprise 40 miles of the parkway. The Washington-Jefferson National Forest provides a wilderness area along with hunting, fishing, horseback and hiking trails.
Smith Mountain Lake, a 23,000 acre lake with over 500 miles of shoreline, offers unlimited water sports. Smith Mountain Lake State Park provides a public beach, boat ramps, camping, hiking, and picnic facilities.
Bedford enjoys a rich historic heritage, and hundreds visit the area to view its many historic sites. One of the most famous of these sites is Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, a retreat home designed and built by Jefferson. The Bedford County villa style home is open for tours April-November. A self-guided walking tour of Bedford’s historic Centertown district features structures built from 1880-90. Bedford’s Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Bedford is home to a number of other attractions including Holy Land USA, a replica of the Holy Land in Israel; Emerson Creek Pottery, a manufacturer of hand made pottery, and Poplar Park, home of the National Champion Yellow Poplar Tree.
Liberty Lake Park, a 59 acre public park, is an area hub of recreational activities and provides a broad range of outdoor activities, including a handicapped accessible hiking trail.
Community Facilities/Activities
Founded in 1900, the Bedford Public Library system with a combined collection of over 150,000 items, operates a central Library in the City of Bedford, five modern libraries in Bedford County, and a bookmobile. Annual circulation is approaching 475,000. The library system also offers a full range of information technology including public Internet access.
 The Sedalia Center near Big Island is a private, regional, non-profit educational center offering programs in the arts, ethnic cultures, environmental awareness, health and inner development.
The Bedford City/County Museum features exhibits on the history of Bedford from its beginnings through the mid-20th century.
The Little Town Players, a community theater organization, produces four plays a year. LTP is the recipient of the prestigious President’s Action Award for Volunteerism.
The area is home to a number of churches, and most major denominations are represented. Fraternal and service clubs are also well represented.
More information: Bedford Visitor's Center
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