Destination Bedford offers big, bold and unforgettable experiences. You’ll see stunning beauty in the Blue Ridge Mountains and hear stories of bravery that will take your breath away at the National D-Day Memorial.
A Newlywed Christmas
by Layney Skinner
Christmastime is special every year, but when you get married exactly 24 days before Christmas, it makes the holiday more exciting than ever! The first Christmas as a married couple calls for many different and new traditions. We are very excited to experience these, and I can’t wait to share them with you! I have learned that there is no place like Bedford to spend the holiday season. See my list below for some of the things I plan to do with my new husband in Bedford to celebrate the holiday season!
Christmas Lights
Bedford is the perfect place to ride around and look at Christmas lights! Newlyweds can’t get enough time together, so there is nothing better than just riding around and looking at all of the beautiful Christmas scenes that Bedford has to offer. Visit the lights in Historic Downtown or drive over to the Elks Home and see their gorgeous display of Christmas lights.
Wine Tasting!
Showing each other some of your favorite things is very important for newlyweds! I plan to take my husband to one of my favorite Bedford wineries, the Peaks of Otter Winery! The atmosphere inside feels like you have been there 1oo times even if you have only been there once. They are open on weekends through the winter season.
Festival of Trees
This is my first year experiencing Festival of Trees, and it is breathtaking. There is something for all ages at this event – a scavenger hunt for the kids, beautiful trees to look at for adults, and voting on trees for all ages. I am very excited to take my husband and decide together on which tree we want to vote for!
Enjoy the Outdoors
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t get outside and enjoy the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains! Two of our favorite places to go with our dog are the Peaks of Otter and Falling Creek Park. You can hike Sharp Top and take in the views at the top, or ride the trails and play disc golf at the Park and enjoy the crisp winter air.
Christmas Tree Shopping
Over the years, I have watched my mom and mother-in-law decorate their Christmas tree. I have looked forward to one day going to a Christmas Tree Farm and picking out my first tree with my husband. This year, I get to do that! Bedford has four Christmas Tree Farms: Green Needles Tree Farm, Dancing Hill Tree Farm, Bedford Evergreens, Ingemont Tree Farm.
Visit the LOVE Sign
All across Virginia, you can find the famous “love signs”. Bedford has one at the Welcome Center and it’s the perfect place to take a newlywed photo. This will be a great keepsake of our first Christmas together!
The Center is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.