All About Alleghany County: Mountain Music and Parkway Drives with Insider Larry VanHoose

Larry here! I’m the Executive Director of Alleghany County Chamber, and I’ve called the Sparta area my home for 26 years. It’s a quieter destination that offers solace to breathe in that mountain air while browsing shops, restaurants, artists and musicians. Then when it’s time to up the adventure, take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see what you can find. Here, I’ll break it all down for you:

Adventures by river or parkway

We have 32 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway here, plus the second oldest river on the planet. So these are just a couple of my very favorite things to do outside:

• Doughton Park: This is the largest park on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it’s a hiker's and camper’s dream with more than 30 miles of trails and 110 tent and 25 RV sites. The Bluffs Restaurant is also a must-stop while here – it was the first restaurant to ever open on the Parkway.
• The Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Segments 5 and 6 run through the county too – around Doughton Park, along the Blue Ridge Parkway and through South Mountains State Park.
• The New River: This river flows north through the county and is a great destination for folks of all ages. The New is shallow and wide here, so leisurely kayaking, tubing and sport fishing are in high demand. Fishing is a year-round sport, and you'll have a chance at bass, muskellunge, walleye, crappie, catfish, perch and more.

Sparta is music to my ears

Alleghany County is the heart of mountain music! Here’s all the proof you need:

Weekly live music

• Alleghany Jubilee: Wear your dancing shoes to this world-famous spot that celebrates mountain music every Tuesday and Saturday night. It's family-friendly (no alcohol is served) and handicap-accessible, and the dance floor is big!
• Muddy Creek Music Hall: Find live music every weekend here, and be sure to stop by for Sunday brunch if you can.
• Main Street Pizzeria and Taphouse: Live music on Friday nights and great pizza. Win-win.
• Crouse Park: Come for the farmers market on Saturday mornings, but stay for the live performances on the amphitheater stage on weekends throughout the fall and summer.

Concerts and festivals

• Music on Main: Enjoy this free street party right in the heart of downtown on Saturday, Sept. 7. You'll hear live music flowing from just about everywhere: inside restaurants, performers on the streets and the headliner taking the stage at 7 p.m.
• The 29th Annual Mountain Heritage Festival: Save the date for Saturday, Sept. 21, when more than 100 local vendors line the streets of downtown and musicians play all festival long.

More Sparta favorites

• Fall fun: In September, you'll want to head here to cool off. Book that vacation rental or a room at the Alleghany Inn in time for the spectacular changing colors of leaves. You can also stay for the annual Mountain Heritage Festival or the four-day Alleghany County Agricultural Fair the last week of the month.
• Downtown shopping: Sparta has an amazing array of craft vendors. In addition to the famous Sparta Candle Company, there's Three Crows (handcrafted metal jewelry), Mangum Cater on Main (pottery), Carolina Farm Table (custom tables) and so many more.
• Food and drink: Sparta has some of the best restaurants you'll find in any mountain community anywhere! Our foodie paradise includes North Flow Steakhouse, The Cellar on Evergreen, Becca's Backwoods Bean, Mis Arados Mexican, The Pines, Twin Oaks Grill, Crave Italian-American Fusion ... I could go on and on!

Fall is on its way. Plan your travel with insiders Sarah Jones and Elizabeth Clark for Hickory tips, Matthew Busche for Brevard info and Karen Gould for Crystal Coast must-dos.