6 Virginia Towns That Rival Europe's Best
Virginia, a small Eastern Seaboard state with the Appalachian Trail, the powerful Shenandoah River, and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, has lots going for it, including oceanfront and island vistas. All you have to do for European enchantment is wander a little out with open imagination and a heart ready to receive a bouquet of wonders. Virginia's small towns have a flair to transport you further in mind than body. From the fields of Holland in the Bristow Area to a bathhouse experience near Hot Springs, it’s one fantasy after another. Perhaps the best applewood-aged whisky at Copper Fox Distillery in the tasting room on the site of (according to their website) “the first US distillery malt floor and kiln since the repeal of Prohibition”? An estate plucked from Italy and a replica of London's Shakespeare's Theater, the Blackfriars, are not hallucinations but real sites in Afton and Staunton. With all that in mind, here are six Virginia towns that rival Europe's best.
Afton
Southeast of Waynesboro, Afton has many unique features, among which is its ability to inspire a getaway into the Italian countryside (via the foothills of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains). Among its dominating peaks, Afton Mountain features a unique Rockfish Gap, a result of erosion that causes a break between the rocks exposing ancient layers—in this case, a late Neoproterozoic geologic unit. Attracting the active tourists who like to relax after a hike, Afton is the beginning of Nelson 151, an iconic craft beverage trail along wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Just a quick drive east, the beer lovers enjoy Blue Mountain Brewery east of Afton.
Equipped with five distinct cottages, Afton Mountain Vineyards is south of town for an overnight or a visit and perhaps meet the winemaker, Damien Blanchon, who tends to the vines. Enjoy a relaxing stroll and tasting in anticipation of more Italian culture around the corner. Right off the Blue Ridge Pkwy, minutes west from Afton, the Swannanoa Mansion is a massive estate with terraced gardens and a 52-room mansion with Carrara marble floors. Erected by the railroad tycoon, James H. Dooley, as an ode to his wife, Sallie, his special gesture is the 10-foot Tiffany stained glass window with her image. The Italianate architecture is impossible to take your eyes off while transporting you to Europe, the Gilded Age, with tours available. Afton also hosts year-round festivals and events.
Bristow
Bristow sits on a land grant by his Majesty, King James II of England. Surrounded by tulip fields, Holland is just around the corner at Burnside Farms. Accessible via the scenic Kettle Run Road, an early April visit guarantees jaw-dropping rows upon rows of colorful tulip bulbs. With over two million blooming over three weeks and bursts of daffodils in the floral cacophony, the fleeting spectacle feels plucked out of the Dutch countryside. Previously owned by the Linton family, the Linton's Ford plantation, covering much of the Bristow area in the 18th century, is just 30 miles outside of Washington, D.C.. Visit during the iconic U-pick event, the Festival of Spring, with games, a kid's playhouse, and great food.
In addition, the landscape around this Prince William County town is marked with American history. Two major Civil War battles were fought here on "hallowed ground": the Battle of Kettle Run on Aug. 27, 1862, and the Battle of Bristoe Station on Oct. 14, 1863. Manassas National Battlefield Park is minutes east for a glimpse at the first major Civil War battle, where the Confederates defeated the Union. Locals enjoy shopping, dining, and vast entertainment options, particularly Jiffy Lube Live, the largest outdoor music concert venue in the DC Metropolitan Region, drawing visitors from all over for explosive annual concerts. Play a round at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club overlooking Lake Manassas, edging the town in the west for summer days spent in bliss.
Hot Springs
Few places can replicate the feel of the geothermal pools of Iceland, but Virginia's Bath County comes close. It was centuries back in the "heat" Indigenous heritage that the hot springs were first spotted bubbling up from deep underground chambers. Having quickly become sacred, the rejuvenating, mineral-rich waters attracted European settlers in the 1700s. Today, Warm Springs Pools comprises a complex of bathhouses mounted atop the springs within George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The rounded basin holding 98-degree pools is perfect for floating, as its former guests, Thomas Jefferson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, would vouch for.
Afterwards, engage in retail therapy, including many galleries to find your perfect Bath County souvenir, all with instant access to the Warm Springs Pools. Aside from this main attraction, and complementing luxury spa experiences, the tiny community of Hot Springs basks in scenic mountain vistas. So get in on the action on a mountain adventure, or with a book or drink on a terrace. There's plenty to explore nearby, like the Omni Homestead Resort and the Dan Ingalls Overlook, with dark starlit skies for camping and clear cold streams to quench your thirst on a hike. Garth Newel features world-class chamber music, while major art events include the Bath County Art Show and the Bath County Plein Air Festival.
Luray
Luray feels lost in green countryside views with hazy mountains on the horizon. From Lions Tale Trailhead to Stephen's Trailhead, the scenery is vividly akin to the Scottish Highlands, particularly on a hike to Stony Man Mountain Overlook south of town. Boasting a mystical site right at the heart, Luray Caverns is a destination in its own right with deep, reflecting pools in vibrant hues deep within a massive underground lair. Discovered in 1878 with 140-foot natural columns and colorful stalactites, the caverns across vast chambers are one of the US's most spectacular cave systems. Lose yourself in marvelous wanders, reflections in still waters, and an otherworldly feel along its brick walkways. After resurfacing, take a stroll around Carillon Park, with a pond and its tower.
East of Luray, Copper Fox Distillery offers a peek into “the first US distillery malt floor and kiln since the repeal of Prohibition” in 1933. Producing applewood-aged whisky since 2003, with a 2005 tasting room, visitors can taste whisky from Scotland, among “the best whisky in the world,” according to the founder Rick Wasmund. For German vibes, the sturdy timber frames in a woodsy setting define the warm, inviting, and romantic atmosphere at Shadow Mountain Escape. The owner's German heritage is in the design of the four cabins with Old World flair and décor from Europe. The South Fork Shenandoah River laces Luray to the north. South of town, Lake Arrowhead is a real midday summertime dream. Drop by Shenandoah River Outfitters for waterside pursuits.
Staunton
In the evening glow of lampposts and peeking church steeples along the hilly lanes, Staunton has European flair. For those with a keen eye for these cultural and architectural influences, Shenandoah Valley is child's play for finding a bit of Europe in Virginia. Many Europeans settled in the valley in the 1700s since the landscape reminded them of the countryside back home. Thereon erecting buildings and passing on the traditional lifestyle through generations, Staunton is at the heart of the first true melting pots of America. Frontier Culture Museum features replica and reconstructed traditional buildings from Germany, Ireland, and England. The interpreters personify early settlers through stories, work, dreams, and hopes before they sailed towards the New World.
With its historic district spliced by Virginia Scenic Railway, the epicenter of Staunton's European finesse is the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse downtown. It is a real slice of England at the world’s only re-creation of the one in London. A playhouse tour lets you explore the nooks and crannies before catching a real Shakespearean treat. Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum offers a glimpse into the life of Staunton's favorite son with his photographs, old documents, and other memorabilia. Don't miss Reunion Bakery to recharge on French pastries and breads. Minutes from entrances to Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, you can also visit Verona next door.
Winchester
Surrounded by battlefields and parks, Winchester was of strategic prize importance during the Civil War. Proud to call the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley its own, with lush European gardens, this impressive museum and plantation home displays 18th-century art, regional history, and a mini-house collection on a seven-acre property. The brick red facade can stop anyone dead in their tracks to smell the blooms and admire the Parterre, a 1600s French-style ornamental planting. Old Town Winchester bustles with tourists and local life amid some buildings dating back 250 years. Abram's Delight is the oldest house from 1754, with colonial furnishings, art, and tours. Fort Loudoun Historic Site is a remnant of an 18th-century British fort.
Explore the detailed Third Winchester Battlefield Park, a dog-friendly spot, on a hike, bike, or a private shuttle tour. All this history can be humdrum for the kids, but not at Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum, with interactive science, cultural, and play opportunities. Jim Barnett Park offers space to release the energy along a fitness trail, with disc golf, a playground, and an indoor and outdoor pool. Take a campus stroll next door at Shenandoah University with a scenic pond and fountain along green trails. Driving around, don't miss L’Auberge Provençale east of Winchester for French-inspired brunch with crepes or dining on the chef’s tasting menu. Should the Winchester Greek Festival take place in late August, expect an express southeast Europe trip—gyros and desserts included.
There's plenty of magic in the nature and history of the state, among the initial 13 Colonies and the 10th to achieve statehood in the Union in 1788. Before long, and maybe a few drinks along the beverage trails winding through vineyards and past breweries, the southern US state turns into a European postcard. Near Virginia's southern border, Grayson Highlands State Park is perfect for a hike through a rhododendron-filled forest and expansive grassy meadows with herds of free-roaming wild ponies, akin to the Scottish Highlands. So take the edge off your wanderlusting soul in these destinations that feel a world apart in Old Dominion, especially in these six Virginia towns that rival Europe's best.
