Entertainment & Events
Annual Charity Event
1st: Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival
675 Hobson Rd., Martinsville, RoosterWalk.com, 276-650-1583
Set for May 27-30, 2021, Rooster Walk takes place every year at the Pop’s Farm venue, just outside of Martinsville. This year’s lineup includes bands like The Infamous Stringdusters and No BS! Brass Band, in addition to children’s activities, craft beer, food, and more. Since 2009, Rooster Walk Inc. has donated more than $175,000 to local and regional charities.
2nd: Woofstock, Bristol, MBMSpayNeuterClinic.org, 276-645-7275
3rd: Guns and Hoses, Roanoke, TheBerglundCenter.com, 540-853-2241
BOV20_Living_and_recreation
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Art Event
1st: Virginia Highlands Festival
Downtown Abingdon, VaHighlandsFestival.org, 276-623-5266
An annual event since 1949, the festival celebrates the arts, crafts, and skills of Southwest Virginia. Although the festival was cancelled for 2020 due to the pandemic, plans have already begun for next year. Postponed events include demonstrations of Appalachian chefs, ingredients, and cooking methods and a performance by the popular Wolf Crystal immersive theater.
2nd: Hungry Mother Arts and Crafts Festival, Marion, HungryMotherFestival.com, -276-200-4095
3rd: Expressions at Piedmont Arts, Martinsville, PiedmontArts.org, 276-632-3221
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Art Gallery
1st: Piedmont Arts
215 Starling Ave., Martinsville, PiedmontArts.org, 276-632-3221
Every year Piedmont Arts hosts its annual open-entry judged art exhibition, Expressions, in the Hooker Garret Gallery, offering “an eclectic mix of styles and media.” A #ShopLocal Gallery is filled with locally sourced, handmade products for purchase. Items for sale may include jewelry, stained and fused glass, textiles, and more.
2nd: The Arts Depot, Abingdon, AbingdonArtsDepot.org, 276-628-9091
3rd: Floyd Center for the Arts, Floyd, FloydArtCenter.org, 540-745-2784
Museum
1st: Virginia Museum of Natural History
21 Starling Ave., Martinsville, VMNH.net, 276-634-4141
Clawd, the museum’s life-size, flesh model recreation of the extinct Jefferson Ground Sloth located inside the Harvest Foundation Hall of Ancient Life is one of the most popular exhibits at the museum. In addition to fossil specimens, geology lessons, and an exhibit about ants, the museum also conducts groundbreaking research in areas such as paleontology, archaeology, invertebrate zoology, and more.
2nd: Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol, BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org, 423-573-1927
3rd: Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, TaubmanMuseum.org, 540-342-5760
Historic Site
1st: Barter Theatre
127 W. Main St., Abingdon, BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
In 1933, admission at the Barter Theatre was 40 cents—or the equivalent amount of produce—and promised, “With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh.” Today, the tradition of “trading ham for Hamlet” is celebrated during the theater’s Barter Days in June, when donations for Feeding America Southwest Virginia are accepted in lieu of tickets.
2nd: Mabry Mill, Meadows of Dan, NPS.gov
3rd: Mill Mountain Star, Roanoke, PlayRoanoke.com, 540-853-2000
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Tourist Attraction
1st: Barter Theatre
127 W. Main St., Abingdon, BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
Barter Theatre is known as the official State Theatre of Virginia (the first theater to receive this status) and the nation’s longest running professional theater. More than 160,000 people visit the theater each year. Famous actors who have graced the stage include Gregory Peck, Frances Fisher, Wayne Knight, and Gary Collins.
2nd: Blue Ridge Parkway, NPS.gov/BLRI
3rd: Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, MartinsvilleSpeedway.com, 877-722-3849
Food or Drink Festival
1st: Martinsville Uptown Oktoberfest
2 W. Church St., Martinsville, MartinsvilleUptown.net, 276-632-6401
This year, the festival celebrates its 41st anniversary. More than 200 vendors sell food, handmade crafts, and baked goods. For children, the festival has family-friendly activities like rides and bounce houses—and for the adults, a beer garden.
2nd: Roanoke Greek Festival, Roanoke, RoanokeGreekFestival.com, 540-362-3601
3rd: Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival, Huddleston, VisitSmithMountainLake.com/SML-Wine-Festival, 540-721-1203
Non-Food Festival
1st: Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
416 State St., Bristol, BristolRhythm.com, 423-573-1927
Since 2012, the annual music festival has been hosted by the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. During the third weekend in September, more than 130 bands perform on 20 stages throughout downtown Bristol. Named one of Rolling Stone’s “Top 20 Tours and Festivals,” around 45,000 music lovers attend every year.
2nd: FloydFest, Floyd, FloydFest.com, 888-823-3787
3rd: Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival, Martinsville, RoosterWalk.com, 276-650-1583
Historic Theater
1st: Barter Theatre
127 W. Main St., Abingdon, BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
Before the Empire Theatre in New York City was demolished in the 1950s, the Barter’s founder, Robert Porterfield, salvaged $75,000 worth of seats, lighting fixtures, carpeting, and paintings from the Empire and brought it back to Abingdon. Additionally, the lighting system at Barter was designed and installed by Thomas Edison and was in use until the mid 1970s.
2nd: The Grandin Theatre, Roanoke, GrandinTheatre.com, 540-345-6377
3rd: The Lincoln Theatre, Marion, TheLincoln.org, 276-783-6092
Music Venue
1st: Harvester Performance Center
450 Franklin St., Rocky Mount, Harvester-Music.com, 540-484-8277
The venue hosts more than 250 shows each year and can hold up to 700 people for a stand-up show configuration. Previous artists include Merle Haggard, Gregg Allman, and Marty Stuart. Refreshments and merchandise are available for purchase. The Landing Pad, an area in the lower level of the building, is available to rent for meetings or seminars.
2nd: Floyd Country Store, Floyd, FloydCountryStore.com, 540-745-4563
3rd: The Lincoln Theatre, Marion, TheLincoln.org, 276-783-6092
Professional/Regional Performing Arts Company
1st: Barter Theatre
127 W. Main St., Abingdon, BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
This fall the Barter Theatre will perform The 39 Steps, based on the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, in the Smith Theatre from Sept. 15 through Nov. 15. On the Gilliam Stage, see the world premiere of James Harris’ new American musical, We’ll Meet Again. It features music from the World War II era and runs from Sept. 17 through Nov. 14.
2nd: Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke, MillMountain.org, 540-342-5740
3rd: Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, Wytheville, WohlfahrtHaus.com, 888-950-3382
Entertainment Center for Adults
1st: Wine & Design
438 Peppers Ferry Rd. NW, Christiansburg, WineAndDesign.com, 540-381-6964
Terri Welch, an avid Wine & Design customer herself, took ownership of the Christiansburg location in 2016. The studio offers public and private Paint “pARTies.” Whether it’s a get-together for a girls’ night out, a business team building event, or exploring completely different crafts like wood pallet décor or macramé—the studio does it all.
2nd: Blue Ridge Axe Throwing, Roanoke, BlueRidgeAxeThrowing.com, 540-309-5222
3rd: Lee Hi Lanes Bowling Center, Salem, LeeHiLanes.com, 540-389-0000
Travel
Bed & Breakfast
1st: Early Inn at the Grove
50 Floyd Ave., Rocky Mount, EarlyInn.com, 540-524-2525
Situated on 10 peaceful acres, the bed & breakfast’s most popular accommodations include the Magnolia Suite—with its spacious bedroom and bathroom—or the Cottage Suite, with its attached “beauty room” for weddings. The new 5,400-square-foot Grand Oak Pavilion hosts private and public events, like the Franklin County Friday Series, complete with music, food, and drinks.
2nd: Stuart Hill Bed & Breakfast, Martinsville, StayAtStuartHill.com, 276-734-4287
3rd: Trinkle Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Wytheville, TrinkleMansion.com, 276-625-0625
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Hotel
1st: Hotel Roanoke
110 Shenandoah Ave., Roanoke, HotelRoanoke.com, 540-985-5900
In 1993, the Tudor-style hotel—which was built in 1882—underwent a multi-million-dollar restoration. Today, it is home to 330 guest rooms, a 63,000-square-foot conference center, a spa and salt foot sanctuary, coffee shop, and The Regency Room, a four-diamond-rated restaurant. Hotel Roanoke is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
2nd: General Francis Marion Hotel, Marion, GFMHotel.com, 276-783-4800
3rd: The Western Front Hotel, St. Paul, WesternFrontHotel.com, 276-738-3040
Resort
1st: Primland
2000 Busted Rock Rd., Meadows of Dan, Primland.com, 866-960-7746
The Spa at Primland is celebrating its 10th anniversary during 4 different spa retreats. The retreats address themes like renewal, emergence, alchemy, and integration. After a round of golf, visit the 19th Pub restaurant to try the new Highland Dog, a juicy Kobe beef hot dog wrapped in pretzel dough and seasoned with smoked Maldon sea salt and sesame seeds.
2nd: The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, Abingdon, TheMartha.com, 276-628-3161
3rd: Mountain Lake Lodge, Pembroke, MtnLakeLodge.com, 540-626-7121
Pets
Dog Park
1st: Blacksburg Dog Park
2100 Toms Creek Rd., Blacksburg, Blacksburg.gov, 540-443-1100
Pups—and their owners—can frolic freely at the two-acre Blacksburg Dog Park. Established in 2007, the park is double-gated, has sections for large and small dogs, and water is available from freestanding pipes. The park is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.
2nd: Highland Park, Roanoke, RoanokeOutside.com, 540-853-2236
3rd: Sparky’s Run Dog Park, Radford, RadfordVa.gov, 540-731-3633
Dog Training Company
1st: Off Leash K9 Training
300-B Roanoke St., Christiansburg
2445 E. Washington Ave., Suite 102, Vinton, NRVAndRoanokeDogTrainer.com, 540-750-1955
Crystal Armes opened the southwest Virginia branch of Off Leash K9 Training in 2016 after having training success with her own dogs. Now, the two facilities are home to eight dog trainers who offer obedience and behavioral modification services. The company is one of the only in the area that accepts human or animal aggressive dogs into the program.
2nd: High Hopes Dog Training, Roanoke, High-Hopes.net, 540-343-3849
3rd: Beyond Sit and Stay Professional Dog Training, Chilhowie, PShupe.webs.com, 276-685-1154
Pet Boarding/Day Care
1st: Urban Tails Pet Resort
2845 Virginia Ave., Collinsville, DeeOGee.club, 434-218-0291
Services and amenities include short- and long-term boarding, raised cots and blankets, 24/7 television or music, fireplace cuddle times, and large play areas. For extra love, schedule a cookie break or daily playtime for your dog. Day care packages include full, half-day, or multi-day passes. The facility also offers grooming and training services.
2nd: Kut & Fluff Pet Grooming & Lodging, Bristol, KutAndFluff.com, 276-669-4430
3rd: Aspen Grove Boarding, Boones Mill, AspenGroveBoarding.com, 540-776-7656
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Veterinary Hospital
1st: King’s Mountain Animal Clinic
5086 King’s Mountain Rd., Collinsville, KingsMountainAC.com, 276-647-3714
King’s Mountain is a full-service hospital and home to four veterinarians. It offers annual dental exams, diet and nutrition consultations, microchipping, and more. The clinic treats a wide variety of animals—from cats and dogs to hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and even reptiles.
2nd: VCA Highlands Animal Hospital, Abingdon, VCAHospitals.com, 276-628-4115
3rd: Southwest Virginia Veterinary Services, Lebanon, SVVSPets.com, 276-889-5515
Kids
Day Care or Preschool
1st: Miss Amy’s
211 Bradley St. SW, Abingdon, MissAmysLLC.com, 276-676-3151
Children play outside every day at Miss Amy’s, a Reggio-Emilia inspired preschool. Founded in 1992, children ages 22 months to seven years old are enrolled and participate in daily creative activities, such as learning how to cook Italian food or counting in different languages. Play and exploration are highly encouraged at the fully licensed school.
2nd: Early Learning Center-First United Methodist Church, Martinsville, FUMCMartinsville.net, 276-638-8733
3rd: Bright Beginnings Child Development Center, Tazewell, Facebook.com/BrightBeginningsChristianChildCare, 276-979-4078
K-12 Independent School
1st: Carlisle School
300 Carlisle Rd., Axton, CarlisleSchool.org, 276-632-7288
The school has expanded its STEAM and Robotics Program and now has three competitive robotics teams for students in grades three through 12. In 2019, Carlisle School was named one of the top STEM schools in the nation by Newsweek. Additionally, the baseball field is undergoing construction to add new dugouts, backstop fencing, and safety netting.
2nd: Main Street School, Tazewell, MainStreet.education, 276-979-4091
3rd: North Cross School, Roanoke, NorthCross.org, 540-989-6641
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Summer Camp
1st: Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
25236 Hillman Hwy., Abingdon, SWVA4HCenter.org, 276-676-6180
The center, located in the rural countryside of Abingdon, is an American Camp Association accredited organization. It offers three summer camps—Junior 4-H, Stage & Strings, and Cloverbud—for children ages five to nine. The center also has a low and high ropes challenge course used for team building.
2nd: Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, VMNH.net, 276-634-4185
3rd: Alta Mons Summer Camp and Retreat Center, Shawsville, AltaMons.org, 540-268-2409
Birthday Party Place
1st: Xtreme Springz Trampoline Park
200 Midway Plaza Dr., Christiansburg, XtremeSpringz.com, 540-251-5362
For high-energy children, this venue has it all—a basketball court, dodgeball arena, Ultimate Warrior obstacle course, and an entire room filled with trampolines. Three birthday party packages are available, and all packages include one hour of jump time, spring grip socks, pizza, drinks, cupcakes, and even arcade game cards.
2nd: Bounce Roanoke, BounceRoanoke.com, 540-345-7867
3rd: Thunder Valley Family Entertainment Center, Salem, ThunderValley.net, 540-387-9477
Family Entertainment
1st: Barter Theatre
127 W. Main St., Abingdon, BarterTheatre.com, 276-628-3991
The Barter Players are the theater’s resident group of actors who perform for young audiences from April through December. In January through March, the players travel to schools across the East Coast.
2nd: Uptown Pinball, Martinsville, UptownPinball.business.site, 276-224-7139
3rd: Hungry Mother State Park, Marion, DCR.Virginia.gov, 276-781-7400
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Playground
1st: Hungry Mother State Park
2854 Park Blvd., Marion, DCR.Virginia.gov, 276-781-7400
In addition to a large physical playground with slides and monkey bars, the park itself serves as a natural playground for children. Attend a junior naturalist program or campfire at the Discovery Center or splash around on a hot summer day at the 108-acre lake and beach area. The park is also pet-friendly, so you can bring Fido along, too.
2nd: Fairy Stone State Park, Stuart, DCR.Virginia.gov, 276-930-2424
3rd: Jack Dalton Park, Collinsville, HenryCountyVa.gov, 276-634-4601
Outdoors & Active
Dance Studio
1st: Raise the Barre Dance Studio
1485 Franklin St., Rocky Mount, Facebook.com/RTBDancing, 540-352-7957
The main goal of the studio is to provide “encouragement through dance” and establish a positive learning environment for all students. Classes for children include ballet, basic tumbling, preteen hip hop, and more. Adults can also take classes to learn techniques such as ballroom dancing or clogging.
2nd: Teresa’s School of Baton and Dance, Collinsville, TeresasOnline.com, 276-647-6060
3rd: Roanoke Ballet Theatre, Roanoke, RoanokeBallet.org, 540-345-6099
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Golf Course
1st: Chatmoss Country Club
550 Mt. Olivet Rd., Martinsville, ChatmossCC.org, 276-638-2484
The country club is home to the 18-hole J. Ellis Maples golf course—which recently received new greens—a driving range, and a putting practice green. The Sports Complex on site includes three indoor hard courts, a workout facility, hitting wall, and six outdoor clay courts, three of which are lighted for evening play.
2nd: Glenrochie Country Club, Abingdon, GlenrochieCountryClub.com, 276-628-3059
3rd: Primland, Meadows of Dan, Primland.com, 866-960-7746
Gym or Fitness Studio
1st: Beartown Athletics
383 Technology Park Dr., Lebanon, BeartownAthletics.com, 423-202-8148
The first CrossFit gym in Lebanon, Beartown Athletics’ 6,800-square-foot facility offers a variety of fitness classes and programs, such as boot camp classes for women, Pound classes, yoga, and a Master’s Fitness program for seniors ages 55 and higher. The gym also partners with two other local businesses to offer meal prep services and physical therapy.
2nd: Gym 24, Martinsville, Gym24Fitness.com, 276-638-2170
3rd: Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA, Martinsville, MartinsvilleYMCA.com, 276-632-6427
Hiking or Biking Trail
1st: Virginia Creeper Trail
300 Green Spring Rd., Abingdon, VaCreeperTrail.org
The multi-use trail starts at mile 0 in Abingdon, travels 34.3 miles through mountains, forests, and fields, and ends at Whitetop Station in Damascus. It was officially named in 1987, 10 years after the last train used the rails. Two years later, The Virginia Creeper Trail Club formed as a volunteer organization to help maintain and preserve the resource.
2nd: Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail, Martinsville, VisitMartinsville.com, 276-634-4640
3rd: Cascade Falls, Pembroke, VirginiasMtnPlayground.com/Cascades, 540-921-2079
Park
1st: Hungry Mother State Park
2854 Park Blvd., Marion, DCR.Virginia.gov, 276-781-7400
The park was founded in the 1930s as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps. Today, the most visited areas of the park are the trail systems, which cover 18 miles of land and are open to hiking and biking. Stop by on a Friday night to hear local bands or attend a community campfire on Saturdays.
2nd: Breaks Interstate Park, Breaks, BreaksPark.com, 276-865-4413
3rd: Grayson Highlands State Park, Mouth of Wilson, DCR.Virginia.gov, 276-579-7092
Illustration by Chiara Vercesi.
Marina
1st: Sportsmans Marina
23511 Sportsman Dr., Abingdon, TheSportsmansMarina.com, 276-628-2850
After a day on the water, dock your boat at the 305-slip marina and have a bite to eat at the Broken Ski Grill restaurant, with comfort food like fried mac and cheese, bacon Swiss burgers, or tangy gold barbecue chicken wings. The facility also offers kayak, canoe, and SUP rentals, as well as new and used boat sales.
2nd: Philpott Marina, Bassett, HenryCountyVa.gov, 276-340-0485
3rd: Bridgewater Marina & Boat Rentals, Moneta, BWMarina.com, 540-721-1639
