Southwest

Show Pony: Jeff Farmer’s Roanoke Hit

Few have done more to help put Star City on the culinary map than veteran chef and restaurateur Jeff Farmer. He launched and helmed Italian standout Fortunato; legendary fine-dinery Lucky Restaurant; and the Scandinavian-style Stock Bistro & Bar. Never one to sit still for long, Farmer has once again shifted directions to open a new, […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Savor Puts Southwest Virginia’s Culinary Scene on the Map

If “Southwest Virginia” conjures visions of misty mountain slopes, folksy acoustic strumming, and majestic waterfall sprays, but not world-class culinary mastery, then you’re woefully mistaken. The region bears some of the richest fruits, meats, honeys, and talents the Commonwealth has to offer—and Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke is shining a spotlight on that at its […]

by Hope Cartwright

Roanoke’s Taubman Museum of Art Celebrates 75 Years

Roanoke’s Taubman Museum of Art turns 75 this year—and is celebrating the milestone in a big way. The diamond jubilee kicked off with a New Year’s bash, but the celebration is all year long. The festivities include commemorative exhibitions and a slew of special events intended to highlight the museum’s ongoing impact in the region. […]

by Eric J. Wallace

A Guide to Grabbing a Bite in Bristol

Bristol may be best known for country music and NASCAR, but the city’s restaurant scene has a lot more to offer than Southern-fried cuisine. Here are some of our favorite dining spots in this bustling border town. Vivian’s Table: Situated in the historic Bristol Hotel, Vivian’s is a classic chophouse with an upscale yet approachable […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Meet E.T.s in Floyd with OuterSpace

Step into another world with OuterSpace, a curated, collaborative dining space in Floyd, where Revolution Juice, Grateful Bread Bakery, and Bootleg BBQ have cultivated an outdoor restaurant and “space café.” Revolution Juice’s tagline, “Keep Floyd Funky,” is a well-kept promise at OuterSpace, which features a blue magic bus, hanging funky lamps, blossoming flowers, E.T. sculptures, […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Experience Food Delivery by Flying Drone in Christiansburg

DoorDash and Wing have launched drone delivery service at a Wendy’s in Christiansburg, bringing futuristic food delivery to this town of 22,000. Customers within 2.5 miles of the fast food chain’s North Franklin Street location can have their Frosties and fries delivered from above in about 30 minutes. Wing’s autonomous drones zip through the air […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Breaks Interstate Park is the Grand Canyon of the South

Situated on the border of Virginia and Kentucky, Breaks Interstate Park is one of only two interstate parks in the nation. The 5,000-acre park was originally created in 1954 to protect the Russell Fork “Breaks” Gorge, where the Russell Fork River breaks through Pine Mountain, creating the largest canyon east of the Mississippi. “The park […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Plant Parenthood Made Easy with Virginia’s Lichen or Knot

While you may not find a lot of lichen for sale at Lichen or Knot Plant Co., you will find some gorgeous houseplants ranging from succulents and monsteras to philodendrons and bonsais. Unlike a big box store, its Floyd and Staunton locations are staffed with experts eager to set you up for success as a […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Try Virginia’s cocktail of the year from Hotel Roanoke

Want to taste the official best cocktail in Virginia? The Hotel Roanoke can now claim that title, thanks to lead mixologist Henry Hill, Jr. The longtime bartender won the inaugural Virginia Cocktail Games in 2024 with his cocktail called “No Place Like Home.” The boozy concoction was inspired by the prompt: Why do you choose […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Small Town, Big History: The Stories of Abingdon

Long before the first European settlers ventured into the American wilderness, the Delaware and Catawba tribes tracked a buffalo trace through the Shenandoah Mountains. Abingdon—once known as Wolf Hills—emerged along this trail, today’s Route 11. Frequented by westward expansionists on the Great Valley Road, Main Street grew. Today, the city of 8,336 residents hugs Route […]

by Michael C. Upton

All About Tazewell

HISTORY Crab Orchard Museum: This Appalachian cultural heritage museum celebrates Southwest Virginia. Year-round special events include a fiddlers’ convention in July, Frontier Christmas in December, along with workshops and classes. 3663 Crab Orchard Rd. CrabOrchardMuseum.com Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine: The world’s first exhibition coal mine allows visitors to descend into a former and highly productive […]

by Amy Brecount White

Outdoor Adventures in Tazewell

Experience the heart of the Appalachians firsthand. Appalachian Trail: For amazing views, check out the section of the AT along the south rim of Burke’s Garden. However, the access road is steep and rutted, requiringa four-wheel drive vehicle. Cavitt’s Creek Park: This 300-acre park with a 54-acre lake has lots of opportunity for recreation, equipment […]

by Amy Brecount White

Out & About Tazewell

SHOP Appa Bagworks: Hand-crafted leather products like cross-bodies, totes, and shoulder bags. Owner Tanner Hale learned the art from his granddad. 145 Main St. Facebook: AppaBagworks Between Friends: Shop for locally made goods like wood carvings, artwork, jewelry, and bright quilts. 293 Main St. Facebook: BetweenFriendGifts Burke’s Garden Artisans Guild:Showcasing regional artisans and featuring the […]

by Amy Brecount White

Grassroots Efforts are Reclaiming Tazewell

In 1799, the location of Tazewell County’s courthouse was determined the old-fashioned way: a fistfight. The two opposing camps “each chose a champion, a Mr. Bailey and a Mr. Thompson,” says Amanda Killen, a Tazewell resident and owner of The Well, a coffee and dining spot. Thompson won, and the resulting placement gave Main Street […]

by Amy Brecount White

Primland Resort’s Activities

Take aim and shoot straight with target practice at this beautiful retreat. (Photo by Auberge Resorts Collection) Test your skills at archery, air rifle, or tomahawk throwing—a target practice trifecta—at Primland, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, in Meadows of Dan. An on-site instructor will show you the basics, or take your skills […]

by Staff

Best of the West

From outdoor trails to luxury resorts, Southwest Virginia has it covered. Scott K. Brown Scott K. Brown. Courtesy Virgini BR09102903V_103.TIF Primland. Spectacular views, mountain-top chalets, elegant dining, conference facilities and a wide array of recreational activities are available at Primland Resort. Virginia Tourism Corporation, www.Virginia.org Southwest voters agree: the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail, which […]

by Staff

What’s In a Name?

The Southwest Virginia regional brand gets a reboot.

by Eric J. Wallace

Buc-ee’s Opens Its First Virginia Location

If you happened to be standing near the I-81 exit for Mt. Crawford in the early morning hours of this past June 30, you’d have witnessed a spectacle. Shoppers flooded into the parking lot and shuffled into block-long lines in hopes of being among the first through the doors of Virginia’s first Buc-ee’s travel station. […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Norfolk Harborfest Returns for Its 50th Anniversary

From June 19–21, Downtown Norfolk welcomes a fleet of over 60 international and U.S. tall ships to celebrate VA250. “Harborfest celebrates the rich maritime and naval heritage that defines Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region,” says Jordan Lett, marketing director of Norfolk Festevents. “With something happening throughout the waterfront each day, Harborfest offers an immersive […]

by Abby Borgeson

U.S. News & World Report Names This Virginia School as One of The Best in The Nation

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology’s streak of hard-hitting accolades continues this year with a glowing review from U.S. News & World Report. The outlet recently crowned it the top high school in Virginia—and fifth best in the nation—for 2026. The ranking praised the Fairfax-based magnet school’s STEM-focused curriculum that builds toward a […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Southwest

Show Pony: Jeff Farmer’s Roanoke Hit

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Buc-ee’s Opens Its First Virginia Location

Norfolk Harborfest Returns for Its 50th Anniversary

U.S. News & World Report Names This Virginia School as One of The Best in The Nation

Southwest

Show Pony: Jeff Farmer’s Roanoke Hit

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Buc-ee’s Opens Its First Virginia Location

Norfolk Harborfest Returns for Its 50th Anniversary

U.S. News & World Report Names This Virginia School as One of The Best in The Nation

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