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    Virginia Welcome Center

    4.0 (22 reviews)
    Closed 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

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    VA Welcome Center
    Leigh H.

    Bathrooms are spotless. Clean facility. Plenty of grassy spots to potty your dog. Several picnic tables, lots of parking, & an information center that has plenty of information for the state. It's a good place to stop.

    This is the main welcome center building.  Photo taken July 28, 2019.
    Drew P.

    This is the Virginia Welcome Center along Interstate 81 Northbound, coming out of Tennessee. The welcome center sneaks up on you once you enter the state. This welcome center is for cars only. There is a separate truck rest area further north along the interstate. The reservations and questions desk is staffed from 8:30 am to 5 pm daily, but the restrooms and such are open 24 hours a day. My most recent visit here was on July 28, 2019. After getting through Tennessee, it was time to take a restroom break in my home state of Virginia. We would still have about another 8 hours to get home from here. It was good to get up and move around for a bit and stretch out the legs. The first stop was definitely a visit to the restroom. The restroom was clean and well maintained. They had maintenance staff there working at the time too. Moving on to the welcome center inside, they have info in there for activities throughout Virginia, from the mountains to the shore. There are also vending machines inside the building for snacks and drinks as well. Outside, they have a very large expanse of greenery to do some walking and moving around. There are several picnic tables available to use as well. There is a board giving information about The Crooked Road, which is Virginia's heritage music trail. As you leave the welcome center, there is a symbol of the state seal as well. Overall, this was an excellent welcome center. The staff were warm and inviting, restrooms were clean and well maintained, plenty of outdoor space, and giving it the Virginia touch. If your travels take you this way, you should definitely stop in, even if it's just to take a short break.

    Renee L.

    Busy rest stop. So busy that they have attendants on duty to help keep up with the non-stop flow of people entering and exiting the facilities. Exceptionally large grassy area . Nicely maintained rest stop, visitor information center, and picnicking area.

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    8 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

    COVID has this location mainly on lockdown. This unstaffed location had all empty vending machines and over filled trash receptacles.

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Clean bathrooms, big grassy area for pets & to stretch your legs, vending machines, and pretty busy on a Sunday!

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    8 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Clean rest area with ample bathrooms. Our bus was in and out in no time. Lots of beautiful flowers blooming!

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    11 years ago

    Clean bathrooms, and a good chance to stretch your legs. Cold water fountain in the visitor's center. Lots of touristy info to explore.

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    11 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Virginia Welcome Center

    They have a few vending machines and the standard pamphlets promoting Virginia.

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    Abingdon Muster Grounds

    Abingdon Muster Grounds

    5.0(3 reviews)
    15.5 mi

    The Abingdon Muster Grounds was the site of the muster of the Overmountain Men. This group of…read moreWashington County, Virginia Militiamen, commanded by General William Campbell, crossed the Appalachian Mountains to Kings Mountain in Western South Carolina to battle Tory Militias commanded by British Major Patrick Ferguson. The site also marks the beginning of the Overmountain Victory Trail where the Virginians traveled on horse and foot, joined by individuals & militia on the way, through the mountains to the battle destination, The outmanned group defeated Ferguson's troops in a decisive battle on October 7, 1780 that turned the tide of success in the fight for our independence. Today the Muster Grounds has an Interpretive Center that houses a collection of displays & artifacts. It's open on certain days or by appointment. A living history can be experienced on certain days. The Muster Grounds itself can be walked during certain hours. But if you plan to visit, choose a date when you can experience both the Interpretive Center & the Living History. The Living History is extremely well done & something all Revolutionary War history lovers should experience. The peoples of Abingdon and the local DAR chapter bring the muster grounds to life. There are different areas where the work is being done to feed and cloth the men. Reenactors march the field, firing their muskets. Tents are set up to house the men who have gathered to prepare for the march & battle. One can even walk the beginning of the Overmountain Victory Trail. The Abingdon Muster Grounds should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Virginia. You won't regret it.

    This 9 acre educational gem is a wonderful little place to learn the history of the Overmountain…read moreMen that marched 330 miles for their fight for freedom. The acreage has a beautiful little path that you can walk and see the countryside. The personnel in the very small museum is very, very informative. Make sure to ask questions.

    Photos
    Abingdon Muster Grounds - Captains along walking trail

    Captains along walking trail

    Abingdon Muster Grounds
    Abingdon Muster Grounds

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    Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center

    Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center

    4.3(26 reviews)
    93.1 mi
    $$

    We stopped at the Spur Welcome Center during our Smoky Mountain vacation and were impressed by how…read moremodern and updated the facility feels. The staff were friendly and helpful, and there were plenty of maps, brochures, coupons for local attractions, and souvenirs to browse while we planned our adventures. The location is one of its biggest advantages. Compared to the smaller downtown visitor center, I much prefer this one because it's easier to get in and out of, has ample parking, and feels less hectic than navigating the busy Parkway area. It's a convenient stop whether you're heading into Gatlinburg or the national park. One thing to note is the new park parking policy: if you park for more than 15 minutes inside the Smokies, you'll need to purchase a parking tag. I was initially a little frustrated by that, but I understand the need to help support park operations and visitor services. Later, I learned the parking tag revenue goes to the federal government (currently being used on DC projects) rather than staying at this specific visitor center or within the local community, which was disappointing to me personally. Overall, this is a clean, welcoming, and well-organized visitor center that makes a great first stop before exploring the Smokies.

    The Gatlinburg Welcome Center is a good stop for local information and Great Smoky Mountains…read moreNational Park updates. We made several visits to the center to pick up maps, parking passes, shirts, post cards and gifts. The staff is super friendly, helpful and will answer questions. Prices are reasonable. They carry hiking and Park guides. I highly recommend picking up maps because internet connectivity is rarely available in the Park. Free maps are available and specialty guides are only $1. Restrooms are available at the Center. There is limited parking and a larger lot up the hill. We always found parking no matter what time of day that we visited. The Center is also a stop and provides parking to ride the free trolly that goes to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.

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    Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center
    Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center - Locally crafted gifts

    Locally crafted gifts

    Gatlinburg Welcome Center National Park Information Center - Books

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    Virginia Welcome Center - visitorcenters - Updated June 2026

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