At the end of June, I had the privilege of exploring Virginia’s newest tourism region: SoSi. Named for its location on the “south side” of Virginia, this charming area encompasses Danville and Pittsylvania County, bringing together a collection of charming communities. I’d never been to this part of my home state before, so I was excited to see what it had to offer. I expected history, industrial vibes, and some cool river views. What I didn’t expect was to absolutely fall in love with this beautiful area.
For 48 hours, I explored Danville and Pittsylvania County side-by-side with the SoSi tourism team and a small group of fellow creators, and it was clear to see how much the SoSi team loves the area. Quite frankly, it was contagious. Everywhere I turned, there were gorgeous historic homes, fascinating history—including some heartbreaking chapters, new developments, fun “sidequests,” delicious local eateries, and incredible nature.
It was the perfect combination of activities, but we barely scratched the surface in 48 hours!
I left with a completely different impression of southern Virginia than when I arrived–and a giant list of reasons to go back.
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I Didn’t Realize How Much History Was Waiting Here
Danville, in particular, is absolutely bursting with history. And it’s not just tucked away in a museum—it’s woven into everyday life through the beautiful historic downtown and preserved buildings.
I especially loved the Main Street and Craghead Street area, where you can shop in colorful historic buildings or grab a bite in a revitalized brick warehouse. I’m not typically so drawn in by industrial brick, but they’ve restored and preserved things in such a wonderful way.
We also had the privilege of learning from two local historians, Joyce Wilburn and Karice Luck-Brimmer, and the mayor of Chatham, Alisa Davis.
Driving Tours of Danville and Chatham
The first afternoon, Mayor Davis rode along with us for a historic drive-by of Chatham, where we got to see the sprawling Hargrave Military Academy and Chatham Hall, along with a town that we all deemed fit for a Hallmark movie. As we went along, she shared so many interesting facts about homes, businesses, and the community. We happened to visit during their annual Front Porch Decorating Contest, and the beautiful homes were perfect for it!
The following day, Joyce gave us a tour of historic Danville, showing us elaborate churches, Millionaire’s Row, and the Holbrook-Ross Historic District, which was the first neighborhood in Danville for African American professionals. Unfortunately, it was a physical boundary of segregation for a time, but now the district is on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register, and is a Virginia Green Book location. The town has a whole walking tour you can take to learn about many of the important buildings, as well.
Civil Rights History
Our final history stop took us to the Danville Museum, where we explored another important chapter of Danville’s story. Located inside a sprawling home with incredible historical significance, this ended up being one of the most memorable stops on the trip.
Confederate President Jefferson Davis wrote the final proclamation of the Confederacy here, and the building later served as the whites-only Danville Library. Today, visitors can explore rooms restored to reflect the home’s appearance during the Confederate occupation. Upstairs, a gallery honors Danville native Camilla Williams, who sang the National Anthem just before Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
But the most impactful part of my visit was learning about Danville’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. There’s a growing Civil Rights exhibit on the lower level of the building that details Danville’s significance in securing equal rights for all. Before arriving, I had no idea about the events that took place there in the 1960s. But listening as historian Karice Luck-Brimmer shared the stories of local activists—and the prejudice and violence they faced—was both heartbreaking and eye-opening.
However, what impressed me just as much was seeing the city’s current commitment to preserving and sharing that history. Rather than ignoring a painful chapter, they’re choosing to tell these stories, honor those who stood up for change, and encourage visitors to learn from it all.
I especially appreciated seeing a building once tied to the Confederacy and segregation become a place that now celebrates the courage and perseverance of the people who stood up for equal rights.
Every Corner of SoSi Felt Like a Hidden Gem
I’ve been blessed to visit some pretty cool small towns, but Danville kept surprising me. And while a lot of the area’s character comes from its historic buildings and culture, I felt like so much of that charm stemmed from how thoughtfully it blends heritage with new additions.
For example, Danville’s public art safari encourages visitors to explore downtown in search of colorful animal sculptures and other works of art tucked among the city’s historic streets. And the incredible mansions on Millionaire Row are shockingly affordable if you’ve ever dreamed of taking on a historic home restoration project. Don’t even get me started on the Bee Hotel, the boutique stay I enjoyed for two nights. It’s located in the old Danville Register & Bee, the town’s former newspaper building, and it is so chic. There’s even a “pocket park” built into the two wings of the building that used to be a stable!
But then there’s the new. Like the new Riverfront Park right along the Dan River that boasts a colorful playground (complete with a river otter fort), community gathering areas, a scenic lookout point, riverfront seating, and a splashpad! And Danville continues to add new attractions, including Caesars Virginia, which has become a huge source of local tourism.
And it’s not just Danville mixing history with new(er) additions. In Pittsylvania County, there were the quintessential Americana homes in Chatham and the cute digs of The Pod over in Gretna. Motorsports fans can also head to VIRginia International Raceway in nearby Alton, one of the country’s premier road racing facilities, and the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham hosts everything from rodeos to motocross. I really wish I’d had more time to dive into the whole region beyond quick stops.
The Local Food Scene was Phenomenal
I love a good local restaurant. It’s always fascinating to see how someone’s innovation combines with their history, culture, and hometown. And trust me when I say Danville and Pittsylvania County have good food in abundance.
We visited 7 incredible restaurants between Gretna and Danville, eating our way through cozy coffee shops, elevated Southern cuisine, and even sampling dishes from Ramsay’s Kitchen.
I practically rolled out of every restaurant with no regrets–just a whetted appetite to come back.
(I’ll be sharing more about each of these restaurants in a future post, so stay tuned.)
I Could Feel the Excitement About SoSi’s Future
What stood out to me most was the tangible feeling that SoSi is really on the cusp of something. I got it from the ladies on the tourism board, the mayors of Danville and Chatham, the management at Caesar’s Virginia–everyone believes the community is about to be on everybody’s radar.
And it’s not just a feeling. I could see it in all the enhancements along the riverfront, the historic preservation and restoration, new businesses popping into old spaces, and community pride. People here genuinely believe in their community and where it’s headed. And that’s something I haven’t experienced in such a strong dose in quite a while.
I Left Wanting to See So Much More
As someone who plans many of my trips around approachable outdoor adventure, discovering everything I didn’t have time to do may have surprised me more than anything. I was so excited to discover the long list of possibilities throughout Pittsylvania County and Danville, like kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, and even a spot where fish nibble peanut butter off your toes. With only 48 hours to cover so much ground, we just did not have the time to even dive into most of that beyond some quick walks along the river.
But knowing what’s there now gives me a dozen new reasons to return and fully dive into that side of SoSi.
Closing Thoughts on SoSi, Virginia
Before I visited SoSi, I expected to appreciate it at face value. But instead, I found myself genuinely connecting with it. (Seriously, Laura from the tourism board has me pretty convinced I should move there, haha!)
But it wasn’t just the shockingly affordable housing. I connected to the rich history mixed with revitalization, the incredible food, the chance for adventure just outside my front door, and all the hidden gems that really caught me off guard and brought a smile to my face. I left with a camera roll full of photos, new friends, stacks of notes, and an even longer list of reasons to return. So I have a feeling this won’t be my last trip to SoSi.
With that in mind, I cannot wait to start sharing more in-depth details on the places I visited during this trip, from a full review of The Bee Hotel to my recommended weekend itinerary (without the rush). I know you’re going to love it, so be sure to stay tuned.
The best way to do that is by signing up for the Carried Away Travels newsletter. It’s completely free and comes with some nice bonuses. So if you aren’t already subscribed, be sure to do that before you go. And if you enjoyed this post, please take a moment to like and share it so that others can learn about SoSi, too.
Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you many happy travels.
