New River Valley, VA – Several destinations in Virginia’s New River Valley are getting well-deserved recognition after being named 2026 Best of the Blue Ridge Award winners by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Hosted annually, these awards are voted on by readers from around the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic region of the US. The New River Valley outperformed towns in North Carolina and West Virginia to win in several categories and come as runners-up in a variety of others.
Winners:
- Best Fishing Spot
New River – Giles County, Va - Best Public Lands
Blue Ridge Parkway - Best Coffee Shop
Red Rooster Coffee Company – Floyd, Va - Best Distillery
Five Mile Mountain Distillery – Floyd, Va - Best Winery
Chateau Morrisette Winery – Floyd, Va - Best Zipline
Buffalo Mountain Ziplines – Floyd, Va
Runners Up:
- Best Music Festival
FloydFest – Floyd, Va - Best Waterfall or Swimming Hole
Cascade Falls – Pembroke, VA - Best Pet-Friendly Adventure
Mountain Lake Lodge – Pembroke, VA - Best Hiking Trail
New River Trail
See all the 2026 Best of the Blue Ridge award winners here.
Explore the best of the outdoors in Virginia’s New River Valley here.
Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.
