The counties along the Dan River in North Carolina and Virginia were historically known for their whiskey-making abilities. Caswell County, North Carolina, was the site of John W. Sowers Distilling Company in the 1800s, well before Prohibition. Patrick County, Virginia, was home to the multi-generational distilling DeHarts from the late 19th century well into the… Read the full article…
VIRginia International Raceway’s epic comeback story
Located deep in the heart of Southside Virginia’s racing country, VIRginia International Raceway stands as a testament to the power of vision in transforming a historic but aging racetrack into a world-renowned destination for motor enthusiasts. In 2018, 300,000 people visited the Halifax County raceway to indulge in its tracks, events, and resort amenities, including… Read the full article…
Enjoy an epic weekend in Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park stands as a jewel in the North Carolina state parks system. With soaring vistas, a serene lake, the Dan River and a plethora of pristine waterfalls, there’s something for everyone. Hanging Rock State Park makes a great weekend destination. We visited over Father’s Day weekend in June and returned with a… Read the full article…
Find Fourth of July fireworks in the Dan River region
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…
Where to go on a rainy day in the Dan River region
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…
The ultimate weekend getaway in Danville, Virginia
From paddling to cocktails, mountain biking to fine dining, the Southside Virginia city of Danville offers plenty of attractions for a long weekend escape. Nestled along the Dan River in the foothills of Piedmont Virginia, Danville is the perfect place to pursue a weekend of outdoor adventure, leisurely exploration, and delicious food and beverages. Here’s… Read the full article…
Bushels & Barrels offers a taste of the Dan River’s rich local food, wine and beer
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…
24 ways to rock out a 3-day weekend in the State Crossings
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…
Historic cars, custom trucks and more roll into Martinsville for Hot Rod Power Tour
The Hot Rod Power Tour, the world’s largest traveling car show, roars into Martinsville in June. The Hot Rod Power Tour is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a 7-city road trip that will see more than 6,000 vehicles and 100,000-plus spectators over the week-long series. The June 9 event in Martinsville marks the first time… Read the full article…
Great date restaurants of the Dan River region
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…
Enjoy the Dan River Basin’s dark skies this spring and summer
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…
Get ready for the Virginia Mountain Bike State Championships (and find a bike trail of your own)
The Dan River region will show off three of its hottest mountain biking destinations beginning next month with the Virginia Mountain Bike State Championships roll into the area. The first of three races in three months takes place on May 18 with Return to the Ridge, an event in Danville, Virginia. A month later, Bootlegger’s… Read the full article…
The Smith River: A blueway trail that is also green
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…
12+ ways to explore the visual arts of the Dan River State Crossings
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…
Discover Rockingham County’s patchwork heritage on the quilt trail
The Rockingham County Quilt Trail celebrates the county’s local agriculture, community artists and rich cultural heritage. The trail’s scenic country route takes you over rolling farmland, through forests, across rivers and into towns and villages in a quest to see 30 authentic quilt blocks by local artisans, each displayed on barns and farm outbuildings. Tradition holds that each quilt block… Read the full article…
Golf courses of the Dan River region
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…
NASCAR’s oldest track gears up for spring
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…
Spy spring wildflowers in the Dan River Basin
Every spring, the mountains and rolling hills of the Dan River basin sparkle with color as wildflowers bloom. For visitors and residents alike, wildflower season offers a sublime mark of spring. The various species appear as old friends, blooming with clockwork precision as the earth moves from winter into summer. Wildflowers to watch for Ellen… Read the full article…
Colonial Dan River history
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…
Birding the Dan River State Crossings
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…
12 beautiful waterfalls of the Dan River Basin
Waterfalls have mesmerized people for millennia. Even today, amid a fast-paced world driven by smartphones and social media, a waterfall can freeze us in time, causing us to pause and appreciate the simple beauty of water falling onto rocks. Come visit the Dan River Basin today. Enjoy a variety of waterfalls and find a moment… Read the full article…
2+14 places to say “I love you” in the Dan River region
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…
Fish through the winter in the Dan River region
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…
A Dan River racing legend sees his final checkered flag
Stock-car racing wouldn’t be the same without the Wood Brothers of Patrick County, Virginia. Glenn and Leonard Wood founded their racing team in 1950, in the pioneer days of what was to eventually become NASCAR. Today the Wood Brothers Racing continues as the sport’s oldest continually running team. Glenn Wood, the older of the two… Read the full article…
Celebrate the New Year in the Dan River Basin
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…
21 places to find yummy pies, cakes and cookies in the Dan River region
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…
20+ ways to celebrate the holidays in the Dan River region
It’s the holiday season, and the Dan River region is celebrating Hanukkah, Yuletide, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day. The communities of the Dan River Basin are a wonderful place to celebrate the holidays, with parades, tree lightings, and more coming up in the next several weeks. Here’s a partial listing by date. ANNUAL WESTLAKE… Read the full article…
Brighten your holidays with these eye-popping Dan River light displays
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…
Support the Dan River region’s small businesses this Saturday
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…
Get merry for the holidays in the Dan River region
Now that Halloween and Election Day are past, temperatures are dropping and it’s beginning to feel like the winter holiday season. Thanksgiving falls on November 22 and will be followed soon by Hanukkah, Yuletide, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Day. The communities of the Dan River Basin are a wonderful place to celebrate the holidays,… Read the full article…