The Hillsville area is known for its mountain surroundings, so why not spend the weekend cooped up in a cozy bed and breakfast? The Stillhouse (visitstillhouse.com) is a four-room wood cabin situated on 130 acres and offers guests miles of walking and nature trails, as well as swimming, tubing and fishing opportunities on Big Reed Island Creek. Rooms can be rented nightly or weekly. Check the website for their pricing list.
Willow Glenn Farm B&B (willowglenfarmbb.com) is a bit more affordable than the Stillhouse and is located on a 50-acre farm. Here you'll find a bird barn, a lama farm and even a small vineyard, with all the warmth and intimacy of a bed and breakfast. The bed and breakfast is located in Cana, Virginia, just a short drive from Hillsville.
If you're really looking for privacy, head to the Turner School Cottage (turnerschoolcottagerental.blogspot.com), housed in a traditional one-room schoolhouse dating back to 1914. Children are welcome, so Turner School Cottage makes for a good spot for families.
If your enjoy the outdoors or are traveling with young children, camping is a more affordable option than staying at a bed and breakfast or hotel. Carrollwood Campground (no website; 86 Carrollwood Drive, Hillsville, VA 24343; 276-728-9312) offers 80 campsites, most with electric and water hookups. RVs under 40 feet are allowed. Campground amenities include two fishing lakes, a rec room, a barbershop and a playground. The campground is open March 15 to November 30.
The Fancy Gap/Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (koa.com/campgrounds/fancy-gap) offers guests amenities such as water and electric and cable hookups, a pool, a fishing pond, Wi-Fi and a pavilion. RVs up to 75 feet are allowed and the campground is open March 1 to November 15.
Fries New River Trail RV Park (friesrvpark.com) caters to the RV crowd and offers amenities such as free cable and Wi-Fi hookups, water, electric and sewer hookups and access to the New River Trail.
Because of its location in the Appalachian's Blue Ridge Range, Hillsville offers visitors plenty of outdoor activities. The Crooked Creek Wildlife Management Area (dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/detail.asp?pid=24) is a 1,796-acre protected area known for its trout fishing, hiking trails and wildlife watching opportunities. The WMA is open year-round.
Lovill's Creek Lake Recreation Area (no website; 943 Speas Mill Road; Cana, VA 24317; 276-730-3100) is a 55-acre lake stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. Small motorized boats are allowed on the lake. The lake is open year-round.
The Carroll County Recreation Park and Picnic Area (129 Ballpark Drive, Hillsville, VA 24343; 276-730-3100) is known for its ballpark and offers other amenities such as a picnic shelter and playground.
The West Wind Farm Vineyard and Winery (westwindwine.com) is open year-round and produces wines such as Pinot Gris, Chambourcin, cabernet sauvignon and Riesling, as well as dessert wines and special-edition reserve wines. Tours and tastings are available.
The Carroll County Historical Society (historicalsociety.chillsnet.org) has a museum dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Carroll County. Although admission is free, donations are accepted.
The Blue Ridge Music Center (blueridgemusiccenter.org) is located in nearby Galax, Virginia, and is perhaps the area's most famous attraction. The center was established by Congress in 1985 and pays tribute to the music and musicians of the Blue Ridge region, particularly to the importance of the fiddle and banjo in southwestern Virginia music. There is an outdoor amphitheater that often hosts concerts, and an indoor interpretive center that highlights music styles and musicians of the Blue Ridge Virginia and North Carolina region.
