Blue Ridge Music Center

The Blue Ridge Music Center sits at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From Fancy Gap, hop on the Parkway and follow it south about 14 miles to reach it. It's a place dedicated to the traditional music of the southern Appalachians: the fiddle tunes, ballads, and string band music that have been played in these mountains for generations.

The center operates as a partnership between the National Park Service and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. It's part museum, part performance venue, bringing mountain music to Parkway visitors throughout the summer and fall.

At a Glance

Location
Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 213, in Grayson County, Virginia, near Galax.
Distance from Fancy Gap
About 14 miles south via the Blue Ridge Parkway. About a 20-minute drive.
Museum Admission
The interpretive center and Roots of American Music museum are free.
Concerts
Most performances are free (midday shows) or ticketed (evening concerts in the outdoor amphitheater).
Season
The center typically operates May through October. Check current schedule for specific dates and performances.

The Music of the Blue Ridge

The mountains around Galax and Fancy Gap are part of one of the richest traditional music regions in North America. The music here is a living tradition rather than a museum piece: old-time string band music, traditional bluegrass, ballads passed down through generations.

This area sits along Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, also known as The Crooked Road, which connects venues and communities where traditional music continues to thrive. Galax, just a few miles from the Music Center, has been associated with traditional music for over a century and hosts the Old Fiddlers' Convention each August, one of the oldest and largest traditional music events in the country.

The Music Center's whole purpose is to keep that heritage within reach of Parkway visitors who might never otherwise hear living traditional music.

What to See and Do

Roots of American Music Museum

The interpretive center houses a permanent exhibit tracing the development of traditional music in the southern Appalachians. Interactive displays and audio stations let you hear the different styles and instruments, get a feel for where the music comes from, and trace its influence on American popular music.

Midday Mountain Music

Free performances are held daily during the operating season, typically around noon. These informal sessions showcase regional musicians playing traditional music in the interpretive center. If you've never heard this music played live, it's a good place to start.

Saturday Evening Concerts

The outdoor amphitheater hosts ticketed concerts on Saturday evenings during the summer and early fall. These performances feature regional and nationally-known artists in traditional and acoustic music. The setting, under the stars with mountain ridges in the background, is memorable.

High Meadow Trail

A hiking trail begins at the Music Center and explores the surrounding landscape. The 2.5-mile trail offers views across the Galax area and provides access to natural areas along the Parkway corridor.

Gift Shop

The center's gift shop stocks regional music recordings, books about Appalachian culture, and crafts from local artisans. It's a good source for music from regional artists who perform at the center.

Practical Information

Getting There

From Fancy Gap, head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Music Center is at milepost 213, clearly signed. The route passes through scenic terrain with several overlooks along the way. Alternatively, you can approach from Galax via Route 89.

Parking

There's plenty of parking most of the time. Evening concert nights can fill the lot, so arrive early for popular performances.

What to Bring

For evening concerts, bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating in the amphitheater. Mountain evenings can be cool even in summer, so bring a jacket. No outside food is allowed during ticketed events.

Tickets

Evening concert tickets should be purchased in advance, especially for popular artists. Check the Blue Ridge Music Center website or the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation for current schedules and ticket information.

Accessibility

The interpretive center and amphitheater are accessible. The hiking trail has natural surfaces and elevation change that may present challenges.

Nearby

Fancy Gap
About 14 miles north. Access to I-77 and lodging options.
Galax, Virginia
Just a few miles west. The heart of traditional music in this region, with weekly jams and the annual Old Fiddlers' Convention.
Groundhog Mountain (Milepost 188.8)
About 24 miles north. Observation tower with panoramic views.
New River Trail State Park
Access points near Galax. A 57-mile rail-trail along the New River.