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Southwest Virginia

by ShanaCorbin

Southwest Virginia welcomes travelers with the warmth of a dear friend and the intrigue of an adventure waiting to unfold. Whether around the next curve of a scenic highway, atop the crest of stately mountain or in the midst of a magical musical gathering, there is sure to be something to surprise visitors. They will always be met with a warm welcome and surrounded by a calm that makes this region feel like home.

Southwest Virginia is a diverse destination that stretches along rugged mountains, beautiful valleys, and some of the oldest and most bio-diverse river systems in the world. Each community provides a welcoming atmosphere and spirit of inclusion that invites guests to come visit, stay a while and immerse themselves in a way of life that is both reverent of the past and dynamic in the present. Attractions, event venues, and locally owned businesses each offer their own unforgettable Southwest Virginia experience.

This is also home to nature at its best and most beautiful with some of the most photographed locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The region’s two national parks, 11 state parks, and more than a thousand square miles of national and state forests are among the landscapes to explore. Hiking and off-roading, rafting and kayaking, and bouldering and ziplining are just some of the most popular ways to enjoy this diverse and exciting landscape.

It is a region filled with music and craftsmanship that are distinctive and authentic. This was America’s original frontier. Throughout its mountains and gaps and along its riverbeds and tree lines, American craftsmanship thrived as pioneers settled here. Today, it lives on as an integral part of life. Many of these stories are told at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, where the best of regional crafts and traditional music are on display. This is a gateway to many of the wonders of Southwest Virginia. The center opens the door to a vibrant community of artisans, artists and craftspeople in the galleries, shops and heritage groups that make up the ‘Round The Mountain Artisan Network.

Southwest Virginia’s shared border with Tennessee boasts the Birthplace of Country Music and its deep roots in mountain music, old-time, bluegrass, gospel, and blues that make up the soundtrack of this region. Visitors can enjoy and experience the sounds, history, and celebration of this diverse musical culture along a trail of venues, attractions and events known as Southwest Virginia’s The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.

Whether it’s the wonder of nature at a state park, the sense of community at a local jam session or the beauty of a handcrafted piece of art at a downtown shop, Southwest Virginia offers it in abundance. And its people are quick to welcome visitors and proud to share this storied destination they call home.

Fast Facts

  • Southwest Virginia is made up of 19 counties, four (4) independent cities and 53 towns.
  • The SWVA region is made up of 8,600 square miles of lush forests and fertile valleys, two national parks and 11 state parks.
  • Southwest Virginia is within a day’s drive of more than half of the U.S. population and borders the states of Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
  • The region has a rich musical heritage and is home to The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.
  • Southwest Virginia is also a hub for the performing arts, including the Barter Theatre, Virginia’s State Theatre and The Trail of Lonesome Pine, Virginia’s Official Outdoor Drama.
  • Southwest Virginia claims the state’s two highest mountain peaks, Mount Rogers and Whitetop, accessible to hikers and outdoor adventurers.
  • In addition to the array of outstanding wildlife throughout the region, three parks offer unique animal viewing experiences. Visitors can take part in elk tours at Breaks Interstate Park. A quick hike at Grayson Highlands State Park will also allow guests to see wild ponies. At the Wilderness Road State Park, visitors can see grazing buffalo.
  • Southwest Virginia has provided scenes for dozens of movies, including Dirty Dancing, filmed at Mountain Lake Lodge.
  • The Edith Boling Wilson Birthplace Museum in Wytheville is only one of eight historic sites across the country dedicated to the interpretation of a First Lady.
  • Franklin County, Virginia is designated as the Moonshine Capital of the World.
  • The Clinch River is one of the most biodiverse rivers in the world, housing the nation’s highest concentration of rare and imperiled freshwater animals.
  • Bristol is designated by the U.S. Congress as the official birthplace of country music, the designation attributed to the recording of the 1927 Bristol Sessions.
  • Southwest Virginia provides some of the steepest destinations along the TransAtlantic Bike Route and U.S. Bike Route 76, a draw for advanced domestic and international bikers.
  • Pulaski’s Calfee Park, a depression-era federal project now listed on the National State and Historic Landmarks Register, is still operational today by the minor-league Pulaski River Turtles.
  • Galax, billed as The World’s Capital of Old-Time Mountain Music, is home to the world’s largest and oldest fiddler’s convention.
  • The Mabry Mill, located near the borders of Floyd and Patrick Counties, is one of the most photographed locations along The Blue Ridge Parkway.

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