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 mountain mine that dates to 1882 from which 44 million tons were extracted. 215 Shop Hollow Rd. Facebook: ExhibitionCoalMine
EAT & DRINK
Bee Noodle’d: Creative noodle-themed cuisine. Honey is prevalent, and murals decorate the interior. 171 Main St. Facebook: BeeNoodled
Burke’s Garden General Store: Wonderfully prepared Amish food and occasional buggy tours. 6156 Burkes Garden Rd.
Cuz’s Uptown Barbeque: Eclectic and delicious food and dining option in a former dairy barn. 15746 Gov. G.C. Peery Hwy. Cuzs.com
Fisher & Company: Local favorite in a former general store known for its barbecue. 1735 State Rt. 693. Facebook: Fisher&Company
The Front Porch on Main: Steaks, burgers, and weekend brunch in a former funeral home. 254 Main St. TheFrontPorchOnMain.com
Mattie’s Place: Country store known for delicious baked goods. Bike rentals, too. 310 Gose Mill Rd. Facebook: MattiesPlace
Your Grate Escape: Extensive grab-and-go lunch and dinner menus, plus catering. 2871 Fincastle Tnpk. YourGrateEscape.com
Dedicated in 2003, the Coal Miners’ Memorial is a testament to the heritage of the Town of Richlands.
Photos courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corp.
At the Historic Crab Orchard Museum, I find the display of scrip and coal camp relics that reveal Tazewell’s story particularly moving.
Watch out for Amish buggies when driving through Burke’s Garden.
Read more about Tazewell here.
This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue.
