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3 Great Outdoor Activities You Can Drive to Near Pulaski, VA

Pulaski, VA is a quaint town that is a great place to call home. One of the greatest things about this town is that entertainment and activities abound. If you feel like you have spent too much time indoors lately, read on to discover some of the best outdoor activities you can drive to in the area.

1. Exploring the Draper Mountain Trail System

If you feel too disconnected from the great outdoors, one great outdoor activity you can do is explore the Draper Mountain Trail System at 3535 Valley Road. There are 14 mountain biking trails that you can explore and 13 trails that are suitable for trail running and hiking, and we love the diversity these trails have to offer. For instance, the Cotton Candy Drop and Widowmaker trails are very difficult. However, there are over half a dozen intermediate trails that may be more up your alley if you are looking for a moderate mental and physical challenge. We recommend parking on Valley Road if you want to explore the lower trails. Draper Mountain Overlook provides easy access to the upper trails.

2. Visiting Fort Chiswell Animal Park

Another great thing to do outdoors is visit Fort Chiswell Animal Park at 569 Red Hollow Road. If you want the animals to adore you, we strongly recommend that you buy some peanuts and zoo chow when you get your ticket to the park. You can see a wide variety of mammals, including pygmy goats and alpacas. Also, depending on the weather, you can get a close look at monkeys and birds of flight. Once you've had enough fun at the petting zoo, you can move on to your safari. You are welcome to board a Safari Bus that takes you past a wide variety of animals ​roaming freely. ​Some of the animals will likely ​pose politely for you to photograph them, and some will come up to the bus for zoo chow. It ​is an incredible experience, and you can picnic here, too.

3. Boating at New River Trail State Park

You can also have a lot of fun boating at New River Trail State Park at 116 Orphanage Drive. You can horseback ride, hike, and bike along trails with minimal elevation change from dawn to dusk daily. However, you can only rent a boat or bike between 8:30 and 5:30. With reliable transportation, there are many activities you can enjoy in the great outdoors. If your current vehicle isn't reliable, a 2022 Ford Explorer XLT may be a better fit for you. To take it for a test drive, come visit us at Duncan Suzuki.
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3 Favorite Fishing Spots in Driving Distance of Pulaski, VA

Pulaski, VA is steeped in history and filled with friendly residents. Opportunities for outdoor activities abound, and fishing is one of the most popular activities in the area. Today, we're looking at our favorite fishing spots within driving distance of town. 1. Claytor Lake State Park Our favorite place to fish in the Pulaski area is Claytor Lake State Park at 6620 Ben H. Bolen Dr. The 4,500-acre Craytor Lake is home to many fish species, including spotted bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and carp. You can also find Alabama bass in this lake. You can fish from a universally-accessible fishing pier or you can fish along roughly three miles of lake frontage. more You are allowed to fish from any stretch of shoreline within the park except for in the cabin and beach areas. Boating is also allowed on Claytor Lake, and motorboats are permitted as long as they do not exceed 24 feet long. If you're camping in this state park, you don't have to pay a fee to use the launch ramp. 2. New River Trail State Park New River Trail State Park at 116 Orphanage Dr is another great place to fish within driving distance of Pulaski. This park is open every day from daybreak to nightfall, and you can rent boats from 8:30 to 5:30 daily. If you don't want to rent a boat or tow your own, you can fish from the peaceful bank of ​New River. One thing we love about fishing in this state park is the diversity of fish species that can be found here. You can expect to find bluegill, redbreast sunfish, yellow perch, and black crappie. You should also not be surprised to catch channel catfish and flathead catfish. Other ​fish that can be caught here include: Striped bass Smallmouth bass Spotted bass Largemouth bass 3. Pipestem Resort State Park We also recommend fishing at Pipestem Resort State Park at 3405 Pipestem Dr. This ​state park allows you to fish in the New River or Bluestone River or on Long Branch Lake. However, you will need a West Virginia fishing license to fish here. You can purchase a West Virginia fishing license from the ​official DNR website. There are also over a dozen hiking trails that you can enjoy here. We love the steep 0.7-mile canyon rim trail that descends to an enormous sandstone outcropping. There are many great places you can go to fish in the Pulaski area. However, you need a dependable vehicle, like a 2022 Ford Explorer, to reach these places. To take a reliable Explorer for a test drive, visit us at Duncan Suzuki today.

The Top 4 Golf Courses in Driving Distance of Pulaski, VA

Lovely Pulaski, VA sits right in the heart of the state's most beautiful mountain ranges and offers tons of opportunities for hiking, fishing, biking, and golf. These marvelous golf courses are all less than an hour away from Pulaski, so you can enjoy a fun day on the greens without traveling very far at all. Plus, your 2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT with a touchscreen infotainment system and modern safety features gets you there comfortably. 1. Thorn Spring Thorn Spring at 4360 Country Club Dr. is right in the heart of Pulaski and a great place to get away to play 18 holes on a whim. With a sprawling 6,431 yards, a driving range, and a challenging but fun course, this spot is a great spot to practice your swing but also will keep more experienced golfers engaged and entertained. more With a friendly staff, an easy-to-find location, and plenty of parking, Thorn Spring will quickly become one of your favorites in Pulaski. 2. Draper Valley Draper Valley, at 2800 Big Valley Dr. in Draper, is just ten minutes down the road from Pulaski. This 18-hole course is a lush playground of manicured greens and moderately challenging holes. Plus, the course is easy to navigate, with natural obstacles to keep your balls on the green. You'll be able to get in a great game of golf with a backdrop of the beautiful Virginia mountains. It's lovely any time of year and a great place to escape for a day of outdoor fun. 3. Auburn Hills About half an hour away in nearby Riner, Auburn Hills, at 1581 Turnberry Ln., is a blue grass course that spans a full 6,534 yards. With stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and an accessible course for people of all golfing levels, Auburn Hills offers a complete course, instructors, a pro shop with everything you need for a great game, and an excellent on-site restaurant. Enjoy a fun, competitive game, and then relax at Fairways Grill. 4. Giles At 500 Fort Branch Rd. in Pearisburg, Giles is thirty minutes away from Pulaski and is a nine-hole private course in a lovely country club setting. This is a great course for people who want to pair their game with additional activities, like luxuriating in Giles' heated pool, staying on-site at some nicely appointed hotel rooms, or visiting the clubhouse. This spot has a great, accommodating staff, lovely grounds, and everything you could need for a day out. If you're craving a day out on the greens, Pulaski has you covered. Visit us at Duncan Suzuki today for an excellent ride that will get you to all these courses and more.

4 of the Best Barbecue Joints in Driving Distance of Pulaski, VA

Barbecue is a proud American tradition. Grilled and smoked meats with signature sweet and tangy sauces have been served across the nation for generations. Fortunately, there are several great restaurants where you can enjoy great barbecue in the Pulaski, VA area. Grab your family, pile into your Honda Ridgeline Sport, and get ready to enjoy the best barbecue in Virginia. 1. Tom's Drive-In Located at 620 South Washington Ave., Tom's is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm from Monday through Friday. The lunch and dinner menu includes sandwiches and plates served with fries. If you are craving barbecued pork, this is a must-stop for the BBQ sandwich. Tom's also serves other southern classics like fried catfish and fried chicken. more 2. Mountain 2 Island at the Rock House Marina This restaurant is located at 3776 Rock House Road and is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm every day of the week. The menu includes a delicious smoked pulled pork sandwich on a potato bun with a side of coleslaw. Mountain 2 Island is a great place to stop if not everybody wants barbecue, because their menu also includes thin-crust artisan pizzas and sandwiches. Be aware the restaurant at the Rock House Marina is only open from April to October, so unfortunately if you want barbecue during the colder months, you will have to try one of the other places on this list. 3. Main Street Grill As its name suggests, you can find Main Street Grill at 140 East Main Street. They are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm from Monday through Saturday, and from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday. They have a tangy and spicy pulled pork barbecue sandwich on their lunch menu that will satisfy your craving. They also serve other creative sandwiches, like a French toast-battered peanut butter and jelly. 4. Fatz Cafe This regional chain has locations in several states in the Southeast, but you can find this location at 4586 Alexander Farm Road, about six miles northeast of Pulaski in neighboring Dublin. Fatz is open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. The menu at Fatz includes many Southern classics, but as far as barbecue is concerned, they have barbecue pulled pork, barbecue chicken breast, and baby back ribs. Other great options include shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and a mashup quesadilla burger. These places prove that you don't have to leave home to enjoy a great ​barbecue lunch or dinner. From pulled pork to barbecue ribs, the Pulaski area has it all. Before you get the family together for dinner, come visit us today at Duncan Suzuki to see what we have in stock.