Last month, Martinsville – Henry County celebrated National Travel & Tourism Week with the U.S. Travel Association and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
One element of the week-long celebration, was the opportunity for residents of Martinsville – Henry County to help design a perfect itinerary for visitors. Each day, VisitMartinsville launched an open-ended question on their Facebook page for residents to name their favorites in several categories, and here are the results.
Start your day off with a delicious breakfast from Red & Mae’s in Bassett. Enjoy the all you can eat breakfast or order any of your favorites. Loaded pancakes and waffles are a must try.
Then, it’s off to Uptown Pinball located in the heart of Uptown Martinsville. Featuring 100+ arcade machines and games, you will have hours of fun. A day pass includes all the arcade games and pinball machines you wish to play. There’s also Skee-Ball, laser tag and a gaming lounge to enjoy.
After that, you’re ready to go shopping at Janice Cain. This gem of a shop offers a wide variety of unique and high end gifts, as well as personalized accessories, clothing, gourmet food items and fresh ideas for your home. They also have an extensive line of stationery to personalize with monograms, names or initials and can custom print invitations for all occasions. Janice Cain also offers on-site monogramming.
When you’re ready for lunch, head over to Simply Suzanne’s Cafe, located inside the Blue Ridge Regional Airport. Featuring a variety of American classics, there is something for everyone at Suzanne’s. Enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio for a unique experience viewing planes around the airport.
Once you are fueled up, get ready to hit the Smith River for an afternoon of kayaking. Martinsville – Henry County has 11 river access points with varying rapids and distances. If you enjoy whitewater, kayak the river during peak generation from Philpott Dam. If a relaxing flat water paddle is more your speed, put your boat in further downstream. Want to enjoy the water, but not bring your boat? Call Smith River Outfitters to arrange a rental and shuttle service.
A visit to Dippers Ice Cream to cool off is next. Dippers specializes in homemade ice cream that’s made daily with fresh sweetened cream and the finest ingredients. Many varieties include special indulgences like hand-stirred fudge, homemade pies, cakes, cookies and more. The menu includes freshly made waffle cones, specialty milkshakes and floats, sundaes, banana splits, fresh fruit sorbets, fresh baked cake cups and other seasonal additions as well.
After your busy day, you are ready to head to Stuart Hill B & B to check in for the night. This elegant Colonial Revival home is the epitome of quaint southern charm and grace. Relax on the wrap around porch or take quiet strolls through beautiful flower gardens. Enjoy a hike down the path to see the century old carriage barn by the mountain creek. A refreshing glass of afternoon lemonade, a cup of hot coffee or tea and a sweet treat on the wrap around porch or in the vintage tea parlor welcomes guests.
After refreshing at the B&B, head back to town to complete your evening with dinner at El Norteno. El Norteno brings you the taste of Mexico with authentic Mexican dishes. They have a very diverse menu filled with delicious authentic plates made from only the freshest ingredients. They offer a wide selection of tequilas, margaritas, mixed drinks and other Mexican favorites as well. After an amazing dinner you will be ready to return to your relaxing room at Stuart Hill B & B for a restful night.
Be sure to plan your trip around the annual Rooster Walk Arts & Music Festival for an even more memorable trip. Rooster Walk is a 4-day festival celebrating music, art, and the great outdoors at the idyllic Pop’s Farm venue, just outside of Martinsville, VA. With over 40 bands performing on 6 different stages, an eclectic roster of great music guides the Rooster Walk experience. In addition to 4 days of amazing music, the family-friendly Rooster Walk will offer a wide variety of kids’ activities, craft beer, great food, arts and numerous opportunities to enjoy Virginia’s great outdoors with river floats, yoga, a disc golf course and beautiful on-site camping.
If you want to extend your stay, be sure to check out www.VisitMartinsville.com for information on other things to experience while you’re with us in Martinsville – Henry County, VA. Come for a day, a few days, a week, or longer. Remember, we’ll be waiting for you.