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 Lily Valley Inn 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
CategoriesNews, Uncategorized by

Recreation Economy for Rural Communities: Giles County…

Recreation Economy

 

 

 

Welcome! This is the registration page for the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Virtual Workshop for Giles County, focusing on the Towns of Pembroke and Narrows, taking place October 26-29, 2020. This is a series of seven, virtual video conference sessions spaced over four days. The process is designed for interactivity. It will create a community action plan built by you, the participants. Ideally you can attend all sessions, but if you cannot commit to all, just select the first and last sessions and any others you can attend. Event video conferencing sign in links, audio call in, program information, participation instructions, and other handouts will be sent to you by email prior to the first session. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to working with you.

Read more
docs.google.com

CategoriesNews by

June is National Outdoors Month

June is National Outdoors Month

 

Giles County, VA- Giles County, Virginia’s Mountain Playground™ will, along with communities and officials across America, celebrate the great outdoors for the entire month of June. June is recognized as Great Outdoors Month. You are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available in Giles to enjoy the great outdoors. You can choose any one of the 37 miles of the New River Water Trail, 60+ miles of the Appalachian Trail or Great Eastern Trail, mountain biking trails, walking one of the newly recognized nine Wellness Trails through our community spaces, or anything in between. Giles has identified a variety of events and activities for the whole family can experience Virginia’s Mountain Playground™ in June, and all summer long.

 

wellness trail park sign
The Rich Creek Wellness Trail is located at the Town Park also known as Woodlawn Park.

 

On June 22nd all are invited to CRUSH Friday and join us on a Fun Float from Eggleston to New River’s Edge. Paddle what you bring and RSVP to let us know if you want lunch. We will be heading out at 9am from the Eggleston wide spot river access. Visitors to any of the eight public boat landings in Giles County will see the signage that outlines safety information, fishing and floating times, including maps and contact information. You can learn more about the New River Water Trail by visiting Facebook.com/NewRiverWaterTrail or on Instagram @NewRiverWaterTrail.

 

SUP people on New River at Castle Rock
Photo by Sam Dean, courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation

 

On June 28th at 10am all are also invited to a ground breaking ceremony at the soon-to-be Eggleston Boat Landing. The new boat landing will be off of Eggleston Road, onto River Road and turning left under the bridge. Other Outdoors Month events left include June 23rd New River Water Trail Poker Float, followed that evening by the next installment of the Newport Jamboree featuring Dale Cash and County Connection. Close out the month with a good ‘ol fashioned Ice Cream Supper at the Newport Village Green.

 

new river from boat landing
The New River at Whitt-Riverbend Boat Landing

 

Share all your outdoor adventures by using #GilesCoVa on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We look forward to seeing your favorite spots and activities to celebrate all the great outdoors in the New River Valley.

 

***

 

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

Downtown Narrows | Grant Award & Recommendation

Downtown Narrows | Grant Award & Recommendation

 

The Town of Narrows is excited to receive a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Competitive Grant Award for Business District Revitalization in the amount of $699,346. This grant is the result of many months of planning and community input. A volunteer team of local citizens worked with the NRV Regional Commission to develop this application using a previously awarded CDBG Planning Grant. The planning focused on highlighting and enhancing the outdoor recreation opportunities in and around the Town. The proposed projects will create public spaces and amenities in the business district and encourage visitors to stop and explore the town, its businesses, and surrounding attractions. The project provides matching funds for repair and renovation of facades of commercial structures and implements improvement projects to enhance the streetscape and public spaces and amenities – including the addition of a Creekside Trail and public space along Wolf Creek. The Town of Narrows looks forward to continuing the process of investing and improving our downtown area.

 

Conceptual rendering of possible improvements to the downtown in Narrows.
Conceptual rendering of possible improvements to the downtown in Narrows.

 

Governor Terry McAuliffe also announced his recommendation that the Town of Narrows receive $392,588 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to complete a related revitalization project to locate an outfitter business on Wolf Creek. The ARC will finalize approval of this project award later this year. Funds from this grant are to be used in conjunction with the awarded CDBG grant to make many of the downtown improvements, to obtain property along the proposed Creekside Trail and to create an area for water-oriented recreational activities in the downtown area.

 

The award of these grants is an exciting opportunity for the Town of Narrows and its citizens to make significant improvements that support the revitalization of the downtown district, develop opportunities for new and existing businesses, and create a downtown that is functioning and vital for years to come.

 

***

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.

CategoriesEvents, News by

Apr 22- VIRGINIA’S OUTDOOR LOVERS EXPO featuring the NRWT

VIRGINIA’S OUTDOOR LOVERS EXPO

The 2017 Virginia’s Outdoor Lovers Expo to be held April 22nd at Bisset Park in Radford, Virginia.

From our friends at the New River Valley Regional Commission.

Radford, VA – The Virginia’s Outdoor Lovers Expo is coming to the New River Valley, April 22nd. This free, family-friendly event will be held at Bisset Park in Radford from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The event will host a 300-foot zip line, paddleboard demonstration pool, outdoor gear raffle and gear swap, local food, brews and live music all staged alongside the New River. Appalachian inspired entertainment such as County Connections and RYZ are scheduled to perform on the main stage.

The Kid Zone with a rock wall and bounce house, and demonstrations such as; chainsaw carving, outdoor survival tips, and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics awareness will round out the event. This year’s expo will have upwards of 100 outdoor related businesses, organizations and attractions including the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Mountain 2 Island Paddleboard, Cabela’s, Virginia State Parks, and many more. Come celebrate Earth Day with all of Southwest Virginia as you browse interactive booths and demonstration areas.

The Virginia Outdoor Lovers Expo began in Abingdon in 2014 and for the first time ever, will be held in the New River Valley. The event’s focus is to raise awareness of the diverse outdoor recreation opportunities that are abundant across Southwest Virginia while providing a platform for businesses, clubs, organizations, and communities to form and strengthen ties throughout the region. This event promises to be the perfect opportunity to connect, explore and plan your next outdoor adventure. Brought to you by generous sponsors including the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Blue Ridge Outdoors, Carilion Clinic, and Mountain Lake Lodge.

Outdoor related vendor applications will be accepted until April 1st. Registration can be accessed on the website. The Expo planning committee will also continue to accept sponsors. For information on sponsorship and applying for a vendor booth contact James Jones at jjones@nrvrc.org or call 540-639-9313. More details on the event and how to participate, along with updated information can be found at www.swvaoutdoorexpo.com.

For more information or to set up an interview, contact James Jones, 540-639-9313 or jjones@nrvrc.org

 

 Vendors Participating in the Virginia’s Outdoor Lovers Expo

  1. Grillizza
  2. Till and Grill
  3. Bootleg BBQ
  4. Foothill Guide Service
  5. New River Valley Bicycle Association
  6. Blue Ridge Discovery Center
  7. Giles Mountain Vineyard and Winery
  8. Back Country Ski and Sport, Inc
  9. Floyd Yoga Jam
  10. Arbor Real Products, LLC
  11. RU Outdoors
  12. Recreation, Parks and Tourism Department Radford University
  13. Virginia Tech – College of Natural Resources and Environment
  14. Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority
  15. Paul Tomorrow/St. Paul Main Street
  16. Dickenson County Chamber/Visitor Center
  17. Wytheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
  18. Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority
  19. City of Norton
  20. Tazewell County
  21. Blue Ridge Heritage, Inc.
  22. Montgomery Regional Tourism
  23. Clinch River Valley Initiative
  24. Scott County Tourism
  25. Town of Narrows
  26. New River Retreat and the Junction
  27. Mountain 2 Island Paddleboard Company
  28. Appalachian Horseback Adventures
  29. Crimper’s Climbing Gym
  30. Mountain Lake Lodge
  31. New River Conservancy
  32. Town of Pennington Gap
  33. Virginia State Parks
  34. Wolf Creek Indian Village & Museum/ County of Bland
  35. Springhouse Community School
  36. Appalachian Trail Conservancy
  37. Good Samaritan Hospice
  38. Camp Alta Mons
  39. Massanutten Resort
  40. Virginia Department of Forestry
  41. Piedmont Appalachian Trail Hikers
  42. Breaks Interstate Park
  43. Wytheville Convention and Visitors Bureau
  44. Floyd County Tourism Office
  45. Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure
  46. JBR Vineyards, LLC
  47. New River’s Edge Inc
  48. City of Galax Tourism
  49. Chantilly Farm
  50. Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA)
  51. Across-the-Way Productions
  52. FloydFest
  53. Ferrum Outdoors
  54. Ferrum College
  55. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
  56. Damascus Old Mill Inn and Restaurant
  57. New River Outdoor Co
  58. Town of Pearisburg
  59. Smyth County Tourism
  60. On The Water
  61. Apple Ridge Farm
  62. Franklin County, Virginia
  63. Project Healing Waters, Roanoke/New River Valleys Program
  64. Appalachian Voices
  65. Southwest Virginia Mountain Rescue Group
  66. Pulaski Bikes
  67. American Chestnut Foundation, Virginia Chapter
  68. Tangent Outfitters
  69. Woodchuck Woodcarving
  70. Venture Out
  71. Dick’s Sporting Goods
  72. Walkabout Outfitters
  73. Giles County Tourism
  74. Real Time Pain Relief
  75. Town of Pulaski
  76. Pulaski County
  77. HK High Kicks, LLC
  78. Friends of Claytor Lake
  79. Mountain Shepard Survival School
  80. Primland
  81. Cabela’s
  82. Visit Bedford Virginia
  83. com
  84. Trailhead ATV Resort
  85. New River Outdoor Adventures
  86. Mount Inspiration Apparel
  87. GoJourni
  88. Fat Bean Taco
  89. Narrows Trail Club
  90. ReNew the New

Sponsors for the Virginia’s Outdoor Lovers Expo

Virginia Community Capital

Montgomery County Regional Tourism

Walkabout Outfitter

New River Outdoor Adventures

WMEV FM94

WVTF / RADIO IQ

Virginia Tech – College of Natural Resources and Environment

Y-100.5 FM

Carilion Clinic

Backcountry.com

Giles County Tourism

City of Radford

Floyd County Tourism

Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce

Mountain 2 Island Paddleboard Company

Trailhead ATV Resort

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Bristol Herald Courier

Virginia Tourism Corporation

Blue Ridge Outdoors

Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure

GearHead Moto Tours

Virginia Tech’s Venture Out Program

Visit Bedford Virginia

Cabela’s

Union Bank & Trust

###

CategoriesNews by

Ripplemead Boat Landing Dedication & NRWT Ribbon Cutting

Ripplemead Boat Landing Dedication & NRWT Ribbon Cutting

For over a year visitors and residents have seen work in progress at the Whitt-Riverbend Park in Ripplemead. The park, owned by the Town of Pearisburg was a partner with Giles County to secure development funds from a grant through the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to develop an official and permanent boat landing in that area. Now visitors will find bathroom facilities, easy through traffic pattern for access to the boat launch, and well establish parking areas.

The new Ripplemead Boat Landing was recently dedicated in Giles County.
The new Ripplemead Boat Landing was recently dedicated in Giles County.

On Monday, June 13th at the Ripplemead Boat Landing at Whitt-Riverbend Park Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward was on hand to acknowledge the partnerships and hard work with this water access project. The Giles County Chamber of Commerce also hosted a ribbon cutting for the New River Water Trail™. 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 designation of the New River Water Trail™ will help visitors and resident navigate the river and explore the various sections that are ready to be discovered!

Guides, Outfitters, VDGIF, Elected Officials, & partners were on hand for the NRWT ribbon cutting.
Guides, Outfitters, VDGIF, Elected Officials, & partners were on hand for the NRWT ribbon cutting.

In addition to the dedication of the boat landing, Secretary Ward also made the presentation to the Giles County Board of Supervisors, Giles Industrial Development Authority, Town of Pearisburg, and New River Water Trail for

The new boat landing is now a Virginia Treasure, the first in Giles County.
The new boat landing is now a Virginia Treasure, the first in Giles County.

the designation as a Virginia Treasure. The Treasure program, run through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, aims to recognize recreational areas that provides “new public access to a natural, cultural, or scenic outdoor recreation resource. These are projects that help the public by enhancing outdoor recreation.” This announcement came as a surprise to those in attendance and Giles is excited to be a part of this list of Virginia Treasures.

To follow along with the New River Water Trail, find us on Instagram and Facebook.

***

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.