Music Mountains and LOVE in Virginia's Heart of Appalachia

At Virginia's westernmost tip, the Heart of Appalachia region is one of rugged beauty in its landscapes, culture and people. Music is celebrated along "The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail," which takes you to mountain-music venues for some serious flat-footin', fast fiddle and banjo tunes and lonesome tenor echo. If you enjoy adventure, this region is loaded with places to canoe and kayak, camp and see wildlife. See what there is to LOVE in the Heart of Appalachia, where the heartbeat of the region continues to reverberate through the people that travel here and witness its many charms.

Day 1

You could say Scott County is the real “birthplace” of country music, because it was home to the infamous A.P. and Sara Carter, along with Mother Maybelle. Every Saturday night at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons you can listen to musical styles made famous by the Carter Family. Not in town on a Saturday? There always are informal jams every week in town proudly playing Scott County’s unique soundtrack of mountain music. Check out the Scott County LOVEwork in Gate City which proudly reflects its musical heritage.

Follow in the footsteps of Daniel Boone at the Interpretive Center and listen to traditional music at the Carter Family Fold. Discover the naturally carved tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park which is more than 850 feet long and as high as a 10-story building or kayak or canoe more than 100 miles of the picturesque Clinch River.

Eat –

Stay –

Day 2

Dickenson County is home to abundant natural beauty. The LOVEwork at Breaks Interstate Park is a proud display of all the outdoor adventures and wildlife at Breaks Interstate Park. Be on the lookout for a new LOVEwork coming to Clintwood soon!

Hike, fish, picnic and stay at Breaks Interstate Park or take a swim over the rocky bottom at John W. Flannagan Reservoir and Dam. Enjoy toe tapping and finger snapping bluegrass and traditional mountain music at the Ralph Stanley Museum.

Climb Birch Knob Tower for the ultimate pay-off, can’t-miss mountain views from 3,144 feet above sea level. Take a scenic drive on Cumberland Mountain Drive on State Route 611 (Virginia scenic byway) on your way to, or from, Birch Knob.

Eat –

Stay –

Breaks Interstate Park
Ralph Stanley Museum

Day 3

Tazewell County has a rich heritage with beautiful scenery. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia Tazewell, County lies on the Alleghany Plateau and is characterized by its mountainous terrain. Become immersed in nature's grandeur as you wander off the main roads, hike along the Appalachian Trail, or enjoy a pioneering experience in a reconstructed pioneer settlement and museum. Tazewell offers one of Virginia’s most unique LOVEworks, a beautiful barn quilt located just off of Virginia Scenic Byway Route 623. The city of Tazewell also features a LOVEwork located on Main Street. A new LOVEwork at the Real McCoy Cabins was unveiled April 2019.

Eat –

Coal Bucket Deli
Fisher and Company
Cuz’s Uptown Barbeque
Painted Peak Top Room & Brewing Co.
The Well Coffee Shop
Seven Restaurant

Stay –

Play – Checkout Burke’s Garden (hint, hint- You won’t be picking flowers there), shop for handcrafted items, jams, jellies and spices at Mattie’s Place, hike part of the Appalachian Trail, cruise one of North America’s premiere drives of 32 miles and 438 curves of knee dragging fun on Back of the Dragon and shop at Bliss on Main.

Check out our map of places where you can add more LOVE to your vacation. Be sure to share your pictures on social media by tagging @VisitVirginia using the hashtag #LOVEVA.