Trip Ideas

July 4 marks 243 years since the American colonies declared independence from Great Britain, an event definitely worth celebrating with fireworks. The communities of the Dan River region have been part of that heritage since colonial days, and they’re a great place to celebrate Independence Day with the whole family. Here are just a few… Read the full article…

We’ve all been there—all geared up and ready for an active day outside, only to get rained out. The Dan River Basin is loaded with options for outdoor adventure—but sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. Fortunately, you can find plenty of options for things to do on a rainy day. We’ve got some ideas for grown-ups… Read the full article…

Wine flows from the mountains and hills of the Dan River region, as evidenced by more than a dozen wineries and vineyards located here. Two wineries will be featured in mid-June at Bushels & Barrels. The three-day festival includes a farm-to-table feast, workshops on sustainable living and producing, and a local food, wine and beer festival. … Read the full article…

The North Carolina and Virginia communities along the Dan River offer countless destinations for every kind of visitor. From outdoor adventure to cultural experiences, from roughin’ it to living ‘luxe, we’ve got you covered. With the three-day Memorial Day weekend on the horizon, we thought we’d show off some of the different ways to explore… Read the full article…

The Dan River region holds endless possibilities for romance. But after hiking, paddling, biking and gazing across scenic vistas, there’s really nothing like enjoying a romantic restaurant. The localities in the Dan River Basin offer many great dining options. These aren’t the only restaurants to find romance, but they do offer a great combination of… Read the full article…

There’s nothing like watching stars in a dark sky on a cool evening in the warm months. And there’s no better place to view the majesty of the night sky than Staunton River State Park, which in 2015 was designated as an International Dark Sky Park. The designation marks the Virginia state park as an… Read the full article…

The Smith River bisects Henry County, running nearly 45 miles from Philpott Dam in the northwest to the North Carolina border in the southeast. This section of river is home to the Smith River Trail System, which includes a scenic blueway with 10 river access points and more than 20 miles of greenway.  Enjoy a… Read the full article…

The Dan River region offers a wealth of rich visual arts, from painting to sculpture and more. Enjoy 12+ different ways to explore the tapestry of galleries and artistic organizations found throughout the Dan River Basin. The Arts Place of Stokes Stokes County, North Carolina The Arts Place serves as a cultural, entertainment, and visitor… Read the full article…

The emerging beauty of spring makes the game of golf particularly sweet this time of year, and the communities of the Dan River Basin make for a beautiful setting.  With a variety of courses from the Blue Ridge Mountains through the Piedmont’s rolling hills, you can find the perfect course for a weekday outing, a… Read the full article…

Start your engines and watch for the green flag, because Martinsville Speedway is heading into its 72nd season, and 70th as a foundational track on the NASCAR circuit. Known as the “Paperclip” and “the Half-Mile of Mayhem,” Martinsville hosted one of NASCAR’s eight Strictly Stock races in 1949. That marked the first year of what’s… Read the full article…

Find a wealth of colonial-era history on the banks of the Dan River and among the surrounding lands in Southside Virginia and Piedmont North Carolina.  English settlers began pushing inland in the early 1700s. The communities of the Dan River Basin took their current shapes in the 18th century, around the time the 13 colonies… Read the full article…

Ranging from mountains to rolling piedmont foothills and braided with rivers and streams, the Dan River region makes for excellent birding. Birding trails and sites can be found on both the North Carolina and Virginia sides of the state line. The varied geography of the basin makes for a diverse range of bird and wildlife… Read the full article…

With Valentine’s Day this week and love in the air, look no farther than the Dan River region to find romantic places to say “I love you” to your favorite person. From the Blue Ridge Mountains down through the rolling Piedmont hills to the lakes and rivers in the bottomlands, come enjoy the Dan River… Read the full article…

Temperatures have dropped and icy weather has arrived, but grab your rod and tackle box because winter is a great time to go fishing in the Dan River Basin. You can find fishable streams, rivers, and lakes all throughout the Dan River region. And the action on the water never stops, even during the winter…. Read the full article…

Ring in the new year in style in the Dan River region. Local events offer a host of ways to celebrate, from a traditional midnight champagne toast to an adventurous plunge into the chilly waters at Hanging Rock State Park on New Year’s Day 2019. We’ve gathered a list of celebrations taking place on December… Read the full article…

Holiday lights, parades, evergreens—they’re all great. But let’s be honest, the most delicious part of the winter season has got to be the yummy pies, cakes, and cookies that appear in bakeries and kitchens across the Dan River region. Holiday cookie lovers should take note of the upcoming cookie swap at the library in Martinsville… Read the full article…

The sun sets around 5 p.m. in December, but the nights are lit by displays of holiday lights throughout the Dan River region. Illuminate your holiday season by visiting some of the region’s brightest and most beautiful lighting spectacles. We’re making a list and checking it twice, with commercial and residential displays both included. Did… Read the full article…

The days following Thanksgiving have become the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, as well as a crucial time for businesses. Black Friday is so named because it’s the day that many retail stores go from the red into the black, in terms of profit. Cyber Tuesday has extended the shopping crush to online… Read the full article…