Galax
Around GalaxIllustration made for Popchat
Countryside and towns · Virginia · 68k people
Galax
Locals say Blue Ridge Highlands
Where the mountains sing old-time tunes.
mountain blueforest greenautumn orange
Welcome to the Blue Ridge Highlands! Here the mountains hold music and stories, and the hollers are full of friendly faces. Pull up a chair, share a biscuit, and let's talk about the day.
Clubs for Galax
No clubs for Galax yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Galax. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Galax. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Blue Ridge Music Center Venue and museum celebrating mountain music, on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Grayson Highlands State Park Known for wild ponies and rocky balds.
- Mabry Mill Historic gristmill on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a favorite photo stop.
- Mount Rogers Highest point in Virginia, part of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.
- New River Trail State Park Rails-to-trails park along the New River, great for biking and hiking.
- Felts Park Public park in Galax, home of the Old Fiddlers' Convention.
- Outdoors Hike to the summit of Mount Rogers
- Outdoors See wild ponies in Grayson Highlands State Park
- With kids Visit the Blue Ridge Music Center
- With kids Pick apples at a local orchard
- Evenings Bluegrass jam sessions at local venues
- Evenings Concerts at the Blue Ridge Music Center
- Locals love Country stores
- Locals love Apple orchards
Through the year
- Old Fiddlers' Convention August The largest and oldest fiddlers' convention in the country, held in Galax.
- Hillsville Flea Market May and September One of the biggest flea markets in the Southeast, held twice a year in Hillsville.
- Patrick County Apple Festival September Celebrates the local apple harvest with crafts, food, and music in Stuart.
- Blue Ridge Music Center Summer Concert Series Summer Outdoor concerts featuring bluegrass and old-time music on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Grayson County Fair Summer Traditional county fair with livestock, rides, and local exhibits in Independence.
The Blue Ridge Highlands have a mild four-season climate. Summers are warm, winters can bring snow, and the mountains make for quick weather changes. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with mild temperatures and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “holler”
- a small valley between mountains
- “crick”
- a creek
- “the Parkway”
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- “old-time”
- traditional mountain music
Getaways
- High Country (Ashe and Alleghany Counties, NC) Mountain towns, skiing, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Mount Airy, NC Andy Griffith's hometown, with Mayberry attractions.
- Wytheville, VA Historic downtown, Big Walker Lookout, and the Wolf Creek Indian Village.
- North Wilkesboro, NC NASCAR heritage and the Wilkesboro Speedway.
Local flavour
Rooting for Virginia Tech Hokies, Appalachian State Mountaineers, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders
Eat and drink
- country ham Salt-cured, smoked, and often served with biscuits.
- biscuits and sausage gravy A hearty breakfast staple in mountain diners.
- apple butter Slow-cooked spread from local orchards, often sold at roadside stands.
- fried apple pies Hand pies filled with spiced apples, a festival favourite.
- sorghum molasses Sweet syrup made from sorghum cane, drizzled over biscuits.
Where people go
- country stores General stores with creaky floors, local crafts, and a jar of pickled eggs on the counter.
- fiddlers' conventions Annual gatherings like the Galax Old Fiddlers' Convention where musicians compete and jam.
- bluegrass jam sessions Informal gatherings at community centers, churches, or private homes.
- apple orchards Family-run orchards offering pick-your-own apples and fresh cider.
- mountain overlooks Scenic pull-offs along the Blue Ridge Parkway and on Mount Rogers.
- flea markets Hillsville's huge flea market draws crowds from across the region.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaCarroll County, Patrick County, Grayson County and Galax city, VA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.