2025's Most Underrated Towns In Virginia
Virginia, a center of American democracy and political power since its days as a prosperous English colony, has always offered a lot to curious visitors. In 2025, those attractions are more interesting than ever — and many of them are hiding the state's smaller towns. Often at a refreshing distance away from the high-energy cities of Richmond, Roanoke, or northern Virginia's edge city, Tysons Corner, towns like these are proving that some of the state's most appealing options for a visit or two lie blissfully away from the well-worn tourist track. The state, known as The Old Dominion for its history in the early-modern English Empire, holds out a wealth of new appeal this year.
Chincoteague
The island's exotic name hides an even more unusual feature: the famous local population of wild ponies. Chincoteague, once an island fishing community, runs a horse swim annually. The year 2025 marks the 100th consecutive year of the ponies' swim from nearby Assateague Island to Chincoteague, for grazing and more space in which to survive and thrive. This year's event, set for July, includes an auction that will raise money for the ponies' continued conservation. The presence of the horses have spawned an entire lifestyle around the animals, which are said to have descended from shipwrecked Spanish vessels during colonial times. Today, Chincoteague's "saltwater cowboys" help handle, and protect, the unique species of horse here.
Damascus
Damascus calls itself the "Friendliest Town on the Trail," meaning the Appalachian Trail, a 14-state path along the U.S. east coast. The famous hiking area has a birthday to celebrate this year, with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) reaching 100 years in 2025. Damascus has also added new celebrations in 2025, including a trout fishing festival and an all-terrain vehicle event called Moto DAM.
Damascus alternatively calls itself "Trail Town USA," because aside from the Appalachian Trail, three other trails come together in this mountainside village. Those trails are US Bicycle Route 76, the Iron Mountain Trail, and the Virginia Creeper Trail. For a place to eat in town, head to the Damascus Diner or Mojo's Trailside Cafe. In 2025 as ever, Damascus offers plenty of reasons to make a visit.
Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg, a college town in Virginia's central (and beautiful) Shenandoah Valley, has lots to delight students, parents, and academics in 2025. Home to James Madison University, the town has just unveiled its Harrisonburg Coffee Trail, a walking route connecting no fewer than 11 independent shops that sell the great caffeinated brew from some of the best growing regions in the world. Several of the stops, like the Maple Cafe and Cinnamon Bear Bakery and Deli, also offer delicious baked goods and other lunch ideas. The trail includes a "passport," like a a frequent-sipper program, that encourages visitors and sleepy students to collect stamps from each of the trail's participating locations. Those who complete the passport will get a free mug, courtesy of the town.
To shake of any caffeine excesses, Harrisonburg provides a wealth of adventure sports and activities in its mountain setting: the town calls itself the outdoor adventure capital of the Shenandoah Valley.
New Kent
In New Kent, between Richmond and the Chesapeake Bay, the town's celebrated derby, or horse race, reached new milestones this year. In March, for the first time in its 18 years of operation, the New Kent Derby, held at the Colonial Downs racetrack, doubled as a qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby. The latter derby is one of the most prestigious, and lucrative, horse competitions in the world. The qualifying horse from the Kew Kent event — named American Promise, an idea that fits its champion ambitions — will race in the Kentucky Derby, scheduled for May. Will a qualifier from Virginia seize victory this year at America's marquee horse competition? The world will be watching.
Doswell
Most kids growing up in Virginia know the town of Doswell for one reason: King's Dominion, a massive amusement park that serves as the setting for birthday parties and many childhood dreams. This year, King's Dominion marks 50 years of operation. The town, ideally located on the I-95 corridor between Richmond and Washington, DC, welcomes visitors, but now has even more to celebrate. In 2025, King's Dominion unveiled Rapterra, a rollercoaster of a kind called launched wing, and is the fastest and longest of its design in the world. For kids and families who cannot get enough amusement park adrenaline, Busch Gardens, another park in Williamsburg, is also turning 50, with its own new coaster, called Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge. The experience is sure to thrill, and perhaps frighten, its excited riders.
For dads and moms who need a break from so many excited children, or to kill time while the kids take on King's Dominion without them, the North Anna Battlefield Park marks the spot of a Civil War flashpoint.
Doswell is an unincorporated area along US 1 in Hanover County, Virginia.
Danville
In modest-sized Danville, which hugs the bottom of Virginia along the border with North Carolina, a lucky streak or two await the gambling men and women willing to make the drive. Caesars Virginia (like the iconic Las Vegas brand, Caesars Palace) opened here late last year, and 2025 marks the first full calendar of operations. Players and travelers could come here and never leave: with a full-scale casino, a spa, 320 hotel rooms, live entertainment, and a clutch of bars and restaurants, visitors can plan on exhausting their budgets and themselves before seeing and doing everything.
For fresh air and a break from the excitement, head out to fish at Anglers Park or stroll through Dan Daniel Memorial Park. Both lie along the bucolic Dan River.
Bristol
In the border town of Bristol, one of many U.S. places straddling a state line, the town this year will welcome new entertainment and fun-seekers of a more raucous kind. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino opened here in late 2024, making this year the time to come catch a show, have a meal, and rock out in style. Like Caesars in Danville, the multi-purpose site offers a premier music venue called A-List Live, 300 hotel rooms, as well as numerous bars, lounges, and restaurants. The Hard Rock location opened with signature swagger, including — what else? — a guitar-smashing ceremony.
Golf fans in Danville will not lack for places to rest from Hard Rock's loud music. Clear Creek Golf Club, The Virginian Golf Club, and The Olde Farm all sit northeast of downtown Bristol.
Stephens City
In luxurious Stephens City, a calmer and more genteel set of attractions await the visitor in 2025. Set in the sublime Shenandoah Valley, the Inn at Vaucluse Spring is poised to re-open this year after a $4.5 million renovation. The luxury boutique combines European sensibilities and local Virginia charm. The location's star chef, Jan Van Haute, is renowned for his innovative farm-to-table menu concepts.
For those traveling as a family to or through Stephens City, fun, more budget-friendly detours come in the form of the Family Drive-In Theatre, south of town, or Dinosaur Land, a theme park east of town. Nearby Appleland Sports Center offers mini-golf, a driving range, and other enjoyable options.
From Chincoteague, with its waterside setting and legendary wild ponies, to the abundant hiking trails around tiny Damascus, old and new points of interest sit side by side. Doswell promises even more amusement park fun than ever, 50 years and counting. Meanwhile, fans of gambling can make their bets from the New Kent Derby to Bristol, where Las Vegas glitz has arrived in mountain Virginia. Whatever tastes a traveling family or individual might have, Virginia's smaller towns are sure to satisfy in 2025.
