Ararat: History, Music and Nature

A trip to Ararat can cater to a range of interests: historic sites, recurring music events, park trails and seasonal farm experiences. These offerings differ in both focus and timing. When planning, you can decide whether history, a particular event date, or nature and scenery should be the main focus of your stay.

Historic Sites and Railroad History

Laurel Hill is the birthplace of Major General J.E.B. Stuart of the American Civil War. The site was added to both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Laurel Hill is open for self-guided tours from sunrise to sunset. Paved walking paths and informational signs throughout the grounds accompany the tour.

A reconstructed 24-foot section of the “Dinky” railroad is also on view at Stuart’s birthplace. An original section of track was excavated nearby. The railroad exhibit thus includes both a reconstructed section and an original track. This distinction makes the connection between the replica route and the excavated section tangible.

The Hollow History Center offers a different historical focus: the site includes four log cabins and a picnic shelter. A section of the “Dinky” railroad is also on display there. When planning your trip, you can take two distinct points of interest into account: Laurel Hill connects the history of the birthplace with the railroad, while the log cabins and picnic shelter define the character of the Hollow History Center.

Events and Music

Laurel Hill hosts a Civil War Encampment annually on the first weekend in October. At the Willis Gap Community Center in Ararat, Open Jam takes place every Friday evening; Golden Oldies is scheduled for the last Tuesday of each month. Old-time, bluegrass, country and gospel music is played at the community center.

The schedule therefore ranges from an annual event to weekly and monthly evenings. If you want to plan your stay around a particular date, check the event dates in advance.

Trails, Waterways and Views

The area around Ararat has trails in Dan River Park, which includes a paved walking path. Both the Dan River and the Ararat River begin in the mountains overlooking the park. The walking path and the rivers’ headwaters offer different points of interest within the park area. Clarks Creek in Ararat is a stocked trout stream, adding a waterway with fish to these nature-focused options.

The nearby Angel Overlook is on Squirrel Spur Road between Ararat and Meadows of Dan. It offers views of Ararat and North Carolina. For a comparison of trail features, Dan River Park has a paved walking path, while Squirrel Spur is a 10-mile loop with numerous curves, climbs and descents. The description of the loop specifies these features without assuming any particular mode of travel.

Seasonal Experiences at Doe Run Farm

Doe Run Farm’s sunflower maze has been offered every fall since 2006. The farm also offers carriage rides and a sunflower field where visitors can pick their own flowers. These two activities are seasonal; their availability may vary depending on operating hours. If the maze or either of these offerings is important to your trip, check the current dates and opening hours in advance.

Ararat offers both regularly recurring events and seasonal activities: the encampment takes place every year on the first weekend in October, while the maze is offered annually in the fall. This distinction is useful when planning specific travel dates; for the farm offerings, you can also take into account that availability varies depending on operating hours.

Discover more destinations: Floyd, Woolwine.

View the broader travel guide: Patrick County.