MUSEUMS

 

Museum of the Middle Appalachians  - Saltville, VA in an old mill

Two of Patrick Henry's sisters moved into the Saltville Valley in the 1780's and began the commercial production of salt.  This production continued unabated for the next 200 years. Saltville was extremely important to the Confederacy during the Civil War because it was the primary source of salt for the South.  The musum features five permanent exhibits, and a Picture Library

123 Palmer Ave  Saltville, VA

Phone: 276-496-3633.

Directions

Tours: Contact Mr. Harry Haynes for guided tours. Also Mr. Charlie Bill Totten, 276-496-5342 will provide tours around the historic Saltville area.

 

Smyth County Historical and Museum Society - Marion, VA

The Smyth County Historical & Museum Society was founded in 1961 to preserve the County's heritage through the collection of artifacts, photographs and manuscripts and presentation of public programs and publications.

123 East Main Street, Marion, VA. 24354

Phone :  276-783-7286

Hours: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 


Directions

Located next to the Lincoln Theater

 

Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia - Atkins, VA

The purpose of the museum is to tell the story of the people who settled the mountainous southwest corner of Virginia and how its unique culture was developed.  Visitors discover this as they move through the museum's Visitor's Center, 1890's School and Farm.

1322 Rocky Hollow Rd, Atkins, VA

Phone: 276-686-4401

 

Historic Crab Orchard Museum - Tazewell, VA

Nestled in the mountains approximately 27 miles north of Hungry Mother State Park, the Museum & Pioneer Park is a premiew cultural heritage center. 

3663 Crab Orchard Rd, Tazewell, VA

Phone: 276-988-6755

 

William King Museum: Center for Art and Cultural Heritage, - Abingdon, VA

William King came to America from Ireland in 1784 and completed an apprenticeship in Philadelphia before continuing westward to Virginia’s frontier and settling in Washington County.  Founded in 1989 and housed in a historic 1913 former school, the William King Museum has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of Southwest Virginia and beyond for over 20 years, as well as a cherished destination for residents and visitors. Also includes a Library & Cultural Heritage Archive.

415 Academy Drive, Abingdon, VA

Phone: 276-628-5005

 

RECREATION

 

Hungry Mother State Park, Marion, VA 

Located just off of route 16 near I-81, the park is noted for over 2,000 acres of woodlands and a beautiful large lake for fishing, boating, lakeside beach for swimming, picnicking, hiking and biking trails, camping, and a discovery center to learn about the area.  It also is home to a log-style restaurant which is open seasonally, and has a conference center for special events and a variety of rental cabins that are available throughout the year.

           Phone: 276 -781-7400

 

Burke's Garden - Tazwell, VA

Northeast of Hungry Mother State Park is the highest valley in Virginia that has been called "God's Thumbprint" and the "Garden Spot of the World." This bowl-shaped valley carved out of the top of a mountain offers the most breathtaking scenery this side of New Zealand, with verdant farmland, abundant wildlife, rare bird watching, peaceful biking, and adventurous hiking on the Appalachian Trail. 

 

Mount Rogers Recreational Area

Hiking, horseback riding, camping, picnicking, and sight-seeing along the Mount Rogers Scenic Byway. Part of the USDA Forest Service, this is one of the premiere hiking spots in the Appalachian Mountains.  Mount Rogers is the highest point in the state of Virginia. The Mountain and National Recreation Area are named after William Barton Rogers; the first Virginian state geologist and founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

 

Virginia Creeper Trail

Horseback riding, biking, picnic area. part With 33 miles of beautiful trails, it begins in Abingdon, runs through Damascus and ends at Whitetop Mountain.  The trail follows a rail right-of-way that dates to the 1880s. 

 

Grayson Highlands State Park

Hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking and horseback riding.  The park is within the Jefferson National Forest, which adjoins the Mount Rogers Recreational Area.  

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

Lincoln Theatre, Downtown Marion, VA

Live performances,  including “Song of the Mountains” which is aired on the Public Broadcasting System.

Phone: 276-783-6093

 

WohlfartHausWytheville, VA

Dinner Theatre.

Phone: 888-950-3382

 

Barter Theatre  Abingdon, VA  (State Theatre of Virginia) 

Stage plays.  On June 10, 1933, Barter Theatre opened its doors, proclaiming "With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh." The price of admission was 40 cents or equivalent amount of produce. Four out of five Depression-era theatregoers paid their way with vegetables, dairy products and livestock. The concept of trading "ham for Hamlet" caught on quickly. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly, and a collective weight gain of over 300 pounds.

127 West Main Street, Abingdon, VA

Phone:  276-628-3991

 

Paramount Theatre, Bristol, VA  

Stage plays and live entertainment.   Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Paramount is an excellent example of the art deco motion picture palaces built in the late 1920's and early 30's.Phone: 423-274-8920

 

MOVIE THEATRES

 

Marquee Cinemas,  Wytheville, VA
Phone: 276-228-9875

Cinemall, Abingdon, VA
Phone: 276-676-0100

Tinsel Town, Bristol, VA
Phone: 276-669-2091 

 

EVENTS

 

Hungry Mother Arts and Crafts Festival - Hungry Mother Park, Marion VA

Held annually, the third week of July – arts, crafts, food vendors & entertainment.
Phone 276-781-7400

 

Rich Valley Fair & Horse Show, Saltville, VA

Held annually late July or early August. 
Phone 276-624-3263

 

Virginia Highlands Festival - Abingdon, VA

Abingdon, VA… artisians, crafts, entertainment
Phone: 1-888-489-4230

 

RESTAURANTS

 

Marion: Arbys, Burger King, Dip Dog (Hwy 11S), Four Seasons, Hardees, Hungry Mother Restaurant; LaPaloma (Mexican),  Macado's, Pizza Perfect, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Sisters, Sonic, Subway,  Wolfe's BBQ, Wooden Pickle, Yummy Yummy (Japanese)

Chilhowie: El Campestre (Mexican), Mc Donalds, Riverfront Restaurant, Subway, Taco Bell, Warrior Grill

 

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