Sunny days have returned to Southern Virginia, bringing with them the opportunity to rediscover Danville’s natural beauty and vibrant community life.
How do you imagine a June day in Danville? Maybe it is supporting local artists at the Community Farmer’s Market, biking along the Riverwalk Trail, hosting a picnic with friends at Ballou Park, or trying a new restaurant with an outdoor patio. Southern Virginia is home to diverse small businesses, scenic parks and trails, and a grand waterway that winds more than 200 miles: the Dan River.
Built on the banks
The Dan River flows throughout Virginia and North Carolina, crossing the border eight times, and into the city of Danville. In the early 1900s, Dan River Mills rose along its banks, becoming a textile powerhouse for the southern United States. When the historic manufacturer closed in 2006, many looked toward the river and wondered what its next chapter would be. For decades, the river’s potential was underappreciated as development patterns shifted and attention moved elsewhere, but its natural beauty and cultural significance remained.
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Today, the Dan River has reclaimed its place as one of Danville’s greatest assets, a thriving outdoor destination, a business hub and a place to call home.
Where adventure meets the water
Many of Danville’s most beloved assets are centered around the river: the Riverwalk Trail, Dan Daniel Memorial Park, Anglers Ridge, fishing spots, canoeing and kayaking access points, and opportunities to dip your toes in the water. The Dan River is a setting built for exploration.
In 2014, the Danville YMCA opened its doors, becoming the first new development along the river in more than a century. Built to embrace the riverfront, it offers sweeping views, direct access to the Riverwalk Trail and a range of amenities including a six-lane pool, walking trail, group exercise studios, basketball courts and after-school programs. The Danville YMCA’s arrival helped spark a new wave of riverfront development.
The newest chapter in that story arrived in 2026 with the debut of the Riverfront Park. The park features a 14-foot otter sculpture, a river overlook, colorful benches and picnic tables, and links to both the Riverwalk Trail and the JTI Fountain on Main Street. And soon, the Dan River will welcome an addition: a whitewater channel designed for adventurers of a range of skill levels.
Life along the riverfront
Families, students, young adults and retired professionals make their homes along the water landscape in renovated townhomes and apartments. At the end of 2024, tenants were welcomed into the newly constructed Dan River Falls, the home of the former textile manufacturer Dan River Mills and widely known as the White Mill. Currently, more than 270 individuals live in the 550,000-square-foot property, with one-, two- and three-bedroom options, historic features and charm, a dog park, fitness center and more.
Every stop comes with a view
The Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism works year-round to attract visitors to Southern Virginia, and the Dan River plays a role in that effort.
Tourists can enjoy a moonlit dinner on the patio at Cotton at Riverside Mill, an evening stroll by the LOVEworks sign near the Carrington Pavilion or a day of hands-on learning at the Danville Science Center. A variety of restaurants, retailers and attractions line the riverfront, making the Dan River a feature not only of the River District but of the region.
Whether you are carrying shopping bags, raising a toast or lacing up your running shoes, the Dan River is close by. This natural force anchors Southern Virginia’s identity and helps shape a future that is vibrant for both work and play.
