Lodging, Dining and History in

Downtown Wytheville

It’s a Great Time to Fall for this Unique Virginia Town

Oct 25, 2021

by Colette Boehm, Laurie Rowe Communications

WYTHEVILLE, VA – May 2020 Wytheville, VA is a place that feels like home. The classic downtown represents Americana at its finest. A combination of walkable streets, locally owned businesses and exclusive lodging options are moving Wytheville to the top of many must-do travel lists.

Wytheville has long surpassed its popularity as a stopover point at the crossroads of two major Interstates (I-77 and I-81) in Southwest Virginia. Now it’s a destination unto itself. It’s an authentic place with remarkable stories to tell, in a downtown that combines hometown comforts with unique surprises. As temperatures fall and seasons change, this is an excellent time and the perfect place to get out and explore.

Dining is a great place to start. There are eateries offering most any kind of fare. The Crepe House & Creamery (145-A Tazewell St., Wytheville, VA 24382) is known locally as home of the gourmet Wiffle Pops but is a favorite for sweet and savory crepes, gourmet coffees, as well. For a heartier meal or breakfast all day, Grayson Restaurant (100 Grayson Turnpike, Wytheville, VA 24382) is a favorite. Here, home-cooked southern-style meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, are the specialty.

Speaking of history, the New River, the oldest river in North America, is the heart of the New River Trail, designated the New River State Park. This Rail-to-Trails treasure is almost 57 miles long and is an officially designated National Recreation Trail. The trail winds through beautiful scenery in Wythe and three other Southwest Virginia counties. It is popular for hiking and biking, as is the15.5-mile Walker Mountain Trail (8711 Stoney Fork Rd, Wytheville, VA 24382). This trail, rated difficult, is shared by hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. It follows the mountain ridge and connects to the Crawfish Trail, about a mile from the Appalachian Trail in Crawfish Valley.

Those looking for local brews are in luck. Wytheville has hit lucky number seven twice! Two craft breweries are new to the downtown scene and have quickly become mainstays. 7 Dogs Brew Pub (360 W Spring St., Wytheville, VA 24382) and Seven Sisters Brewery (355 East Main St., Wytheville, VA 24382) each feature a family friendly atmosphere with live music and, of course, locally brewed craft beers. , At 7 Dogs, pub style dining and Seven Sisters’ line up of food trucks offer delicious, casual menus.

For dinner, there is no place like The 1776 Log House Restaurant (520 East Main St, Wytheville, VA 24382). It offers fine dining in an 18^th century, two-story log cabin. The extensive menu includes traditional favorites and dining areas include open spaces and private rooms. Its Christopher’s Lounge is a favorite night spot and outside, the country garden only adds to ambiance.

Wytheville is also a great spot for dinner and a show. The Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre (170 Malin Drive, Wytheville, VA 24382) is a 200-seat German-themed venue which presents Broadway style professional musical productions. A four course, themed, plated meal is served before each performance and every seat in the house is a good one. The theatre is also home to the Matterhorn Restaurant and Bier Garten, a full-service restaurant specializing in German favorites as well as American fare.

Two of the gems of downtown Wytheville are its very special lodging options, both with a nod to the town’s storied history. The boutique Bolling Wilson Hotel (170 E. Main St, Wytheville, VA 24382) is part of the Ascend Hotel Collection and offers 30 luxurious guest rooms, Graze On Main restaurant and a rooftop lounge. Just blocks away, the Trinkle Mansion Bed and Breakfast (525 West Main St, Wytheville, VA 24382) has four guest rooms in its grand historic home, as well as a quaint garden cottage. The mansion was named in the top 10 B & Bs in the country in 2019 Trip Advisor reviews.

The Trinkle Mansion was originally the home of William Trinkle, a gentleman farmer from a prominent Wythe County family (his brother was Virginia’s governor from 1922 to 1926). The hotel shares a name with many other entities here, the hometown of First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson. Often called the “secret president” and the “first woman president” by historians, Wilson’s amazing story is told at the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum (145 E. Main Street, Wytheville, VA 24382). This museum is one of only eight historic sites across the country dedicated to the interpretation of a first lady.

It is one Wytheville’s five museums, each with its own stories to tell. The details of the dire “summer without children” polio epidemic, along with much more, are on display at the Thomas J. Boyd Museum (295 Tazewell Street, Wytheville, VA 24382). The Great Lakes to Florida Highway Museum (975 Tazewell Street, Wytheville, VA 24382) offers a look back to a time when Route 21 was the primary route to Florida from the Midwest. Nearby, the Haller-Gibboney Rock House (205 E. Tazewell Street, Wytheville, VA 24382) was the home of Wytheville’s first resident physician. Dr. John Haller, his family and their descendants, lived in the home for 140 years as it was used as an infirmary and a school during the Civil War and later as a boarding house. The Wytheville Training School Cultural Center (410 E. Franklin Street, Wytheville VA 24382) is the region’s only African American heritage museum. Constructed in 1882 as a school for African American children, it now displays photos, stories and memorabilia telling the history of African American education in Wythe County.

There is so much more than history here. Of course, there is shopping! There is an impressive array of local retailers, sure to satisfy and delight of those looking for antiques, crafts and unique gift ideas. Specialty stores range from fine jewelry to local crafts to handmade furniture. And few can resist taking a photo of the “biggest pencil in Virginia,” on display downtown.

To begin the journey, check out visitwytheville.com and plan a visit to this unique downtown and diverse destination. It’s a combination that proves, there’s only one Wytheville!

IF YOU GO:

Outside of town, the Southwest Virginia landscape gives visitors even more reasons to extend a stay in Wytheville and enjoy the beauty and diversity of the outdoors attractions. There are scenic mountain vistas, premier hiking and biking trails, protected lands and pristine waters for some of the best fishing in the region.

ABOUT WYTHEVILLE:

There’s only one Wytheville. It’s true, no other town in the world shares this name. But with one visit, guests discover that its name is not the only thing making this destination special. Situated at the crossroads of two major Interstates (I-77 and I-81) this is so much more than a stopover location. A classic downtown chock-full of gems, Wytheville offers unique lodging, dining and entertainment options. Nearby, there are trails for hikers and cyclists as well as for those who love birding and byways. Add a bundle of homegrown attractions, and you’ve got a must-see destination in Wytheville. There’s only one!

Downtown Wytheville

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