Your Perfect Small Town Reprieve
A visit to charming Smithfield (home of the world famous ham) offers visitors a “step back in time” to a true small town experience.Smithfield, incorporated in 1752, maintains its quaint river town feel and is known worldwide for its famous ham curing process. This gem delivers “hams, history, hospitality & HeART.” Plan your trip around one of the upcoming free events.
Day 1:
Begin your visit in downtown at the Visitor Center - also home to the Arts Center @ 319 - offering tourist information, a gallery/gift shop and the chance to chat with resident artists. Further down Main Street is the Isle of Wight Museum, with its overview of the county’s history and the world's oldest ham.
Finish your day with dinner at Smithfield Station or one of the area’s other fine dining establishments, but be sure to rest up for all the fun in store tomorrow. We recommend staying at Smithfield Station Waterfront Inn, Smithfield Inn Bed & Breakfast, Church Street Inn, or Mansion on Main Bed & Breakfast.
Day 2:
Peruse the
galleries and unique shops of the downtown district. Children (of all ages) will enjoy visiting
Darden’s Country Store for a hayride tour of the farm, corn maze and pumpkin patch. Dee Dee Darden will even give you a tour of the family’s smokehouse! Then, visit the County’s two historic forts in beautiful natural settings overlooking the James River.
Historic Fort Huger, the "Gateway to the Confederate Capital," offers a self-guided walking tour to view mounted cannon and the ghost fleet. A short drive takes you to
Fort Boykin Historic Park, constructed in 1623 to protect the colonists from the Indians and raiding Spaniards. Dinner riverside at
Captain Chuck-a-Muck is a delight. Enjoy the sunset over the Pagan River.
Day 3:
Start your Sunday morning with the fabulous Sunday Brunch served at Smithfield Station, then perhaps take a
self-guided walking tour of the Historic District featuring over 50 historic buildings, including the 1750 Courthouse and the
Schoolhouse Museum, an African-American Education Museum built in 1932. Sneak in lunch at the
Ice Cream Parlor, then head to
Historic Saint Luke's Church (c1632), the oldest existing church of English foundation in America.
This getaway was submitted by Smithfield & Isle of Wight Convention & Visitors Bureau.