Hotel at a Glance: Rockwood Manor

In the 19th century, the front porch was the center of social life, particularly in the South. The 130-year-old Rockwood Manor carries on this tradition with a nightly social—complete with complimentary appetizers and drinks—on the spacious porch that wraps around the Italianate estate. Grab a seat in a rocking chair and enjoy views of the New River Valley spreading out in every direction.

• Spacious suites come with private baths, whirlpool tubs, TVs, high-speed WiFi, fireplaces, and refrigerators stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks.
• Start the day in the sunny breakfast nook with a complimentary three-course gourmet breakfast.
• Popular activities in the area include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, birding, antiquing, hiking, and horseback riding.
• Go for a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic road through the Appalachians.
• Local universities include Radford University and Virginia Tech.

Dublin, Virginia: Hiking and Biking in the Appalachian Mountains

The town of Dublin contains some of the most scenic spots in Virginia, thanks largely to the surrounding Appalachian Mountains. Head to Claytor Lake State Park to hike, bike, or have a lakeside picnic. The kid-friendly 1.6-mile Claytor Lake Trail wends through a hardwood forest and offers views of the namesake body of water. 

History buffs will enjoy the Settler’s Museum of Southwest Virginia, which details what life was like on the frontier in the 19th century along Wilderness Road. Tour the restored farm’s eight buildings and one-room schoolhouse. You can even hoof it down a portion of the Appalachian Trail, which cuts through the museum property. For a break from the great outdoors, catch dinner and a show at Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, whose recent productions include Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.