Things to Do Near VIR in Danville, VA
From the Track to Downtown Danville Virginia International Raceway is one of the most respected motorsport facilities in the country. Located in Alton, VA, on the banks of the Dan River, VIR features a 3.27-mile track with 17 turns, elevation changes, and long straights that challenge professional and amateur drivers alike. The facility originally opened […]
Short Drive from VIR
Head from the track in Alton to downtown Danville for food, drinks, and entertainment.
Post-Race Drinks
Craft cocktails, draft beers, and a full bar to decompress after a day at the track.
Golf Simulators
Trade four wheels for 18 holes. Full Swing sims with 38+ world-famous courses.
Bowling & Pool
LED bowling and pro-grade pool tables in a relaxed atmosphere with live music.
From the Track to Downtown Danville
Virginia International Raceway is one of the most respected motorsport facilities in the country. Located in Alton, VA, on the banks of the Dan River, VIR features a 3.27-mile track with 17 turns, elevation changes, and long straights that challenge professional and amateur drivers alike. The facility originally opened on August 3, 1957, and reopened in 2000 as a full motorsport resort with lodging, dining, a spa, karting, and shooting ranges. It hosts MotoAmerica Superbikes, IMSA events, driving schools, and club track days throughout the year.
After a day of watching racing or driving the track yourself, the adrenaline does not shut off just because you leave VIR’s gates. Downtown Danville is a short drive south, and the River District offers exactly what you need after the checkered flag: cold drinks, good food, and entertainment that keeps the competitive energy alive.
River District Social: The Post-Race Destination
River District Social sits at 680 Lynn Street in the heart of Danville’s River District, inside a converted 120-year-old tobacco warehouse. For VIR visitors, it is the natural place to continue the day. The drive from VIR to downtown Danville takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes, and once you arrive, you have access to golf simulators, bowling lanes, pool tables, live music, and a full bar and restaurant that stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Here is what makes it work for the race crowd:
- ✓ Full Swing golf simulators with 38+ world-famous courses. Trade the steering wheel for a golf club and compete with your crew on Pebble Beach or St. Andrews. Bays fit up to 8, so the whole group stays together.
- ✓ Rollerball Classic bowling lanes with LED lighting and automatic scoring. Lanes hold 4 bowlers each, and the music and atmosphere keep the competitive spirit from the track going strong.
- ✓ Pro-grade pool tables for a more relaxed wind-down with cocktails.
- ✓ Giant HD screens showing live sports, including motorsport broadcasts when major races are airing.
- ✓ A full menu of burgers, wings, flatbreads, and shareable appetizers served until close.
Feed the Crew After the Track
Racing is hungry work, whether you spent the day in the grandstands or behind the wheel. River District Social’s kitchen serves everything from the smokehouse burger and mango habanero wings to buffalo chicken flatbread and bacon cheese fries. The bar pours craft cocktails, draft beers, and fine wines. Beer bucket service is available for groups who want to keep it simple.
Table-side service means you can order food and drinks directly to your bowling lane or golf simulator bay. There is no need to stop playing to eat. Keep the competition going while the kitchen handles the refueling.
VIR Race Weekend Itinerary
If you are making a full weekend out of a VIR event, Danville gives you more than enough to fill the hours between track sessions. Here is how race fans typically plan it:
Friday: Arrive in Danville, check into your hotel at The Bee Hotel downtown or at Caesars Virginia. Head to River District Social for dinner, drinks, and a round of bowling or golf simulators.
Saturday: Spend the day at VIR for the main event. After the track closes, drive back to Danville and hit up River District Social for the evening. Live music often starts around 8 PM on Saturdays, and the venue stays open until midnight.
Sunday: Catch morning practice or qualifying at VIR, then explore the River District on your way home. Walk the Riverwalk Trail, grab a craft beer at Ballad Brewing, or squeeze in one more session at the golf simulators.
Beyond VIR: Racing Heritage in Danville
Danville has deep roots in motorsport beyond VIR. Wendell Scott, born and raised in Danville, was the first African-American driver and team owner to compete and win at NASCAR’s highest level. He obtained his NASCAR license in 1953 and won his first Grand National Series race in 1963. Scott was posthumously inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015, and a historical marker in Danville honors his legacy. The local Danville Otterbots baseball team’s mascot, Scotter, wears number 34 in his honor.
For motorsport fans, the combination of VIR’s world-class facility and Danville’s racing heritage creates a compelling destination. And when the day at the track is done, River District Social provides the food, drinks, and entertainment to match the energy.
Caesars Virginia and Downtown Nightlife
If your group wants to extend the evening beyond River District Social, Caesars Virginia is about 10 minutes away. The $750 million casino resort opened in December 2024 and offers nearly 1,500 slot machines, 79 table games, a WSOP Poker Room, and a sportsbook. Multiple restaurants and bars are on-site, including Ramsay’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay.
The River District itself is walkable, so if you are staying downtown, you can explore Ballad Brewing, Golden Leaf Bistro, and other restaurants without needing a car.
VIR brings you to the Danville area for the racing. River District Social gives you a reason to stay after the engines cool down. Reserve your bowling lane or golf simulator bay before you head to the track, and your post-race plans are already set.
More at River District Social
Golf Simulators
Full Swing simulators with 38+ world-famous courses. Real-time shot data, climate-controlled bays, up to 8 guests.
See Prices →Bowling
LED-lit Rollerball Classic lanes with full bar service. Up to 4 guests per lane.
See Prices →Pool Tables
Pro-grade billiard tables in a relaxed, music-filled lounge. Cold drinks and tasty bites.
See Prices →Frequently Asked Questions
How Far Is Danville from Virginia International Raceway?
VIR in Alton, VA is approximately 30 to 40 minutes from downtown Danville depending on the route. Head south on Route 29 or take local roads to reach the River District.
What Is There to Do in Danville After a Day at VIR?
River District Social offers golf simulators, bowling, pool, live music, and a full bar and restaurant. Caesars Virginia casino is also about 10 minutes from downtown. The River District has breweries, restaurants, and the Riverwalk Trail.
Is River District Social Good for Groups Coming from VIR?
Absolutely. Our combo packages handle groups of any size. Golf simulator bays fit up to 8, bowling lanes fit 4 each, and we can set up multiple lanes and bays for larger race-day groups.
What Are River District Social's Hours on Race Weekends?
We are open Sunday through Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM and Friday through Saturday 11 AM to midnight. Most VIR events are on weekends, so you have until midnight to enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment.
Is There Food Available Late on Race Nights?
Yes. Our full kitchen and bar stay open until closing. The menu includes burgers, wings, flatbreads, and shareable appetizers, plus craft cocktails and draft beers.
Can I Watch Motorsport Events at River District Social?
Yes. Our giant HD screens show live sports events. If there is a major race or motorsport event being broadcast, we will have it on the screens alongside food and drink service.