Where to Go
A visit to the region, also known for its hospitality and incredible craftspeople, will make you feel like you’re already home, and maybe you are… it’s another side of Virginia and it’s an incredible place to spend a lifetime! Southwest Virginia showcases its natural 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.
Cultural exhibits and arts are as interwoven in Southwest Virginia’s heritage as are the mountains that surround the region. Nearly every town in the region features theaters where touring companies and musicians once brought their latest shows. Today, these small theaters have been renovated to be centers for a cultural renaissance, bringing live music and theater to beautiful and historic spaces. Art centers and galleries, such as the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, offer visitors the chance to see and buy original art and crafts made right here.
Family Fun
SWVA boasts a vibrant culture that is bursting with a robust music heritage, outdoor adventure, arts and culture, spectacular scenery, and natural resources.
Outdoor Adventure
Whether you’re into biking, hiking, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, water sports or rock climbing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Hit the Town
Fresh produce and local ingredients are always on the table in SWVA. With a region full of towns with rich culture and nightlife, you’re sure to stay busy.
The Appalachian Trail
One of the most scenic and accessible sections of the Appalachian Trail travels through the heart of Southwest Virginia. Hike for a day or a few hours along the Trail. Camp in a primitive shelter or pitch a tent or leave the Trail for a full-featured RV campground, nearby bed and breakfast or cabin. Enjoy unparalleled scenic beauty from the mountaintops, along rocky streams or in the verdant valleys in between. See wild flowers and animals along the trail – and bask in the birdsong and peaceful quiet of the backwoods.
Feast your eyes, sleep in the great outdoors and challenge your endurance – there are lots of recreation opportunities in the Appalachian Trail region of Southwest Virginia!
Home To 11 State Parks
Southwest Virginia is within a day’s drive of more than half of the United States population, giving plenty of folks the opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful state parks in the country.
At roughly the same size of Rhode Island, scenic Southwest Virginia, which sits among the majestic Appalachian Mountains, covers 19 counties that feature thousands of acres of public land and more outdoor recreational destinations than you can imagine. With a total of 11 state parks in the region, outdoor lovers can choose from any number of activities to enjoy, including hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and much more.