Hike-in views, drive-in movies and fly-over zip lines add to family fun in Smyth County, Virginia
SMYTH COUNTY, VIRGINIA–NOVEMBER 2021–Smyth County, Virginia, is known for its outdoor adventure, amazing mountain views and classic downtowns. But families looking for fun vacation adventures will find quirky attractions and outdoor adventure are highlights here. This Southwest Virginia destination just off Interstate 81 is filled with a combination of indoor and outdoor activities that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s just over two hours north of Asheville, less than a day’s drive from most of the east coast and less than an hour’s drive from Tri-Cities Airport, in Blountville, Tennessee.
History and outdoors
The Smyth County Visitor Center (408 Whitetop Road Chilhowie, Virginia 24319; 276-646-3306) is an excellent place to start any stay. The center features an interpretive display of the region’s history and culture and has a variety of resources for mapping out the best options for a family adventure. For more area culture, a stop at the delightful Museum of the Middle Appalachians (123 Palmer Avenue, Saltville, Virginia 24370;276-496-3633) is a fun excursion. The small museum’s exhibits illustrate Smyth County’s history “from the Ice Age to the Space Age.” The life-size wooly mammoth skeleton and hands-on paleontology dig are favorites for kids.
There is also the nearby Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia (1322 Rocky Hollow Road, Atkins, Virginia 24311; 276-686-4401), a 67-acre open-air museum that tells the story of the people who settled in the mountains of Virginia and how its unique culture was developed. Brochures outline a self-guided tour of the grounds, farmhouse, schoolhouse and outbuildings.
Outdoor activities abound here. Whether the family is looking for serious adventure or just seeking some nature-based fun, there’s plenty to be found in Smyth County, starting with two of Virginia’s finest state parks. Hungry Mother State Park (2854 Park Boulevard, Marion, Virginia 24354; 276-781-7400) is one of the state’s six original state parks. Its centerpiece 108-acre lake, with its iconic dive tower, is a favorite for swimming and fishing and canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and paddleboats are available for rental Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (and beyond, on weekends). The park has cabins, yurts and campsites for rent. Extensive programming at the park includes nature walks focusing on many aspects of the park’s more than 3,000 acres.
Grayson Highlands State Park (829 Grayson Highland Lane, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia 24363; 276-579-7092) puts the focus on backcountry adventure. Home to spectacular views, wild ponies and a variety of hiking trails, the park is popular for hiking, bicycle and equestrian adventures. Trails range from easy two-mile loops to challenging excursions through backcountry terrain. Its highland balds offer views of Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, Virginia’s highest peaks. There are also nearly 10 miles of wild trout streams whose pristine waters entice anglers each year.
Hiking, zipping and more
For guided trips, White Blaze Outdoors (276-356-7068) offers guided nature hikes, day and overnight hikes on some of Smyth County’s beautiful trails as well as hiker/biker shuttles. Popular guided hikes include Rowland Creek Falls, Grayson Highlands State Park and a guided salamander hike to Elk Garden.
For a view from above and some aerial excitement, Hungry Mother Outdoor Adventures (760 Walkers Creek Road, Marion, Virginia 24354; 276-243-4333) is the answer. Just outside Hungry Mother State Park, this is the longest zip line in the state of Virginia. The course flies over valleys and through the treetops. There is also a mini-zipline as well as tubing, spacewalk bounce houses and a café and general store.
Retro fun and food
Smyth County also has a wonderful collection of retro attractions, and downtown Marion is the perfect place to find them. Park Place Drive-In (301 Park Boulevard, Marion, Virginia 24354; 276-781-2222) is an old-fashioned drive-in movie theatre. In addition to showing new release movies, Park Place has a putt-putt course, an arcade and an ice cream stand. There is also Hall’s Skateland (52 Adwolfe Road, Marion, Virginia 24354; 276- 783-2690), a family-operated skating rink, opened in 1973. It’s open weekly for public skate nights and available for private parties.
Outside of town, Hayes Valley Farms (1341 Matson Drive Marion, Virginia 24354; 276-299-3747) is a family run working farm, offering farm tours where visitors can meet the farm animals and rescued horses and learn about livestock and products for sale. Classes and seasonal special events, including tea parties, pick your own pumpkins and hayrides, are also popular.
Old fashioned eats are a tasty way to experience the distinctive appeal of this diverse destination. There’s more than food at Hester’s Country Store & Fudgery (112 East Main Street, Marion, Virginia 24354; 276-378-0853) but the fudge is the star of the show! Nostalgic candies and souvenir gifts are popular, too. The Dip Dog Stand (2035 Lee Highway, Marion, Virginia 24354; 276-783-2698) is a Smyth County icon that has been serving up batter-dipped, deep fried hot dogs and delicious onion rings, shakes and more for the last 60 years. And for a foot-long experience, Buck’s Drive-In (1212 E Main Street, Saltville, Virginia 24370; 276-496-7231) is another local landmark. Here, the famous foot-long dogs aren’t the only favorite. The burgers, milkshakes and fries are legendary, too.
Where to stay
Family-friendly lodging here comes in a variety of forms. There are the cabins, yurts and campsites of a popular state park and well-known national hotel chains from which to choose. Many prefer a one-of-a-kind vacation rental, like The Lucille or Spenceville Farms, to meet family needs.