Hillsville offers mountain views and a popular flea market
Surrounded by rolling farmland and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hillsville is a Southwest Virginia town that’s known for its biannual flea market and scenic landscape. “It’s a small town that has different events throughout the year,” says Stacy Sikes, a broker and Realtor with Kyle Realty who’s sold homes here since 2016. “There are a lot of beautiful mountain views, or you might have a nice country view. It's just a nice place to live.” Hillsville is the seat of Carroll County and has a downtown area filled with locally owned businesses, restaurants and county services. It’s located near the Blue Ridge Parkway and the New River, which allow nature lovers to explore the mountains by car or boat. Interstate 77 passes through the community, connecting Hillsville to the rest of Southwest Virginia.
Ranch-style homes and cabin getaways with mountain views
In Hillsville’s town center, ranch-style and Cape Cod homes sit on grassy, half-acre lots. Most have paved driveways, and the hilly terrain allows for views of mountains or nearby farmland. Outside of town, homes sit far apart among the rolling pastures. The forested southern part of the community features cabin-style homes that are often used as vacation properties. Prices typically range from $120,000 to $450,000. Undeveloped land of 8 or fewer acres ranges from around $10,000 to $70,000, while larger properties can cost more.
Kids attend public schools that earn Bs
Kids can start school at Hillsville Elementary, which earns a B-plus from Niche, and then go to the B-rated Carroll County Middle. At the B-minus-rated Carroll County High, students can sign up for dual-enrollment courses through Wytheville Community College and take career and technical education courses in topics like health sciences, manufacturing and information technology.
Dining options include pub fare, Italian and diner breakfasts
Antique stores, specialty shops and other local businesses are primarily located on Main Street, and restaurants are spread throughout. The Hillsville Diner has served breakfast and lunch since 1946, making it the oldest continuously operating diner in Virginia. It’s located in an old streetcar and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mason Jar is a locally owned sports bar that serves classic pub fare, and Pizza Perfect on Main offers Italian comfort food for dine-in, takeout or delivery. Fast food chains are concentrated around the intersection of Main Street and Stuart Drive. Grocery stores here include Food Lion, Hillmont Mercantile and Dollar General. National retailers like Walmart are nearby in Galax, which also has more options for locally owned shops and restaurants.
Flea markets and chili contests attract big crowds
Hillsville hosts the oldest and biggest flea market east of the Mississippi River. The biannual Hillsville Flea Market takes place on Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend. Both events draw hundreds of thousands of people to browse vendors lined up along the town’s streets. “It’s a big deal. People come from all over and spend two or three days,” Sikes says. “They have a lot of vendors, food, antiques and crafts. You can get anything you need or want.” The annual Historic Hillsville Chili Shootout is another popular event where local chefs compete over who has the best chili. The day also includes contests for best salsa and cornbread, as well as a cornhole tournament and a mechanical bull.
Parks, trails and a creative arts center offer recreation
Carroll County Recreation Park has a playground, splash pad and picnic shelters. It also hosts youth leagues in football, soccer and baseball. The Beaver Dam Creek Trail is a walking path in town that follows Beaverdam Creek for a little less than a mile. Nearby, the New River Trail State Park provides a much longer trail; the 57-mile path starts in Galax and leads to Pulaski. It follows the New River, which is popular for kayaking, fishing and tubing. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic drive through the mountains in the community’s southeast. Carroll County Creative Arts Center offers art classes, performance space and galleries highlighting local artists.
Access to interstates and highways
Interstate 77 passes through Hillsville, leading about 21 miles to Interstate 81, which connects most of western Virginia. U.S. Route 58 leads 13 miles to Galax and Twin County Regional Healthcare, the closest hospital. U.S. Route 52 leads about 22 miles to Mount Airy in North Carolina. Sidewalks make the downtown area pedestrian friendly. Houses of worship here include Hillsville Presbyterian Church and Hillsville Pentecostal Holiness Church. Piedmont Triad International Airport is a roughly 85-mile trip.
Written By
Annie Franklin
