Southwest Virginia is where music was born and continues to thrive. With nine major music venues, including the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, more than 60 affiliated venues and festivals, and over 25 wayside exhibits the sounds of country music beat strong and pure here and it’s all connected by The Crooked Road.
Cultural exhibits and arts are as interwoven in Southwest Virginia’s heritage as are the mountains that surround the region. When it comes to tradition-rich venues, there is none more celebrated than the iconic Barter Theatre in Abingdon. The longest-running professional theatre in the nation, Barter opened in 1933 during the Great Depression and is the official state theater of Virginia.
Southwest Virginia showcases its natural outdoor beauty through the Appalachian Mountains, one of the oldest ranges in the world, and the most biodiverse rivers in the world and infinite opportunities for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re into biking, hiking, fishing, bird watching,
horseback riding, water sports or rock climbing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Enjoy a night out Southwest Virginia style! Explore our small towns and communities across the region and enjoy great food, local businesses, and cozy places to stay. Make plans to see a show at a theatre, such as the Barter Theatre in Abingdon. Head out to one of many local breweries across the region. Listen to local music at one of our Crooked Road venues. Or go stargazing on your next state park camping adventure!
Featuring a landscape dappled with mammoth swaths of wilderness, laced with free-flowing rivers, and crowned by high peaks—including the loftiest summit in the state, 5,728-foot Mount Rogers—Southwest Virginia is like no place else in the state. For outdoor lovers, this ruggedly wild corner of the state is not to be missed, but the bounty of recreational opportunities can be overwhelming. Luckily, we have the inside scoop from locals in the know—including outdoor outfitters, trail clubs, and thru-hikers— offering some of the best bets for an adventure-filled mini-vacation in Southwest Virginia.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the communities in Southwest Virginia and our neighboring states that have been affected by Hurricane Helene. Although the storm has passed, its repercussions will linger in some areas for weeks, months, and years ahead. Continue reading for a message from Friends of SWVA, visitor assistance and travel updates
Updates & Impacts