The Best Things To Do In Galax, Virginia

In Southwest Virginia, you’ll find dozens of small mountain towns, but for old-time mountain music, the place to go is Galax, a quaint town of fewer than 7,000 residents. It’s been called the “World Capital of Old-Time Mountain Music,” and for good reason, attracting world-class fiddlers, banjo players, cloggers, and bluegrass musicians. 

The Old Fiddlers’ Convention has been held in Galax every August since 1935. Some of the earliest musicians to record country music hail from the Galax area, including Ted Lundy, Stevie Barr, and The Hillbillies. Galax is also a stop on The Crooked Road, a 330-mile driving trail that connects more than 60 music venues and festivals and is known as Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. 

Galax may be best known for its rich music heritage, but there’s more to this small town, like a strollable historic district, a rail trail for walking and biking, and plenty of boutiques and vintage shops for a little retail therapy. Here’s what to do when you’re ready for Galax. 

What to Do

It’s not hard to get your fill of banjo twangin,’ guitar pickin,’ and fancy fiddlin’ in Galax. The annual Old Fiddlers’ Convention takes place at Felts Park, a local park with an open-air music venue that’s a stone’s throw from the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. The six-day music event attracts upwards of 60,000 mountain music enthusiasts from around the world.

The Blue Ridge Music Center is operated by the National Park Service and is open from May through October, hosting musicians nearly every day of the season. A visitor center is open daily, so pop in to check out the Roots of American Music exhibit, which shares the stories behind the region’s musical heritage. There are also two hiking trails that set off from the music center, allowing visitors to connect with nature while in Galax. 

At Barrs Fiddle Shop on Main Street, it’s not unusual for the sounds of an old-time string band to spill out onto the sidewalk. Stop in for handmade bluegrass instruments, music books, t-shirts, and even drums and amps. The fiddle shop was opened in 1979 by Tom Barr, the world-renowned musical instrument maker, and today is run by his son, noted bluegrass musician, Stevie Barr.

The historic Rex Theater welcomes local, regional, and national old-time musical acts. It’s also home to “Blue Ridge Backroads Live,” a weekly radio show that features bluegrass and old-time bands on a local radio station. The Rex, as the theater is affectionately known, is also in the heart of the shopping district, which has such shops as Willow Bee Apothecary, Chapters Bookshop, Blacksheep Boutique, and Salvaged Styles, a shop known for upcycling and repurposing furniture.

On Main Street, you’ll also find New River Trail Outfitters, which sells outdoor gear, including bikes and e-bikes. The shop even offers half- and full-day bike rentals and a shuttle service to the 57-mile New River Trail, a historic rail trail that is the centerpiece of New River Trail State Park and has a trailhead in Galax.  

Where to Eat

When you’re ready to eat, Galax is ready for you. On Main Street, stop in Briar Patch Marketplace & Café, which is open for breakfast and lunch (they close at 5 p.m.). The lunch menu is a real treat, delighting locals and visitors with sandwiches that are a nod to the local music heritage, with names like Pimento Picker, Flat Footin’ Reuben, Honky Tonk Club, and Banjo BLT.

At Creek Bottom Brewing Company, locally brewed beer is the name of the game. They’ve got a dozen signature beers, including a Rail 2 Trail Pale Ale for the cyclists coming in off the New River Trail. They also have dozens of sours, ambers, porters, and ciders in the cooler when you just want to stop in for a six-pack. For eats, they’ve got pizzas, tacos, salads, and burgers—essentially pub fare. Meantime, Galax Smokehouse is the place for all kinds of barbecue, including ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. The signature banana pudding is worth talking about too. 

Where to Stay

When it’s time to lay your head down, look to New River Trail Cabins, which sidles up against gently-flowing Chestnut Creek and the New River Trail. There are 11 cabins that allow visitors to soak up the natural beauty, possibly from a rocking chair on the back porch. You’ll feel worlds away as you take in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Another primo pick is The Doctor’s Inn, a historic six-room bed and breakfast. Guest rooms feature ornate wallpaper, four poster beds, and handmade quilts, as well as such modern amenities as luxurious linens, memory foam mattresses, and a coffee bar. The inn also offers e-bike rentals and electric car charging, even complimentary passes to the local gym, Curtis Bartlett Fitness.