RECOMMENDED AREA ACTIVITIES
Appalachian Trail (2 miles away) - This incredible trail runs from North Georgia to Maine and is enjoyed by thousands of hikers every year. The Shady Valley section follows along the north mountain ridge one and a half miles behind our guest house. Come prepared and hike the A.T. into Damascus, Virginia (about a 12 mile hike, pretty rugged).
Shady Valley Cranberry Festival (3 miles away) - Second week in October. Join thousands who descend upon our little community each year for great food, fun, and mountain music. A tribute to our valley as a natural cranberry bog.
Backbone Rock Recreation Area (6 miles away) - Beautiful outdoors area with hiking trails, small water falls, trout fishing stream, picnicking, and rappelling. Climb the steps to the top of this wall of rock and walk across it, just to say you did it!
Virginia Creeper Trail (10 miles away) - This is a former railroad bed that has been converted to a nationally known mountain biking/hiking/horseback riding trail. It runs from the top of White Top Mountain to Abingdon, Virginia. Local outfitters will rent you bikes (or bring your own) and shuttle you to the top of the mountain for a relaxing 17 mile downhill ride into Damascus through the beautiful National Forest and along the mountain streams. You don't have to be in the best of shape, either! For bike rentals or to reserve shuttle services: Blue Blaze Bikes - http://blueblaze.naxs.com/ or call 800-475-5095. Adventure Damascus - http://www.adventuredamascus.com/ or call 888-595-2453 Mount Rogers Outfitters - http://www.webdesignltd.com/mro/mroshuttle.html or call 877-475-5416
Deerfield Golf Course (13 miles away) - Challenging nine hole course with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Reasonably priced green fees and carts. Call 540-475-5649
South Holston Lake (15 miles away) - Beautiful lake surrounded by the mountains. Bring your boat, or rent a pontoon from a local marina, and enjoy the views! Boat Rentals: Painter's Creek Marina - 423-878-5775 Friendship Marina - 423-878-3128
Bristol Caverns (20 miles away) - The largest and most beautiful in this area. Far below the earth's surface, in timeless beauty, a strange and exciting experience awaits you. Paved, well-lighted walkways wind through the vaulted chambers and along the surging Underground River that carved these remarkable caverns from the hard core of the earth. Guided tours every 20 minutes. Web: http://pages.preferred.com/~bjmattox/bcave.htm Phone: (423) 878-2011
Historic Abingdon, Virginia (30 minutes away) - Wonderful shopping, dining, and even live theater awaits you in this quaint town. Frequented by the likes of Daniel Boone and Martha Washington, the downtown area features many restored buildings dating back to the 1700's. Visit during the first two weeks of August and enjoy the Virginia Highlands Festival, voted one of the top 100 tourist events in North America! Web: http://www.vahighlandsfestival.org/ Phone: 1-800-435-3440
Historic Boone, North Carolina (45 minutes away) - Popular tourist area with excellent shopping and dining. Several snow skiing resorts in the area.
Tweetsie Railroad (Outside of Boone, NC) - Great for smaller children, this is an amusement park with a western theme. The is a great steam train ride, shows, some traditional amusement park rides, panning for gold, and a petting zoo. Web: http://www.tweetsie-railroad.com/schedule.html Phone: 1-800-526-5740
Leaf Change (The month of October) - One of the most enjoyable times to visit our area is during the Fall leaf change. Dazzling colors overtake the already beautiful views of the mountains.
Bristol Motor Speedway - Shady Valley is the ideal location to stay when attending the Bristol Races. Access to the race track from our community is a 35 mile drive with the least amount of traffic of any other route.
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