Touring the World of Appalachian Arts and Crafts

Start your journey in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, where you can experience a cosmopolitan core surrounded by rolling, green mountains. Fly into Charlotte International Airport, hop in the car and head west for your first stop in the city – the terracotta-tiled Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Inside, find mid-20th-century modern standouts, including works from the School of Paris post-World War II. Around the block, stop in the Mint Museum Uptown where you can marvel at collections like Craft + Design, featuring glass, fiber, metal, wood and clay decorative pieces by contemporary international artists. Grab a bite to eat at the museum’s local favorite restaurant before heading to the McColl Center for Art + Innovation, located in a historic Neo-Gothic Church. Here, Open Studio Saturdays and regular exhibits introduce visitors to artists-in-residence. Take time to appreciate their unique perspectives before diving deeper into the region’s art scene.

A breezy drive north takes you to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a scenic city known as a hub for arts and innovation. In Old Salem, you’ll find an authentically restored Moravian settlement town that was founded in 1766. Catch a demonstration of tinsmithing and clay-working at the Single Brothers' House & Garden. When it’s time for a midday snack, stop in to the iconic Winkler Bakery for their popular old-world sugar cakes. Just down the road from the bakery is the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, which includes a vast collection of antique furnishings, silver and needlework. Wind the day down with a walk between the West End Historic District and the Downtown Arts District where inspiring restaurants abound. If you time your travel right, you can attend a First Friday Gallery Hop, where galleries and studios stay open late into the evening and live entertainment dots the streets. Wake up refreshed and ready to uncover a different kind of craft in Virginia.

Continue your journey north into the forested city of Galax, Virginia, a gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is also a cultural center for traditional Bluegrass music. Follow along the Blue Ridge Parkway and The Crooked Road (Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail) to experience it. Sounds of banjo and fiddle greet you at the Blue Ridge Music Center, which is open May through October with daily performances. While there, stroll through the Roots of American Music exhibit to discover the history and sounds of mountain music. In downtown Galax, family-run Barr's Fiddle Shop is a real treat – find walls lined with traditional handcrafted instruments. Outside the shop, stroll the downtown area, where historic buildings sit alongside charming boutiques and inspiring restaurants. Stop in for a bite to eat before walking over to the Rex Theater. You’ll need to arrive as early as 6:30 on a Friday night to be part of their popular Blue Ridge Backroads live radio broadcast. You’ll be humming the lively tunes all the way to your next stop.

Surrounded by ethereal views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the valley city of Roanoke is infused with culture. Roanoke’s railway past is celebrated at the O. Winston Link Museum and the Virginia Museum of Transportation, full of fantastic rail cars and antique automobiles. Sample fresh produce and pick up a gift at the City Market. Dating back to 1882, this year-round farmers’ market features dozens of local vendors. Center in the Square in downtown Roanoke is a cultural hub. Inside, you’ll find the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, the History Museum of Western Virginia, Mill Mountain Theatre and the Science Museum of Western Virginia. Play a few rounds of pinball at the Roanoke Pinball Museum while you’re there. Need a breath of fresh air? Hike to McAfee Knob on the storied Appalachian Trail, go for a leisurely drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or explore nearly 50 kilometers of bike paths on the Roanoke Valley Greenways. Don’t miss the photo op from the Roanoke Star, the world’s largest illuminated man-made star boasting views of the city and surrounding areas.

Your next scenic stop is Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia. Arrange a stay at the McKeever Lodge on the edge of the scenic Bluestone River Gorge, or catch a ride on the 1,100-meter aerial tramway to the Mountain Creek Lodge. Leave the car keys at your room and explore the nearby gorge on horseback, foot or mountain bike. All options are easily arranged within the park. Play a round of golf on one of two challenging and beautifully manicured courses overlooking the Bluestone Canyon. In the evening, enjoy a theatrical performance or some live Bluegrass music at the outdoor amphitheater nestled in the gorge. Before you head out of town, check out the Mountain Artisan Shop for souvenir shopping. Find West Virginia handcrafted items, furniture, quilts and other unique gifts. A relaxing stay in Pipestem will have you refreshed and ready to hit the road for your next destination.

Head northwest to Beckley, West Virginia, a cozy Appalachian city with deep roots in coal mining and the arts. Woodworking, quilting, glass blowing and other crafts continue to be an integral part of West Virginia’s culture, and artisans often use materials found locally. Just off the West Virginia Turnpike, in Beckley, is the Tamarack. An epicenter for West Virginia art, the Tamarack houses a juried selection of wares and fine art exhibits. Stop by to see one of the five resident artisan studios. Make time to sample the food court’s regional cuisine; especially the West Virginia rainbow trout – a local favorite. Visiting in August? Be sure to check out the annual Appalachian Arts & Crafts Fair. And from April through October, visit the Exhibition Coal Mine for a tour of an underground mine. You’ll head out of Beckley on winding roads on your way to Charleston.

West Virginia’s capital city is as charming as it is cultured. Start at the State Capitol building, fronting the Kanawha River. With its distinctive gold-leaf dome, stately pillars, fountains and statues of Stonewall Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, it’s full of photo ops. Take a free tour of the Governor’s Mansion (by reservation), visit the West Virginia State Museum for a history lesson and check out the fantastic display of traditional Appalachian quilts at the Culture Center; all are located on the capitol complex grounds and are free of charge. A few kilometers upriver, shop for local produce and gifts and grab a bite to eat at the year-round Capitol Market. Browse the independent galleries and retailers along Capitol, Quarrier and Lee Streets, where the downtown ArtWalk is held on the third Thursdays of the month. Along the way, stop at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, which houses a fine art gallery and an interactive children’s museum. Wind down with some fresh air at Haddad Riverfront Park. Along with gorgeous river views, the park hosts a variety of free outdoor concerts and events.

Hop in the car and head south to Wytheville, a charming town with unbelievably scenic views. A tempting rest stop is the West Wind Farm Vineyard & Winery, a fourth-generation homestead where family members produce small-batch wines amidst beautiful rolling hills. Enjoy a sample and take in the view. For more mountain vistas, pull over at Big Walker Lookout in Wytheville for a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding natural splendor. You’ll want to grab a photo atop the observation tower. It’s located on the Big Walker Scenic Byway, and picnic areas and hiking trails are in abundance. It’s a great spot to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. As you continue on your way, contemplate how these views have inspired artists through the centuries.

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Abingdon, Virginia is the perfect stop to immerse yourself in scenic beauty and rich cultural history. Founded in 1778 as the oldest English-speaking town west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it is now a flourishing community with brick walkways, preserved architecture and a refined arts scene. Once you arrive in town, head to William King Museum to browse through fine and contemporary regional art exhibits and cultural heritage collections. Plus, admission is free! Heartwood is an obvious next stop. This artisan gateway gives a solid orientation to southwest Virginia’s music and art heritage trails. But don’t leave without a chat; ’Round the Mountain juried artisans sell their work at Heartwood and often offer demonstrations and lessons. Soak up the creative energy before heading to your final stop.