Southern Virginia
More actions
Also called
Southside Virginia
Region
Southern Virginia
Known for
Lakes, small towns, history, motorsports
Getting around
Road trip region; U.S. Route 58 crosses east to west
Southern Virginia—also called Southside Virginia—is best explored as a collection of small-town stops, open countryside, and outdoor destinations rather than a single city break. The region’s tourism area includes eight counties and communities such as Danville, Martinsville, South Hill, and Clarksville. Expect historic downtowns and tobacco-era architecture, with lakes, scenic roads, trails, and motorsports adding variety to a multi-day drive.[1]
Plan a trip to Southern Virginia
Why go
Southern Virginia suits travelers who like combining outdoor time with local history. At the region’s western end, Danville’s historic districts reflect the growth of tobacco and textile industries; farther east, the lakefront town of Clarksville and nearby state parks offer a different pace. Towns along the way make natural breaks for a stroll, a meal, or a visit to a local museum.
The region also has a strong racing identity: Virginia Tourism describes it as “Virginia’s Racing Region,” with speedways and raceways among its draws. For a slower trip, follow U.S. Route 58 across the region, stopping where historic streets, countryside, and waterways catch your interest.[2]
Highlights
Explore a city shaped by tobacco and textile industries, with historic warehouse and residential districts and an elegant neighborhood known as Old West End and Millionaires Row.
Make this lakeside town a base for exploring Buggs Island Lake, also known as Kerr Lake, and the surrounding countryside.
Find trails and lake access near Clarksville. Check the park’s current notices before traveling, since facilities and water access can change.
Use this Southern Virginia community as a small-town stop on an east–west drive through the region.
Add a western-region town stop to a road trip that pairs local discovery with the area’s racing heritage.
Explore another state-park setting in the region, with access to the Buggs Island Lake area.
History and character
Southern Virginia’s modern travel identity is closely tied to the region’s tobacco-growing past. Bright-leaf tobacco helped shape local markets and towns, while rail and other transportation links supported commerce. In Danville, the legacy is visible in districts of warehouses, factories, workers’ homes, and grander residences. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources describes the tobacco warehouse and residential district as a record of both the industry and the city’s working-class history.[3]
Danville’s Old West End and Millionaires Row offer a different architectural perspective: residences and churches built during the city’s postwar growth and prosperity. Many historic properties are private, so admire them from public streets and check access before planning a visit to a particular building.[4]
The region’s story also reaches into the Revolutionary and Civil Rights eras. In Halifax, the courthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, with significance in law and architecture and a period of significance in the 19th century.[5] Across the region, museums, historic districts, and local heritage sites help connect these broader chapters to the communities where they unfolded.
Planning a trip
Plan for a car-based visit: the region is spread across multiple counties, and U.S. Route 58 provides an east–west route through Southern Virginia. Pick a few towns or attractions as anchors rather than trying to cover the entire region in a single day.[6]
For lake time, Buggs Island Lake is the Virginia name for the reservoir also known as Kerr Lake in North Carolina. Occoneechee and Staunton River state parks provide access to the lake area. Check official park notices for current conditions, launch access, services, and operating details before setting out; water levels and facilities can affect plans.[7][8]
A practical itinerary might pair a town’s historic center with a nearby outdoor stop, then continue along Route 58 to another community. If you plan to visit a historic building, museum, park, or raceway, confirm current access and schedules directly with the site.
Explore nearby
South Boston
A regional town with a historic district and a local museum focused on fine arts and history.
Clarksville
A lakeside stop near Buggs Island Lake and Occoneechee State Park.
Danville
Explore tobacco-era districts, historic streets, and museums in the region’s western reach.
Virginia’s Southside
Explore more places and themes across the Southside region.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Southern Virginia, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Southern Virginia, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Danville Tobacco Warehouse and Residential District, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Danville Historic District (Old West End and Millionaires Row Historic District), Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Halifax County Courthouse, NPGallery, National Park Service. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Southern Virginia, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Eight great lakes at Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Commonwealth of Virginia, October 16, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
- ↑ Occoneechee State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
External links
- Southern Virginia — Virginia Is for Lovers
- Occoneechee State Park — Virginia State Parks
- Danville Tobacco Warehouse and Residential District — Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- Danville Historic District — Virginia Department of Historic Resources