High Knob Observation Tower (Photo: Adam Jones)

Suggested Area Attractions

Nature

• High Knob Observation Tower (Located in Wise County)
• Powell Valley Overlook (Located in Norton)
• Flag Rock Recreation Area (Located in Norton)
• High Knob Recreation Area (Located in Wise County)

Culture

• Country Cabin II (Located in Norton)
• Trail of the Lonesome Pine State Outdoor Drama (Located in Big Stone Gap)
• Lays Hardware (Located in Coeburn)
• MountainRose Vineyard (Located in Wise)
• Ralph Stanley Museum (Located in Clintwood)

History

• Norton Cannon (Located in Norton)
• Norton Historical Marker (Located in Norton)
• Harry W. Meador Jr. Coal Museum (Located in Big Stone Gap)
• John Fox Jr. Museum (Located in Big Stone Gap)
• Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park (Located in Big Stone Gap)

Other Local and Regional Initiatives

Local Explorations

• Check out our local Chamber of Commerce for more tourism opportunities in Wise County and Norton.

Regional Explorations

• Information about additional regional tourism opportunities can be found by visiting Heart of Appalachia. Be sure to watch the "Heart of Appalachia" music video and theme song.

Regional Art

• Heartwood, Southwest Virginia’s artisan gateway, is a world-class showcase destination for those who cherish traditional music, original crafts, and locally grown and prepared upscale cuisine. Located in picturesque Abingdon, Va., just off Interstate 81 at Exit 14, Heartwood is only about an hour's drive from downtown Norton.

Local/Regional Music Scene

• If you enjoy music, you will certainly enjoy Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail - The Crooked Road. The Crooked Road is a driving route through the Appalachian Mountains from the western slopes of the Blue Ridge to the Coalfields region of the state connecting major heritage music venues in our region. Wise County and Norton are home to one major venue on The Crooked Road, Country Cabin II in Norton, and several other Affiliate Venues. The Ralph Stanley Museum in neighboring Dickenson County is also a major venue along The Crooked Road. The City of Norton is a proud sponsor of this initiative.

Regional Trails Initiative

• If your interest is adventure tourism, you may want to learn more about the Spearhead Trails Initiative. The project is a collaborative initiative between the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise as well as the City of Norton and is coordinated under the guidance of the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority (SRRA). The initiative has already produced several all-terrain vehicle trail systems across several communities, with more trails being planned for ATV riders, as well as hikers, horseback riders, and cyclists. The City of Norton is a proud sponsor of this initiative.