Photo Historic Travels

Category: Downtowns

Posts that focus on visiting downtowns, whether in small towns or big cities.

  • Best Places to Discover Southwest Virginia: Unique Things To Do

    Best Places to Discover Southwest Virginia: Unique Things To Do

    7–10 minutes

    I have lived in Virginia for most of my life, and yet Southwest Virginia had always remained a mystery to me. I had never even heard about Breaks Interstate Park or the Great Channels of Virginia until my adulthood. For someone living in Coastal Virginia, Southwest Virginia (or SWVA) is around a six-hour drive, and for certain destinations even longer. Finally, I received time off from work so I took the opportunity to finally explore what Southwest Virginia had to offer. Keep reading to watch my companion YouTube video.

    Abingdon

    Barter Theatre Abingdon Virginia.
    The Barter Theatre

    I chose Abingdon as my headquarters for this Southwest Virginia trip because it is consistently ranked as the prettiest small town in SWVA. While I would personally rank Damascus (discussed below) as more beautiful overall, Abingdon is still a very charming small town with many historic buildings.

    Buildings in Abingdon Virginia.
    Buildings in Abingdon Virginia.
    Main Street Buildings in Abingdon Virginia.
    Statue in Abingdon Virginia with Church in Background.
    Statue Fountain in Abingdon Virginia with Love in Background.
    Mural Thing in Abingdon Virginia.
    Mural of Bikers in Abingdon Virginia with Bushes in Foreground.
    Rural Scene in Abingdon Virginia.
    This Was Right Next To My Hotel

    On our first night there, my Dad and I ate at The Tavern, located in the oldest building in Abingdon. I recommend dining at the restaurant for its atmosphere. We ate outside because the forecast said rain for most of my trip, but I would have been equally happy eating in one of the many historic rooms.

    Sign telling information about the Tavern Restaurant in Abingdon.
    The History Of The Building
    Historic Dining Room in The Tavern Abingdon.

    A little bit outside the city is the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace, which serves as a welcome center and sells handiwork by local artisans. There were also exhibits about local history but some of them were covered-up by items for sale. The place is worth a quick stop to check everything out, about 15 minutes at most unless you intend on buying something.

    Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace.

    The Channels Natural Area Preserve

    On Monday I went to The Channels Natural Area Preserve and Breaks Interstate Park (discussed below). These two places were the highlight of my trip. It seems so strange that these two places are not frequently advertised in the best of Virginia.

    First, information about The Channels, also known as the Great Channels of Virginia: there are only 10 parking spots and they fill up pretty quickly so arrive early. We arrived at around 7:30 on a Monday to find an already half full parking lot. Although the climb only takes about three hours round-trip, be prepared for an seemingly endless amount of uphill climbing. The first three images provide important information about hiking the Channels, and more practical information can be found here.

    Beginning of Trail at the Channels.
    This Is Where The Trail Begins
    Sign noting Brumley Mountain Trail at the Channels.
    The Name Of The Trail And Important Information
    Fork in the Trail at the Channels.
    Turn Left On This Fork On The Trail, The Right Leads To Private Property

    I couldn’t find any information about how The Channels were formed, either on site or on the internet. Still, definitely a unique experience exploring the unique rock formations. Below show what you can expect to see hiking the Brumley Mountain Trail and the otherworldly beauty of The Channels.

    Trail at the Channels.
    Trail at the Channels with Rock Formation.
    Trail at the Channels with Rhododendrons.
    Entrance to the Channels Slot Canyon.
    The Channels Slot Canyon.
    The Channels Slot Canyon with Tree.
    The Channels Slot Canyon.

    Breaks Interstate Park

    Afterwards, we drove through winding mountain roads to get to Breaks Interstate Park, a massive park that borders Virginia and Kentucky. There was much to do in the park (including a water park), but the highlight is definitely the canyons.

    Canyon at Breaks Interstate Park.

    The Breaks is frequently referred to as “the Grand Canyon of the South” and it’s easy to see why with views like this. The Breaks is the largest canyon east of the Mississippi River. Once again, it’s so strange that this natural wonder remains under the radar.

    Sign telling why the Breaks received it's name.
    Sign That Explains The Meaning Of The Name

    While the park is massive, you can drive through much of it. Most of the scenic spots have short trails, if any, and it’s convenient to park your car up to any place you wish to stop. Do keep in mind that the Tower Overlook and the Tower Tunnel Overlook are two different places.

    Canyon at Breaks Interstate Park.
    Canyon at Breaks Interstate Park.
    Canyon at Breaks Interstate Park with Ledge in Foreground.
    Canyon at Breaks Interstate Park.
    Canyon at Breaks Interstate Park.

    Cleveland Town Park

    Between The Channels and The Breaks, there is a small town called Cleveland, which has a small community park. But this park is unique because it has a suspension bridge over a river. I highly recommend stopping here to take in views of the river.

    Frame of Cleveland Town Park with ramp to swinging bridge in background.

    Bristol

    Famous Sign of Bristol Tennessee Virginia.

    On Tuesday, we went to Bristol Virginia/Tennessee. Bristol is the largest city in the far west of SWVA. The border between Virginia and Tennessee sits right in the middle of Bristol’s main thoroughfare, State Street. One could easily have dinner in one state and catch a show in the other state.

    State Street in Bristol Virginia.
    The Virginia Side Of The Street
    State Street in Bristol Tennessee.
    The Tennessee Side Of The Street

    Bristol prides itself on being the birthplace of country music. On the Virginia side of the city is the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. This museum documents the historic 1927 Bristol sessions, as well as country music’s Appalachian background. Overall, an fascinating look on a topic that I am not necessarily interested in.

    Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol Virginia.
    Mural depicting country music signers saying Birthplace of Country Music.
    Apache Attack Helicopter on display in Bristol Virginia park.

    Chilhowie Bluegrass JAM-Boree

    Lion's Club Building in Chilhowie.
    Parking Was Chaotic, We Parked Next To A Ditch Across The Street

    To continue with the Country Music theme, we went to Chilhowie to see the Bluegrass JAM-Boree. The JAM-Boree happens every Tuesday starting at 6:30, located at the Chilhowie Lions Club. I only recommend going if you are fond of Bluegrass or Mountain Music, if not you could probably skip it. However it was intriguing seeing a world different from my own, and I was mesmerized watching the people doing buck dancing.

    Interior of Lion's Club Building in Chilhowie with Bluegrass band playing.

    Big Stone Gap

    Painting of Tree and Mountain with Big Stone Gap.

    On Wednesday, we went to Big Stone Gap to see the Southwest Virginia Museum Historic State Park. The town of Big Stone Gap is small but completely surrounded by the mountains giving it grand views. There’s also a river that runs through the town adding to its loveliness.

    Main Street of Big Stone Gap.
    Ivy Covered Building in Downtown Big Stone Gap.
    Bridge and River in Big Stone Gap.
    Clouds and Mountains near Big Stone Gap.

    The Museum itself is actually run by the Virginia State Parks systems, making it the smallest state park in Virginia. The Museum itself is organized a bit awkwardly, with the first floor dedicated to the town’s mining boom years, the second floor dedicated to the mansion’s former owners, and the third floor dedicated to the lives of the early settlers. Still, it’s an interesting overview of the regional history.

    Southwest Virginia Museum Historic State Park.
    Stairway with wooden carvings of Southwest Virginia Museum Historic State Park.

    Damascus

    Main Street Damascus Virginia.

    After lunch, we drove to Damascus, which ended up being my favorite of the small towns. While Abingdon’s buildings were nicer, charming Damascus won out with its rivers and nature. Damascus is actually an important stop on the Virginia Creeper Trail, but unfortunately the trestle was closed while we were there.

    Building in Damascus Virginia with string of light bulbs in foreground.
    Shed with arts and crafts in Damascus Virginia.
    Man made waterfall with deck and dining table in foreground and Love sign in background.
    Views From The Damascus Old Mill Inn

    Wytheville

    Logo of Downtown Wytheville.

    On our final day, we went to Wytheville to see the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum. The town is a typical nice small town, with many nice historic buildings. The most notable thing about Wytheville is the giant pencil suspended from a building.

    Tile showing Main Street Scene of Downtown Wytheville in 1950s.
    Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum.

    The Museum itself shows an entertaining look at Edith Bolling Wilson’s girlhood in Wytheville and her time as First Lady of the United States. The upstairs was undergoing renovations when were there, but they provide a video explaining the history behind each room. Renovations should be complete in late 2026.

    Conclusion on Southwest Virginia Vacation

    I accomplished a decade long (if not longer) dream of exploring Southwest Virginia. Although I did so much, there are still places I didn’t get to visit (like The Devil’s Bathtub and the Natural Bridge State Park), making SWVA a perfect vacation opportunity. I feel SWVA has much to offer for travelers wishing to discover an little known Virginia with unique landscapes and a different history.

    Below is the companion YouTube Video for this blog. My video has much more footage of each destination. If you like what you see, please consider subscribing to my channel.

    Restaurants In Southwest Virginia

    Listed below are the restaurants I ate at on the trip that I recommend. I will go in Alphabetical Order.

    Damascus Old Mill Inn Restaurant.

    Damascus Old Mill Inn: This hotel has a restaurant on the first floor. I recommend eating here for the views of the river and little waterfall. Located in Damascus.

    GoodTimes Coal Fired Pizza & Pub Restaurant.

    GoodTimes Coal Fired Pizza & Pub: If you’re wondering about coal fired pizza, they use anthracite coal (different from the coal used for powering trains) found only in Pennsylvania, which emits high heat and low emissions as noted by our waitress. All this leads to a great pizza. Located in Big Stone Gap.

    Jack's 128 Pecan Restaurant.

    Jack’s 128 Pecan: This place must have been a former house, because they were many rooms all decorated differently. They had the best food of all the semi-fancy restaurants we ate on our trip.

    Pal's Sudden Service Restaurant with cars at Drive-Thru.

    Pal’s Sudden Service: For those looking for local color, Pal’s is the local fast-food chain of choice. With its gaudy buildings and commanding pylon signs (the message the day we went said “Respect Is Earned”), Pal’s is definitely an experience. Keep in mind it’s drive-thru only. Located all over SWVA.

    Skeeter's World Famous Hotdogs Restaurant.

    Skeeter’s World Famous Hotdogs: Only two doors down from the Edith Bolling Wilson Museum is Skeeter’s, which has been open since 1925. Definitely come here if you love hot dogs, because there was only one non-hot dog thing on the menu; I had the BBQ sandwich. Located in Wytheville.

    The Tavern Restaurant.

    The Tavern: I’ve already talked about The Tavern above, but here’s some more about the restaurant. It serves a mix of New American and German food. I recommend eating here to absorb the historical ambiance. Located in Abingdon.

  • Exploring The Forgotten Side of Downtown Orlando

    Exploring The Forgotten Side of Downtown Orlando

    Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

    People think of Orlando as a place of entertainment with its many Theme Parks, most of which are actually outside of the city limits. Orlando itself the fourth largest city in Florida and a major hub for business and government services. I’ve visited Orlando with my family many times, but this trip was the first time I actually stepped foot in Downtown Orlando. How does Downtown Orlando hold up as a travel destination? Stay till the end to see suggestions for a non-theme park-oriented trip to the Orlando area.

    Table of contents

    Lake Eola Park

    Lake Eola with Trees in Foreground, Fountain in Middle Ground and Skyscrapers in Background in Downtown Orlando.

    My Dad and I went Orlando in order to visit my sister, arriving on a Sunday. My sister, now being a local, recommended we visit the Orlando Farmers Market at Lake Eola Park. This had to have been the largest farmers market I’ve ever seen, as there was an endless supply of vendors with food, drinks, and crafts. After a thorough search of all the options, I settled on Ethiopian and Tequeños paired with a giant cup of homemade lemonade.

    Lake Eola Farmers Market Sign in Foreground and Tents in Background Downtown Orlando.
    Lake Eola Farmers Market Busy Scene.
    Lake Eola Farmers Market Tents on Bottom and Trees All Around.
    Lake Eola Farmers Market Tents on Bridge Above Lake.
    Lake Eola Farmers Market Eating Area and Trees.
    Lake Eola Farmers Market Tents on Bottom and Trees All Around.
    Ibis Bird in Lake Eola Park In Orlando Florida.
    Imagine Having the Ibis Be Your Trash Bird

    Afterwards, the three of us walked around Lake Eola Park. We found out later at the History Center (mentioned below) that Lake Eola is not a lake but a sinkhole. It’s a very stable sinkhole since there’s a large fountain in the middle and a bandshell on the water’s edge.

    Turtles on Logs in Lake Eola Park.
    Swan in Lake Eola with Fountain, Bandshell, and Skyscrapers in Background.
    Swan with Cygnets at Lake Eola Park with Swan boats in backgrounds.
    Real Swans With Fake Swans

    Lake Eola Park is lovely and a popular hangout location for locals. Besides the bandshell, there’s a play area, rock garden, Chinese pagoda, and rental swan boats.

    Lake Eola Bandshell Downtown Orlando.
    Rock Garden Lake Eola Park with Sign of Friendship from Taiwan.
    Rock Garden Lake Eola Park with Orthodox Church and Skyscraper in Background.
    Chinese Pagoda at Lake Eola Park.
    Swan Boats on Lake Eola Park.

    Walking Downtown

    After walking Lake Eola, we went off to explore more of Downtown Orlando. Orlando is a mix of different styles with gleaming skyscrapers alongside Victorian buildings.

    Green Victorian Building in Foreground and Skyscraper in Background in Downtown Orlando.
    Old and New

    The skyscrapers primarily (but not exclusively) surround Lake Eola. They tower over the lake/sinkhole and provide dramatic contrast. Office buildings are not what comes to mind when one thinks of Orlando.

    One wavy skyscraper and one skyscraper with unique cutouts in Downtown Orlando.
    Skyscrapers on Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando.
    Lake Eola and Skyscrapers Downtown Orlando.
    Spanish Moss and Skyscrapers in Background Downtown Orlando.

    A good portion of Downtown Orlando is lined with trees, which compliments the many historic buildings located throughout the city. Besides the Victorian Church Street (mentioned below), the Downtown is a mix of styles, including Mediterranean, Colonial, and Art Deco. There’s also the Brutalist public library, but the less said about that the better.

    Tree-lined Craftsman Bungalows in Downtown Orlando.
    Tree-Lined Street Scene in Downtown Orlando.
    Tree-lined Street Scene in Downtown Orlando.
    Several Art Deco Buildings in Downtown Orlando.
    Street Scene with Skyscrapers in Background in Downtown Orlando.
    Street Scene with Plants in Foreground and Skyscrapers in Background in Downtown Orlando.
    Several Old Buildings in Downtown Orlando.
    Closeup of Building with Vines Downtown Orlando.
    Closeup of Plants with Tree-lined street scene in background Downtown Orlando.

    Downtown Orlando was a happening place that Sunday. Beside normal city crowds, one plaza was full of drunk college age students. My sister theorized that they were University of Central Florida students celebrating their graduation.

    Scene of Drunken College Students in a Plaza in Downtown Orlando.
    The Plaza on a Crazy Sunday Afternoon
    Several Buildings in a Plaza in Downtown Orlando.
    The Same Plaza on a Less Chaotic Tuesday Morning

    I noticed vibrant public art while walking through the Downtown. I managed to capture a couple of them on camera.

    Mural depicting Strawberry Man, Hummingbirds and Plants growing in Hands, and Abstract Composition in Downtown Orlando.
    Mural depicting the various things to see in Orlando.
    Alley of People Selling Artworks in Downtown Orlando.

    Church Street

    Church Street with Cheyenne Saloon in Foreground and Skyscraper in Background in Downtown Orlando.

    While exploring Downtown Orlando, we walked through Church Street. It was the place to be several decades ago, but now much of it is pretty much abandoned. I did see a sign say “Church Street Improvement Coming Soon,” so maybe in a few years it will be successfully revitalized.

    Architectural Detail of Victorian Style Building on Church Street in Downtown Orlando.
    Abandoned Train Station on Church Street.
    Birds-Eye View of Church Street in Downtown Orlando.

    While some of Church Street has seen better days, the Church Street Market is thriving and does have open businesses. I did not go into any of them, but it did make for a good place to take photos.

    Church Street Market with Skyscraper Towering Above in Downtown Orlando.
    Birds-Eye View of Church Street Market in Downtown Orlando.

    History Center

    Orange County Regional History Center with Trees in Foreground.

    On Tuesday, Dad and I went to the Orange County Regional History Center. The History Center is conveniently a couple blocks away from Lake Eola Park. Be aware that at certain times people are not allowed on Heritage Square Park in front of the museum, or else security will scold you.

    Statue of Man on Alligator Orange County Regional History Center.
    Statue of Man Sitting On an Alligator

    The History Center provided a fascinating look at the history of Orlando and Orange County. I learned so many new things, such as how ranching once played an important role in Central Florida’s economy. There’s also a section devoted to the history of the Disney Theme Parks, which is not something one normally finds in a local history museum.

    Conclusion

    Overall, I enjoyed seeing a side of Orlando that is usually forgotten about in the popular consciousness. I hope this blog post shines a light on this mostly unknown side of Orlando. So next time you plan on visiting Orlando, consider taking time out of your trip to visit the Downtown area. As for what I did on Monday, you will have to come back to look at my blog post about EPCOT.

    Much of Downtown Orlando is pretty walkable, but you would need to drive to exploring the greater Orlando area. The Farmers Market at Lake Eola Park happens every Sunday from 10:00-3:00, more information found here. The Orange County Regional History Center is open everyday and is a five minute walk from the Lake Eola Park’s bandshell.

    Restaurant Recommendations

    Metro Espresso Pizza Restaurant in Downtown Orlando.

    Metro Espresso Pizza: My mother and sister discovered Metro Espresso Pizza while moving my sister and has become a favorite place. They serve very good pizza and other Italian dishes that my sister recommends.

    Taco Kat Restaurant in Downtown Orlando.
    Taco Kat

    Taco Kat: As Dad and I were leaving that Tuesday, we needed a convenient location to eat lunch and say goodbye to my sister. As Taco Kat is only steps away from the History Center, we decided to go there. They serve good tacos and quesadillas.

    Other Things to Do

    Whether you want to take a vacation to Orlando without going to the Theme Parks or just want to add another stop to your vacation, I offer extra thing to do below. Here are some places I have been on a previous trip 15 years ago, or wished to go to on this trip in the greater Orlando area. All three museums closed on Monday.

    Mennello Museum of American Art: I went to this Museum back when it was called the Earl Cunningham Museum. It still showcases his artwork (in the folk style), as well as works from other artists. Check out the giant tree in front of the Museum while you’re there. EST 10 minutes drive from Downtown.

    Orlando Museum of Art: This Museum showcases American art from the 19th and 20th century. It also has a collection of African and Mesoamerican Art. EST 11 minutes drive from Downtown.

    Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens: This Museum showcases the sculptures of Albin Polasek, as well as goes over his life. I still think about the story about him waiting 40 years to marry his first wife, then remarrying again a year after her death. EST 20 minutes drive from Downtown.

    Nature: There is plenty of nature parks in the greater Orlando area so I will list them in order from closest to furthest from Downtown Orlando. In order: Wekiwa Springs State Park, Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, Seminole State Forest, Little Big Econ State Park, Green Mountain Scenic Overlook and Trailhead, and Lake Louisa State Park.

    Sports: My sister would like me to mention that the Kia Center and the Inter&Co Stadium are within walking distance from each other. If you are staying in a Downtown hotel, one could easily walk to both places within 20 minutes or so.