Roanoke, Virginia
Distance from Galax: 96.04 miles

Even though the Twin Counties has a rural atmosphere, the surrounding area offers all the advantages of city living. Roanoke, Virginia offers a regional airport, shopping malls, theatre, fine dining and much more. The Roanoke Civic Center continues to be Western Virginia's premier full-service convention, exhibition and cultural complex. Major industrial trade shows, professional sports teams and business executives have all discovered that the Civic Center can meet their needs. The Mill Mountain Zoo has 46 different species at the zoo, including the following endangered species (Tiger, Red Wolf, Snow Leopard, White-naped Crane, Clouded Leopard). The city is also home to the following professional sports teams, the Roanoke Vipers Professional Hockey team, which is a member of the East Coast Hockey League, and the Roanoke Dazzle, which is a professional basketball team.

Greensboro, North Carolina
Distance from Galax: 101.75 miles

The city of Greensboro is located about two hours away, and has a thriving metropolitan community. The Greensboro Cultural Center provides four levels of galleries, studios, classrooms and rehearsal halls to stimulate the mind and excite the senses. Festival Park, the two block area surrounding the Center, is the hub of Greensboro's downtown cultural activities. The Price Bryan Performance Place provides a visually stimulating environment for a variety of outdoor festivals, concerts and theatrical performances. At the Greensboro Historical Museum you'll discover firsthand the rich history of Piedmont North Carolina. Located downtown in a building dating back to 1892, the museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city is also home to the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, which was conceived as, and continues to be a multi-building facility to serve the Citizens of Greensboro and the surrounding area through a broad range of activities, including athletic events, cultural arts, concerts, theater, and other entertainment, educational activities, fairs, exhibits, and public and private events of all kinds, such as conventions, convocations, trade and consumer shows.

Blacksburg, Virginia
Distance from Galax: 69.33 miles

Blacksburg is the largest town in Virginia with a healthy, culturally diverse population of approximately 39,700 citizens living on just over 12,000 acres of land at the foot of the Washington-Jefferson National Forest. Smithfield Plantation,located at Blacksburg, is an official Virginia landmark and birthplace of two Virginia Governors, this 1773 tidewater plantation style house stands on its original site and was built by Colonel William Preston and named for his wife, Susanna Smith Preston. A visit to Smithfield should include the Museum of Westward Expansion, the museum store, and a guided tour of the house from one of Smithfield's costumed interpreters. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech, has evolved into a comprehensive university of national and international prominence. The university offers more career options than any other Virginia university, with 170 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Virginia Tech Athletics, called The Hokies, has lead the University to national recognition, especially the football team, which is part of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Abingdon, Virginia
Distance from Galax: 93.47 miles

The Abingdon (about 1 hour and 30 minutes away) area is filled to bursting with an exciting smorgasboard of galleries, theatre, museums, history, shopping, and recreation. The Barter Theatre is the State Theatre of Virginia. Live professional theatre in the grand tradition! The Barter Theatre launched the career of such notable actors as Gregory Peck, Hume Cronyn, Ernest Borgnine, and Patricia Neal. Productions run from February to December on two stages. The Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail is a 34 mile scenic railroad bed converted into a recreational facility for hikers, bikers, joggers, nature walkers, cross-country skiers, and equestrians. The William King Regional Arts Center is a partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the center houses several galleries with changing exhibits, studios, a museum store, and holds classes, workshops, and lectures.

Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee
Distance from Galax: 108.45 miles

Nestled among quiet mountains lie the thriving Twin Cities of Bristol. One community in two states, this beautiful city is Bristol, Virginia on the north side of State Street and Bristol, Tennessee on the south side. But the brass markers that stream down the main thoroughfare place no boundaries on the community pride and quality of life found here in this city of 45,000. Bristol's two-state location offers the unique history of Daniel Boone, a rail center for the south, and the birthplace of country music. Bristol is home to Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway, two of the nation's top motor sports venues.

Charlotte, North Carolina
Distance from Galax: 122.02 miles

Charlotte is just two hours away, and is an exceptional place to live, work and visit. The city has all the advantages of one of the most rapidly growing metropolitan areas in the nation. Yet the people are warm and friendly and many areas still retain their small town flavor. The Charlotte Coliseum, with a capacity of 23,000, is the home of the WNBA's Charlotte Sting. Charlotte is also home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers. The Charlotte/Douglas International Airport averages 500 daily flights and 22 million passengers annually. The airport is ranked among the nation's top airports and serves commercial, cargo, corporate, private, military and trucking operations.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Distance from Galax: 73.87 miles

Travel and tourism thrive in Winston-Salem, not only because of its superb convention facilities, but also because of its diversity of historical sites, tourist attractions and recreational activities. Whether you're looking for a unique vacation spot, or seeking a location for a conference or meeting, Winston-Salem is an ideal choice. The city is home to the historic Old Salem which occupies the same ground as when it was new...in 1766. Founded as a Moravian town and back country trading center, Old Salem has survived to become one of America's most authentic and well-documented colonial sites. Westbend Vineyards rests on 40 acres of prime vinifera vineyards, tucked into the countryside of northwest Forsyth County, in Lewisville, just minutes from Winston-Salem. Tanglewood Park, located 10 minutes from Winston-Salem, is home to the Vantage Championship, one of the the richest events on the Senior PGA Tour.