NewsApril 11, 2018 by Cora Gnegy

Pearisburg Day Trip

SUGGESTED ITINERARY | PEARISBURG DAY TRIP

Morning- Enjoy breakfast at Friends and Family Restaurant. Pearisburg is the county seat and as such there are many things to do and enjoy in this community.

For the rest of your morning delight in shopping and strolling the historic downtown. Pearis Mercantile is a premier gift shop in the region. Located just across the street from the Visitors Center (203 N. Main St), stop in to get a Visitors Guide, maps, and stickers. Other shopping includes the C&P Discount and small shops along Wenonah Avenue.

Tour the Giles County Courthouse that was featured in the film, Wish You Well. The Andrew Johnston House and Museum is home to the Giles County Historical Society and is open seasonally (Mar-Dec) Wednesday through Sunday. Pearis Cemetery located less than a mile from the museum. The cemetery also lies along the Appalachian Trail. The walk from parking at the trailhead to the cemetery is less than ¾ mile and in the cemetery you will also see one of the largest Cucumber Magnolia trees in the state!

Lunch- Options for lunch in Pearisburg include local options Papa’s Pizzeria, Queen’s Pizza, La Barranca Mexican Grill, and Pizza Plus. Fast food options include McDonalds, Wendy’s, Hardees, Pizza Hut, and hiker favorite, Dairy Queen.

Enjoy a stroll after lunch through the streets of Pearisburg to see a series of murals painted by local artist that depict local scenes. The Pearisburg Town Park has multiple permanent sculptures for viewing along their paved park walking trail. During the warmer months (April-October) on the third Thursdays enjoy the Pearisburg Community Market with food and craft vendors and entertainment.

For more active outdoor adventure, hiking Angels Rest provides a unique perspective of the town and the New River Water Trail far below. The 1.3 mile hike is strenuous with multiple switch backs and constant grade. The two boat landings nearest to Pearisburg include the Ripplemead Boat Landing at Whitt-Rverbend Park. This park is 28 acres with a paved walking trail, campsites, and restroom facilities. The boat landing also has restroom facilities and paved boat ramp. The Bluff City Boat Landing offers a paved boat ramp, area information kiosk, restroom, and paved parking area.

Finish out your evening in Pearisburg with a stay at the award-winning Inn at Riverbend. Enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the New River on their vast decks. Other area lodging options can be found at gilescounty.org/lodging.

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Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079. For interviews or onsite visits, please contact Cora Gnegy, Tourism Marketing Director. We can arrange and assist with any media needs. For more information about planning your visit to Giles County or about activities and events, please visit www.gilescounty.org or contact us at tourism@gilescounty.org.

NewsApril 4, 2018April 3, 2018 by Cora Gnegy

Rich Creek Day Trip

Suggested Itinerary | Rich Creek Day Trip

Rich Creek is a small town in Giles County with a population of 760 people. Accessing Rich Creek is very easy by car as it sits on Route 460 almost to the West Virginia state line, as well as Route 219 from Peterstown, WV. The charming main street welcomes visitors and is a relaxing home to residents.

To start your day in Rich Creek consider The Corner Market or Burger Boy. The town is situated in such a way that much of the activity is walkable. Enjoy a stroll through the heart of town to enjoy old homes and churches that make up Rich Creek. Daniel Shumate and Milly Callison with their three sons settled Rich Creek and built their first log home in 1780. Later in 1787 Daniel received a land grant for 387 acres and built his second log home near a large spring knoll overlooking the river. The people of Rich Creek came to know this home as “Riverside, home of the Hardin Shumates” until 1981 when it was sold to Emory and Louise Eaton. However, white settlers came across Rich Creek back in 1671 when the Batt and Fallam Expedition came to a halt when Indian guides refused to go any further. They burned their initials in a tree and claimed the territory for King Charles II of England. The early settlers in Rich Creek were Scotch, Irish, Germans, and Englishmen.

storefront of the Corner Market in Rich Creek — The Corner Market in Rich Creek. Photo from their Facebook page. Be sure to visit!

Shopping in Rich Creek could include consignment and flea markets as well as a stop in to Allen’s Furniture and Gateway Gifts, part of Smith’s Pharmacy.

Lunch- Enjoy lunch at regional favorites Pizza Plus or Queen’s Pizza. The Corner Market also has fresh produce to make a picnic lunch. The public boat landing along the New River Water Trail is just east of Rich Creek and would be a nice place for an outdoors lunch, overlooking the New River.

Enjoy lunch and a walk or take the children to play at Woodland Park located above the downtown area. This park features a walking trail, picnic pavilion, and playground equipment. After an afternoon recess you should visit the Rich Creek Public Library, also home to the Town Hall and Community Center. They have Visitor Guides and other information to help plan your time in Giles.

End your day with a nostalgic meal of good proportions at Central Restaurant. Located on the banks of Rich Creek (the creek by which the town gets its name) this family friendly establishment is a must for visitors or travelers. To stay in Rich Creek, one would enjoy Gentry’s Landing RV Park and campground. There is also a Budget Inn Motel near the Town Hall. Other nearby lodging properties could be found at gilescounty.org/lodging.

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NewsMarch 28, 2018March 26, 2018 by Cora Gnegy

Pembroke Day Trip

SUGGESTED ITINERARY | PEMBROKE DAY TRIP

Morning- Begin your day stocking up on supplies and breakfast at Tangent Outfitters and Cascade Café. Enjoy your morning of shopping at Amish Heirlooms, Pearl’s Petals and Gifts, flea market-esqu shops including Yesteryear, Big Dawg’s Bargains, and Cascade Café. All within walking distance for a nice stroll through this quaint small town that’s a hub of outdoor adventure in Giles. While walking through town stop and visit the Littlest Library in Virginia- the Pembroke Public Library.

Your lunch options are plentiful in Pembroke. Enjoy family favorites at Roma’s Italian Restaurant or Riviera Mexican Grill. Want something quicker? Enjoy Subway or Cascade Café, they also have hand-dipped ice cream!

Your activity options are extensive in Pembroke. You can rent tubes and enjoy the New River Water Trail from New River’s Edge. Paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, or bikes can be rented from Tangent Outfitters. Both New River Outdoor Company and Tangent Outfitters offer guided fishing trips and shuttle service to enjoy the entire 37 miles of the New River. With a public boat landing in Pembroke, you can start or finish your river adventure right in town!

Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

Looking for something off-water? Enjoy a round or two of golf at Castle Rock Golf and Recreation. One can’t think about visiting Pembroke without a hike to the Cascades waterfall. A 69 foot waterfall that is accessed by a 4 mile round trip hike. The hike, on average, takes about 3 hours. Above the falls you could also venture to the Upper Falls or Barney’s Wall! The Cascades Recreation Area is managed by the US Forest Service and there is a $3 parking fee. If a public space and nature walk is more your thing, or if you have little ones in tow, enjoy Treasure Island, Pembroke’s Town Park.

cascades waterfall spring — Photo by Alisa Moody

End your very full day in Pembroke with dinner at Kal-Bee’s. An award winning Korean restaurant. You can also enjoy lodging close to downtown at New River’s Edge a-frame log cabin, or camp along the banks of the New River at R&R Campground. Other nearby lodging along the river can be found at gilescounty.org/lodging.

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