Categoriesindividuals, Lifestyle, News by

Take it easy & enjoy the New River Water Trail

All attractions and locations listed in this post are well suited for a low-impact, high enjoyment trip to Giles.

You work hard, you do good things, you deserve to rest and relax in Virginia’s Mountain Playground. Read on for a perfectly packaged trip to Giles County, Virginia.

Traveling through Giles on your arrival, you will notice the scenic river views, landscapes in the distance, and charming towns. Arriving at the Inn at Riverbend for your stay provides you a chance to check-in and check out from the rest of the world. The award-winning bed and breakfast has beautiful rooms that all overlook the New River. Access to sweeping porches and beautifully landscaped grounds are just part of the allure of this magical property. Guests enjoy luxury bedding, amenities, and a gourmet breakfast, the perfect way to start your day.

 

building roof and deck with landscape

 

After leisurely enjoying the morning, you’ll head to JBR Vineyards and Winery, the only one in Giles. This relaxed atmosphere puts you right in the vineyard to enjoy your tasting with the owners, Jessee and Debby Ring. Guests can enjoy JBR during their normal business hours (Saturdays 11am-5pm & Sundays 1-5pm) or they invite you to call ahead and set up a time for arrival for a private tasting (they are happy to do it). Meandering to the vineyard is part of the fun. The rolling vineyard is beautiful to see and they are enthusiastic to share about their process, their grapes, and history of the local area. Be sure to bring back a bottle or more to enjoy and remember your time at JBR.

 

lady blonde hair with wine glass

A relaxing visit means no cooking for dinner, and we have just the spot to relax and unwind. The Palisades Restaurant located in the Village of Eggleston is an off-the-beaten path destination dining experience. Their rotating seasonal menus feature unique creations to delight the tastebuds. Their tried-and-true regular menus items are outstanding as well. Fan favorites include the pork chop or the black and blue salad. The Palisades also feature a curated collection of wines and beer from Virginia and beyond, ask your hospitality specialist for a recommendation, they are there to help. Their dessert menu is the delectable finishing touch to your dining experience. Most weekends you can enjoy live, local musicians in this lively establishment.

 

plated food with vegetables

What better way to relax than to have a customized, fully catered fishing trip with Tangent Outfitters along the New River Water Trail? Shawn or any of his guides will put you on the best spots for trophy smallmouth. Cast a line under their expert eye to reel in any one of the predominant species found in the New. Looking to float instead- they can also set you up for a kayak or canoe trip on our 37 miles of the New River that run through Giles. A popular and scenic float is Eggleston to Pembroke, but one that’s comparable in time that you may enjoy is Bluff City to Narrows. They also have other services to complete your relaxing float, connect with them to set it all up.

scenic new river with single canoe

At a glance:

  • Stay at the Inn at Riverbend
  • Play with Tangent Outfitters along the New River Water Trail
  • Taste the wines at JBR Vineyard and Winery
  • Dine at The Palisades Restaurant
canoes on New River as seen from above
CategoriesFamilies, News by

Family Time is time well spent in Virginia’s Mountain Playground

Family Time is time well spent in Virginia’s Mountain Playground

All items and locations are perfect to add to your trip with your family, large or small, to Giles

 

Close knit group or large family gathering- read on for trip inspiration and plan to come to Giles. There’s always so much to consider when planning a family get-away. With Giles’ easy to access location, family-friendly activities, and welcoming people let us help you take some of the work out of planning your next get-away.

 

Large groups, up to 16 can enjoy the riverfront cabin at New River’s Edge. While staying at “The Edge” guests have access to the firepit, their own river access, and all the yard and river toys you can imagine. New River’s Edge can also set up the entire group to enjoy a short section float on the New River in tubes or kayaks. For a flat rate all day (10am-4pm) guests can enjoy the Pembroke to NRE section of river as many times as they’d like, stopping only to play as needed.

 

girl on tube in New River

Small family groups will enjoy Mr. Hunter’s Cottage that feature two units in a single story cottage, also near to the New River. With accommodations for eight people, this historic vacation home in the heart of the Village of Eggleston is in the heart of it all (easy access to everything), but off the beaten path so your family can enjoy their time together.

interior bedroom of lodging

Adjacent to Mr. Hunter’s Cottage groups of all sizes are welcome at The Palisades Restaurant. Their seasonal menu features unique, contemporary Appalachian cuisine and fan favorites. If you’re looking to try farm raised trout or sticking to the peperoni stone-fired pizza there is something on the menu for the family to enjoy. Their dessert menu is top-notch and homemade ice cream is worth the trip. The Palisades also regularly features live local music on the weekends and offers food to-go if you’d rather enjoy the company of family in your lodging accommodations.

girl server with pizza in restaurant

 

While there are many things to do in Giles that offer up fun to your family unit- in the warm months, you can’t miss getting out on the New River. Tangent Outfitters, also located in Pembroke, can help you pick the best float for your family in kayaks or canoes and based on the amount of time you want to spend on the water. Along the New River Water Trail families can enjoy easy access at our 14 public boat landings, making it easy to spend an hour or the day on the water. From scenic rock cliffs to fun water rapids, the New River in Giles, with the appropriate level of caution, is an easy and safe family fun experience. Cooler months, when on-water isn’t ideal take the family for a hike in Virginia’s Mountain Playground. Short and easy nature walks, or more moderate hikes to spectacular waterfalls- you’ll find your families next adventure is here in Giles County, Virginia.

canoes on New River as seen from above

The most important part and take-away from playing in Giles with family and friends, is the time spent together was well worth the memories made. We’ll see you soon, in Virginia’s Mountain Playground.

At a glance:

  • Stay at New River’s Edge or Mr. Hunter’s Cottage
  • Play with New River Edge or Tangent Outfitters
  • Dine at Cascade Café or The Palisades Restaurant

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Virginia is for River Lovers

CategoriesNews by

Giles to Break Ground on Newest Public Boat Landing

Eggleston Boat Landing

For Immediate Release

Contact: Cora Gnegy
203 North Main Street
Pearisburg, VA 24134
540-921-2079 (office)
540-335-6314 (cell)

cgnegy@gilescounty.org
Date: June 21, 2018

Giles to Break Ground on Newest Public Boat Landing

 

Giles County, VA- Throughout the month of June there have been ongoing celebrations of the outdoors as we celebrate Great Outdoors Month. Adding to the inventory of public access points to the New River, Giles County will break ground at the newest location on June 28th at 1pm. As part of an Appalachian Regional Commission POWER grant award, in partnership with the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation, Giles will be building or improving access points along the New River. This particular ground breaking will occur at the future home of the Eggleston Boat Landing. Located near the Palisades Restaurant this boat landing will be another asset that allows river goers easy, safe, and convenient access to the New River. The future boat landing will be located by turning from Eggleston Road, onto River Road and after crossing the railroad tracks turn left to go under the bridge.

 

The short ceremony will highlight the cooperative efforts, improvements to tourism assets throughout the region, and New River Water Trail successes. The New River Water Trail is a cooperative effort between Giles County Administration, Giles County Tourism, New River’s Edge, New River Outdoor Company, Tangent Outfitters, local passionate citizens, small business owners, and lodging businesses in the county. The trail itself is already in place- it is the river. The continued access and success of the New River Water Trail™ will help visitors navigate the river and explore the various sections that are ready to be discovered both on and off water!

 

***

 

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 provides 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.

CategoriesNews by

Improving New River access points in Giles County | WDBJ7

Improving New River access points in Giles County

GILES COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) The New River is a popular spot for people in Giles County. Now, officials are taking steps to make it easier for boats to come and go.

“I love the outdoors, I really love being on the water,” Randy Fuqua said, admiring the scene around him.

 

Fuqua and Austin Cunningham took a group of out-of-towners on a fishing tour of the New River in Giles County. They pushed off from the Whitt Riverbend boat landing in Ripplemead where there’s a concrete boat launch.

 

See full video HERE.

 

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Boat landing in Giles County, Virginia
Picture from WDBJ7.

Randy and Austin guide fishing trips for New River Outdoor Company located in Pembroke. The New River Water Trail has pubic access points along the 37 miles of New River in Giles, approximately every 5-7 miles. The newest boat landings will improve safety, ease of access, and help minimize impacts on river banks.

CategoriesEvents, News by

Giles County Scavenger Hunt Back By Popular Demand

Giles County Scavenger Hunt Back By Popular Demand

 

Giles County, VA- Chances are you’ve hiked and taken a picture at Cascade Falls in Pembroke, Virginia. Many of you have also enjoyed a meal at The Palisades Restaurant in the Village of Eggleston. The entire month of July you are encouraged to ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own Backyard’ and to participate in the Giles County-wide Scavenger Hunt that begins on Monday, July 2nd and continues through Friday, August 3rd. The Narrows Farmers Market is helping to host the Scavenger Hunt this year! All proceeds from participation in the Hunt will benefit the Giles County Access to Community College Education (A.C.C.E.) Fund.

 

To participate you can either visit the Town of Narrows Town Hall during their business hours (9am-5pm), get the hunt list, and pay the $2 registration or, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm or Saturday 9am to 1pm you can visit the Giles County Visitors Center, located with the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Marketing Office at 203 N. Main St, Pearisburg. Upon registering each user will receive the hunt list that includes 50 different tasks to complete and their official entry wrist band. Each photo must have the wristband visible for it to count. There are three levels of tasks that make it easy for a youth or family adventure, or you can try to conquer them all!

 

Scavenging and finding the items may be hard enough for some, but to qualify participants may also need to take a picture at the location and share to social media. Follow along on the journey by watching #GilesHunt on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All entries should be returned, including all items needed according to the list, to the Narrows Farmers Market on Friday, August 3rd. You are invited to attend their special market events that night including a food truck, produce vendors, community vendors and more from 5-8pm. There will be a trophy ceremony at 7pm at the Narrows Farmers Market. If participants are unable or finish early, their lists and items can be returned to the Giles County Visitor Center during the work week.

 

Prizes will be given and an overall winner will win the official, custom made Giles County Scavenger Hunt trophy that will stay on display at the Visitors Center, and the bragging rights. How well do you know Virginia’s Mountain Playground™? Are you up for the Hunt?

 

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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.

CategoriesNews by

Pembroke Day Trip

SUGGESTED ITINERARY | PEMBROKE DAY TRIP

Pembroke cobrandd logo Giles

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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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.

glen lyn new river
CategoriesNews by

Glen Lyn Day Trip

SUGGESTED ITINERARY | GLEN LYN DAY TRIP

Morning- A visit to Glen Lyn can begin at the Glen Lyn Town Office, located at 205 Houston Lane.

 

A beautiful long walking and biking trail system starts at the Town Hall and follows Hwy. 460 going under the bridge and then through the Glen Lyn Park and along the New River. The trail is 1.73 miles long and has a mixed surface of asphalt and gravel and very minor grade changes. Restroom facilities are available along the trail.

Enjoy lunch in Glen Lyn by picking up needed items from the Valero Convenience Center or Neighbors Exxon. The Glen Lyn Town Park offers a great location along the New River Water Trail to partake your meal. Neighbors also has light shopping to enjoy!

 

After lunch consider hiking a portion of the Mary Ingles Trail (MIT). The trail traverses seven miles one way on river right along the New River. This trail has no improved surface, no restrooms, and has moderate grade changes throughout. To return to Glen Lyn you must walk back along the same trail. There are great views of Shumate Falls and many wildlife viewing opportunities, including osprey and eagles, which are common in this area.

 

The trail approximates the route taken by a pioneer woman, Mary Draper Ingles, and her companion, an elderly Dutch woman, following their escape in 1755 from Shawnee captors at what is now Big Bone Lick, Kentucky.  With no maps and only her memory to guide her, Mary reasoned the only way to return home was to follow the rivers. After an incredible 40-day journey over an estimated 450+ miles of rough terrain the two nearly starved women found their way to her home near present day Eggleston, Virginia. In memory of their courageous journey, a group of Kanawha Valley hikers organized the Mary Ingles Trail Blazers in 1989.

 

You may also choose to spend the day with a trail pass from Kairos Resort located on Shumate Falls Road. Trail passes and UTV rentals are available. One could spend the afternoon birding or riding the trails.

Motorcross man at Kairos Wilderness Resort
Photo by: Sam Dean

Lodging is available at the RV and tent campground at Kairos. They also have luxury yurts and primitive wilderness campsites. You may also enjoy camping along the New River at the Glen Lyn Campground. Registration can be obtained at the Town Office. During the summer months on Saturday mornings you may also find flea market vendors set up near the bath house.

You can also view this itinerary on Virginia.org.

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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.

disc golf
CategoriesNews by

Narrows Day Trip

Suggested Itinerary | Narrows Day Trip

Find this & and other day trip ideas to CRUSH FRIDAY here!

logo branding for Narrows

Morning- A visit to Narrows can begin at the Narrows Town Office and Visitors Center, located at 210 Main Street.

Just around the corner on Monroe Street are Centennial Park and The Mural of Narrows.  Next door to The Mural is the Narrows Farmer’s Market (open Friday 8am-5pm and Saturday 8am-noon; April thru October) where visitors can shop for local produce and handmade items. The Veterans Memorial Park is just a few steps away. This is the end of the Veterans Mile, which begins with the Route 61 bridge over New River. Across the street, enjoy the scenery at the duck pond and Mill Dam on Wolf Creek. Don’t forget to snap a picture with the LOVEWorks at the pond.

 

Creekside Classics (on Monroe Street across from the Farmer’s Market) offers primitive décor and some antiques. You may also enjoy Ms. Audre’s Fabrics & Fellowship on Main Street, just down from the Town Hall. If you’re looking for more riverside fun, enjoy the Camp Success Disc Golf for free!

 

disc golf

Lunch-Anna’s Restaurant on Monroe Street (open Tuesday-Sunday 11am-8pm and Sunday 12-4pm) has been an historic staple in downtown Narrows for many years. If alfresco dining suits better, make up a picnic lunch from Grant’s Supermarket and head to Centennial Park or the Narrows Town Park (follow Route 61W for about a quarter mile, sidewalks the entire way) and enjoy dining alfresco on the banks of Wolf Creek. The park also offers swimming in the creek, playground equipment and basketball courts.

 

Afternoon-Walk off that lunch with a hike at Mill Creek Nature Park. This park is located on the edge of town at the end of Northview Street and offers over 40 acres of natural beauty along Mill Creek. There are about miles of trails that are available for hiking or mountain biking. There are four waterfalls of varying sizes scattered along the trail that provide perfect settings for photographs. Fishing for native trout in the stream that runs through the park is also permitted (with appropriate licenses).

 

 

Evening-Return to Anna’s for your evening meal. Overnight accommodations are available at The Historic MacArthur Inn located downtown. If it’s a Thursday evening you can enjoy the Old Time Jam and dinner beginning at 5pm. This beautiful structure was built as a hotel in the 1940s.

 

For the more adventurous, Camp Success is located on Lurich Road at the confluence of Wolf Creek and the New River.  The campground offers primitive campsites along the river.  Registration can be made at the town office.

 

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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.

CategoriesNews by

New River Watershed Roundtable Assists in New River Water Trail Expansion

New River Watershed Roundtable Assists in New River Water Trail Expansion

Originally posted to NRVRC blog HERE.

 

NRV- The New River Watershed Roundtable continues to assist in the expansion of the New River Water Trail. Building off of the success and branding of the New River Water Trail initiative in Giles County, the Watershed Roundtable identified possible day trip locations throughout the New River Valley. Community representatives reviewed these sites and provided input at the November 2017 Watershed Roundtable meeting. Next steps include finalizing site locations and then for each community to pursue funding for the accompanying New River Water Trail signage.

 

The New River Water Trail is a community effort linking visitors and residents to river activities in Giles County.  As part of the New River Water Trail, Giles County developed a website to promote these activities and provides a trip planner. Day Trips on the New River are also part of the website’s service, with supporting signage, map, and trip information at each of the Day Trip locations within Giles County.

 

The New River Watershed Roundtable is a forum of community representatives with a common goal to promote watershed stewardship through open dialogue and collaboration. The Watershed Roundtable meets regularly, and more information can be found at www.nrvrc.org/watershedroundtable.

 

For more information regarding the New River Water Trail, please contact Cora Gnegy, Giles County Tourism Marketing Director, at tourism@gilescounty.org.

 

For further information, please contact Michael Gottfredson(michaelg@nrvrc.org), 540-693-9313, ext. 205­­­.

 

CategoriesNews by

“Keep Virginia Beautiful” Grant Awarded to Giles County

Giles County Awarded “Keep Virginia Beautiful” Grant

 

Giles Administration was pleased to learn a few months ago that they would be recipients of a Keep Virginia Beautiful – 30 Grants in Thirty Days program grant.  Giles had applied for funding in the recycling category.

 

The project award enabled construction of monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing line recycling tubes for all boat ramps on the Giles’ section of the New River, which did not yet have them. The funding has additionally enabled tubes to be constructed for future boat ramps that are now in the planning stages.

 

 

As well as recycling tubes, the funds have allowed an informational brochure to be developed that describes the environmental importance of keeping fishing line out of our waterways.  Used fishing line is harmful to wildlife, boats and humans. It can endanger fish, birds, turtles and other aquatic mammals.  Swimmers can become entangled and it can wrap around boat propellers. Giles County is fortunate to have several outdoor outfitters that have taught environmental stewardship for many years. These brochures are intended to further expand the reach of this message.

 

When a significant amount of the fishing line is collected from the tubes, it will be boxed and sent to Berkley Fishing where it is melted down and recycled into items such as fish habitat structures, tackle boxes, etc.

 

Collaborators in this venture, in addition to Keep Virginia Beautiful, the Giles County PSA, and ReNew The New, include the Berkley Fishing/Conservation Institute and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.  Additionally, some content for the brochures was utilized from the excellent programs of Florida Fish and Wildlife and Washington State Fish and Wildlife.  Finally, the BoatUS Foundation provided instructional stickers for the tubes.

 

Please join in the effort to keep the 37 miles of the Giles County New River beautiful for all to enjoy.

 

To learn more about the New River and the Giles County area and activities, please visit online at:  www.GilesCounty.org; ReNewtheNew.org; or NewRiverWaterTrail.com

 

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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.