Road trip to Farmville – Don’t let the name fool you!

by Fayeruz Regan 04.2025

What’s in a name? Sometimes not enough. Take the town of Farmville. One would think that a place with that moniker solely consists of farms, when in fact there is much to discover – at least here in Virginia. 

We took a day trip there to explore the High Bridge Trail, but as with any great road trip, getting there was half the fun. There were sights along the way, and sights in town. With spring in the air and buds bursting left and right, it’s the perfect time to hit the open road.  Adventurers, here’s a breakdown of where to go and what to do in Farmville, Virginia.

The Pickled Past

On the way to Farmville is an unmissable stop along Route 360 called The Pickled Past. At first, we thought it was a store that sold preserves, but it ended up being a multi-dwelling campus that sold everything from antiques to handmade crafts. And these ladies don’t mess around. The owners travel to Europe once or twice a year to hand-pick treasures. On Thursday nights, they hold a Facebook Live session to showcase new finds. Anyone is welcome to snatch items up before they hit the shelves. You can wander from shed to shed to peruse vintage cigarette signs and candelabras. The main building is the big draw – a converted post office with original wood floors and glass cases filled with jewelry and trinkets. We scored an original painting for only $30!

High Bridge Trail State Park

The half-mile long bridge offers soaring views of the Appomattox River Valley. From a lofty height of 125 feet, you can see for miles. On this trip, we decided to walk to the bridge, thinking the path would be more of a hike. It’s actually flat, paved, and lined with trees. A little too monotonous for avid hikers. I recommend taking bikes, especially considering the distance one must walk from the parking lot to the actual bridge. The anticipation was killing us.  And once you are on the vista, you can see the glint of the water, the tops of the trees, and relax on benches to take in the valley breeze. 

Charley’s Waterfront Cafe and Wine Bar

One of the perks of a harsh winter is the way springtime makes you feel. Make the most of the balmy weather at Charley’s Waterfront Cafe and Wine Bar. The outdoor patio is treehouse-like, made of wood planks and shaded by trees. The trickling stream and rustling branches make it tranquil. Like many buildings in Farmville, it’s a converted tobacco warehouse with rustic charm. They serve inventive cocktails, like the Kill Devil Russian – a twist on the White Russian, with pecan rum and cinnamon. Feast on traditional pub fare, such as giant warm pretzels and burgers, and Southern classics like crab cakes and warm pimiento cheese dip. 

Green Top Furniture

Not in the market for new furniture? Does it matter? I’m not sure if a trip to Farmville is complete without seeing Green Top, if only to peek in and see what the hype is about. People far and wide come to see the furniture wunderkind, featuring nearly one million square feet of furniture, art, and rugs. Everything is showcased within 13 renovated tobacco warehouses, making the packaging just as special as the things inside. Green Front has the largest selection of rugs in North America, and features over 100 different manufacturers from around the world.

Uptown Coffee Cafe

Before the trip back to Richmond, fuel up at Uptown Coffee Cafe. There are cozy gathering spaces, free magazines and live music. Longwood University students linger to chat on the couches and work on their laptops. Though it’s mainly a coffee house, they offer breakfast and lunch, smoothies, and a wide array of espresso drinks. I recommend their salted caramel latte. 

Before you leave, take a few minutes to walk or drive through downtown. It’s clear from all the converted tobacco warehouses what Farmville’s cash crop was. The historical buildings are well-preserved, with vintage painted ads on the old brick still showing. Some are freshly painted, giving us a history lesson on old advertisements. Downtown is walkable, hilly, strung with lights, and filled with local businesses that make it uniquely Farmville.