Wise County has 21 properties or districts on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting an engaging and varied past in areas such as coal mining, music, and crafts. And because of the location, there are opportunities for camping, hiking, and simply enjoying the great outdoors.

Wise is home to the University of Virginia at Wise, an attractive 396-acre campus with modern facilities, a large pond and fountain, and plenty of steps. With an enrollment of about 2,000, it offers 30 majors and 32 minors. It was formerly known as Clinch Valley College, and was renamed in 1999. 

A great place start is the visitor center, located at 306 Wood Ave. East in a former gas station. It’s hard to miss since it has a Frank Lloyd Wright look. The staff is friendly and helpful, and you can pick up brochures about BSG and the surrounding counties.

Among the interesting stops along the way are:

• Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, located in a Victorian stone mansion, presents the history of the area from the 1700s. The building has the original gorgeous oak interior.
• John Fox Jr. Museum, at the home of the bestselling author from the turn of the 20th century. His most famous work is The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come.
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  Henry W. Meador Coal Museum showcases the area’s coal heritage, from equipment to artifacts.

• June Tolliver House is a Queen Anne-style home built in 1890 that features local history.
• Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama in the Barbara Polly Theatre, the official outdoor drama of Virginia. It’s the longest-running outdoor drama in the nation. The musical drama, based on Fox’s novel, is held in June, July, and August.
• Town Hall is a 2.5-story Colonial Revival building constructed in 1908 by the Stonega Coke and Coal Co. 
• Lonesome Pine School and Heritage Center includes music, research, and school rooms, focusing on the area’s rich traditions and customs.

Other sites we visited:

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  The High Knob Observation Tower in Norton offers a view of five states from an elevation of 4,200 feet. The area has many hiking, biking, and horseback trails, as well as lakes and rivers for water activities, and campgrounds and RV parks.

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  Natural Tunnel State Park in Duffield is a 10-story-tall, 850-feet long limestone tunnel that is still used by trains. The park has trails, a chairlift ride, and a visitor center. The park is in adjoining Scott County, about 20 miles from BSG.