collage: mountain vista, mountain music, Native American village Link to McGuire Woods: Opening Doors for Virginians with Disabilitieswww.mcguirewoods.com Link to McGuire Woods: Opening Doors for Virginians with Disabilities                www.mcguirewoodsconsulting.com Link to McGuire Woods: Opening Doors for Virginians with Disabilities

Menu:

Updates:

Regional Map

List your business on this site.

Advertise on this site.

 

Listen To Us

Link to Virginia Voice and Accessible Virginia iinterviewLink to Accessible Virginia Interview

Join Us

Facebook logo and linkBecome a fan of Accessible Virginia.

Link to Twitter logo

Help make a difference for our wounded warriors and veterans.

 More>>

Support innovative new projects

More>>

Cities & Towns

A B C D F G M P T W

Attractions

A B C F G H M N R S W

 

Tapestry of Art and Nature

 

Links to Southwest Virginia cities and towns, gateway to attractions, lodging, shopping, outdoor recreation, and other good stuff.

Links to Southwest Virginia attractions.

 

The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachians are some of the oldest mountain ranges in the world: With age, they say, comes beauty.

Nature takes center stage with mountains and streams forming a landscape unique to Virginia. The region is particularly appealing to those who enjoy camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. Witness nature’s handiwork in “The Grand Canyon of the South” at Breaks Interstate Park, near the Virginia and Kentucky State Lines.

panoramic view of the Breaks at the Big Sandy River

The 1600-foot gorge carved by the Big Sandy River has some of the most spectacular scenery in the state. This park has wheelchair-accessible picnic and lodging facilities.

accessible path at Natural Tunnel State Park

In the westernmost tip of Virginia near the Tennessee state line, take an exciting chairlift ride at Natural Tunnel State Park, called the eighth wonder of the world, or learn about the area wildlife, geology and railroads through tactile exhibits.

man in wheelchair fishing on accessible dock

Accessible boat ramps, fishing piers, swimming pools and cabins are also available at other state parks, such as Claytor Lake near Dublin. Experience the relaxation of fishing at one of the finest lakes in the region.

Also enjoy these activities at other parks in the area, like Hungry Mother State Park in Marion and Grayson Highland State Park close to Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia at 5,729 feet. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, part of the Jefferson National Forest, also offers accessible fishing and picnic facilities.

Lodge at Hungry Mother State Park with access ramp to entrance   woman in wheelchair with family at picnic

As it rolls en route to the Smokies, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a pastoral byway, one of the most scenic roadways in the nation. Enjoy breathtaking views of mountains and farmland, not only in the spring and summer, but also in the fall when the mountains glow with the colors of the changing leaves.

Photo of Mabry Mill with mill pond in the forefront

Mabry Mill, the most photographed spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is lovely any time of year.

Small towns like Tazewell nurture the rich history of America’s first frontier with the stories of pioneer and Native American legends such as Daniel Boone cutting the Wilderness Trail through the Appalachian Mountains in 1776.  This trail drew hard working settlers to the mountains. 

Pioneer cabins at Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park

Get a sense of the hardships in the lives of settlers involved in the nation’s westward expansion at Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park in Tazewell or at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, located at the very tip of Virginia. Both offer tactile exhibits and amenities for visitors with hearing disabilities.

Native American life at Wolf Creek

Interpreting Native American life in 1215, Wolf Creek Indian Village in Bastian, offers the modern convenience of an electric scooter for visitors with mobility disabilities.

The heritage of these pioneers’ exploits form a unique culture that is shown in traditional crafts that are a cottage industry in these Southern mountains.

Hand-crafted baskets

Don't just look for these crafts in special shops – they're sold in local museum gifts shops, drug stores, and even grocery stores.

This same heritage is reflected in the folklore and music that is passed down from generation to generation and lives through a wealth of musicians. The Crooked Road Music Trail is a driving route connecting the major heritage music venues through Southwest Virginia, the birthplace of both country and bluegrass. 

The town of Floyd is known for its Friday Night Jamborees at the Floyd Country Store, as well as accessible venues at the fire department and in the streets where the rich tones of mandolin and banjo drift out into the night air.

People dancing to country music in the Floyd store

The roots of country and blue grass are deep in this region. If you listen closely you can hear the spirit of the mountains echoing the melodies of this Old Time music.

Virginia is for lovers: autumn mountain scene

 

Home | Regions | Virginia Weather & Maps | Resources |        Outdoor Recreation | About Us | Contact Us | Accessibility Links