The Blue Ridge Music Center — Attraction in Galax

Centerpiece of the Crooked Road music trail. A great hub to start out at for novices to the mountain music of Virginia. The self-guided museum exhibits are great. Videos, artifacts, photos, demos and more available. You can buzz through in 15 minutes, or spend a couple of hours digesting the museum portion.

As part of the national park system , it has great items to purchase in the gift shop. We picked up a couple of locally sourced lap harps. There was an inside demonstration by one of the rangers playing the dulcimer. Very cool instrument and we learned some interesting techniques. The highlight on this Saturday afternoon was a live performance of a 5 piece group on the porch. Check their schedule for big live events at the center during the summer.

It is a great source of information, and you never know who you will meet there that may lead to an interesting road trip in the area to one of the featured towns along the crooked road. We followed up on the tip to visit the town of Floyd. Great connections!! We make sure to visit whenever we pass...

So it was a great place to visit a lot of information on the music from the area and what really when you think about it after going to the museum was the first American music anyway very much enjoyed the venue nice air conditioning interior small little gift shop best part is definitely the live band to hear some of the local music I would prefer if they made it a little more clear that it is a federal building beforehand so if you're carrying a pocket knife or concealed carrying a firearm because you have a license or anything like that you could pick up charges if you're found with it in the building or maybe even on the property I'm not sure about that but I know definitely if you're in the building it would just be good to have a sign when you're driving in so that you don't have to wait till you walk up to the door and I have to go back to your car and disarm or take out your pocket knife for whatever I don't think they care about a pocket knife but I ain't taking any chances...

What a wonderful stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway! We spent a few hours here and loved every moment.

We brought a picnic and made use of the picnic tables for lunch—a perfect way to enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery before heading inside. The museum on site is small but so well done, telling the story of Appalachian music with videos, exhibits, and interactive displays.

Afterward, we enjoyed the live music in the breezeway—local musicians playing bluegrass and old‑time tunes, which gave the place such an authentic and welcoming atmosphere.

The staff was friendly, the grounds are beautiful, and it’s a great mix of music, culture, and nature. If you’re driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, definitely make time...