Day 1- Washington to Luray (approx. 80 miles). 

Arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia and begin your journey by heading west to Front Royal where you’ll join Skyline Drive in the beautiful Shenandoah National Park. Follow the scenic byway 41 miles (66 km), stopping to enjoy scenic vistas, wildlife viewing, or a short hike before you exit the drive in Luray. Visit the impressive caves at Luray Caverns.  

Stay one night in the Luray area.

Day 2- Luray to Lexington (approx. 90 miles).

Return to Skyline Drive and continue south until it exits the park and joins the Blue Ridge Parkway at Waynesboro. Outdoor activities abound and there are numerous places to stop and enjoy the surroundings, including Natural Bridge State Park, a National Historic Landmark, which is a 215-foot tall Natural Bridge in a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. Lexington is a short distance from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and its entire downtown area, easily accessible by foot or via a carriage ride, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In nearby Raphine, visit Clark's Ole Time Music Center, where you can listen to live bluegrass and old time Appalachian mountain music. 

Overnight for one night in Lexington.

Day 3- Lexington to Rocky Mount (approx. 80 miles).

Rocky Mount is the gateway to The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail and has a historic downtown area with unique shops and a popular farmers' market. Make sure to stop at Twin Creeks Distillery for a sip of some famous Virginia moonshine. The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum at Ferrum, 10 miles from Rocky Mount, is the official State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore and old-time string band music, blues, ballads, traditional bluegrass, and gospel music can all be found here in the exhibits, galleries, concerts and activities. 

Stay one night in Rocky Mount.

Day 4- Rocky Mount to Galax (approx. 75 miles). 

Head south west towards Galax, home of the Old Fiddler's Convention in August. En-route stop at the Floyd Country Store, a historic shop celebrating traditional Appalachian music and heritage. The store has a fantastic selection of Old-Time and Bluegrass CDs and music accessories, penny candy, old-fashioned housewares and gifts, unique selections from local artisans, as well as Carhart clothing! There’s even a soda fountain and café for downhome country cooking. It is also home to the Friday Night Jamboree with live music every Friday night from 6.00pm, as well as live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 

Stay two nights in the Galax area (during the Old Fiddler's Convention we recommend a three night stay if you want to enjoy more of the convention).

Day 5 - Galax

Aptly dubbed the "World Capital of Old Time Mountain Music" by the Virginia legislature, Galax embraces its traditional music with a passion. Every Friday night throughout the year the renovated Rex Theater in downtown Galax hosts "Blue Ridge Backroads Live," a unique weekly radio show featuring Old Time and Bluegrass bands from throughout the region. Galax is also home to the Blue Ridge Music Center, created to preserve the traditional music of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Center houses a museum with exhibits about music, a luthier’s shop, and hosts free live music Thursday-Sunday from May through October. Enjoy the nearby mountain activities available such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking, as well as the New River State Trail Park - one of the top 10 mountain bike trails in the USA.

Day 6- Galax to Bristol (approx. 95 miles).

Nestled along the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, lies Bristol, the official birthplace of country music. Bristol is the location of the 1927 Victor recording sessions which produced stars such as the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. The Smithsonian affiliated Birthplace of Country Music Museum celebrates those early Bristol recordings and the pioneers of traditional Appalachian music with 12,000 square feet of exhibit space, theatre experiences, the Radio Bristol music station, educational programming, and year-round performances including the annual Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion festival. Experience one of Bristol's many musical venues, including the State Line Bar & Grill, The Lumac Rooftop Bar, and The Rooftop bar and lounge or Simply Grand at The Sessions hotel.

      

Spend two nights in Bristol.

Day 7 - Bristol

First-time visitors to Bristol will find the perfect selfie spot for their trip on State Street where the Virginia and Tennessee state line runs down the middle of the street, capped by the historic Bristol Sign. Grab some lunch at the famed Burger Bar or savour some of the region’s signature barbecue at Southern Craft BBQ or Delta Blues BBQ. Afterwards, head to Abingdon, about 20 minutes from Bristol, to visit the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace. This 29,000-square-foot centre introduces the world to the rich culture of Southwest Virginia through their visitor centre, retail centre for local crafts, and music venue. Depending on the timing of your visit, you can end your day listening to the sounds of some of the best old time and bluegrass music around at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons on a Saturday night, just 25 miles west of Bristol.

Day 8- Bristol to Wise (approx. 70 miles). 

The town of Wise is in a unique setting, high on the Appalachian Plateau surrounded by lush and rugged landscape. Wise has a small-town charm and offers the visitor a good selection of shopping and dining opportunities. Close by there are vineyards, outdoor activities and the Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center in Clintwood. The museum focuses on the importance of Ralph Stanley as an exemplar of traditions and his life and influences on the careers of many other famous artists. 

Stay one night in Wise.

Day 9- Wise to Roanoke (approx. 190 miles). 

On the edge of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke is a classic 'All American' city with museums, galleries, shops, breweries and an up-and-coming dining scene. Enjoy hiking on the Appalachian Trail, mountain biking (Roanoke is America’s East Coast Mountain Biking Capital), or water sports on Smith Mountain Lake. Numerous biking trails around town feature a variety of public art, including a bike tour of the area’s famous Virginia LoveWorks art installations. There are also several golf courses in the area. 

Overnight for one night in Roanoke.

Day 10- Roanoke to Charlottesville (approx.120 miles). 

Head north to Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia. With numerous historic attractions including Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, and the University itself, Charlottesville is also a very lively town with great restaurants and nightlife, including some live music venues. The walkable Downtown Mall is a great place to explore the city’s culture and is home to Sprint Pavilion, a 3,500-seat amphitheatre.

Overnight for one night in Charlottesville.

Day 11- Charlottesville to Washington Dulles (approx. 105 miles). 

Use this time for some last-minute shopping or sightseeing before returning to Washington Dulles for your flight home.