Located about 7 miles north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Galax VA is the epitome of the ideal small mountain town in Southwest Virginia.
Some of our favorite places to visit in Galax include a historic downtown area, beautiful natural surroundings, and outstanding live music venues.
The modern history of Galax VA is largely steeped in regional music (especially old-time music), with special attention to traditional instruments like the Scots-Irish fiddle and the African banjo.
But Galax attractions don’t stop at these musical influences.
There are great places to stay in Galax, and fun places to eat in Galax. There are also some great hiking trails near Galax, most of which are adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and New River.
This town is just 45 minutes away from our homestead in North Carolina, so we’ve visited numerous times.
Read on for our guide to the best things to do in Galax VA, including all our favorite Galax restaurants, activities, and other must-sees!
READ MORE: The 10 Best Small Towns in Virginia to Visit
Best Galax VA Lodging Options
- Galax Retreat w/ Wraparound Deck (2 bd, 2ba rental w/great view)
- Cozy Fries Escape (2 bd rental w/mountain & river views)
- Secluded Lakehouse, pet-friendly (4 bd, 3 ba rental, sleeps 14 w/canoe)
Best Things to Do in Galax VA Guide
- Attend the Old Fiddlers’ Convention
- Catch a Show at Rex Theater
- Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Hike or Bike at New River Trail State Park
- Jam at the Blue Ridge Music Center
- Stroll & Shop in Downtown Galax
- Take a Lesson at Chestnut Creek School of the Arts
- Travel the Crooked Road
- Try the Local Food Scene at Galax Restaurants
- Visit the Galax Farmers Market
READ MORE: The 10 Best Virginia Mountain Resorts to Visit
1. Attend the Old Fiddlers’ Convention
601 S. Main St, Galax VA • (276) 236-8541
Of all my favorite Galax activities, none defines the town so perfectly as the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, which has been held there since 1935.
Every August, this internationally recognized music festival takes over the little town and turns it into an Appalachian music mecca.
There are band competitions, individual instrument competitions (for adults and kids), and lots of jamming nightly at the Virginia campgrounds.
Lots of attendees choose to camp, with spots available for around $100 on a first come, first served basis. Note that most Galax hotels will also fill up quickly, so book in advance!
READ MORE: The 15 Best Virginia Music Festivals to Visit
2. Catch a Show at the Rex Theater
111 East Grayson St, Galax VA • (276) 236-0329
The Rex Theater is another iconic destination for music lovers traveling through Southwest Virginia.
This venue opened in 1940 as the lone movie theater in the area, and still hosts free movie nights during peak summer.
But it has primarily transitioned into a classic music venue for live performances, with a variety of concerts offered all year round.
They also host a weekly radio show here, Blue Ridge Backroads Live, which features old-time and bluegrass bands. It airs on Classic Country 98.1 FM, and is available to listen to on the internet.
For anyone visiting Galax, The Rex is really a must-see, whether you’re just stopping by to check out the historic site or actually scoring tickets for a show.
READ MORE: 10 Best Virginia Mountain Towns to Visit
3. Cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway
VA-89 S, Galax VA • (828) 348-3400
Galax is just a few miles north of the intersection of US-89 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
From here, a cruise north can include visits to BRP highlights like the Blue Ridge Music Center (3 miles), Groundhog Meadow (27.4), and Mabry Mill (37 miles).
To the south, the Cumberland Knob Recreation Area is very near the intersection, while the Air Bellows Overlook and Doughton Park are a little further. The scenic views this way are top-notch!
Cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best ways to get into the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, both in the state of Virginia and North Carolina.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks in Virginia
4. Hike or Bike at New River Trail State Park
W Stuart St, Galax VA • (276) 699-6778
I love New River Trail State Park, which is promoted as a great place for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.
It’s a 57-mile long Virginia park that makes great use of an abandoned railroad route, and parallels the New River for over half of its length.
The park’s southern terminus is in the town of Galax. From there, it travels through four counties in Southwest VA, with several other access points along the way.
Features along the linear park include two tunnels, three major bridges, 30 small bridges/trestles, and Historic Shot Tower, which is another of Virginia’s award-winning state parks.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Virginia State Parks in the Blue Ridge Mountains
5. Jam at the Blue Ridge Music Center
Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 213 , Galax VA • (276) 236-5309
Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 213, the Blue Ridge Music Center is another nod to the musical history and prowess of Galax, and the mountain towns and hamlets around it.
In our experience, this is THE place to learn about local musicians and sounds, with a fine museum and daily live music.
There’s also some fun hiking trails, and a huge outdoor amphitheater that pulls in powerhouse headliners every summer for its concert series.
Last year, I saw one of my favorite new musicians there (Sierra Ferrell), and the show was stupendous. My wife Emma and I spread out a blanket and had a lovely picnic while soaking in the sensational sounds.
READ MORE: 40 Facts About the History of the Banjo (From Africa to Appalachia)
6. Stroll & Shop in Downtown Galax
Main St, Galax VA • (276) 238-8130
If you want a real small town experience, you need a proper, pedestrian-friendly downtown area to explore. And Galax has a great one!
In addition to the Rex Theater, historic Downtown Galax has a popular instrument store called Barr’s Fiddle Shop, antique shopping at Briar Patch Marketplace, and an awesome all-around stop in Chapters Bookshop.
Located in the old General Store, Galax Cakery is a popular favorite. Cozy Cabin and Mule Hell Trading Co are great for gifts like comfy candles and scrumptious handmade soaps.
The town is famous for its fine furniture.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Bedford VA (BRP MP 85.6–90.9)
7. Take a Lesson at Chestnut Creek School of the Arts
100 N Main St, Galax VA • (276) 236-3500
Chestnut Creek School of the Arts aims to keep the cultural heritage of Southwest Virginia alive with classes on regional music, traditional crafts, and contemporary arts offered to all ability levels.
The school has a pottery studio, a woodworking studio, and a gift shop. Every October it hosts the Fall Into Art Festival, with artists’ booths and vendors.
CCSA also has exhibitions covering all manner of visual art, such as paintings, photography, youth art, and quilts.
The town of Galax also has several public art displays for visitors to enjoy, including a collection of painted 6-foot bass fiddles, a bench project, town banners, and a stage mural.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in SWVA (Southwest Virginia)
8. Travel the Crooked Road
One Heartwood Circle, Abingdon VA • (276) 492-2400 ext 2409
Visiting the Rex Theater, Blue Ridge Music Center, and the Old Fiddlers’ Convention are all highlights of the Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail in Galax.
But it’s worth noting that there are tons of other Crooked Road highlights relatively close by.
The Grayson County Old Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention, the town of Independence, and the Historic 1908 Courthouse are to the west.
Fries Community is to the north, while the Lamsburg Welcome Center is to the southwest, and the Town of Hillsville is to the east.
All are well worth a visit for anyone interested in Appalachian music and culture!
READ MORE: 15 Great Romantic Getaways in Virginia for Couples
9. Try the Local Food Scene at Galax Restaurants
Historic Downtown Galax, Galax VA • (276) 238-8130
There are plenty of independently-owned restaurants in Galax, and foodies will find several truly worth trying.
Aunt Bea’s is the local barbecue joint, as well as a classic diner that serves breakfast all day.
The Briar Patch Marketplace & Café offers breakfast classics, soups, salads, sandwiches, and a bevy of coffee options.
Other local favorites include the County Line Café for classic American cuisine, Creek Bottom Brewing Company for local craft beer, and The Galax Smokehouse for award-winning barbecue.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Restaurants in VA & NC
10. Visit the Galax Farmers Market
206 N Main Street, Galax VA • (276) 233-5951
Held in Downtown Galax on Thursdays from 3-7 PM and Saturdays from 9 AM-1 PM, the Galax Farmers Market is a great place to get a taste of Southwest Virginia’s agricultural and artisanal excellence.
It’s held regularly from early April through late October, but there are also special markets held on holidays between November and March.
Vendors change from week to week, regulars include Copper Dog, Driftwood Catering, Ignite Life Coffee, Iron Heart Winery, and Thai & More. The market also features food trucks, kids’ activities, and live music.
Upcoming special events include the annual Apple Cider Festival (Sept 14), Pumpkin Day & Artist Market (Oct 5), and Halloween Market & Costume Contest (Oct 26). -by Jonathon Engels; featured image courtesy of Visit Galax
