I wanted to start off my first blog post small, like really small. After getting hit with a case of the travel bug, I wanted to see everything this world had to offer. I wanted to start off as far away as possible. I thought to myself, “YOLO,” you really only do live once…so why can’t I live every day like it was my last and travel the world? Nevertheless, I had my eyes closed on my own hometown and I didn’t know what I was missing out on.
When I was younger, my dad was deployed in the Army to military bases all over the United States and even other countries. It was a hard time for me and especially my mother, who just had my little sister, to adjust without him. I was so sad he was gone, but selfishly, part of me was so envious. I was so jealous he got to see parts of the world that I would love to see. I always thought to myself, “I know he is doing his job, but why can’t he take me with him?” It was hard to grasp that concept at such a young age. He would send me postcards of where he was every chance he could get. That’s when I knew that I wanted to travel the world.
You’re probably wondering why I said I was starting my first blog off small. Wytheville is a small town in Southwest Virginia and it’s the kind of town where you can’t go to the grocery store without bumping into a couple of people you know (or you try to avoid.) It’s the kind of small town where on Friday nights you are at the George Wythe football game and on Sundays you’re at church. There is only one Wytheville in the entire world, and it’s here in Virginia! Over the years, Wytheville has became a lot more populous due to our famous festival “Chautauqua” and hot air balloon rally, our beautiful main street, the delicious local restaurants, dinner theatre, tourist attractions, and not to mention it is former first lady Edith Bolling Wilson’s birthplace.
I have to say, for a small town, we like to eat. The food in Wytheville is hard to beat. I might be a little biased because my mom owns two of the best restaurants in Wytheville. If you are ever in the area and need a sweet treat visit her shop called “Crepe House and Creamery.” (Formally known as Wiffle Pops) From sweet and savory crepes, to homemade gelato, italian ice, artisan pops, locally roasted coffee, soups, and so much more you will not leave hungry! Give her Facebook page a like: https://www.facebook.com/crepehouseandcreamery/
My mom also recently just purchased a restaurant in Wytheville called, “Flourz.” You might could guess what kind of food it is based on the name: Subs! Other than subs, there is also salads and yummy pastries. It is in the same location as her other restaurant listed above so you could visit both in one day! (Tell her I sent you!) Check out the website here: https://www.flourzwytheville.com/
If you like locally brewed craft beer, Wytheville has two great new brewery’s. 7 dogs BrewPub and Seven Sisters Brewery. 7 dogs BrewPub has trivia every Wednesday night and a live music venue every night! If you want a quick bite to eat, jam to some music, or have a beer or two, 7 dogs is the place to go! Seven Sisters is the newest brewery with local craft beer and different food truck vendors.
For a look at all of Wytheville’s best local restaurants, shopping, and lodging click this link: https://downtownwytheville.org/shopping-dining-and-lodging/dining-and-drinks/ I am a big supporter of shopping and dining local instead of chain restaurants and stores. The money you spend when you shop or dine local goes back into the community!
One of the best things Wytheville did to give back to the community is open the “Open Door Cafe.” It is the area’s first “donate-what-you-can restaurant.” This allows people to pay what they can when they eat. If you can’t afford to eat, then you simply can volunteer for an hour. If you cannot pay or volunteer you will get a meal token. A meal token is an $8 token that someone paid forward for them to have. For those who can pay, you can pay the suggested $8, less, or even more! Because in Wytheville, everyone eats “Wythe” us. https://www.opendoorcafewytheville.org/
Not only does Wytheville have some of the best food, we have some of the best hiking trails and lookout spots. Big Walker lookout is a place in Wytheville you do not want to go if you’re scared of heights. It has a beautiful lookout over the Blue Ridge mountains; however, to get there you have to climb a tower and its a little frightening. Wytheville also has numerous hiking trails at Crystal Springs. https://www.kidsinparks.com/town-wythevilles-crystal-springs-recreation-area My favorite trail is the one that goes to “High Rocks.” Its one of the best sights in Southwest Virginia and I am sure you can see why. It is absolutely breathtaking.
This YouTube video is just a few of the projects, events, and accomplishments that has happened within the last year in Wytheville.
I have to admit, I love this town. As I have gotten older and traveled more, I have gotten homesick staying away from Wytheville. I never thought in a million years I would say that. Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel to new places, but I could never permanently stay there. Growing up here, I was so blind to what Wytheville had to offer and how beautiful it really is. I was so envious of not living in a “big-city” or at “the beach” that I forgot that I had the most beautiful scenery here in my own backyard. Wytheville may just be another small town to you, but it will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope you can one day visit this beautiful small town and get a little glimpse of why I call Wytheville my home.
For more information or questions about Downtown Wytheville or events visit https://downtownwytheville.org/
-Lauren Miller
Travelogy 