Things to Do in Southwest Virginia
Welcome to Southwest Virginia’s westernmost frontier: seven counties and the City of Norton packed with waterfall hikes, canyon overlooks, ATV trail systems, scenic drives, and live mountain music. Whether you’re chasing the emerald pools of Devils Bathtub, riding the chairlift into Natural Tunnel, or carving the 438 curves of Back of the Dragon, the Heart of Appalachia serves up outdoor adventure and down-home hospitality you won’t find anywhere else. Browse nearly 300 places below, or start with the icons.
Top Attractions in Southwest Virginia
One from every corner of the region – outdoor adventure, mountain music, and Appalachian history across our seven counties and the City of Norton.
With its old-fashioned ticket window and marquee, Russell Theater served as a beacon of the town’s heyday through its final screening in the early 1990s. The Russell Theater will serve as a multi-use facility with events and performances that bring new life to the downtown once again.
Tazewell County's walk-in coal mine in Pocahontas, first opened to visitors in 1882, pairing an underground exhibition tour with a mining-heritage museum.
Wise County's official Virginia outdoor drama at the June Tolliver Playhouse in Big Stone Gap, staging the beloved Appalachian story each summer since 1964.
Dickenson County's Clintwood museum honors bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley with exhibits tracing the roots and enduring influence of Appalachian mountain music.
Russell County's towering dolomite spire near Lebanon, with hiking trails to Big Cedar Creek waterfalls, birding, and one of Virginia's most striking overlooks.
Wise County's paved rail-trail near Coeburn follows a former railroad line through a dramatic river gorge, past tunnels and cliffs, for biking and hiking.
The City of Norton's mountaintop park at 3,250 feet, gateway to High Knob, with hiking trails, a stocked reservoir, and the legendary Woodbooger.
Tazewell County's legendary drive on VA-16, packing 438 curves into 32 miles between Tazewell and Marion, a bucket-list route for motorcyclists and sports cars.
Know Before You Go
Ready to dig in? Browse the full directory below – use the LIST, MAP, and FILTERS controls to narrow nearly 300 places to see and do.
Explore by Town
Every town has its own flavor.
Plan around Big Stone Gap/Appalachia/Keokee, Bluefield/Pocahontas, Clintwood/Clinchco, Duffield, Gate City/Hiltons/Weber City, Grundy/Davenport/Oakwood/Pilgrim’s Knob/Vansant, Haysi/Breaks/Bee/Birchleaf, Jonesville/Blackwater/Ewing/Rose Hill, Lebanon/Cleveland/Honaker/Rosedale, Nickelsville/Dungannon/Fort Blackmore, Norton-Wise/Coeburn/Tacoma/Pound, Pennington Gap/Ben Hur/Dryden, Richlands/Pounding Mill/Cedar Bluff, St. Paul/Castlewood/Dante, or Tazewell/Burke’s Garden/Grafton/North Tazewell.
