wytheville area for tourists (Roanoke, Jefferson: waterpark, hotel, house)

[poohki]

my husband and i will be in the wytheville area for a few days in july. can anyone give me some info on GOOD places to eat, and things to do? we were thinking of visiting one of the wineries while there, which one do you suggest? thanks for the help

[vamtncat]

You will be limited in your options in Wytheville. Don't get me wrong, its a nice place but limited in it's ammenities. As far as wineries try West Wind Farms. A friend of mine and her husband run it and it's a very nice place. As far as dining, try The Farmhouse. Another option is the Wolfhart House dinner theater. Lot's of chain type restaraunts like Bob Evans, Shoney's etc. You might want to take a short trip down the road to Marion and visit Hungry Mother State Park, or check out the New River Trail. Hope this helps! Enjoy your visit!

[poohki]

thank you for the reply and suggestions.... is there any place close to wytheville, that might have more to offer for tourists?

[vamtncat]

What exactly are you looking for and when will you be visiting?

[VALover]

When you get to Wytheville be sure to stop in at the visitors center. As far as restaurants go, if you like chinese stop in at Peking, if you like Mexican you can go to El Puerto, for sandwiches, pizza, and stombolli you can go to CJ's Pizza. For a nice dinner there is the Log House Restaurant. For a country style breakfast you might try Virginia Heights, it is local business that has been going for many years. Oh yeah, if you like hot dogs and barbeque you must stop at Skeeters, it is a really neat place.

[vamtncat]

There just aren't any "tourist attractions" in Wytheville. I know that the Edith Bolling Wilson chidhood home is on Main St. in Wytheville. They were trying to open it as a museum but not sure when. There is also the Rock house museum which depicts 19th century life. There are a number of beautifull historic homes but none that are open to the public that I know of.

[T_Que]

Wytheville actually has a LOT of things to do! I think when you have lived in a place all your life you forget what it has to offer! I moved here in January from Texas and haven’t regretted a minute! The seasons are gorgeous, it’s the first summer in my lifetime I have spent without experiencing 100 degree weather. A “hot” day is mid 90’s.

I would be happy to send you some brochures on the area and town if you would like. I have a teenage son, a teenage daughter and two little boys, 6 and 11. They never want for anything to do on the weekends! There are various parks and hiking trails, lots of rivers and creeks in the area, Jefferson National Forest, Big Walker Mountain and Lookout (where they have mountain man storytelling and blacksmith demonstrations as well as old fashion candle making and lotion classes, art exhibits right there on the mountain crest! Beautiful! Last week we took the boys to Virginia City’s Gem Mine Cowboy Days.. with western shootout show, everyone dressed in period costumes, authentic jailhouse and great little shops, they also have a sluice mine for the little kids! That’s only about 10-15 minutes from Wytheville and on the way to Big Walker Mountain Lookout, makes for a great CHEAP weekend! There is the fish hatchery, both state owned and Brackens private ponds that are in a backdrop of historical house and building and beautiful rolling hills and ancient trees where even the smallest tyke is guaranteed to catch a trophy fish! There is also a Dinner Theater (Wohlfahrt Haus) which will be showing 7 Brides for 7 Brothers soon.. I am very excited! They have a matinee which is very affordable. There is also a Safari Park which is small, privately owned and truly a gem with the little bus tours, kids LOVE it because they can hand feed Humphrey the Camel, ostriches, Humphrey’s Best Friend the Zebra, goats, monkeys, wallabees, llamas… and everyone is so nice and personable

They have one festival after another and I cant wait until next year to start all over again! Chautauqua is GREAT fun for the whole family.. a week long festival with food, entertainment (great for families) contests and show. Then the carnival comes to town.. not like the carnivals we had in Texas.. this one is an entire weekend with some really great rides for both adults and kids. The Heritage Festival is coming up (YAY) and that is a whole week of apple butter making, blacksmithin, weaving.. if they did it back in the “old days” they are going to teach us how to do it during the festival. Everyone dresses in period costumes and are so sweet and considerate. In fact, they had the whole “may-pole” at the festival in May. There is an Indian Village and Museum that has the All Nations Gathering and Pow-Wow.. yep, full head dress dancing contests, rituals, great authentic food.. lots of fun!

Another perk.. the recreation dept.. WOW! It’s the greatest place for families in Southwest Virginia. 6 lane Olympic swimming pool, waterpark with a slide and fountains for the kids, therapy pool, hot tub, basketball courts, racquet ball court, climbing wall, teen center with all the different video games, tvs, computers, air hokey, table tennis, teen fun nights, movie night, weight room, volley ball, team sports like soccer, swim team, softball, tball, baseball, indoor walking track, yoga, dance classes AND child care! All very reasonably priced for families with daily passes for $6.00 WalMart is here, Lowe’s, Movie Theater, Library (awesome library), Goodys, Old Navy, StarBucks, GameStop, Food City, Food Lion, a golf course, every kind of eatery you can imagine including some AWESOME local flavors like The Log House, Snow House Café and Skeeter Dogs as well as nationwide franchises like Rudy Tuesday, Applebees, Cracker Barrel and Shoney’s. The Kimono Japanese Restaurant with Hibachi Grill and Sushi Bar is wonderful. 1500 Hotel Accommodations are available for visiting family members.

Wytheville is known as “The Crossroads of America” because of its intersection of I81 and I77. Fuel prices stay well below the national average, its down to 3.33 today and diesel is under $4! The key point to its locality is.. not only are you an hour away from the rich offerings of Roanoke, you are also an hour away from Bristol Tennessee in the other direction, an hour south puts you in North Carolina with all of its historical offerings and an hour north you are in West Virginia where bluegrass festivals RULE ! So Wytheville is a centralized locations to many cultures, opportunities and family fun!

Grahamfest is coming up Labor Day weekend.. lots of fun for the whole family, I will be giving the Ghost Mansion Tours in full period costume.. yay! Lots of great music, food and fun, including air jumps for the kids and their very own stage! (three music stages with Confederate RailRoad making an appearance as well as many others) Its a little pricey but is worth it!

http://www.grahamfestusa.com
Josiah's GrahamFest 2008 - Feel The Spirit

http://www.visitwytheville.com
Visit Wytheville! has a list of events and a little more about the attractions and offerings of the town

**out of breath but excited about Wytheville**

[poohki]

Thank you for all of the suggestions! We actually went to Wytheville already in July. We stayed at this great little place called Cripple Creek Cabins, and I would highly suggest that for anyone visiting the area. We did go to Big Walker lookout, which my husband climbed. We also ate at the Log house and enjoyed it so much we went back a second night. My husband loves hot dogs so we also ate at Skeeters, which was a cute place. We visited West Wind Winery and brought home some great wines. Everyone in the area was so nice to us, and treated us like we belonged there. I would definitely recommend stopping in that area!

[VALover]

I am glad you liked it poohki! I haven't visited the West Wind Winery but might try to get over there this weekend.