Discover Floyd

Floyd combines historic traces, a vibrant arts scene, and routes through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those planning a trip with varied interests will find opportunities to explore culture, music, regional cuisine, and active days here. You can also choose your vacation rental based on whether you want to get to know Floyd primarily through its history, events, or the routes in the surrounding area.

Historic Floyd and Its Cultural Sites

The historical significance of the Floyd Historic District dates back to 1832. At that time, Floyd, originally called Jacksonville, was established as the county seat of Floyd County. The district includes the historic Jacksonville Cemetery as well as a wide variety of historic residential and commercial buildings. This creates a distinct thematic focus for a stay in which you would like to explore the town’s development.

The Floyd County Historical Society Museum offers further insights. It is located in the historic former hospital The Ridgemont, built in 1913 and also known as the Marie Williams House. The Old Church Gallery is an educational organization for art and history that presents the artistic and historical heritage of Floyd County and the surrounding area.

Art, Music, and Regional Cuisine

The Floyd Center for the Arts brings together visual art, handmade crafts, and music. It celebrates vibrant traditions while remaining open to innovation. Various studios host numerous classes. The grounds also feature a variety of concerts and festivals throughout the year. If you want to combine cultural activities with music when planning your trip, the Center is an important point of reference for your selection.

The Floyd Country Store is also part of the local character. The store is more than 100 years old and serves homemade country cooking. Every Friday at 6:30 p.m., it hosts the Friday Night Jamboree. Beginning May 8, the Floyd Artisan Market is held every Friday evening from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Community Market Pavilion next to The Station in downtown Floyd. The Floyd Farmers Market makes food grown in the community available to local residents.

Routes Through Nature and the Blue Ridge Mountains

A variety of options are available for active days on vacation. The Crooked Road Ramble is an 84-mile paved route through Floyd County and Franklin County. The routes of Floyd on 2 Wheels begin and end in Floyd and provide a starting point for scenic rides through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Another option is a fully paved 28-mile cycling route from the Town of Floyd to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It travels toward Rocky Knob and then leads back to Floyd via several overlooks and the Rocky Knob Recreation Area. For hikers, the Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve offers a steep, 1-mile trail to its summit. The preserve also contains 13 occurrences of rare plants, 3 occurrences of rare animals, and 6 significant natural communities.

Handmade works are also part of the region’s range of experiences. 16 Hands is a collective of potters from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Twice a year, it opens its studios to showcase its work. This makes it possible to combine nature experiences, art, and regional traditions according to your interests.

The Right Base for Your Trip

From Interstate 81, you can reach Floyd via Exit 114 and Route 8 South. Those looking for music and regional cuisine may plan their trip around the dates of events at the Floyd Country Store and the markets. For days spent cycling and hiking, the Blue Ridge routes and the Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve provide further clear points of focus.

A vacation rental or holiday home in Floyd can therefore serve as the starting point for very different travel plans. When searching, consider whether you would prefer to spend your days exploring history, art and music, regional products, or longer cycling and hiking routes. This way, you can choose accommodation that suits your personal vacation pace and the experiences you want to discover in Floyd.

For the overarching travel overview: Floyd County.