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Toll free: 800-365-9339
Local: 757-357-5182
Hamtown Foodie Itinerary
Take our "Hams, History, Hospitality & HeART" Quiz
Your travel plans revolve around your love of fine dining and your quest for culinary adventures! As the "Ham Capital of the World," Smithfield offers foodies lots of delicious options for dining, shopping and even a history of our famous hams or a personalized tour of a smokehouse.
A Culinary Tour of “The Ham Capital of the World” Smithfield, Virginia
Smithfield and Isle of Wight County are as old as Virginia itself, having been first colonized in 1634. Located on the banks of the Pagan River, and lying on the opposite shore of the James River, across from Jamestown, the area was soon discovered by Captain John Smith and other early settlers. Smithfield was incorporated in 1752 by Arthur Smith IV, but soon became a town of industry with four plants devoted to the art of curing the world famous “Smithfield Ham.” Today, it hosts one of the largest meat-processing industries - Smithfield Foods, Inc. - a Fortune 500 company with its corporate headquarters in Smithfield.
P. D. Gwaltney and his "pet ham" on display at the Isle of Wight County Museum
Day 1:
Begin your visit in downtown Smithfield at the Visitor Center - also home to the Arts Center @ 319 - offering tourist information, a gallery/gift shop and the chance to chat with resident artists. Further down Main Street is the Isle of Wight County Museum, with its overview of the county’s history and the world's oldest ham (1902), an example of Smithfield’s famous ham curing process, as well as the world's largest ham and oldest peanut.
Next, begin your Walking Tour of the Historic Downtown District with over 50 historic buildings, including the 1750 Courthouse, modeled after the Capitol Building in Colonial Williamsburg, and the Schoolhouse Museum, an African-American Museum built in 1932. Enjoy lunch at the Ice Cream Parlor, a local favorite.
Peruse hanging hams, side meat, country cheese, barbeque and peanuts at Darden's Country Store and smokehouse, a family-run operation since 1952.
After lunch head out of town to Darden’s Country Store, a classic country store, where visitors can tour the family’s smokehouse and farm.
Finish your day with a riverfront dinner at Smithfield Station, followed by one of our local concerts or events, or a class at the Arts Center.
Captain Chuck-a-Muck’s in scenic Rescue, Virginia was featured on the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" with host Guy Fieri.
Day 2:
Enjoy breakfast at the Smithfield Gourmet Bakery & Beanery in Smithfield, then take a tour of Summer Wind Vineyards & Christmas Tree Farm.
If time, take in one of our many historic attractions such as Historic Saint Luke's Church (c1632), the oldest existing church of English foundation in America and the only surviving original brick Gothic church or Boykin's Tavern (c.1762). Isle of Wight County is also home to two earthenworks forts, Fort Boykin Historic Park which dates back to 1632 and Historic Fort Huger, a strategic Civil War. Both forts are located along the banks of the lovely James River.
Have lunch riverside at Captain Chuck-a-Muck’s in the village of Rescue. Then head back into town to browse the unique shops and galleries of Smithfield’s historic district and be sure to stop at the Genuine Ham Shoppe for culinary souvenirs of your trip.
Finish your visit to Smithfield & Isle of Wight County with dinner at the historic Smithfield Inn. For dessert, stroll down to Lisa’s Sweet Shop on the boardwalk at the Smithfield Station and enjoy the sunset over the Pagan River.
Visit Virginia at Smithfield Genuine Ham Shoppe on Main Street in downtown Smithfield.
All attractions listed are free with the exception of Historic St. Luke's Church which charges a nominal fee. Custom tours can be arranged. For further information or ideas to personalize your itinerary, contact the Visitor Center at (757) 357-5182, Toll Free at (800) 365-9339 or via email: smfdtour@isleofwightus.net.
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Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB Staff:
Judy Hare Winslow, Director of Tourism
Lois Chapman, Marketing & Public Relations Manager
Cheryl Whitener, Visitor Center Manager
Terry Thompson, Event Coordinator
Kristin Wilda, Farmer's Market Manager
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Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB and the Isle of Wight Arts League are partially supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
