8 Eclectic Small Towns In Virginia
Extending between the lofty Appalachians and the Atlantic Seaboard, the Commonwealth of Virginia is a varied state in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the US. One of the elemental Thirteen Colonies christened after the Virgin Queen Elizabeth I and formally admitted as the 10th state of the Union, Virginia’s animated city centers: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Alexandria, and the state capital Richmond capture everyone’s focus. Nonetheless, the cornucopia of eclectic towns dotting the 42,774.2 sq. mi terrain of the Old Dominion accurately showcases the incredible diversity of this Southern State and are archetypal destinations for sojourning on your quick jaunts or prolonged sabbaticals.
Smithfield
This 8,533-inhabitant amiable river-port town in Isle of Wight County is situated along the Pagan River shores in southeastern Virginia’s South Hampton Roads subregion. Fondly nicknamed “The Ham Capital of the World,” the town is admired for its role in curing and producing a specified form of country ham called Smithfield ham. Spread over 200 acres encompassing the Downtown core and abutting residential areas, the Smithfield Historic District features numerous contributing properties including the Old Isle of Wight Courthouse, Wentworth-Grinnan House, Thomas House, etc. The Fort Boykin Historic Park, St. Luke’s Historic Church & Museum, Windsor Castle Park, Taste of Smithfield Restaurant, Smithfield & Isle of Wight Visitor Center, Isle of Wight County Museum, Fort Huger archaeological site, William Rand Tavern (Smithfield Inn), Waterfront Inn & Marina, and Cypress Creek Golf Course are some unmissable sites of interest. Annually, try to attend the Smithfield Olden Days celebration, Smithfield Farmers Market, and Christmas Parade.
Culpeper
Culpeper, the Culpeper County administrative capital, is situated at the meeting of U.S. Highway 29 and U.S. Route 15 highways in Virginia’s Piedmont region, roughly 50 miles north of Richmond. Heritage buffs flock here in large numbers, lured especially by the colonial-era churches, old properties, the Museum of Culpeper History, and profuse conscientiously preserved Civil War battlefields. Also, Culpeper’s restored downtown is perfect for shopaholics who wish to indulge in some shopping from the infinite gift shops like Le Monkey House, boutiques like The Rusty Willow Boutique, vintage stores like Quail-at-the-Wood Antiques & Fine Art, and topnotch restaurants like Flavor on Main. The Mardi Gras celebration, Culpeper Fest, Independence Day festivities, Gnarly Hops & Barley Fest, Commonwealth Park’s National Equestrian Shows, and Summer Third Thursday Concert Series are annually organized here.
Wachapreague
Baptized after the namesake Indigenous Algonquian people who originally inhabited the area, this Accomack County town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore has, as per the latest US Census, only 257 inhabitants. Surrounded by aquatic bodies, farmlands, and forestlands, this Victorian-era community is acclaimed for inshore & offshore sports fishing, plus providing unhindered access to the undefiled wetlands and shell-stuffed barrier island beaches. Take a leisurely walk on the streets of Wachapreague and browse discrete shops like Seaside Antiques & Art, lodges like Wachapreague Inn, and dining establishments like the Island House Restaurant & Marina. During the fall and spring seasons, observe wild faunae and migratory birds on the town’s southern waterfront along with participating in the inexhaustible recreations at Herbert S. Powell Memorial Park and Seaside Park.
Middleburg
Named such owing to its median placement betwixt Alexandria and Winchester, Middleburg is an appealing Loudoun County town founded by Leven Powell - a famed Virginia planter and Continental Army Officer in 1787. Brazenly endorsing its epithet ‘Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital’ Middleburg is rated highly in recognition for sizeable estates, foxhunting, and steeplechases. Rimmed by Independence Street and Constitution Street, the 90-acre Middleburg Historic District, replete with unlimited century-old properties, extends over the entire downtown segment of Washington Street. Take a day off to explore the Chrysalis Vineyards, Middleburg Museum, Middleburg Antique Gallery, National Sporting Library & Museum, Greenhill Winery & Vineyards, Boxwood Estate Winery, Crème de la Crème home goods store, Highcliffe Clothiers Shop, and King Street Oyster Bar Seafood Restaurant. The Middleburg Film Festival held every October for four uninterrupted days in the town’s stunning settings, entices cinephiles, cinematographers, and guests from around the globe.
Farmville
A prospering college town, Farmville spans across Central Virginia’s Prince Edward and Cumberland counties, by the headwaters of the Appomattox River. Besides housing Longwood University’s main campus, this seat of government of Prince Edward County has multiple interesting sites such as the High Bridge Trail State Park, Dick Cross Wildlife Management Area, Twin Lakes State Park, and the next-door Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, coupled with incalculable all-inclusive boutiques like Lex on Main, art galleries like the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, coffee shops like Uptown Coffee Café, breweries like Three Roads Brewing Company, and diners like Walker’s Diner cramming Farmville’s Main Street. Learn more about the non-violent student demonstration in 1951 that eventually triggered the Civil Rights era at the Robert Musa Moton Museum in the one-time Robert Russa Moton High School. Every year on the first weekend of May, celebrate the Heart of Virginia Festival with regional handmade crafts, arts, music, and finger-licking cuisines.
Bedford
The administrative center of southwest Virginia’s Bedford County, Bedford is located at the foothills of the Peaks of Otter in the kernel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sightseers holidaying in ‘The World’s Best Little Town’ must take note of Bedford’s noteworthy touristic attractions including Bedford Area Welcome Center, National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Boys Tribute Center, and Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library aside from a wide array of antique stores like Dirt Road Treasures, artist studios like Goose Creek Studio Gallery & Custom Framing, and first-class restaurants like Olde Liberty Station that fill the Downtown. Plentiful recreational activities are offered by the various orchards and extensive natural spaces such as A. J. Gross & Sons Orchard, Blue Ridge Parkway, Johnson’s Orchards, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, and Falling Creek Park.
Cape Charles
Limited in the south by the Old Plantation Creek and in the north by King’s Creek, this immaculate beach town in Northampton County sits on the southern edge of Virginia’s Eastern Shore near the Chesapeake Bay’s mouth. A well-planned railroad community at the outset, Cape Charles currently has plethoric painstakingly maintained waterfront buildings, domestically-owned businesses at the commercial center, and the pristine Cape Charles Town Beach. Vacationers on a visit to the town should stop by the Cape Charles Museum & Welcome Center, Cape Charles Harbor & Marina, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, Kiptopeke State Park, the neighboring Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve, and a Fun Pier next to the Cape Charles Town Beach. The Harbor for the Arts Summer Festival held every year is the most looked-forward-to summer outdoor concert program on the Eastern Shore.
Luray
Page County’s seat, Luray, is set between Massanutten and Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, approximately 90 miles west of Washington D.C. Founded in 1812 by William Staige Marye, a scion of a family native to Luray - a commune in the French department Eure-et-Loir, the town’s proximity to Shenandoah National Park in addition to its amazing vistas and myriad outdoor activities, has made it extremely popular among adventurous souls. While in town, travelers must tour notable landmarks such as the Skyline Building, the Luray United Methodist Church in the Luray Downtown Historic District, the Page County Record Building, and Belle Brown Northcott Memorial, aka the 117-feet-high Luray Singing Tower; traverse the all-embracing Skyline Drive that winds through mountain ridges throughout the entire length of Shenandoah National Park; as well as partake in subterranean tours into the other-worldly Luray Caverns.
From Culpeper’s Civil War battlefields to Bedford - “The World’s Best Little Town,” the 12th most populous and 35th most extensive state of the nation packs many lesser-known towns within its confines. With attention-getting countryside vistas, gripping histories, revitalized Main Streets, loads of fun activities, vivacious celebrations, friendly ambiance, and a calming southerliness, these charismatic hamlets have much to boast of than their urban counterparts. So, if you are on the lookout for tranquil locales to spend your forthcoming relaxing East Coast getaway, these Virginia towns should be on your itineraries.
