Whiskey Cove is nestled among some quaint towns that make for great day trips.
Downtown Lynchburg
Taking a trip to the Lynchburg square is like taking a step back in time. Give yourself 60-90 minutes to walk around and visit the shops. The Jack Daniel's Distillery is very close to the square, so we tend to park on the square and walk to the distillery from there. Our favorite stores are Lynchburg Hardware & General Store, which has a huge selection of items made from Jack Daniel barrels, and Sweet Southern Spirit Bakery & General Store (home of whiskey-infused, chocolate-covered bacon). You'll find several stores with Jack Daniel's souvenirs to bring home with you.
Every drop of Jack Daniel’s whiskey found anywhere in the world is made less than 15 minutes from Whiskey Cove, so be sure to find 60-90 minutes in your trip for a tour of the Jack Daniel’s distillery. Hear the story of Jack Daniel and his journey to make the world’s most popular whiskey. There are lots of great lessons for young and old alike! Book your tour tickets online in advance to save time and have guaranteed availability. Walk-up tour tickets are usually available too. Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers as the tour is on foot and involves some hills, stairs and being in areas of the distillery that vary in temperature. Dry County Tours do not include any alcohol, so choose this tour if you have youngsters in your crew. If you want to sample some Jack, add a Tasting to your tour ticket. Plan ahead for what you’d like imprinted on a special bottle of Jack available to be engraved at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop on-site.
Enjoy a family style feast of southern food at Miss Mary Bobo's Restaurant, a legendary Lynchburg lunch destination. Book a reservation ahead of time to be sure there's table for you and your guests and bring your appetite! Meals are all served family style, and if anyone at your table orders the full meal, then everyone at the table will need to order the full meal. Wear stretchy pants and expect to have a "hostess" at your table to give local history and legends. Pack a cooler as you'll be able to bring home any leftovers, and you will surely have leftovers. We're located in a dry county, so no alcohol is served at Miss Mary Bobo's, but their iced tea is to die for. The menu changes daily, but our favorites are fried chicken, mac and cheese, and chocolate pie with whiskey-infused whipped cream.
Most places on the Lynchburg square close by 6 p.m., so plan your visit accordingly. Also remember you're in Moore County, which is a dry county, so restaurants don't serve alcohol of any kind.
Downtown Winchester
Just 20 minutes from Whiskey Cove, downtown Winchester is a charming little business district with locally owned shops and restaurants. It’s one of our favorite places to spend time off the lake.
See a new or like-new movie The Oldham Theatre that’s a complete throwback to slower times. It’s an old-school theater, and ticket prices are old school too!
Enjoy a delicious Italian meal at Piezan Pizzeria Italiano. Don’t let the name fool you! Yes, they have slices and delicious pie, but you can also find your favorite Italian dishes there, like lasagna, fettuccini Alfredo and eggplant Parmesan. We love to grab a slice of pizza or yummy Italian dish, then walk across the square to a movie. It’s great to walk off a meal like that!
For a more upscale dining option, Filo’s Tavern has a high-end atmosphere without the uppity vibe. Elevated American food without big city prices. It reminded us very much of one of our favorite upscale American restaurants, J Alexander’s. Great service with friendly staff who were quick to keep our drinks full and made sure we didn’t leave without trying the incredible carrot cake. Highly recommend next time you’re in Winchester!
Walk around shops on the square and stop in The Lake Store. From decor to casual clothes to kitchenware and the biggest collection of Brumates we’ve ever seen, this small-but-mighty store has so many fun lake-inspired items!
Another favorite shop is Meshed, a super cute shop where you’ll find home décor, clothing and cute accessories that are casual, comfortable, and timeless. Check out furniture, lighting, home decor, gifts, candles, women’s apparel & accessories, jewelry, bags and much more at Meshed.
Designer Cakes has delicious cookies, ice cream and treats, but it’s most famous for its cinnamon rolls, which are made fresh every Saturday morning. If you want one of these homemade sweets, arrive early as they sell out quick!
Need a fancy coffee or a place to work away from the lake? Walnut Hill Coffee Company is the perfect place for both, plus it has a small food menu and cute merchandise to shop. There’s plenty of space to spread out and work or chat.
Got gamers in your group? High Score Arcade and Gaming Lounge has a mix of old school (i.e. Donkey Kong) and new age (i.e. FIFA World Cup) games, plus more physical games like air hockey. It’s the perfect option for non-shoppers in your crew if shopping in downtown Winchester is in your plans.