Just because winter is approaching doesn’t mean that the fun is slowing down in Martinsville-Henry County. Beat your winter woes while(re)discovering some hidden gems of our community. From exploring award-winning museums and experiencing live theatre to participating in themed footraces and sipping local concoctions at our wineries and brewery, you can find a variety of reasons to return to MHC all season long.
The colder weather of the winter months offers a wonderful opportunity to discover one (or all eight) of Martinsville-HenryCounty’s museums. You can uncover history and discover a new passion at the VirginiaMuseum of Natural History, Piedmont Arts, the MHC Heritage Center & Museum,FAHI African American Museum & Cultural Center, the Bassett HistoricalCenter, the MHC Historical Museum, Rucker’s Communication Museum and at the Philpott Lake Heritage Exhibit. Dive into the history of our natural world at theSmithsonian-affiliated Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH). VMNH offers award-winning exhibits, ground-breaking scientific research and collections and transformational educational programs for all ages as well as special events such as Reptile Day on January 19th. You could also immerse yourself in the fantastic world of fine art at Piedmont Arts. Affiliated with the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, this exhibit space is an award-winning art museum that curates thought-provoking exhibitions by international, national and regional artists. They also bring a full schedule of arts events to take part in such as gallery receptions, painting classes for all ages, concerts and performances. These are just a couple of examples of the fabulous museums available to explore throughout Martinsville-Henry County.
Uptown Pinball, the area’s only arcade, is a family-friendly hotspot that is ideal to visit during the upcoming cold season. Home to 5 of the 10 top ranked pinball machines in the world (as ranked by pinside.com’s top 100) and other favorites such as Skee Ball and Air Hockey, the arcade offers limitless fun. An all-day pass allows you to play however much you want, when you want. There’s also a VIP gaming lounge and laser tag. UptownPinball isn’t just for kids – adults love the games too.
You can also escape the hum drum winter blues by delving into captivating stories during live theatre performances. Martinsville-Henry County is home to two theatre companies presenting the talents of local and regional citizens: Theatre WorksCommunity Players and the PHCC Patriot Players. Fulfill your desire for music, drama and suspense this winter with scheduled performances that include Scrooge Macbeth (November 23-25 andNovember 29 – December 1) and Don’t Drink the Water (February 21-23 and March 1-3) by TWCP and Annie presented by the Patriot Players (November 29 – December 2and December 6-9).
Wine and craft beer connoisseurs should make plans to visit Hamlet Vineyards for a delicious wine tasting and lunch on Sundays or stop by Mountain Valley Brewing on the weekend for a refreshing pint of seasonal craft beer to warm the soul and forget about the cold. Mountain ValleyBrewing also hosts musical events most evenings (Thursday-Saturday) as well as other events such as paint parties, stargazing and more. There are also a wine and beer events held at local venues such as Wine Tasting Wednesdays and Beer Release Thursdays at Daily Grind Café in Martinsville Uptown.
For those looking for opportunities to stay active during the season, the Miles in Martinsville will offer multiple themed footraces to enjoy. The Light up the Night 5K on December 8th will benefit the Girls on the Run & STRIDE and is a family friendly event that is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Dress in your best Christmas attire or your wackiest and tackiest sweater and head for the finish line. You can also participate in The Nail the Rail 9 Miler on February 9th, presented by VisitMartinsville, which will be held on the Dick &Willie Passage Rail Trail. It’s a simple concept, really. Start at the zero-mile marker of the Dick and Willie Passage and run all the way to the 4.5 marker at Mulberry Creek, then turn around and run back. The question is how fast can you Nail the Rail? If you’re not looking to run, but still want to be outdoors, you can still have a good time throughout the colder months in MHC through biking, hiking, paddling and more. Just remember to stay warm and safe.
For more information on planning a winter trip to Martinsville-Henry County, visit our website at www.VisitMartinsville.com, call toll free 888.722.3498, or simply come by and see us at our Visitor Center located at 191 Fayette Street Martinsville, VA 24112 Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm.