Tours
Bargains And Bites
Halifax, Va
If just the idea of shopping gets your heart racing, we have the tour for you. South Boston and the surrounding towns are a haven for antiques, hand-made art pieces, and rare finds. We know your appetite matches your shopping stamina, so we’ve put in some of the best places to savor local flavors between purchases. Pace yourself, an extra lap often helps you find that perfect gift.
2 Days
Medium Activity
Day 1
STOP : PACKHOUSE CAFE
Venture to charming downtown Halifax and have breakfast at this cozy cafe. Paying homage to the county’s agrarian roots, many items on the menu at the Packhouse are named after tobacco. Enjoy a hearty, homemade breakfast before embarking on a retail expedition.
STOP : TOOT’S CREEK ANTIQUE MALL
Get lost roaming the eclectic rooms at Toot’s Creek Antique Mall. Take your time as you wander through two floors containing 50 vendors who specialize in antiques, collectibles, and gift items. Tins, tools, vintage books, wingback chairs, what will you walk away with?
STOP : HALIFAX VISITOR CENTER
Perhaps you think a visitor center is an unlikely start to a shopping day, but once you step inside you’ll understand why we recommend it. Beyond the maps, brochures, and friendly staff, you’ll find a diverse store filled with local arts, history books, food items, and more. Pick up a bottle of wine or some peanuts grown nearby. Pottery, linens, and soaps? They have those, too. Stop in, you won’t regret it.
STOP : MOTHER CLUCKERS
Dreaming of a new interior design? Mother Cluckers is more than willing to help. Show them a picture of your space and they’ll be happy to make some suggestions to step up your home game. This boutique style home decor and gifts shop carries farmhouse and modern style home items, as well as gifts for all occasions. Browse through the store or make an appointment with their in-house designer.
STOP : LUNCH AT DARBY’S TAVERN
For a great pub atmosphere, head to Darby’s Tavern on the Berry Hill Resort. Darby’s has been around for more than 200 years, but the classic American pub fare with a Southern twist is up-to-date. The tin tables and antique floors create the chummy atmosphere inside. If it’s a temperate day, take your pint and possibly the best burger in South Boston to the outdoor courtyard.
STOP : AMISH COMMUNITY
Just north of the towns of South Boston and Halifax, VA lies the Nathalie Community where numerous Amish families have settled in recent years. Today the community offers over 30 merchant shops and service businesses: furniture and wood-working shops, a bulk food store and greenhouse, blacksmith shop, building supply store, food trailer, an auction barn, and more.
Please Note: When visiting the Amish owned businesses and community, please be mindful of cultural differences. Follow posted traffic warnings and share the road with horse drawn buggies. Photography is generally forbidden within the Amish faith, please be respectful. All businesses are closed on Sunday.
STOP : DINNER AT MOLASSES GRILL
Have lunch at the award-winning Molasses Grill in downtown Halifax. Listed as one of The 30 Places to Eat in Virginia Before You Die, this restaurant serves Southern Inspired cuisine. A fine-dining experience in a somewhat relaxed atmosphere, the walls are adorned with long, flowing curtains and artwork by owner and chef Steve Schopen. The menu features a few staples, in addition to an ever-changing seasonal menu that uses fresh, local ingredients.
Day 2
STOP : THE BUSY BEAN
Start your day with a cup of coffee from The Busy Bean. You’ll need the energy to power through the day of searching for the perfect treasure. While you sip, plot your course for the day. The friendly staff may be able to offer a few recommendations along with the coffee, smoothies and breakfast sandwiches.
STOP : ENCHANTED SURROUNDINGS
Step inside of this beautiful building and pick your jaw up off the ground. Each gorgeous room is packed with elegant, local, and unique art, furnishings, and home decor. Year-round, visitors marvel at the Christmas room. Others come to peruse the estate jewelry, figurines, and decorative glass. Maybe you’ll find that one-of-a-kind folk art piece you just can’t leave behind.
STOP : SOUTHERN PLENTY
This eclectic cafe serves up homemade goodness from quiches to soups and salads, to chili. Place your order and find a seat in the newly remodeled eatery. While waiting for your order, view the art gallery on the second floor, or browse the shop featuring handmade jewelry, pottery, and goods. Don’t forget to pick up a snack from the selection of gourmet foods and deli items to snack on later in the day.
STOP : PEDDLER’S MARKET
This souvenir shop comes with a side of coffee. Perk up with a cup of specialty coffee and then peruse this fun sundries store in downtown Halifax. Make your own bag of old fashioned candy. Pick up a jar of local honey and Grandma’s lye soap. More is more in the Peddler’s Market and it’s just fun to shop here.
STOP : SPRINGFIELD DISTILLERY
Take a tour, taste the goods, and relax for a while at the Springfield Distillery. Named after the historic home on the property, this distillery specializes in whiskey, moonshine, and bourbon. Order cocktails made with Scratch Whiskey in the tasting room and enjoy a few board games in this bar that feels like a rustic cabin. Or take your sippin’ outside to the wrap around porch for a shaded seat in a rocker. Lawn games are also available for kids (or the young at heart) to play on the lawn.
STOP : MANSION RESTAURANT
It’s hard to get more romantic than dinner at the Mansion Restaurant on the Berry Hill Resort. The lush dining room was formerly the master suite on the original home’s main floor. Now it’s a sophisticated dining room where visitors settle in for Berry Hill’s signature culinary experience. Seasonal, inventive entrees and are complemented by a superb wine list and delicious array of homemade desserts. Candlelight, cozy tables and impeccable service make this the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day.
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