First time in Southwest Virginia?
So you've come for the KCBS BBQ Contest and have no idea what else you can experience while you're here. We have plenty of activities and attractions to keep you occupied while you stay in our region. Explore the region by visiting the attractions below. Click the picture on the left hand side to visit their website for more information.
Spearhead Trails
Ride Virginia's newest and most exciting trail destination! The Mountain View “Off Highway Vehicle” (OHV) system is a multi-use trail system primarily designed for ATVs and Side by Sides. The 60+ miles of picturesque trails begin in the “ATV Friendly” town of St. Paul where riders have access to a vast selection of lodging, shopping, and dining offerings. The trail system offers a satisfying mix of green and blue trails for riders wishing a more easy going experience beneath a cool canopy of trees and foliage. Mountain View also offers experienced riders a heart-pounding, seat-shaking assortment of twisting, turning black trails for hard core ATVers.
Ride Virginia's newest and most exciting trail destination! The Mountain View “Off Highway Vehicle” (OHV) system is a multi-use trail system primarily designed for ATVs and Side by Sides. The 60+ miles of picturesque trails begin in the “ATV Friendly” town of St. Paul where riders have access to a vast selection of lodging, shopping, and dining offerings. The trail system offers a satisfying mix of green and blue trails for riders wishing a more easy going experience beneath a cool canopy of trees and foliage. Mountain View also offers experienced riders a heart-pounding, seat-shaking assortment of twisting, turning black trails for hard core ATVers.
Lays Hardware
Lays Hardware, located in beautiful downtown Coeburn, Virginia, is an Artisan Center showcasing the greatest in mountain music along The Crooked Road! Lays Hardware features local, regional, and national musical acts as well as a wide variety of artisan classes and services for the public! Bring the family and go down to hear the great regional music at Lays Hardware!
Lays Hardware, located in beautiful downtown Coeburn, Virginia, is an Artisan Center showcasing the greatest in mountain music along The Crooked Road! Lays Hardware features local, regional, and national musical acts as well as a wide variety of artisan classes and services for the public! Bring the family and go down to hear the great regional music at Lays Hardware!
Mountain Rose Vineyards
Visitors love to tour the vineyards and try their wine, being pleasantly surprised when they taste them. Most can’t believe such great wines are being made in the heart of coal mining country, more famous for coal mine strikes than award winning wines. What brings visitors back again and again is not only the wonderful wine, but a chance to be part of the dream. The truth is, it's the wonderful white, blush, and red wines of MountainRose Vineyards, not the black coal, that's the true hidden treasures of the Appalachian Mountains in Wise County. So, it can be said that dreams really do come true.
Visitors love to tour the vineyards and try their wine, being pleasantly surprised when they taste them. Most can’t believe such great wines are being made in the heart of coal mining country, more famous for coal mine strikes than award winning wines. What brings visitors back again and again is not only the wonderful wine, but a chance to be part of the dream. The truth is, it's the wonderful white, blush, and red wines of MountainRose Vineyards, not the black coal, that's the true hidden treasures of the Appalachian Mountains in Wise County. So, it can be said that dreams really do come true.
Clinch River Adventures
Float your cares away on one of the most bio-diverse rivers in the world located in Southwest Virginia. Clinch River Adventures offers all sorts of different means of floating the Clinch River from kayaks, paddle boards, tubes, and canoes. Their tube float is 2 hours and only a 3-minute shuttle. After you sign the waiver, our river taxi will shuttle you up the river to our local access points. From there, you will be assisted into the water. Next, sit back and enjoy your float down the most bio-diverse river in America, the scenic Clinch River.
Float your cares away on one of the most bio-diverse rivers in the world located in Southwest Virginia. Clinch River Adventures offers all sorts of different means of floating the Clinch River from kayaks, paddle boards, tubes, and canoes. Their tube float is 2 hours and only a 3-minute shuttle. After you sign the waiver, our river taxi will shuttle you up the river to our local access points. From there, you will be assisted into the water. Next, sit back and enjoy your float down the most bio-diverse river in America, the scenic Clinch River.
Trail Of The Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama
The Trail of The Lonesome Pine is the longest continually running outdoor drama in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is now the official Outdoor Drama of Virginia. It is the objective of the Lonesome Pine Arts & Crafts, Inc. to provide an exciting entertaining and accurate accounting of the story made famous in the early 1900's by the noted author John Fox, Jr. It depicts the effect that the discovery of coal in the Appalachian Mountains had on the people of this beautiful mountain region.
The Trail of The Lonesome Pine is the longest continually running outdoor drama in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is now the official Outdoor Drama of Virginia. It is the objective of the Lonesome Pine Arts & Crafts, Inc. to provide an exciting entertaining and accurate accounting of the story made famous in the early 1900's by the noted author John Fox, Jr. It depicts the effect that the discovery of coal in the Appalachian Mountains had on the people of this beautiful mountain region.
Guest River Gorge Trail
The Guest River Gorge Trail meanders along 300-million-year-old sandstone cliffs that plunge 400 feet to the pristine waters below. The deep gorge was created as the Guest River, now designated as a state scenic river, tunneled through Stone Mountain on its way toward the Clinch River. The gentle grade of this trail and its crushed stone surface make it ideal for a comfortable walk or bike ride. Benches along the route offer more than a place to rest; they yield stunning views of crystal-clear currents that, when interrupted sporadically by boulders, turn into impressive rapids.
The Guest River Gorge Trail meanders along 300-million-year-old sandstone cliffs that plunge 400 feet to the pristine waters below. The deep gorge was created as the Guest River, now designated as a state scenic river, tunneled through Stone Mountain on its way toward the Clinch River. The gentle grade of this trail and its crushed stone surface make it ideal for a comfortable walk or bike ride. Benches along the route offer more than a place to rest; they yield stunning views of crystal-clear currents that, when interrupted sporadically by boulders, turn into impressive rapids.
Country Cabin II
The original Country Cabin was built in 1937-38 with the encouragement of local ballad singer and songwriter Kate O'Neil Peters Sturgill. Country Cabin II was built in 2002 to accommodate larger audiences. In addition to clogging and line-dancing classes, the site continues to host local musicians and bands performing bluegrass, country and old-time music throughout the year every Saturday night, as well as the annual Dock Boggs Festival in September. The Country Cabin is the longest continuously running site for traditional music along the entire Crooked Road.
The original Country Cabin was built in 1937-38 with the encouragement of local ballad singer and songwriter Kate O'Neil Peters Sturgill. Country Cabin II was built in 2002 to accommodate larger audiences. In addition to clogging and line-dancing classes, the site continues to host local musicians and bands performing bluegrass, country and old-time music throughout the year every Saturday night, as well as the annual Dock Boggs Festival in September. The Country Cabin is the longest continuously running site for traditional music along the entire Crooked Road.
Little Stony Falls
If you're looking for an easy trip, the Little Stony National Recreation Trail in Jefferson National Forest is the perfect alternative to the nearby Devils Fork Loop Trail. Devils Fork Loop is gorgeous, but it includes a strenuous and often wet climb. Little Stony, on the other hand, offers similarly beautiful views within a mere 2.8 miles, and its footbridges save you from cold, slippery water crossings. You can also take breaks from the trail's 600-foot ascent by resting at the bridges high above the rushing currents and below the hemlock canopy.
If you're looking for an easy trip, the Little Stony National Recreation Trail in Jefferson National Forest is the perfect alternative to the nearby Devils Fork Loop Trail. Devils Fork Loop is gorgeous, but it includes a strenuous and often wet climb. Little Stony, on the other hand, offers similarly beautiful views within a mere 2.8 miles, and its footbridges save you from cold, slippery water crossings. You can also take breaks from the trail's 600-foot ascent by resting at the bridges high above the rushing currents and below the hemlock canopy.
Flag Rock
The view from the Flag Rock overlook affords a panoramic view of downtown Norton and the surrounding area. It is also home to the "Woodbooger" a creature from local folklore. The Woodbooger is often compared to the legend of Bigfoot or the Sasquatch. There is a statue erected of the "Woodbooger" near Flag Rock's scenic view. Numerous picnic tables are scattered throughout the park as well as two rental shelters that have large covered grill areas, fireplaces, electric and water. For the avid walker, a hiking trail runs from the upper campground to the Norton Reservoir, which is seasonally stocked with rainbow trout.
The view from the Flag Rock overlook affords a panoramic view of downtown Norton and the surrounding area. It is also home to the "Woodbooger" a creature from local folklore. The Woodbooger is often compared to the legend of Bigfoot or the Sasquatch. There is a statue erected of the "Woodbooger" near Flag Rock's scenic view. Numerous picnic tables are scattered throughout the park as well as two rental shelters that have large covered grill areas, fireplaces, electric and water. For the avid walker, a hiking trail runs from the upper campground to the Norton Reservoir, which is seasonally stocked with rainbow trout.
Natural Tunnel
More than 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building, Natural Tunnel was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years. William Jennings Bryan called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Other scenic features include a wide chasm between steep stone walls surrounded by several pinnacles, or "chimneys." Facilities include two campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a camp store and a gift shop. You'll also find the Wilderness Road historic area, a swimming pool with a 100-foot slide and a chairlift to the tunnel floor. Guests enjoy cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River.
More than 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building, Natural Tunnel was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years. William Jennings Bryan called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Other scenic features include a wide chasm between steep stone walls surrounded by several pinnacles, or "chimneys." Facilities include two campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a camp store and a gift shop. You'll also find the Wilderness Road historic area, a swimming pool with a 100-foot slide and a chairlift to the tunnel floor. Guests enjoy cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River.
Barter Theatre
With a rich history spanning eight decades, Barter Theatre still draws patrons from around the globe every day to Abingdon to enjoy the magic of live entertainment. Barter, the State Theatre of Virginia, helps visitors make memories through its talented cast of resident actors in shows ranging from comedies to dramas to musicals. A multitude of famous actors such as Ernest Borgnine got their start in Barter plays, and today the theatre continues to launch stars from its stages. Come and experience Barter Theatre for yourself.
With a rich history spanning eight decades, Barter Theatre still draws patrons from around the globe every day to Abingdon to enjoy the magic of live entertainment. Barter, the State Theatre of Virginia, helps visitors make memories through its talented cast of resident actors in shows ranging from comedies to dramas to musicals. A multitude of famous actors such as Ernest Borgnine got their start in Barter plays, and today the theatre continues to launch stars from its stages. Come and experience Barter Theatre for yourself.
The Virginia Creeper Trail
The Va Creeper Trail stretches 34 miles from Abingdon, Virginia down thru the lovely town of Damascus, Va (known as the Heart of the Va Creeper) along the Whitetop Laurel River and up to its highest point Whitetop Station near the NC State Line at Whitetop, Virginia. The Va Creeper Trail is open year round to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. This former rail bed passes through the Mount Rogers National Recreation area and the highland country of Southwestern Virginia. The Virginia Creeper Trail is rich in beauty and regional history. This is an easy biking adventure that you and your friends and family will talk about for a long time.
The Va Creeper Trail stretches 34 miles from Abingdon, Virginia down thru the lovely town of Damascus, Va (known as the Heart of the Va Creeper) along the Whitetop Laurel River and up to its highest point Whitetop Station near the NC State Line at Whitetop, Virginia. The Va Creeper Trail is open year round to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. This former rail bed passes through the Mount Rogers National Recreation area and the highland country of Southwestern Virginia. The Virginia Creeper Trail is rich in beauty and regional history. This is an easy biking adventure that you and your friends and family will talk about for a long time.
Raven Rock Golf Course
For the avid golfer visiting our area, there is Raven Rock Golf Course. It now has a new clubhouse overlooking the golf course and valley. Enjoy breathtaking views of the course from the clubhouse deck and fairways. Our clubhouse has a full service restaurant and banquet facilities for you to use. Our pro shop is stocked with all the top brands. Raven Rock is just a thirty minute drive from Wise, Virginia.
For the avid golfer visiting our area, there is Raven Rock Golf Course. It now has a new clubhouse overlooking the golf course and valley. Enjoy breathtaking views of the course from the clubhouse deck and fairways. Our clubhouse has a full service restaurant and banquet facilities for you to use. Our pro shop is stocked with all the top brands. Raven Rock is just a thirty minute drive from Wise, Virginia.