This marker is near the bridge over the Powell River and calls out the city of Big Stone Gap…read more It reads, "Big Stone Gap, originally known as Three Forks, received its charter, February 23, 1888. A postoffice was established April 12, 1856. In the early nineties it became the center of iron and coal development. It was the home and workshop of John Fox, Jr., novelist, and author of "Trail of the Lonesome Pine."" The town of Big Stone Gap is economically centered around the coal industry. Formerly known as "Mineral City" and "Three Forks" before the official name change in 1888. The "Big Stone Gap" refers to the valley created on the Appalachia Straight, located between the town and Appalachia. The town served as an important center for coal and iron development in the 1880s and 1890s and residents hoped its coal and iron ore deposits would make it "the Pittsburgh of the South." [Review 13456 overall, 775 of 2020.]

So they give tours about every hour or so. I think it was about 45 minutes. They had 2 tour guides…read morewhile we were there . But our tour guide complained alot about his life. We did joke around about some things, but at least pretend you enjoy your job. They had a couple cute doggos that greet you while you are there. They also have a little store with a lot of different kinds of rocks if that is your thing.

Had great time at this cavern. We were greeted warmly by the staff.. walk inside building and…read moredecent sized gift shop with lots of gemstones and different things to see. We were only ones there at time and we had great conversations with staff before we started our journey into cave. I think we paid 13-15 a person fairly cheap for cave. So our guide took us thru a door down a ramp and into the start of cave tour. Even saw a salamander under some of rocks at start of cave. Lots of walkways and formations to see.. lot of history too. On way back our guide have us each a flashlight and let us see cave our way with lights off. It was so cool! There is different types of tours where you can crawl thru holes in caves and thru water but I just wanted easy walking tour lol.. definitely a must see.. glad we came!

Located adjacent to the Coal Museum, this marker recalls a local music hero who made it…read more It reads, "Carl Martin was born in Big Stone Gap in April 1906. He grew up in Southwest Virginia and moved to Knoxville, Tenn., in 1918. He performed regionally on the guitar, mandolin, bass, and violin at coal camps, dances, and in traveling shows. In 1930, Martin's string band recorded two instrumentals for Vocalion, released under the band name "Tennessee Chocolate Drops" for a black audience and the "Tennessee Trio" in the white old-time music series. Martin moved to Chicago in the 1930s, recording blues and performing with such artists as Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa Red until serving in World War II. The 1960s folk revival brought Martin before new audiences. He died in Detroit on 10 May 1979." Country music, if you're a fan: https://youtu.be/r508dnuveuU [Review 13455 overall, 774 of 2020.]

To the uninitiated, it might seem that Southwest Virginia is a pretty small niche to build a museum…read morearound. However, the region's history is robust and merits consideration, and this place offers a nice window into it. A repurposed mansion once belonging to the gentry of the region, it offers three floors plus a basement of exhibits. A variety of subjects are covered; those expecting to hear about coal mining won't be disappointed, but other aspects of American migration, natural history, and global and political affairs are covered. It's only a $5 fee, and I found it well worth it as both aesthetic and intellectual engagement.

Quite an attractive old building, this three-story building was once the residence of a few…read morewell-to-dos. It now contains a number of displays highlighting the history of the area. $5 per person gives you access to the museum, and we found that to be a bargain. It's also nice to walk around the surrounding streets and see some of the other historic homes on "the hill."

Beautiful views at the top. Be careful on the drive up, it's 5 miles of a narrow gravel road. Watch…read moreout for wasps on the tower, I ended up getting stung by one on a railing.

A former fire tower station, Birch Knob is now a public overlook. You have a 360 degree view of…read moreVirginia, Kentucky and Ohio. The view is really great. That said, had I known the condition of the dirt/rock road I would not have gone up there despite having AWD. The road started out fine but deteriorated and there were some really bad spots that were either washed out and rocky or rutted. Trying to avoid these spots sometimes led to the brush scratching against my car. Thankfully, someone had chain sawed a few trees that had fallen across the road. I had the 6 plus mile road to myself-the only nice thing about the ride up. When you get to the top there is a small area for parking and a pit toilet-which I did not use. Then you have to walk up hill path to get to the steep metal stair case that brings you to the overlook. This place is definitely not for anyone having trouble walking! At the top the view was great, however, I didn't stay long as there were biting flies and mosquitoes tormenting me! The view: five stars. The drive up 1-2 stars. Hard to put an overall score. If you have an ATV, the experience will be much, much better! There is a hiking trail there too. Didn't check it out. The place is kept pretty clean-saw very little litter during the ride up and at the top.

Was it carved by Cherokee Indians to honor their chief, or by wind and rain....I suspect the…read morelatter, but you can be the judge yourself. Just north of the rock, is an old abandoned store where you can pull over, and take a look, and snap a photo.

About five miles out from Abingdon and well worth the drive down the country roads to get there,…read moreWhite's Mill and mercantile is a restored/working 18th century water mill that produces the best coarse ground yellow grits I have ever had (my first taste was the White's Mill Grit Cakes served at Abingdon's Bone Fire Smokehouse and I've never looked back/had better since). The goodness of those yellow grits are the main reason I'm writing this review, but the mill itself and the adjacent "mercantile" country store (where you can find said grits available for purchase stored within a chest freezer alongside other White's Mill milled grains (like cornmeal, flour, white grits etc.). I've never seen anyone attending the mill any time I have visited thus I cautiously wander around inside with at least one buddy in tow as the interior looks every bit as old as it's 1790 establish date (the 1866 restoration notwithstanding). From the entrance level there are rooms both upstairs and down, the lover level revealing a cool living room type of space complete with a hearth/fireplace and a lot of huge, aged and complicated-looking gears and other oddly quiet antiquated mechanics in motion. It feels like entering a portal to another time; braving the creaking stairs within the mill is an adventure in and of itself. The mercantile is an old house-turned-store next to the mill stocked windows-to-walls with goods, wears, and--let's be real--junk. If you like being overwhelmed with multiple rooms full of stuff and sifting through troves seeking treasures, get thee to this out-of-the-way country store. Aside from grain, jellies, and jams, you can find all kinds of antiques and other random oddities that only rural bric-a-brac magnets like this place can accrue. As a final testament to the boss quality of White's Mill yellow grits: when I moved to Japan I brought two bags with me that I keep squirreled away in the freezer for days when I have a fever for the flavor. To cook coarse yellow grits: boil 4 parts water and add 1 part grits. Stir every few minutes for about 25 minutes until they reach a naturally creamy consistency. Experiment to find your flavor by adding seasoning, cream/milk/water, cheese, other stuff etc. -or- let them cool and make polenta-like grit cakes :)

This was an awesome site to see you while we were in downtown Corbin Kentucky. My wife and I were…read morewalking around exploring, see the different sites in scenes. This was a giant Lazarus train monument tribute. I thought it was awesome to see climbing into the train seeing the landmark it was awesome to check out.

Beautiful falls. Trail was good shape for healthy senior walking. Strenuous but not exhausting or…read moreunbearable. Everyone on trail & parking lot were polite & helpful

We enjoyed our hike - from car, to falls and back was a little over 3 miles. It is a great hike but…read morebring a walking stick to help navigate some of the rocky areas- you do cross a creek but the rocks were easy to cross without getting wet and were not slippery. On the way down you really tend to enjoy the views - because you aren't focused on getting to the end ;) my husband and I - are out of shape lol but it was not that bad of a hike - our daughter , who is an athlete had no issues - but there is a good 30 ye diff between us ha! I highly recommend spending a few hours enjoying nature ;)