Tazewell: History, River, and Winding Roads

Tazewell combines the landscape of the Clinch River Valley with a remarkable local history and the winding Back of the Dragon route. The town lies along the upper Clinch River; its landscape includes hills with seasonally changing colors. This gives Tazewell various points of interest for a trip: historic streets and buildings, water-based activities, events, and a distinctive drive through the Appalachians.

Discover Historic Tazewell and Main Street

A good starting point for those interested in culture is the Tazewell Historic District. It includes 145 buildings, 77 percent of which contribute to its historic character. The residential, commercial, and government buildings date predominantly from around 1880 to 1930. The town's name also tells a story: Tazewell was initially called Jeffersonville in 1800; the name honored Thomas Jefferson.

Main Street offers unique shops and restaurants in a well-preserved historic downtown district. Anyone who wants to learn about the town's history on foot can plan a walking tour offered by the Tazewell County Historical Society. In addition, the Tazewell Train Station provides information about the region's history with a gift shop, free tourism brochures, and informational exhibits. The building is one of two preserved depots along the Clinch Valley Line.

Back of the Dragon and Regional Drives

For a trip by car or motorcycle, Back of the Dragon is a memorable experience. The section of Virginia Route 16 is 32 miles long and winds through the Appalachians with more than 400 curves between Tazewell and Marion. Tazewell is the northern starting point and the most important hub for drivers on this route. If you are looking for a vacation rental, the desired focus of your trip may influence your choice of location: The town is suitable as a starting point for the route, while other days may focus more on history, water, or events.

Water, Parks, and Outdoor History

Lincolnshire Park combines hiking trails with a swimming pool, a splash pad, and the Kidzown playground. Lincolnshire Lake provides access to fishing; kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are also possible there. This allows you to combine peaceful hours by the water with other activities in the park, without limiting your stay to a single travel theme.

At Pioneer Park, 14 log and stone buildings illustrate frontier life in the 19th century. The Red Barn houses a Ford Model T. The town's history also includes Stras Memorial Episcopal Church: It was built in 1886 and is now the community's oldest church. These different stops make Tazewell interesting if you want to combine historic buildings, regional development, and tangible exhibits.

Seasons, Festivals, and the Clinch River

The event calendar features several seasonal highlights. Main Street Moments takes place every year on the fourth Friday and Saturday in July. Music on Main & Cruise In is held during the summer months, Oktobrewfest every October, and the Main Street Winter Market in December. The Tazewell County Fair has been a community tradition for more than 150 years.

The Clinch River Pavilion & River Walk improves access to the Clinch River and is intended to host seasonal festivals and community programs. When searching for accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus on the historic downtown, the river landscape, Lincolnshire Lake, or the Back of the Dragon route. This makes it possible to choose a vacation rental or vacation home in Tazewell that suits your preferred travel rhythm.

Compare Other Places

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Tazewell, you can also look at Pounding Mill, Cedar Bluff and Tannersville.

For the main travel overview: Tazewell.