Appalachia VirginiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Appalachia, Virginia.
1. Breaks Interstate Park
GRAND CANYON OF THE SOUTH
Breaks Interstate Park is a stunning natural attraction that spans the Virginia-Kentucky border in the heart of Appalachia. The park features a five-mile gorge that plunges to depths of 1,650 feet, earning it the nickname 'Grand Canyon of the South.' Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and water activities while taking in breathtaking views of this rugged landscape.
2. Natural Tunnel State Park
NATURE'S GATEWAY THROUGH MOUNTAINS
Natural Tunnel State Park showcases a massive naturally formed tunnel that has been carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years. Visitors can take a chairlift ride down to view this geological wonder up close and learn about its history as a railroad passage. The park also offers camping, swimming, and hiking opportunities throughout its 850 acres.
3. Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park
REGIONAL HERITAGE ON DISPLAY
The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is housed in a stunning Victorian stone mansion built in the 1880s with exhibits focused on the region's rich heritage. The museum showcases more than 25,000 artifacts that tell the story of the exploration and development of Southwest Virginia. Visitors can explore the history of coal mining, railroads, and pioneer life that shaped this unique region.
4. Pocahontas Exhibition Mine & Museum
HISTORIC COAL MINING EXPERIENCE
Pocahontas Exhibition Mine & Museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to tour an authentic coal mine that operated in Virginia's first coalfield boom town. Guests can journey into the underground mine on guided tours to experience what life was like for early coal miners in the region. The accompanying museum houses artifacts and exhibits that document the town's rich coal mining history and its importance to the development of Appalachia.
5. Harry W. Meador Coal Museum
COAL INDUSTRY HERITAGE CENTER
The Harry W. Meador Coal Museum features exhibits and objects collected by the late Harry Meador Jr., an executive with a local coal company. The museum documents the critical role that coal mining played in the development and culture of Appalachia. Visitors can explore displays of mining equipment, photographs, and other artifacts that tell the story of the region's primary industry.
6. Burke's Garden
GOD'S THUMBPRINT VALLEY
Burke's Garden is a breathtaking crater-like valley atop a mountain that's commonly referred to as 'God's Thumbprint' due to its distinctive shape when viewed from above. This isolated rural community is surrounded by a continuous mountain ridge and offers stunning pastoral landscapes with farms and historic buildings. Visitors can enjoy driving or cycling the scenic loop road while taking in views of this unique geological formation and its agricultural beauty.
7. Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama
APPALACHIAN CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama is Virginia's official outdoor drama that brings to life the story of a mountain girl and a mining engineer during the coal boom in Appalachia. Based on the novel by John Fox Jr., this theatrical production runs during summer months in an outdoor amphitheater. The drama showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region through music, dance, and storytelling set against the backdrop of the beautiful Appalachian mountains.
8. Crab Orchard Museum & Pioneer Park
LIVING APPALACHIAN HISTORY
Historic Crab Orchard Museum preserves the cultural heritage of the Appalachian Region with exhibits spanning 500 years of history from Native American settlements to pioneer life. The adjoining Pioneer Park features authentic log cabins, a blacksmith shop, and other historic structures that have been preserved or reconstructed. Visitors can experience living history demonstrations and special events that bring the region's pioneer past to life.
9. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
GATEWAY TO THE WEST
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park preserves the famous mountain pass that served as the first great gateway to the west for early American settlers. The park spans three states (Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee) and features over 70 miles of hiking trails that lead visitors through stunning mountain scenery and historic sites. Visitors can explore the visitor center, take guided tours through Hensley Settlement and Gap Cave, and enjoy panoramic views from Pinnacle Overlook.
10. Virginia-Kentucky Opry
MOUNTAIN MUSIC SHOWCASE
The Virginia-Kentucky Opry in Norton offers live entertainment featuring traditional Appalachian music, country, and bluegrass performances. This cultural venue celebrates the rich musical heritage of the region with regular shows that highlight local and regional talent. Visitors can experience authentic mountain music in a family-friendly atmosphere that connects them to the heart of Appalachian culture.
11. Blue Ridge Parkway
AMERICA'S FAVORITE DRIVE
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic 469-mile drive that connects Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park through the heart of Appalachia. The parkway offers numerous overlooks with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially stunning during fall foliage season. Visitors can access hiking trails, waterfalls, and cultural sites along this winding road that showcases the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Appalachian highlands.
12. Taubman Museum of Art
MODERN ART IN MOUNTAINS
The Taubman Museum of Art features a striking contemporary building designed by architect Randall Stout that houses an impressive collection of American, modern, and contemporary art. The museum offers eleven galleries with both permanent collections and rotating exhibitions that showcase works from regional and international artists. Visitors can participate in educational programs, art classes, and special events while exploring this cultural gem in the heart of Appalachia.
13. Floyd Country Store
AUTHENTIC MOUNTAIN MUSIC VENUE
The Floyd Country Store is famous for its Friday Night Jamboree, a weekly celebration of traditional Appalachian music and dancing that draws visitors from around the world. This authentic country store combines shopping for traditional goods, local crafts, and old-fashioned candy with a renowned music venue. Visitors can enjoy homestyle food at the café while experiencing the living tradition of bluegrass, old-time, and gospel music that defines the cultural heritage of the region.
14. Black Dog Salvage
ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE HUNTING
Black Dog Salvage is a massive architectural salvage warehouse made famous by the DIY Network television show 'Salvage Dawgs.' The 40,000-square-foot facility houses an incredible collection of reclaimed architectural elements, antiques, and upcycled furniture. Visitors can hunt for unique treasures while exploring this fascinating combination of retail store, design center, and working salvage shop that celebrates the art of preservation and repurposing.
15. Texas Tavern
ICONIC SMALL-TOWN DINER
Texas Tavern is a legendary 24-hour diner that has been serving its famous Cheesy Westerns and chile dogs to Appalachian locals and visitors since 1930. This tiny 10-stool eatery boasts the slogan 'We seat 1,000 people, 10 at a time' and maintains its original counter, stools, and much of its vintage decor. Visitors can experience authentic local flavor and the unique culture of this family-owned institution that represents a vanishing piece of Americana in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge region.