I am in love! Should I say it again? I am in love! Smithfield... you have captured my heart. I'm a big fan of small, quaint towns with historical charm and Smithfield is one of the best. We're talking small--a population of 8,100 and 10.1 square miles. Like the rest of the area, Smithfield was first colonized in 1634 by Captain John Smith; it was then officially incorporated in 1752. A big part of the town is Smithfield Food, Inc., which is one of the largest employer in Hampton Roads. Ham is important around here! However, there is so much more to do than just eat ham... THINGS TO DO IN SMITHFIELD: * First, stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a brochure about the Porcine Parade (http://www.yelp.com/biz/smithfield-visitor-center-smithfield) * Search for the 8 pigs in the Porcine Parade * Take a walk or kayak at Windsor Castle Park (http://www.yelp.com/biz/windsor-castle-park-smithfield) * See a show at Smithfield Little Theater (http://www.yelp.com/biz/smithfield-little-theatre-smithfield) * Visit the Isle of Wight Museum (http://www.yelp.com/biz/isle-of-wight-county-museum-smithfield-2) * Walk up and down Main Street to see the wonderful shops, restaurants, and sweets * Visit the Old Isle of Wight County Courthouse (http://www.yelp.com/biz/old-isle-of-wight-county-courthouse-smithfield) * Take a tour at St. Luke's Historic Church (http://www.yelp.com/biz/st-lukes-historic-church-smithfield-3) * Have a picnic at Fort Boykin (http://www.yelp.com/biz/fort-boykin-smithfield) * Go fishing at Clontz Park on the Pagan River Don't just take it from me--Smithfield was recently named "One of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns." Take a trip to visit this beautiful, historic town. I think you will fall in love with Smithfield, too. read more

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I loveeeeee Smithfield. If you picture the cutest little small towns you've ever seen on tv and then imagine visiting an actual real one - that is Smithfield. It's literally a one stop-light kind'a town with loads of cute shops and more and more are opening up it seems every time I visit. There are so many things to do on Main Street... ---Food: -Yummaries Bakery - A cute bakery that just celebrated one year of the storefront today but has been selling delicious baked goods at the Smithfield Farmer's Markets for years. -The Smithfield Gourmet Bakery and Cafe - the cutest quaint little cafe with fresh-made cupcakes, brownies, breads and hand-cut fries. Delicious lunch and dinner items with daily specials and the best hot chocolate ever. -Smithfield Inn - A working inn with rooms and a nice bar/restaurant downstairs. Old victorian vibe - try the ham biscuits. -Smithfield Station - Down the street by the entrance to Windsor Castle Park with several shops - you can sit inside or out on the deck overlooking the water - try the bacon-wrapped scallops. You will not regret it. -Cure Coffee Shop - relatively new and around the corner on Church Street - coffee, lemonade, teas and light food (think cheese trays, avocado toast, yogurt and granola and sandwiches). -Taste of Smithfield - A pork/ham/bacon Smithfield Foods restaurant with a nice bar and tables inside as well as outdoor seating. They also sell Smithfield Foods ham and gift items inside like peanuts and chocolates. -Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor - cute small-town ice cream shop. ---Outdoors: -Windsor Castle Park is just down Church Street with plenty of parking and several entrances and wooden foot bridges. This is by far my favorite park in Hampton roads. I adore it. -Kayak rentals at Windsor Castle Park - $10 an hour for single person, $20 an hour for double person. -Cypress Creek Golf Course - about 10 minutes outside of town. ---Historical: -Isle of Wight County Museum and Gift Shop -Smithfield Courthouse Complex -Historical Homes Tours - sometimes the old mansions on the waterfront on Church Street allows tours inside. -Tour St. Luke's Church - apparently the nation's only surviving original Gothic building. -Ivy Hill Cemetery - a nearby cemetery with available walking tours, established in 1886. -Fort Huger - a nearby civil war fort with available walking tours. -Fort Boykin Historic Park - a nearby civil war fort with walking tours. ---Shopping: Loads of antiques and other shops - I can't even remember them all... -Relics - vintage and found furniture and decor items that have been restored (mostly white) - beautiful. -Wharf Hill Antiques - kitchen and food items as well as antique home goods items. Very classy and beautiful Christmas displays. -Finley's General Store - it is what you think it is - a general store with food items (think salsa and ketchup) as well as snacks and home items (mugs, kitchen stuff, soap, etc.). -Fleur de Fou - a new-ish florist shop with some cute decor inside and holiday-themed items. -Christmas Store - it is HUGE and has everything you could ever want to decorate for Christmas - or for upcoming holidays. -Perfectly Natural Soap - this classy natural soap store has much more than that and I LOVE it. It's my go to for soap, bath fizzes, essential oils, lotions, chapstick, etc. etc. -Maggie Casey's Celtic Treasure - a Celtic-themed store that even has a life-size statue of Jamie Fraser! -Victoria's Rose - small gift-shop with cute items. -Mansion House Art & Antiques - (on Church Street by Cure Coffee) a giant Mansion house full of classy antiques - these are more high-end than the other shops. -Laura & Lucy's - antique and vintage store with some neat finds -Smithfield Home Furnishings - vintage and antique home decor -Vintage Potential - antique store -Signature Styles Hair Salon ---Entertainment: -The Smithfield Center - weddings, plays, performances, concerts, town meetings, conferences, etc. -Also, Smithfield does an awesome job of hosting dozens of events and markets and craft shows. There is a Halloween market, the pickers market (antiques), a Christmas Market (1-2x annually), weekly Farmer's Markets, various vintage car and craft shows, music shows, 5ks, wine festivals, and sunflowers at Windsor Castle. ---Art: -The Arts Center @ 319 - this is a really cool center that caters to local artists and hosts workshops and classes as well as displaying local art for sale. I've found a few things I really loved. -Smithfield Farmer's Market has loads of arts and crafts and some really neat items. -Boardwalk HeART Show - at Smithfield Station (maybe will be annual?) -Color Scapes Fine Arts Gallery This town is a gem. Really. I adore it. I didn't even mention everything -you must visit if you have never been, walk the park, eat some scallops, talk to the people, enjoy the day. You will not regret it. read more

Beautiful, quaint small town America feel. We love our hometown

The Town of Smithfield is a charming town. I highly recommend people check the Town out. It has great history, a walking tour of the historic houses, beautiful grounds, and lovely shops and restaurants. The people are fantastically friendly. I love visiting there. read more