9 Best Towns in Virginia to Visit in 2024
The best towns to visit in Virginia during 2024 offer world-class theatre, a famous hiking trail, wild ponies on the coast, historic architecture, ancient geology, spooky tours, and moonshine. At each location, visitors are welcomed with small-town hospitality and can partake of delicious local cuisine. In addition to the towns and their natural environments, annual events such as the 99th annual Pony Swim in Chincoteague, Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival, and even an annual Tacky Holiday Lights tour draw the crowds.
These small towns in Virginia, the Mother of States, offer something for everyone to enjoy on the next vacation from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coast.
Abingdon
World-class theatre productions draw thousands of visitors yearly to one of the town’s oldest attractions – Barter Theatre. When it opened in 1933, patrons could buy tickets for produce rather than money. Today, audiences can enjoy over 25 plays per year. Visitors stay at the 1832 Martha Washington Inn & Spa, surrounded by the elegance and décor of the 19th century.
Stroll the 20-block downtown district, once known as the Great Road (“a well-traveled wilderness route”), to shop at the Antique Barn, General Store and Community Market. Enjoy barbeque at the Bonefire Smokehouse and a unique breakfast or lunch at The Girl & The Raven. The 20-acre labyrinth of sandstone trails is found at the Great Channels; boulders to climb are in the Grayson Highlands; and “The Grand Canyon of the South” is located at Breaks Interstate Park.
Buchanan
Built upon an area of only 2.5 square miles, this destination tucked into the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains is regarded as a fine example of an American small town. Explore the revitalized downtown area in search of treasures in this top-rated town for antiques and collectibles. The Buchanan Fountain & Grille offers 1950s-style burgers and shakes, and The Witt Stop is a bistro serving gourmet coffee and meals.
For outdoor activities, the Upper James River Water Trail is popular for fishing and floating. The famous Appalachian Trail is waiting just four miles from Main Street, and the first bicycle trail to cross the country (Trans America Bike Route) is here. For a step back in time, walk across the Buchanan Swinging Bridge, which dates to 1851. The family will enjoy a spring trip to Buchanan for the stunning displays of blooming cherry trees.
Chincoteague
A visit to the state’s only resort island reveals unexpected delights. One of the most unusual is the Chincoteague Pony herd – a band of wild horses that reside on nearby Assateague Island. Attend the 99th annual Pony Swim event in July. Boat tours along the Eastern Shore are the perfect way to see all the unspoiled nature of this location. In addition to the marine ecology, pirate ship adventures and sunset tours are offered.
Spend the day at the National Wildlife Refuge to see exhibits, videos, and a marine aquarium across 14,000 acres of protected maritime forests, marshes, and beaches. Hiking and cycling the 15 miles of trails over the island carries visitors through marshes and woodlands, with the island’s lighthouse available for a visit. Events are held at the local bookstore, and local art can be purchased at The Osprey Nest gallery.
Fincastle
The history of this small village dates to pre-Revolutionary War times. Today, visitors are surrounded by architecture from the late 18th century to the 20th century. This location has been called a “virtual museum” due to the number and styles of structures open to the public, including the Jeffersonian Court House, Victorian-era jail, and an old West hotel.
Stop at the museum to learn about local lore and legends. Guided (and self-guided) walking tours reveal homes, churches, shops, log homes, and dozens of other historic buildings. Several art galleries, an active theater community, and a market with local, Amish, and Mennonite goods await. Each fall, halfway between Fincastle and Buchanan, the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival attracts visitors for hay wagon rides, craft and food vendors, and fun in the sunflower fields.
Floyd
For music, moonshine, and a thriving arts community, Floyd is the destination. This stop on The Crooked Road (the state’s heritage music trail) attracts world-class musical talent and audiences from around the country. Enjoy a tour and taste the history and flavors of handcrafted moonshine, and stop by local wineries and a meadery (drinks made from Virginia honey). Award-winning artisans create pottery, textiles, jewelry, stained glass, and many more items on display and for sale in the community.
Each year, the June Artisan Trail event opens the doors to the crafting community. The surrounding mountains offer ziplining, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Join the locals at the Floyd Country Store, where a soda fountain serves up ice cream delights, a café dishes meals from locally grown ingredients, and live music and dancing draw the crowds.
Luray
The highlight of a trip to this location took four million centuries to create – Luray Caverns. This underground natural wonder is considered a geological "hall of fame" with towering ceilings, translucent calcite formations, a reflecting lake, a towering double column of stalactite and stalagmite, and the world’s largest musical instrument. The Great Stalacpipe Organ makes the structures sing!
Above ground, visit the Shenandoah Heritage Village: a seven-acre recreation of a 19th-century farming community. Take a horseback ride, stargaze, watch wildlife, and enjoy the scenery amongst the 196,000 acres of protected wilderness in the Shenandoah National Park.
Orange
Located in the rolling foothills of the Piedmont region of the state, this small town was established in 1734. Begin a tour at the visitor center, where maps, brochures, and an audio guide are available. The Barboursville Ruins, designed by Thomas Jefferson, still stand at the vineyards, and tours await at Montpelier, home of James Madison ("father of the Constitution and architect of the Bill of Rights").
A number of trails, both historic and natural, are ready for exploration: Wilderness Crossing, Wilderness Battlefield, Mine Run Battlefield, and eight miles in and around Montpelier that include the Old Growth Landmark Forest. Plan a winter visit for the unique experience of the annual Tacky Lights Tour.
Radford
For a spooky location, plan a tour at the St. Albans Sanatorium. Once a boys’ preparatory school, this 1892 building subsequently became a hospital for the mentally ill. Now, it is considered one of the most active sites for paranormal activity in the East! The Glencoe Mansion is open to the public with exhibits, art, and culture of the area.
On the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, more than 200 species of birds have been seen throughout the seasons. This small town is located beside the oldest river in North America, interestingly named the New River. World-class fishing, floating, paddling, and whitewater are signature attributes of this northward-flowing waterway. In the fall, Scots-Irish heritage is celebrated during the Highlanders Festival.
Smithfield
Noted as "perhaps the best preserved of Virginia’s Colonial seaports," this destination has also earned accolades as one of the state’s prettiest towns. Prepare for your visit with an exceptional series of online videos entitled "Behind These Walls," then follow up with a walking tour of the town. Throughout the town is the largest collection of sculptor George Lundeen’s bronze statues, perfect for a photo. Free guided and self-guided tours of Windsor Castle Park happen at the downtown riverside location.
Music at the Meadery and the Cheeseburgers & Classic Car Cruise In are popular events held regularly throughout the year. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available seasonally for exploring the waterways. Be sure to sample the famous Smithfield meats and take a culinary tour of "The Ham Capital of the World!"
Often, the best vacation destinations are found in the small townships dotted across a state, and Virginia is no exception. From the mountainsides of Buchanan to the maritime forests and beaches of Chincoteague Island, visitors will find epic scenery. For societal history buffs, Fincastle, Orange, and Smithfield are rich with stories, and, to stand amongst ancient geological history, Luray is at the top of the list. Abingdon and Floyd are alive with artistic creativity, and Radford offers its own unique experiences of the spookier variety. Each of these best small towns to visit in 2024 is pedestrian-friendly, welcoming, and surrounded by natural beauty.
