Within an hour of Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground, there are many Blue Ridge towns that are worth visiting. Each community offers a variety of history, music, outdoors and unique shopping. Three of the towns to explore are Independence, Fries (pronounced Freeze) and Stuart.

Independence – The 1908 Courthouse is the center of Independence. Inside, visitors find the regional welcome center, a museum and fine arts gallery. Outside, enjoy a picnic. Nearby, enjoy a hike and picnic at Peach Bottom Falls, which is near the Grayson County park.

Fries – The New River Trail makes downtown Fries a destination. Water lovers can find their fun fishing, canoeing, kayaking or tubing. If time on the water isn’t for you, the historic Fries Theater hosts Thursday night Blue Grass jam sessions (check online to see if these are offered). In addition, the town hosts a number of music and art festivals throughout the year.

Stuart – Stuart is at the center of Patrick County. Visitors travel back in time as they take in covered bridges, the Wood’s Brothers Racing Museum and Civil War re-enactments. There are also farms, shops and restaurants to peruse for local treats and finds.

Before you plan your itineraries, make sure to read our posts on other Blue Ridge towns like Hillsville, Floyd, Fancy Gap, Galax and Mt. Airy, NC.