Begin your search for where to stay in Clarksville VA with a warm Dutch welcome at Sunnyside Sisters Bed & Breakfast. Nestled just steps from Kerr Lake and downtown delights, our 1833 mansion blends historic Southern charm with authentic European touches. Whether you’re planning to stay in Clarksville VA for a romantic weekend, a solo recharge, or a business trip, you’ll find comfort, convenience, and genuine hospitality here.
clarksville
Martijn & Eveline
Nestled on the southern shore of Virginia’s largest reservoir, Clarksville is a small town with big character. With a population under 2,000, this lakeside community offers outdoor adventure on Kerr Lake, a historic downtown brimming with local shops and eateries, and events that draw visitors year-round. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a week-long retreat, Clarksville combines relaxed charm with endless opportunities for exploration.
Founded in 1818, Clarksville thrived as a tobacco trading hub along the Staunton River. When Kerr Lake (also known as Buggs Island Lake) was created in the 1950s, the town reinvented itself as a watersports destination. Rooted in agricultural heritage and shaped by its waterways, Clarksville preserves historic architecture—from early 19th-century commercial buildings to cozy Victorian homes—offering a window into Virginia’s past.
Spanning 50,000 acres across Virginia and North Carolina, Kerr Lake is the region’s centerpiece.
Boating & Fishing: With 850 miles of shoreline, the lake is prime for bass, catfish, and crappie fishing. Boat ramps and rental marinas dot the shore.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding: Calm coves and inlets make for peaceful paddling. Guided eco-tours introduce you to herons, eagles, and river otters.
Swimming & Picnics: Designated swimming beaches and picnic areas invite families to relax lakeside.
Marina Services: Fuel, bait shops, covered slips, and mechanical assistance ensure a seamless day on the water.
Just five minutes from downtown, Occoneechee State Park covers 1,715 acres of forests and fields.
Hiking & Biking: Over 12 miles of trails ranging from easy boardwalk walks to challenging ridge-line loops.
Wildlife Viewing: White-tailed deer, turkeys, and songbirds frequent the hardwood forests.
Campgrounds & Cabins: Rustic cabins and campsites allow multi-day immersion in nature.
A short drive away, this park preserves the historic Staunton River.
River Recreation: Canoeing, kayaking, and guided boat tours of the river’s gentle rapids.
History Exhibits: Interpretive center details the river’s role in 18th- and 19th-century commerce.
Trails & Picnic Areas: Hike along river bluffs or relax at shaded picnic shelters.
Clarksville’s hospitality scene includes cozy B&Bs, historic inns, and lakeside cottages.
Bed & Breakfasts: Stay in restored Victorian homes, farmhouse retreats, or waterfront guesthouses. Learn more in our comprehensive .
Virginia B&Bs: Explore other charming Virginia inns on our .
North Carolina Border Stays: For cross-state getaways, see our .
Vacation Rentals: Waterfront cottages and downtown apartments offer full kitchens and private docks.
Clarksville’s culinary offerings highlight Southern comfort and farm-fresh ingredients.
Farm-to-Table Cafés: Seasonal produce, pasture-raised eggs, and house-made preserves.
Barbecue & Smokehouses: Slow-smoked pork, beef brisket, and classic sides like collard greens.
Coffee Shops & Bakeries: Freshly roasted beans, homemade pastries, and cozy atmospheres.
Casual Pubs & Breweries: Local craft beers paired with pub fare—pretzels, burgers, and flatbreads.
Fine Dining: Upscale menus featuring regional trout, venison, and Virginia wines.
Downtown Clarksville’s brick storefronts house a variety of boutiques and galleries.
Antique Shops: Period furniture, glassware, and collectibles.
Gift Stores: Handcrafted soaps, candles, and locally woven textiles.
Art Galleries: Paintings, pottery, and mixed-media works by Piedmont artists.
Farmers Market: Seasonal produce, honey, baked goods, and artisan cheeses (Saturdays, April–October).
Clarksville’s calendar is lively, with events celebrating lakeside life and Southern culture.
Virginia Lake Festival (Lakefest): Late May weekend of live music, arts and crafts, and fireworks over the lake.
Harvest Days: Early October festival featuring pumpkin patches, hayrides, and farm demonstrations.
Wine & Music Festival: Local wineries showcase vintages alongside regional bands.
Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting: Late November celebration in historic downtown with carriage rides.
Historic Walking Tours: Self-guided maps point out notable homes, churches, and the original tobacco warehouse district.
Live Performances: Summer concerts in the park and occasional theater under the stars.
Public Art Installations: Murals depicting Clarksville’s river and agricultural heritage.
Local Museums: Small exhibits on Native American artifacts and early tobacco cultivation.
Clarksville’s central location makes it a gateway to Southwest Virginia and North Carolina.
Danville, VA: Explore the restored River District with museums, riverfront parks, and craft breweries.
South Boston, VA: Home to motorsports events and the Staunton River Valley Museum.
Asheboro, NC: Visit the North Carolina Zoo and historic downtown arts district.
Pittsboro & Chatham, NC: Galleries, millennial farms, and the Piedmont Crescent Trail.
Getting Here: Clarksville sits off U.S. Route 58, about 1.5 hours from Raleigh-Durham and 2 hours from Richmond. Nearest airport: Raleigh-Durham International (RDU).
Best Time to Visit: Spring (April–June) for wildflowers and Lakefest; autumn (September–October) for foliage and harvest events.
Weather: Warm summers (80–90°F), mild springs and falls (55–75°F), occasional winter lows (25–35°F).
Transportation: Most attractions are within a 10-mile radius; car rental recommended.
Safety & Accessibility: Public restrooms, accessible park facilities, and boat ramps are well-maintained.
Local businesses and parks are embracing eco-friendly practices:
Water Conservation: Efficient docks, low-flow showerheads in rental cottages, and marsh restoration projects.
Renewable Energy: Solar panels on public buildings and promotion of energy-efficient accommodations.
Waste Reduction: Community recycling centers, compost programs at farmers markets, and refillable toiletry stations at B&Bs.
Wildlife Habitat: Native plant gardens at the park entrance support pollinators and songbirds.
Morning: Paddle a kayak on Kerr Lake and spot ospreys along the shoreline.
Lunch: Enjoy pulled-pork sliders and coleslaw at a farm-fresh café.
Afternoon: Hike the Occoneechee Ridge Trail, then browse antiques downtown.
Evening: Dine at a waterfront restaurant and catch sunset over the lake.
Day 1: Check into a downtown B&B, stroll Main Street shops, and attend a summer concert in the park.
Day 2: Full-day fishing charter, picnic lunch on an island, and wine tasting at a mobile vineyard stand.
Day 3: Late breakfast, guided historic walking tour, and departure after a final lakeside coffee.
Clarksville, Virginia, offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, historic charm, and small-town hospitality. Whether you’re drawn by the lure of Kerr Lake, intrigued by local history, or simply seeking a relaxing retreat, this lakeside gem awaits your discovery. Pack your bags, plot your course, and experience the welcoming spirit of Clarksville.
There are moments in life when a dream changes shape.
For us, this is one of those moments.
Years ago, we came to America carrying what so many people carry with them: hope, ambition, and a dream. We poured that dream into every corner of Sunnyside Sisters Bed & Breakfast — into the old wood floors, the guest rooms, the gardens, the breakfasts, the late nights, the laughter on the porch, and the quiet mornings with coffee before guests woke up.
This house became so much more than a business.
It became home.
Over the past years, we have met extraordinary people from all over the world. Some arrived as guests and left as friends. Others returned year after year until they felt like family. You helped turn an old Virginia estate into something alive again. Something warm. Something meaningful.
And for that, we will forever be grateful.
But life sometimes asks us to make difficult decisions — not because the dream failed, but because circumstances change.
Due to changing immigration realities and the growing uncertainty surrounding long-term residency options in the United States, we have made the deeply emotional decision to close this chapter of our lives and relocate to Spain.
This was not a quick or easy decision.
In many ways, this was our American Dream.
We did not just build a business here. We built a life. We restored not only a historic property, but also a part of ourselves along the way. Every room, every porch, every flower bed, every repaired window and painted wall carries years of hard work, sacrifice, hope, and love.
Especially over these last months, we have worked tirelessly to finish the complete renovation of the property — inside and out. Long days became late nights. Weekends disappeared into paint, repairs, landscaping, gravel, woodwork, chimneys, windows, porches, and countless finishing touches. We wanted Sunnyside Sisters to be everything we once dreamed it could be.
And somehow, just as we reached that finish line, we received one more incredible honor: being named Best of Virginia 2026 for the second year in a row.
That recognition touched us deeply.
Not because of the title itself, but because it felt like confirmation that all the years of hard work, hospitality, and heart truly meant something to the people who walked through our doors.
There is something bittersweet about finally completing a dream home, only to realize it is time to let it go.
With very mixed emotions, we will officially close our doors as of today, May 21th.
However, there will be one final exception: during the Lake Festival, we will open Sunnyside Sisters one more time. One last weekend filled with guests, laughter, lake memories, and everything that made this place so special to us over the years.
It feels only right that we say goodbye one final time surrounded by the energy and community we have loved so much.
Maybe that is also the beauty of old homes and old dreams: you care for them for a while, you leave your mark, and eventually you pass them on so someone else can continue the story.
We leave with full hearts.
Thank you to our guests.
Thank you to our friends.
Thank you to our family.
Thank you to everyone who supported us, stayed with us, recommended us, laughed with us, cried with us, and believed in us.
You made Sunnyside Sisters a success far beyond numbers, awards, or reviews.
You made it matter.
As emotional as this goodbye is, we are also looking ahead with hope. A quieter life awaits us in southern Spain, together with our dogs and cats, where we hope to build a new future surrounded by nature, simplicity, and perhaps — eventually — new adventures once again.
Sunnyside Sisters will always be part of us.
And we hope, in some small way, we became part of your story too.
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"Melissa took some time off to help her daughter with packing and she stayed with us for 8 nights (August 1) with us in the Miss Agnes Suite. This is what she had to say about her stay:
I have had the most delightful stay. Visiting Virginia from California assisting my daughter with her move from NY to VA. This has been a relaxing week. The temperatures in the house are perfect. My bed was oh so comfortable. Slept well every night. Delicious Dutch inspired breakfast & the best coffee ever! Beautiful grounds and a home created with love. Martijn & Eveline are the most gracious hosts. Wishing you the best in the years ahead. Warmly. "
"Jessica & Chance, stayed here because their accommodation fell through, and they had to find a replacement last minute so that they could attend for the four-day Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton VA and they stayed with us for 2 nights (September 8) in the Miss Mildred Suite. This is what they had to say about their stay:
Thank you so much for your hospitality. We appreciate you for accepting us for such short notice. This B&B is so welcoming and a great place to stay. We enjoyed the Dutch culture. And you guys are really kind. Thank you so much for everything. "
"Ron & Mary stayed with us for 1 night (October 22) in the Miss Agnes Suite. This is what they had to say about their stay:
Thank you for the warm hospitality, delicious breakfast, and interesting conversation. We are on our way to the Blue Ridge Parkway, looking for some leaf peeping. Then also Natural Bridge, our families homeplace. This was a welcome midway stop. We wish you continued success. "
" Wayne & Peggy stayed with us for 1 night (October 21 in the Miss Bella Suite. This is what they had to say about their stay:
Love this home! I want to live here! Thank you for a lovely stay <3."
"Gena from Tennessee is the sister of David and she and another brother stayed all in The Sunnyside to have a family reunion. Gene stayed for four nights (June 25) in the Miss Agnes Suite. This is what she had to say about her stay:
Thank you so much for such a fun visit. Ofcourse for me and my brothers it has been a ‘trip down memory lane’. You have done a wonderful job on this house and the breakfasts are fantastic. "
"Wayne & Wanda from South Boston VA came here for the Wine Festival (May 27) and stayed in the Miss Bella Suite. This is what they had to say about their stay:
Beautiful room, delicious food, coriaceous host/hostess. We loved our stay here and will be back."
"Hidden Gem with European Charm and Gourmet Breakfast
This B&B is a hidden gem. The Dutch owners bring European charm and serve a gourmet breakfast that rivals any five-star hotel. Peaceful, clean, and welcoming."
"Don & Pam came here for a funeral and stayed for one night (July 25) with us in the Miss Bella Suite. This is what they had to say about their stay:
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home with us. Everything was perfect! I was born in Clarksville and my husband was born in Chase City. We met in Richmond and we really enjoyed coming back here and stayed in such a delightful place. Hope to stay here again. "
"Carol & James came here to attend their grandson’s baptism and they stayed with us for 2 nights (October 15) in the Miss Bella Suite. This is what they had to say about their stay:
Thanks for your wonderful hospitality! We loved everything. "
"John & Lou came here to Clarksville VA for a family reunion and stayed with us for 1 night (August 6) in the Miss Mildred Suite. This is what they had to say about their stay:
Will be back for sure. We love what you done with this old home, and your hospitality is really special. We will tell our family + friends about this gem. God Bless you both. Great bread, btw."
"Erv & Laura were on their way to their next biking adventure, and they stayed with us for 1 night (October 5) in the Miss Bella Suite. This is what they had to say about their stay:
Thank you for hosting us on our Southern Virginia bicycle trip. We had a wonderful and peaceful stay. We will definitely come back to your establishment if we are in the neck of the woods again. Ps. Your freshly baked bread and your Netherland cheese are delicious. "
"Susan from Richmond came to visit her family and to relax and she stayed in the Miss Emily Suite (May 28). This is what she had to say about her stay:
Martijn & Eveline. Wat a wonderful stay in your home! Your history… the sister’s history was exciting to learn about, and I feel I have made a friend. Every part of my stay was perfect; the cozy, comfy chair, the relaxing tub, the comfortable bed, and the FOOD! Thank you for the conversation. I will definitely return and bring Kevin. Praying blessings on you as you continue sharing this beautiful place with others. (@ Susan: thank you for being here and I feel the same. It was really special talking with you over breakfast about whatever we wanted to share)."
" Miles Burghoff attending the BASSMASTER fishing tournament stayed with us for 8 nights (May 5) in the Miss Emily Suite and this is what he had say to about his stay:
Eveline & Martijn you are the HOSTS WITH THE MOST!!! My stay was truly remarkable. The room was comfortable and welcoming, and your hospitable approach to your guests certainly made me feel at home. We didn’t do well in the tournament (this time) but I will be back, and I will dedicate the trophy next time to you both! Keep up the good work, and I look forward to my next trip to Buggs Island Lake! Note: His stay was excluding breakfast because he had to get up very early every morning, but his stay was including boat + trailer parking and use of electricity. His friend Braydon Rakes also stayed with us, but then in the Miss Bella Suite. "
"Erl & Carol from North Carolina having a stayed for the weekend (May 21) in The Miss Mildred Suite and this is what they had to say about their stay:
What an awesome weekend we had! The room was super clean & comfortable. Best hosts ever, very knowledgeable of the history of the beautiful B&B! The food was delicious, love the Dutch Touch!!!<3 Thank you for everything, we will certainly be back!"
"Kelly from South Boston, VA came her to just to relax and to check out the breakfast ‘with a Dutch Touch’ for two nights (June 19) in the Miss Mildred Suite. This is what she had to say about her stay:
Thank you for a wonderful stay and unique breakfast experience! I loved all of my bubble baths here – everything was amazing! I’de be happy to come back anytime for breakfast as well Thank you!"
+1 (434) 210 - 0964
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