Mecklenburg, VA
Take the road less traveled in Mecklenburg County and you will be rewarded. Dirt paths and back roads lead to new discoveries and lake views that only exist in dreams. Find the locals’ favorite lunch spot with pork BBQ and ribs smoked that morning. Fill your trunk with gorgeous produce and goat milk soap from a nearby Minnonite farm. Find that one-of-a-kind antique for your mantle and buy a bottle of pumpkin wine for an adventurous friend. There is more to Mecklenburg County once you go off the beaten path.
Medium Activity
2 days | 12 stops
Day 1
STOP 1: The Donut Shop
If you’ve ever wondered if donuts think about you as much as you think about them, this is the place to find out. The Donut Shop in South Hill serves, you guessed it, donuts. Sprinkled. Glazed. Powdered. Iced. You name it, they’ve got it. Stop in early and get in your hole foods for the day. You donut want to miss this stop
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STOP 2: Makers Market
Southern Virginia Makers Market is not your usual shop. You won’t find a lot of mass-produced items here. What you will find is a lot of one-of-a-kind products from over 100 small farmers and food artisans from across Southern Virginia. Save yourself the meal prep routine, and browse ready-made selections. Sample some locally crafted goat cheese. Stock up on locally-sourced meats and veggies. It’s a great way to support local farmers, learn about sustainability, and leave inspired.
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STOP 3: Miniature Train
Get ready to feel like a giant. Hop over to the Train Depot in South Hill. Inside you’ll find a full-scale miniature of the city as it appeared in the 1950s. The model represents over 200 miles of real track and includes a working train, a peek at the Kerr Dam construction, and a UFO marking the site of our visit by aliens in 1967. We promise it’s out of this world.
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STOP 4: Kahill's
Kahill’s Restaurant has perfected the culinary art of Pub Grub. Grab ample amounts of napkins and prepare your stomach for some mouth-watering goodness. You can order up every day favorites like barbecue ribs or a massive angus burger. Or you can be adventurous and try the open-faced brisket with sunny side eggs. Oh, and save room for some mega bite milky way cake. This place is why diet is a four-letter word. What are you waiting for? As the locals say, “Get in here!”
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STOP 5: Kerr Dam
It’s not just water under the bridge at Kerr Dam. Built in the 1950s to control floods and produce energy, the Kerr Dam is a modern feat of engineering. Standing over 15 stories tall, it contains over 624,000 cubic yards of dam concrete, 578,000 barrels of dam cement, and 1.2 million tons of dam stone and sand. Its seven main generators average 425,000-megawatt hours of electricity annually. That’s enough to power over 42 million homes for a year. That’s Dam fantastic.
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STOP 6: Liberty Hill Beach
Shuck off your shoes and dip your toes into the warm white sand at Liberty Hill Beach. Take in views of Kerr Lake and the Dam as the sky offers a brilliant pink, orange, and purple light show at sunset. Access to the beach is free and there’s ample parking. It’s a great spot to catch sight of osprey, bald eagles, and other birds native to the area. Or just work on your tan, you pick.
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STOP 7: Lucky's Dairy Bar
Two words: S’mores sundae. Just as you pass the John H. Kerr Dam, right before you get to North Carolina, stop into Lucky’s Dairy Bar and Grill. Open from May through September, Lucky’s is the spot to recharge after a day of boating, paddling, fishing, and swimming. Order from their old school grill menu of hot dogs, burgers, and fries, and, of course, don’t forget the ice cream.
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Day 2
STOP 8: MacCallum More
The gateway to another world is just around the corner. The life's work of Scottish heiress Lucy Hudgins, MacCallum More is a meandering, moss-covered testament to a life’s passion. The formal gardens feature an arboretum, herb garden, wildflower garden, rose and theme gardens. Over 200 varieties of plants are represented. Particularly striking is the sculpture garden, which includes a massive Spanish Cloister, shipped and assembled on site piece by piece.
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STOP 9: American Way Country Winery
Go off the beaten path, down a dirt road to a shed-come-tasting room to try some country craft wine. American Way Country Winery makes wine from produce and berries grown on the estate. There are no grape wines here. Instead, sample new tastes like Blackberry Knights, Peachfuzz Surprise, and Apple/Jalapeno. They have 18 different fruit wines to challenge your palate, plus wines made from pumpkin and tomato. Eat your heart out, Herb Ertlinger.
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STOP 10: Mighty Oaks Farm
Wind through the Shenandoah Valley to Mighty Oaks Farm. This small family-owned farm is nestled between large open fields and an enormous, pristine land preserve. Here you’ll find farm fresh produce, many grown by Minnonite and Amish communities in the area, along with homemade butter, cheese, and pies. Don’t miss the handcrafted goat milk soap; herbal salves and body butter; beeswax lip balm; delicious honey; and free-range eggs for sale. The best things await on backroad adventures.
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STOP 11: Grandfather Country Creations
This beautifully curated store is an experience. Gorgeous, unique crafts, antiques, and farmhouse decor are cleverly displayed. This oasis in downtown Clarksville will inspire you to rethink how you decorate. Greenery is everywhere, so soak in some inspiration and bring home something to spruce up your home.
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STOP 12: Cooper's Landing
At the intersection of comfort and yum, you’ll find Cooper’s Inn and Traveler’s Tavern. Dine in the main restaurant for a quaint and cozy vibe or catch some live music on the covered patio, festooned with blooming wisteria and dozens of twinkling lights. In true farm-to-table spirit, the menu changes seasonally and features the freshest, locally sourced meats, herbs, vegetables and ingredients available. Signature items include Black Angus beef, wild caught game, steamed seafood and organic produce. So come hungry. You can’t live a full life on an empty stomach.
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