Free Things to Do in Gate City, Virginia

And Surrounding Area

Summer vacation was originally designed to allow people time to raise fruit and vegetables. In Gate City, Virginia, many of us use summer vacation the way it was intended, and don't have a lot of time left over in late July and early August.

However, for various reasons, some of us do occasionally find ourselves looking for a free or cheap, casual, one-day get-away from home and garden chores. This article provides ten suggestions.

These activities are "free" in the sense that they don't require buying anything or paying an entry fee. Travel expenses are not included. I would consider all the destinations listed as within walking distance from Gate City, but you might prefer to drive.

1. Go to the library. In addition to books and computers, the Scott County Public Library offers a summer reading program (with weekly movies and other entertainment) for children, programs for senior citizens, and occasional special book discussions and other events for the working generation. The library now has a web page here.

2. Go to the park. Grogan Park, located below Park Street, now has playground equipment for younger children, as well as a field for Little League and other games and a hiking trail.

3. Go to an open-air festival. A Folklife Festival with craft demonstrations is planned for the 25th of July in Kingsport, at Warriors Path Park. After the Fourth of July, the next major parade will be the Duffield Daze event on the Saturday before Labor Day.

4. Check out what's new at Natural Tunnel State Park (official web page here). Hiking is definitely free. Foot-powered mountain bikes can be used on most of the trails, for free if you own your bike. Rafting, canoeing, and fishing are free if you have your own boat. Some entertainment events are free; some are not.

5. The Duffield Elementary School is currently offering free use of tennis courts to local families during the summer.