Even in the event you’ve by no means been to Mabry Mill, you’ve most likely seen a photograph of it. The weather-worn mill with large water wheel beside a small pond is likely one of the most photographed spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway. But it’s greater than only a mill – it’s a day journey tour.
And it’s one thing everybody ought to expertise as soon as.
Mabry Mill encompasses a restaurant serving three meals per day, reward store stocked with Virginia arts and crafts, and several other historic buildings to discover on a half-mile path.
Find out find out how to get to Mabry Mill, every thing you are able to do there, and some different issues to do whilst you’re within the space.
Map of Mabry Mill
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History of Mabry Mill
In 1782, Isaac Mabry obtained a land grant for 183 acres close to Robertson’s Creek of the Dan River. He was the primary Mabry to maneuver into the area and his ancestors nonetheless dwell close by at this time.
Ed Mabry was born in Patrick County close to present-day Stuart. After years of working as a chair maker and blacksmith, Mabry moved to Floyd County onto land close to the place his nice, nice, nice grandfather settled over 100 years earlier.
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From 1903-1905, Ed and Lizzie Mabry constructed a gristmill and started producing a few of the finest cornmeal within the area. In 1910, they expanded the unique mill to incorporate a water-powered lathe and noticed. Like most farmsteads of the period, Mabry finally constructed a blacksmith store close by to craft his personal instruments.
When Ed handed away in 1938, the National Park Service bought the property and even a few of the instruments from Lizzie. Four years later, the buildings have been restored and opened to the general public.
Did You Know? Construction started on the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1935. By the time the United States was pulled into World War II, solely 170 miles of the parkway was accomplished. Construction resumed after the battle and by 1966 all however 7.7 miles round Grandfather Mountain have been accomplished. Finally, in 1987, the Linn Cove Viaduct was completed and the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway was full – 52 years after development began.
Milepost 176 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Mabry Mill is positioned at Milepost 176 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. It’s about 30 miles from Mt. Airy, 35 miles from Galax, 55 miles from Roanoke, and 60 miles from Winston-Salem. And it’s simply 22 miles from Exit 8 on Interstate 77, the closest entrance to the Parkway.
The GPS tackle for Mabry Mill is 266 Mabry Mill Road, Meadows of Dan, VA.
The best technique to get to Mabry Mill is Exit 14 on Interstate 77. Take US Route 58 towards Hillsville and proceed across the city on the bypass. In the Meadows of Dan, a small unincorporated city, you’ll see indicators for turning onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Parking at Mabry Mill
A big car parking zone in entrance of the Mabry Mill Restaurant and Gift Shop is the best place to park. But in the course of the summer time months and nice weekends all year long, parking might be scarce.
An indication for “Overflow Parking” results in an exit from the parkway onto Mabry Mill Road. Past the restaurant and throughout the street from the assorted outbuildings is a gravel car parking zone with restrooms.
Best Time to Visit Mabry Mill
Mabry Mill is open to the general public year-round until the parkway is closed due to inclement winter climate. But though the property is open, the mill and restaurant are solely open seasonally.
The finest time to go to Mabry Mill is mid-week from June via September. The restaurant is open and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The mill is sometimes open mid-week, though most demonstrations and reenactments occur on the weekends. Weekends are inclined to get busy on the common sight in the summertime.
Other nice instances to go to Mabry Mill is within the late spring when rhododendron bushes bloom and within the autumn when the autumn colours change.
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Things to Do at Mabry Mill
Go for a hike on the 0.5-mile self-guided interpretive path winding via the assorted historic buildings surrounding Mabry Mill. All the buildings, in addition to the mill, have been moved to the positioning by the National Park Service from the area with a purpose to protect their historical past.
From May via October, demonstrations reveal an inside have a look at farmstead life with a blacksmith hammering red-hot instruments, a basket weaver crafting bowls, and busy work contained in the mill.
One of essentially the most iconic images of the Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks the small pond and Mabry Mill from the sting of the car parking zone. It’s a well-liked place for a portrait – or a selfie in the event you’re touring solo.
READ MORE: Road Trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Mabry Mill Restaurant & Gift Shop
The Mabry Mill Restaurant is certainly one of solely 4 eating places on the Blue Ridge Parkway. But it’s the one restaurant on the parkway serving “world famous” pancakes. Breakfast is served till midday. You can select buckwheat, cornmeal, candy potato, or conventional pancakes to accompany the nation sampler of eggs, sausage, and grits.
For lunch and dinner, select between a hen pot pie, pot roast, or roast turkey platter with a collection of nation sides like pinto beans and glazes carrots. You may additionally order a sandwich or the Mill Cheeseburger.
But no matter you order, finish the meal with a serving of their conventional blackberry cobbler served heat with a facet of ice cream.
The reward store encompasses a grand collection of Virginia arts and crafts, books about recreation and the Blue Ridge Parkway, and clothes like t-shirts and hats. It’s additionally the place you’ll discover the National Park Passport cancellation stamp.
The restaurant and reward store was open seasonally from May via the tip of October.
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Things to Do Near Mabry Mill
Mabry Mill is in a gorgeous and thrilling space of Virginia to go to. If you’re heading southbound on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s the start of an unbelievable journey via a few of the most scenic vistas within the nation.
But first, seven miles north at Milepost 169 is the Rocky Knob Recreation Area. Stop on the customer heart for maps and knowledge (open seasonally). Then, go for a hike on the 1-mile Picnic Loop Trail or the 3-mile out-and-back Black Ridge Trail.
Chateau Morrisette is a 3rd technology domestically owned vineyard and probably the greatest in Virginia. Visit their attractive tasting room constructed with reclaimed barnwood and stones. Take a guided tour of their amenities to study in regards to the course of of creating wine.
At Milepost 189, take pleasure in a break from driving on the Groundhog Mountain Overlook. A small picnic space and restrooms can be found year-round. The two-story picket commentary tower was utilized by the Virginia Forest Service within the early 1900s. Today, it provides a surprising view of the meadow and mountains.
Puckett Cabin at Milepost 190 tells the heart-rending story of Orleans Hawks Puckett, a mountain girl who misplaced twenty-four infants both stillborn or of their infancy. In her mid-50s, she by chance turned a midwife and within the subsequent forty years delivered over 1,000 infants within the native communities.
Hillsville is an off-parkway vacation spot worthy of a go to. In 1912, it was the sight of the horrendous Courthouse Tragedy that led to the demise of the choose, prosecutor, and several other others throughout a contested trial. Downtown options a few good eating places.
Places to Stay Near Mabry Mill
In phrases of lodging and facilities, Mabry Mill is distant. And that’s why so many adventurers and street trippers find it irresistible. But there just a few good locations inside an hour to spend the night time.
Campgrounds
The Rocky Knob Campground at Milepost 169 is a wonderful place to camp for just a few nights. The campground options 106 campsites – 27 reserved for RVs and 25 just for tents. Restrooms and water can be found, however typical different all the opposite campgrounds on the Blue Ridge Parkway there are not any showers, electrical hookups, or sewer hookups.
Budget
Red Roof Inn at Exit 14 is a good budget-friendly place to spend the night time. It’s a uncommon instance of a lodge within the roadside motel chain with doorways safely accessed from the within of the constructing. The bare-minimum lodge options renovated rooms, comfy beds, and a easy complimentary breakfast.
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The Super 8 doesn’t appear to be a lot, nevertheless it’s a surprisingly comfy place to spend the night time. The lodge options comfy rooms with few different facilities aside from a secure place to remain.
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Premium
The Hampton Inn is a good place to remain in a premium lodge at a decrease value than different locations. The lodge options an indoor swimming pool and the very best scorching complimentary breakfast of any lodge chain.
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Holiday Inn Express is one other premium lodge at a decrease value than most different areas. The lodge encompasses a good indoor swimming pool and cozy rooms. breakfast is included within the morning, however not so good as the competitors throughout the road.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The most well-known mill in Virginia is the Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway close to Hillsville.
The National Park Service owns the Mabry Mill. The NPS bought the property after Ed Mabry’s demise in 1938.
The oldest a part of the Mabry Mill was in-built 1903.
Mabry Mill is at Milepost 176 on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 22 miles from Hillsville, Virginia.
Mabry Mill is positioned at Milepost 176.
Yes! Mabry Mill is canine pleasant. However, homeowners should maintain their canine on a leash in public areas.
Mabry Mill sometimes opens for the season in the course of the Memorial Day weekend.
Mabry Mill sometimes closes for the season on October 31.
The midway level on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Mahogany Rock Overlook at Milepost 235 close to Sparta, North Carolina.
Yes, there are dozens of public restrooms on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Restrooms are sometimes positioned at customer facilities, campgrounds, eating places, and picnic areas. However, most restrooms are closed seasonally from November via May.
Yes, there are 4 eating places on the Blue Ridge Parkway: Lake View Restaurant on the Peaks of Otter, Mabry Mill Restaurant, The Bluffs Restaurant at Doughton Park, and the Pisgah Inn Dining Room.