11 Quintessential Virginia Towns

The Commonwealth of Virginia may be best known for its presidential pedigree, but there’s much more to the Old Dominion. Beyond the august museums and historic estates, Virginia also has bountiful farms, towering mountains, tranquil rivers, and inviting oceanfront beaches. This state may have made plenty of political history over the years, but it’s also where country music began to take off, where a local breed of horses inspired a classic children’s story, and where a certain type of cured pork became one of the world’s most famous types of ham.

From flavorful foodie treats to sweet music for your ears, Virginia has plenty to delight all your senses. With this note, let’s see what else you can find in these 11 quintessential Virginia towns.

Bristol

If you like country music, you may quickly fall in love with the special sounds of Bristol. Along the Tennessee state line about 114 miles northeast of Knoxville, Bristol got the “Birthplace of Country Music” thanks to the 1927 Bristol Sessions, when Victor Talking Machine Company producer Ralph Peer came to town in search of new talent, then found a bumper crop of musicians whose unique songs forever changed the trajectory of country music. At the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, you can learn more about how “The Bristol Sound” continues to influence contemporary music.

Speaking of contemporary music, you can catch current acts and up-and-coming talent in Bristol, including at the Paramount Bristol Theater and the live performance spaces at The Sessions Hotel. If you’re up for a little field trip and more of the traditional sounds akin to the Bristol Sessions, drive over to the Carter Family Fold to see and hear how they’re keeping local tradition alive. And to complete your perfect Bristol getaway, stay at The Sessions or the brand-new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Galax

At first glance, you might wonder why this town, about 65 miles northwest of Winston-Salem (North Carolina), is special. But when you make your way to the nearby Blue Ridge Music Center, it all makes sense: The stunning blend of Blue Ridge Mountain scenery and music at the outdoor performance spaces (during the summer season) can’t be found anywhere else. You can stay a little longer at the Music Center to visit the museum and learn more about the history and culture of American music, and you can catch more acts year-round in town at The Rex Theater.

Also in town, you can dive deeper into Galax's local arts scene by exploring spaces like Barr’s Fiddle Shop, City Gallery, and Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. After a long day wandering around town and through the mountains, rest and relax at the Fiddler’s Roost cabins in the mountains near the Blue Ridge Music Center.

Front Royal

About 74 miles west of Washington DC, you’ll find Front Royal, a delightful village on its own that gets even better once you realize what’s just beyond the town limits. Perhaps you already know that Front Royal sits right by Shenandoah National Park, an amazing natural treasure trove with some 500 miles of trails. Highlights near Front Royal include the Fox Hollow Trail for fascinating rock walls and a historic cemetery, and the Snead Farm Dickey Ridge Loop for panoramic mountain and valley views.

Beyond the park, you can hike through more scenic Appalachian wilderness at Buzzard Rock, and you can discover a wondrous underground world—including the world’s oldest known anthodite crystal formations—at Skyline Caverns. Once you’re ready to settle down, kick back at the cozy and comfy Mountain Home and Woodward House bed-and-breakfast inns.

Farmville

Located around 65 miles west of Richmond, Farmville may not initially seem like a very captivating destination. Yet once you get here, it suddenly starts to make more sense. At the Robert Mussa Moton Museum, you can learn about how a local student strike powered up the mid-20th century civil rights movement. At the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, you can discover a wide variety of works (and performances) by local artists. And at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park, you can see where Union forces successfully cut off the Confederates’ retreat at the tail end of the Civil War and compelled Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox in April 1865.

If you seek some extra special souvenirs to take home, check out Green Front Furniture for nearly 1 million square feet of showroom space full of eye-catching furniture and home decor from brands near and far. And for a nice room or suite to rest in during your stay, it’s hard to beat the stylish digs at the historic (since 1925) Hotel Weyanoke.

Washington

This Virginia town is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 73 miles west of the nation’s capital. Like Front Royal, Washington serves as a good gateway to Shenandoah National Park, especially if you’re hoping to hike the scenic trails to and around Mount Marshall and the beautiful gorge at Little Devils Stairs. If you prefer a more tranquil green space that’s also family-friendly, head back to town and check out all the amenities of Rappahannock County Park, including garden trails leading to the Rush River, picnic spaces, a skate park, and pickleball and tennis courts.

Perhaps Washington’s most dazzling calling card is The Inn at Little Washington, a tony luxury hotel with Virginia’s only Michelin three-star restaurant. You may want to come for Chef Patrick O’Connell’s creative takes on classic American cuisine with French flair, but you might also want to stay at The Inn’s posh collection of rooms, suites, and full guest houses. Or, for a more boutique bed-and-breakfast experience, enjoy your stay at the charming White Moose Inn.

Chincoteague

Located about 105 miles north of Virginia Beach and 172 miles southeast of Washington (DC), Chincoteague may be best known as the setting of Misty of Chincoteague, Marguerite Henry’s 1947 children’s book about a pair of children who want to bring a horse named Phantom and her daughter pony Misty to their family farm (that was later adapted into the 1961 film Misty). At the Museum of Chincoteague Island, it’s possible to not just learn about the real-life Chincoteague ponies that inspired Misty but also find remains of infamous local shipwrecks and see how life was on this island before it became famous.

If you’re hoping to see where the ponies actually live and roam free, hop over to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, and stick around for some 15 miles of prime coastal hiking trails sporting views of pristine maritime forest. While here, you might also want to explore the iconic 142-foot-tall red-and-white striped Assateague Lighthouse and roam the stunning Atlantic shores at Assateague Beach. Once you’re done roaming around the islands, take refuge at the aptly named Refuge Inn.

Smithfield

When you come to Smithfield, make sure to bring a strong appetite for good grub and great times. About 46 miles west of Virginia Beach, this small town has a big reputation for smoking ham, so much so that Virginia has a state law to officially define the term “Smithfield ham” and regulate its use. If you want to taste what all this fuss is about, head to Taste of Smithfield to try some. To learn more about the origin story of Smithfield ham and how it made this town such a famous foodie destination, check out the Isle of Wight Museum and look out for the world’s oldest ham.

If you’d like to try some more local delicacies, go to Darden’s Country Store for a variety of homemade Southern-style foods (including more ham), Smithfield Gourmet Café & Bakery for hearty homestyle breakfast and lunch, and Wharf Hill Brewing Co. for a local take on pub-style fare alongside house-made craft beers. Whenever you need a break from all this good food, discover the 208-acre Windsor Castle Park and its network of woodland trails, its canoe and kayak launch, and its fishing pier. Once you’re ready to turn in for the night, book a stay at the waterfront Smithfield Station Hotel.

Bedford

In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 29 miles east of Roanoke and 136 miles west of Richmond, Bedford is a lovely town with a fascinating backstory. During World War II, Bedford lost more locals per capita than any other US town on D-Day (or the June 1944 Normandy landings), so it’s fitting that Bedford now has the National D-Day Memorial to commemorate Bedford’s immense contribution to the war effort. For more local history, head to the nearby Booker T. Washington National Monument to see the birthplace of the famed Black author and educator, and head to Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest to experience the founding father and third president’s personal mountain retreat.

Speaking of retreats, you might want your own, and you can make it happen at Smith Mountain Lake, which is Virginia’s largest. With 500 miles of shoreline and some 20,000 acres of water, Smith Mountain Lake is picture-perfect for boating, fishing, and plenty more fun activities at the beaches. If you wish to extend your time at the lake, book a room at the Bedford Landings bed-and-breakfast. Or, if you prefer something closer to town, do the Vanquility Acres Inn to stay on a ten-acre farm with incredible mountain views.

Culpeper

For a truly historic getaway, it’s good to make your way to the town of Culpeper. Located about 77 miles southwest of Washington DC and 89 miles northwest of Richmond, Culpeper abounds in critical landmarks, such as the Cedar Mountain Battlefield, where Major General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson led the Confederates to victory over Union forces, thwarting Union efforts to advance further into Virginia early in the Civil War (in August 1862). Yet about seven months later, in March 1863, Culpeper again became a central flashpoint during the Battle of Kelly’s Ford, which eventually led to a more successful Union offensive. Not only can you visit both battle sites, but you can also check out the Museum of Culpeper History for a more thorough understanding of this town.

For a different side of local history, find a designated driver and enjoy the scenic journey to Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery, one of Virginia’s oldest contemporary wineries, then check out Belmont Farm Distillery to see the nation’s first craft whiskey distillery and try some homemade (and legal) moonshine. If you want a longer stay at the winery, you’re in luck, as Prince Michel also has on-site suites available for booking.

Floyd

If you’ve ever thought about magically transporting yourself to the kind of idyllic small town you’ve read about in books, then you may really want to find yourself in Floyd. About 41 miles south of Roanoke and 95 miles northwest of Greensboro (North Carolina), Floyd is home to the iconic Floyd Country Store, the community’s general store that doubles as a performing arts venue with regular weekend bluegrass and country music sessions that invite the audience to get up and dance. To learn more about Floyd, mosey on over to the Old Church Gallery for a vibrant collection of preserved stories and locally made visual art.

When you feel the urge to stretch out and enjoy some fresh mountain air, head on down to the Rocky Knob Recreation Area and hit the trails to discover amazing sights like Rock Castle Gorge and black maple and mountain laurel forests. For a relaxing stay in town, check into Hotel Floyd. Or, for the ultimate stay in the mountains, try the Moonlight Manor for some real, down-home Blue Ridge hospitality.

Tangier Island

When you want to get away from it all, you may need to sail away to the enchanted shores of Tangier Island. Only accessible by airplane or boat (with regular ferry service to and from Reedville, about 120 miles south of Washington DC), Tangier probably has the most pristine beaches you’ll find anywhere along the Chesapeake Bay, making this a prime destination for beach lovers. If you decide to sail your own boat to Tangier, you can park at the marina, then utilize it to embark on excursions to Smith Island (Maryland) and catch glimpses of the pristine maritime wilderness at Martin National Wildlife Refuge. Even if you don’t have your own boat, you can book a tour cruise to experience more of the island and the bay.

If you’re curious to learn more about this island’s history, go to the Tangier Island History Museum and find out how the island played host to everyone from Native American fishermen during the pre-colonial era to Black Americans who escaped slavery during the War of 1812, when Tangier served as a British military staging area. Tangier continues to serve as the nation’s “soft crab capital,” and you can find some delectable local seafood at restaurants like Four Brothers Crab House and Lorraine’s Seafood. If you hope to stay on the island a little longer, check in and catch some soothing vibes at the Brigadune Inn.

Find New Perspectives on the Old Dominion

If you seek some quintessential Virginia towns to enjoy, you will easily find at least 11 wonderful towns to visit. Whether you want the classic trad tunes and country-style charm of Bristol and Floyd or the quiet luxury of Washington, you can have it all and so much more in the Old Dominion. Even if you’re more in the mood to go to the beach, Tangier Island and Chincoteague are perfect for the ideal coastal escape. Whatever you want to see and do, you can embark on big adventures in these small towns in Virginia.