9 Best Things to Do in Floyd, Virginia

© Troika Contemporary Craft Gallery

Opened by a trio of women, the Troika Contemporary Crafts Gallery showcases a collection of fine craftwork from local, regional artists. The products on display are all made by hand with love and incredible levels of attention to detail. They feature products made from skilled artists involved in ceramics, woodwork, blacksmithing, prints, lamps, textiles and books. Each piece is of an incredibly high standard and many of the showcased items are both beautiful and functional. The owners of the store are eager to assist in any way possible and are passionate about their town, and they are more than willing to help with guiding you around their area.

203 S Locust St, Floyd, VA 24091-2505, Phone: 540-745-8764

© wildnerdpix/stock.adobe.com

Named for the mountain with which it shares a name, the 4,000-acre estate that is the Rocky Knob Recreation Area offers a chance to relax in the heart of some of Floyd’s most phenomenal natural wonders. Activities include the option of camping—with picnicking areas included—or staying in one of their own residential 1930s cabins. The center performs a number of interpretive demonstrations and talks, and maintains four historically rich trails which offer over 17 miles of beautiful, scenic views. Avid hikers have the opportunity to explore Rock Castle Gorge, a wondrous natural formation which is famous for its impressive quartz formations.

1670 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Floyd, VA 24091-3932, Phone: 828-348-3400

© Floyd Center for the Arts

The year was 1995, and a group of Floyd County citizens noticed an old dairy barn that had fallen into disrepair. Together they began to think about how they could transform the barn into a building which would contribute to the society, and they settled on creating a space where the artisan community of Floyd County—a traditionally hard-to-find niche—could come together to display their creations. Nearly $600,000 was spent on making the barn into a safe public space, including the installation of handicapped facilities. The center is now known widely for its inclusiveness and passion for preserving the arts as well as for its influence in the local economy. It offers metalsmithing, blacksmithing and stained glass working classes, to name a few.

220 Parkway Lane South, Floyd, VA 24091, Phone: 540-745-2784

© 5 Mile Mountain Distillery

Built just after the closing of the Second World War, the 5 Mile Mountain Distillery started its life as a water treatment plant instead, where it was used to pump water from the nearby Dodds Creek where it would be sent on, fully treated, to the water tower of the town. The drilling of wells in subsequent years to accommodate the town’s growing requirements caused the closure of the water plant in 1976. The building was then left to ruin until 2013, where it was purchased and restored into the distillery that it is today, thusly preserving this historically significant building for the town. The distillery uses traditional recipes to create their handmade whiskey and do so in small batches to guarantee consistency and quality.

489 Floyd Hwy South Floyd, VA 24091, Phone: 540-745-4495

© nd3000/stock.adobe.com

Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve is an area of great heritage, set on 1,140 acres of Virginian soil. The preserve features a diverse ecosystem, with 14 different species of rare plants and three species of invertebrate animals. The preserve expands over the slopes and the summit of the Buffalo Mountain, and the absence of trees allows for the wild species of plants to thrive without heavy competition and shading. The preserve has a number of secluded and serene trails which allow for a relaxing and enjoyable hike through this truly natural landscape, with nothing but the noises, smells, and sights of nature.

890 Moles Rd SW, Floyd, VA 24380, Phone: 540-676-5673

© River stone Organic Farm

Nestled away in Floyd County’s Blue Ridge Mountains, the River stone Organic Farm is built on flat river bottom land whose soils are known for their incredible fertility—a rarity in the region. This allows for sustainable and organic crop production. The farm is hence run with a passion for working alongside nature and the local community, with the intention of creating a center for the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Both Tiffany and Alex, the owners of the farm, hold master’s degrees in horticulture, making them ideal for tackling the challenges that such a project poses. They place a heavy focus on producing high-quality food for the local community and its visitors and work to reduce their energy footprint wherever possible, making the farm a destination of interest for visitors.

708 Thompson Road, Floyd, VA, 24091, Phone: 540-267-7700 or Phone: 540-230-0020

© Floyd County Historical Society

The non-profit organization that is the Floyd County Historical Society is run with the intention of preserving and protecting the history of the county and educating visitors as to the events of days gone by. The museum offers a number of exhibits, some of which are permanent and others which are changed on a regular basis by the society. The museum hosts events approximately once a month and is open for visits from independent researchers, with thousands of pieces of historical memorabilia and accounts making for a valuable resource in regards to the history of the county. Their collection is in the process of being cataloged and uploaded onto their online collections, which will further extend the availability of these precious materials to the public.

217 North Locust Street, Floyd, Virginia, Phone: 540-745-3247

© The Bread Basket

After a career in teaching, Missy Yoder made the move to Floyd in search of a different direction in which to take her life. She found her chance when a small property came up for sale, and she pulled out all the stops to buy it, after which she converted it into a small scale bakery which offered visitors homemade bread, pies, and pastries. The community’s support for the project allowed her to hire her first employee after just a fortnight of running the business. In the years that have followed, the range has expanded to offer gluten-free options. An expansion in 2013 allowed for the construction of a freshly made sandwich bar. Since then, the running of the business has been largely transferred to Ben and Kathy Yoder, who have helped to set it up for a bright future for years to come.

2167 Webbs Mill Road, North Floyd, VA 24091, Phone: 540-745-5382

© Old Church Gallery

The Old Church Gallery is run entirely on voluntary work by individuals who are united by a common passion for protecting, preserving and sharing the cultural history of Floyd County. They provide a center for the display of local arts, crafts, history, music, and theater, and welcome classes into their space for education and discussion purposes. The Gallery offers workshops and a small, on-site shop which sells books relating to the history of the county. They also host a weekly ‘Story Center’, which they use to encourage the practice of oral history and storytelling, which has fallen out of fashion. Their archive has grown to over 100 interviews since the project’s foundation.

110 Wilson Street, Floyd, VA 24091, Phone: 540-745-2979