A little “peace” of heaven just off the Blue Ridge Parkway
Though many guests at Pilot’s Perch decide they just want to stay put and soak in the hot tub or relax in front of the fire pit, some of our guests enjoy a quick hike down to a local waterfall or fishing pond.
For more ambitious guests, you’ll find here some of our favorite things to do in the Blue Ridge near Fancy Gap, including our top 10 list of things to do near Fancy Gap.
Villa Appalaccia is a beautiful Italian villa just off the Parkway not too far from Fancy Gap. It’s a great setting to enjoy some good wine and food. The high elevation makes for a great place to escape the summer heat. Though I’d been in the neighborhood many times — in Floyd, at Chateau Morrisette, … Read more
Every year old-time and bluegrass musicians travel from all over the world to Galax, VA to compete in the Old Fiddler’s Convention. Galax has hosted this granddaddy of the fiddler’s conventions nearly every year since 1935. Folks flock to Felts Park in Galax to play or simply enjoy great old-time mountain music. The 2023 convention, … Read more
Raffaldini Vineyards is a great destination for those who are looking for a little piece of Italy. The Italian villa affords magnificent views of the 100 acre estate and the distant Blue Ridge Mountains. The Raffaldini Villa and Estate Jay Raffaldini started his vineyard in 2001 partly in an effort to provide a gathering place … Read more
Serre Vineyards is a nice little gem of a winery less than 30 minutes from Fancy Gap. If you’re looking for a peaceful, tucked away winery close by, Serre provides a good watering hole. Drink some wine or beer, listen to live music, or just toss some cornhole. Views by a Fire Pit Warm up … Read more
Doughton Park has been on our list of top ten hikes near Fancy Gap for awhile, and I recently had the pleasure of hiking one of its many trails. Doughton Park is noteworthy for open meadows, remote creek-hopping trails, and cabins and ruins from the late 19th and early 20th century mountain community. There are … Read more
Mayberry Days is a festival celebrating small town America as depicted on the Andy Griffith Show. It’s an annual celebration held annually the last weekend of September. This year’s festival will be held in Mt. Airy, NC from September 18-24, 2023. There’s lots to take in for fans of the show, with the activity centering in … Read more
On July 22 and 23, Galax, VA will host the annual Smoke on the Mountain BBQ Championship, Virginia’s official state BBQ championship. Smoke on the Mountain – The Food Although Galax is best known for its old-time and bluegrass music, the city becomes a BBQ haven of sorts every third weekend in July. Many of … Read more
Grayson Highlands State Park is a beautiful park in far southwest Virginia. You can see for miles atop bald peaks that provide 360 degree long-range views. Grayson Highlands State Park is probably best known as home to a herd of hiking companions, wild ponies that roam the park helping to keep growth down in the … Read more
NOTE: The Galax Volunteer Fire Department has announced that the 2023 HoustonFest would be the last one. It will no longer be held. Every year the city of Galax hosts HoustonFest, a festival of song and service in honor of Galax firefighter Houston Caldwell, who died in a car crash on April 30, 2010. About … Read more
The Mt. Airy Fiddlers Convention, officially known as the Blue Grass & Old-Time Fiddlers Convention, brings together musicians and fans for two full days of competition, jam sessions, dancing, singing, education, and family entertainment. This popular festival, established in 1972, is dedicated to old-time and bluegrass music, as well as dance. The Fiddlers Convention features … Read more
Pilot’s Perch: Tannya Hughes ~ 540.307.0470 / pilotsperch@hotmail.com
Pilot’s Perch Too: Shannon and Brent ~ 704.918.5522 / cabin@a4life.org
