Southwest of Fancy Gap, you’ll find the city of Galax. Galax is the home of the Old Time Fiddlers Convention, an annual event held the second week of August every year since 1935. Festivities include the best country, blue grass and mountain music from around the country. Musicians and dancers of all ages compete for cash prizes and dazzle crowds of thousands that gather for the week-long festival.

Downtown Galax is known for its antique shops, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants like the Galax Smokehouse and Creek Bottom Brewery. Friday night Blue Ridge Backroads are live performances at the historic Rex Theater that keep the musical heritage of the region alive. Owned by the city of Galax, the Rex also shows movies, hosts concerts and stages community plays.

Galax is near the New River with access points to the New River State Park, a linear park that parallels the river. It is perfect for biking, walking and horseback riding. To rent bikes or enjoy tubing, canoeing or kayaking, plan a trip with New River Outdoor Adventures. New River Trips offers guided fishing trips.