Grayson County, Virginia is home to the highest peaks in Virginia, as well as the second oldest river in the world. You will find gorgeous scenery and miles of hiking and biking trails throughout the county. You will also find abundant locally grown food and fun seasonal events centered around local food and rural traditions.
We always like to start our foodie road trips at farmers markets. Farmers, chefs, bakers, cheese makers and more converge at markets to provide the best in handcrafted and locally grown products. Markets are also excellent places to find recommendations of restaurants and other fun foodie excursions. Strike up a conversation with a vendor or market manager to find hidden gems and authentic spots.
The best place to start your visit to Grayson County is at the Independence Farmers Market. Open on Fridays from 9am - 1pm, the market makes an excellent kick off to a local food lovers weekend. Learn more about the market and our recommended agritourism excursions below.
Grayson County - Driving distance from:
• Roanoke: 1hr 51 mins
• Piedmont/Triad Airport: 1hr 40 mins
• Charlotte, NC: 2 hrs
Independence Farmers Market
Fridays 9am - 1pm, May - October
Independence Town Park
E Main St, Independence, VA 24348
Year-Round On-line Market
Pick-up Wednesdays 4pm – 6pm
The Independence Farmers Market began in 2008 in Grayson County, Virginia. A local grower and producer market, the market is open seasonally on Fridays from 9am to 1pm and features local meats, vegetables, herbs, plant starts, preserves, baked goods, crafts, and more.
The market also offers special events, featuring Farm Fresh Kids Day, the Berry Festival, Tomato Day, and the Apple Festival, as well as contests, raffles and local musicians.
There is also a year-round online market, with pickup Wednesdays from 4pm to 6pm at the Grayson LandCare/Independence Farmers Market Office at 108 Courthouse Street, Independence, Virginia.
During the off season, the market holds winter workshops to encourage and educate new farmers and customers on farmers market goods and services.
Throughout the year, the Independence Farmers Market vendors provide customers with goods grown and made with pride. Ask them for recipes or helpful food preparation tips. Stop by and see them at the crossroads of Hwy 58 and 21 in historic Independence, Virginia.
Ag and Art Adventure - September 10, 2022
The 1st Annual Grayson County Ag & Art Adventure is a self guided adventure through the beautiful Grayson County, Virginia. Celebrate the creativity of Grayson's local artisans and the quality of their farms at your own pace. Watch demonstrations, buy some art, pet a cow, pick up some produce—all while enjoying a scenic mountain drive along the New River.
Matthews Living History Farm Museum
476 White Pine Rd, Galax VA
10:00 am to 4:00 PM, Tuesday through Saturday.
Matthews Living History Farm Museum is a private, non-profit museum in Grayson County. The farm is nestled in between the State Forest on all sides and gives the public an idea of what a 1900s working farm was like.
The museum has Homestead classes, Demonstration Days, kids’ activities, along with the larger events that start in July. Matthews Living History Farm Museum, has a wide collection of animals, ranging from Endangered Gulf Coast sheep to Jersey milking cows. Come on out and meet their Heritage pigs, Tilley and Douglas, who are Guinea Hogs.
Events in 2022 include, Down on the Farm Music Fest (July 9th), Timeline Living History Event (August 27th), Heritage Day and Stories of the Stitch Quilt Show (September 10th), Autumn Folk Festival and Light the Porch event (October 29th) and finally The Appalachian Home for the Holidays Event (November 12th).
Visit to see how farming life was in the 1900’s!
Legacy Creek Events
487 Old Baywood Road, Galax, Va. 24333
Legacy Creek Events is a family owned and operated business in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains within Grayson County, Virginia, between Galax and Independence (Baywood area).
Events: Rustic Barn Venue (40+ acres) for Weddings and Agritourism events including: Fall festivals, Professional Corn Mazes, Slides and Games, Fall U-Pick and photo ops, Pumpkins, Sunflowers
Educational field trips: School/Church/Scouts/Youth etc., Spookly the Square Pumpkin field trips available, Paint Parties for adults and children (www.studioBconcepts.com)
Livestock Farm: Katahdin Hair sheep, Horses, Jerusalem Donkeys (meet Banjo!)
River Ridge Organics
U-Pick Berries
Saturdays 8-2pm July 2 – October 1
3351 Battlefield Drive, Independence, VA 24348
River Ridge Organics U-Pick season begins with blueberries which are ripe for the picking through the month of July and into August. Blackberries are ready Mid-July through Mid-August. Fall red raspberries start coming in after the blackberries fade and are ripening throughout September until the season closes on October 1st with their Fall Festival. Local vendors, refreshments, and tours of the berry field also offered.
Follow them on Instagram @riverridgeorganics or Facebook -- River Ridge Organics -- for weekly updates on crop availability and other information!
The Virginia is for Farmers Market Lovers Trail
If you love shopping at your local farmers market and eating with the season, this trail is for you. The Virginia is for Farmers Market Lovers Trail connects local food lovers with Virginia’s farmers markets, farms, and farm-to-table restaurants.
Start planning your local food centered road trip today. Use our map to find a Virginia farmers market.
