LIFESTYLES

Things are a little slower here. But that’s a good thing – a very good thing. We have the mountains. The lake. And the time to enjoy them.

Smyth County is simply a beautiful place to live. We’re surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, providing a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area is in Smyth County. So is Hungry Mother State Park. And the Appalachian Trail. For hiking, camping, swimming, and horseback riding, you won’t find more wonderful facilities.

Of course, this area offers cultural opportunities as well. The historic Barter Theatre, the state theatre of Virginia, is close by. There are museums and antique shops to explore. And when city life calls, you can be in Roanoke, Greensboro, or Tri-Cities within a couple of hours.

Visitors to Marion will find outstanding, luxury accommodations at the newly renovated General Francis Marion Hotel, now on the National Registry of Historic Places and recently acclaimed by National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine. Meanwhile, the historic Lincoln Theatre exhibits a rare 1930’s Mayan Revival architecture. Renovation of the theatre was a 15-year labor of love by community volunteers to return this venue to its original grandeur. The Lincoln now hosts the critically acclaimed and nationally syndicated PBS broadcast, Song of the Mountains and a wide variety of local, regional and national talent with an eclectric flair.