Mountain Cabin
at Meadows of Dan

The heart of the Meadows of Dan crossroads — an old-fashioned country store, deli, and gift shop right off the Parkway. Grab a hand-dipped ice cream cone, a fried apple pie, or a deli sandwich for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and browse the local jams and Meadows of Dan merch. Directly across from the Food Market, it's the perfect first stop when you roll into town.

A local coffee spot right in Meadows of Dan for your morning cup — espresso, drip, and a relaxed mountain-village vibe. The perfect first stop before a day on the Parkway or exploring the back roads.

Upscale farm-to-table dining at one of Virginia's oldest wineries, just off the Parkway. Expect Appalachian-French dishes, an award-winning wine list, and a scenic terrace overlooking the vineyard. Open Thursday–Sunday — reservations recommended for a special mountain dinner.

A Meadows of Dan institution turning out 60+ flavors of fudge plus handmade chocolates and old-fashioned candy — right at the Parkway crossroads (Milepost 177). Free samples and a window onto the candy kitchen make it a fun stop for the whole family. Grab a box for the road or a gift to take home.

The highest-rated restaurant in Stuart — a restaurant, market, and craft-cocktail bar serving scratch-made dishes 'inspired by Appalachia and beyond.' Locally sourced, seasonal, and worth the drive down the mountain. Open Thursday–Sunday; dinner reservations required.

The lively heart of downtown Floyd — hand-crafted wood-fired pizza with local, organic toppings, 14 rotating taps, and live music in the Sun Music Hall. A great cap to a day of exploring Floyd's shops and the Crooked Road music trail. Closed Monday–Tuesday.

Practically a neighbor — the luxury Primland resort (Auberge Collection) is about a mile away, with dining open to the public: the relaxed 19th Pub with golf-course views and the fine-dining Elements restaurant. A long private entrance road climbs to the lodge, so call ahead — venues are seasonal and reservations are recommended.

The signature big-day hike of the area — a full descent into a 1,700-foot-deep gorge along Rock Castle Creek, through hardwood coves and mountain-laurel ridges, past the 'Bare Rocks' boulder field and an old homestead valley (~2,500 ft of climbing all told). Best for fit, experienced hikers who want a serious all-day loop with the most dramatic scenery on this stretch of the Parkway.

A rewarding half-day loop through second-growth forest and open ridgetop with wide northern views and glimpses down into Rock Castle Gorge and out over the Piedmont. The perfect 'real hike but not a marathon' option — enough climb to feel earned (~560 ft), with pastoral meadow-and-mountain scenery the whole way.

A steep, switchbacking climb to a bare, rocky, windswept summit — at 3,971 ft, the highest point in Floyd County — with unobstructed 360-degree views across the Blue Ridge and natural rock outcrops perfect for a picnic. Short but with the biggest payoff-per-mile in the region; the gravel lot only holds about 10 cars, so go early. (Use Google Maps to the address, not AllTrails, for the trailhead.)

A gentle, nearly flat stroll past the most-photographed spot on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway — the water-powered Mabry gristmill mirrored in its millpond — with a living-history loop of a blacksmith shop, sawmill, and whiskey still. Ideal for a low-effort morning; come early for glassy reflections and near-empty parking.

A quick, shaded leg-stretcher that winds down through giant white pines and hemlocks along a rushing mountain creek, crossing footbridges and passing beneath the Parkway's arched viaduct for a cool 'underlook' of the roadway overhead. A peaceful creekside walk with ferns and wildflowers — great for families.

A relaxed loop through a mature hardwood forest of big oaks, hickories, and hemlocks — one of the best easy birdwatching walks on this stretch of the Parkway, especially in spring nesting season. Pair it with a tailgate lunch at the adjacent picnic area for an easy, shaded outing.