2-Day Eastern Zone of The Crooked Road

Explore The Crooked Road from the East by starting in Rocky Mount.  Located in Franklin County, the famed “Moonshine Capital of the World,” Rocky Mount offers distilleries as well as the Harvester Performance Center which has a variety of performances.  The Blue Ridge Institute at Ferrum College features exhibits and a heritage farm, and is known for October’s Blue Ridge Folklife Festival.

From Franklin, travel to Floyd County and go to the famous Friday Night Jamboree at the Floyd Country Store. Shop the large selection of world-class heritage music at County Sales and visit Chateau Morrisette vineyard .

Travel up to the Christiansburg/Blacksburg area and visit the Blacksburg farmer’s market jam, explore Montgomery County’s parks then take a day to visit downtown Pulaski and have a meal at the Draper Mercantile. Or explore Giles County, with many hiking trails including The Cascades and plan to visit and stay at the famous Mountain Lake Lodge, where Dirty Dancing was filmed.

2-Day Central Zone of The Crooked Road

Galax is a hub of heritage and traditional music with many options for exploration.   The area offers entertainment at the Rex Theatre, which features Blue Ridge Backroads on Friday nights, special events and festivals at Felts Park and easy access to the Blue Ridge Music Center off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The Center holds weekly events including jams and dances as well as a summer concert series.  Artisans are featured at Chestnut Creek School of the Arts in Galax.  In August, the world-famous Galax Old Fiddlers Convention occurs.

A short drive away from Galax is Grayson Highlands State Park, which offers one of the most unique experiences – hiking with wild ponies – as well as amazing views and camping.  The Wayne C. Henderson Festival is traditionally held at the park annually in June.

Stay in Wytheville and explore historic museums and small shops, then take the winding route to Tazewell to the Appalachian Arts Center and Burke’s Garden.  Stop in  Bland County to see the Indian Village and climb to the top of Big Walker Lookout, a 100-foot observation tower located in the Blue Ridge Highlands Region atop Big Walker Mountain in Bland County, Virginia,  which also features weekly heritage music and artist and author meet-and-greets.

Don’t forget to visit the Town of Marion and Smyth County.  Home to the Lincoln Theatre, where Song of the Mountains is filmed, as well as The Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts.  Hungry Mother State Park offers fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking and camping.  Beautiful hikes can be found all throughout this area!

2-Day Western  Zone of The Crooked Road

Bristol is a great starting point for a Crooked Road experience.  The Birthplace of Country Music Museum offers a look at the influences and history of heritage music.   Numerous shops and restaurants are available for perusal in downtown Bristol.  Drive out to the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons Virginia for an authentic heritage music experience.

From Bristol, spend a few days in Abingdon and Washington Co Virginia.  Start with a visit to the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace to get information on the area as well as view a selection of curated SWVA arts and crafts.  The Barter Theatre provides an extraordinary live theatre experience and the Virginia Creeper Trail starts in Abingdon and winds its way toward North Carolina – perfect for biking, running and walking.  Damascus in Washington Co is a trail town hub with various biking and hiking opportunities and you can hear live entertainment or rent a kayak at Abingdon Vineyards.

The western part of the region can also be accessed from Bristol.  Kayak or tube the biodiverse Clinch River or rent an ATV to explore one of the region’s many ATV Trails.  The mountains of Southwestern Virginia meet Kentucky at The Breaks Interstate Park and local dance and music venues include the Country Cabin II in Norton and Lay’s Hardware in Coeburn.  Explore the westernmost region’s small towns and coal history as well as natural beauty and hiking in areas such as Big Stone Gap, Wise, Clintwood (also home to the Ralph Stanley Museum) and Russell County.

All the areas of The Crooked Road have opportunities for exploration!