9 Charming Virginia Towns For The Perfect Getaway
Virginia offers mountain getaways, big-city adventures, and seaside relaxation, but small towns can provide the charming setting that allows visitors to unplug and explore. Slow down and find a new favorite spot where you can engage in history like never before, experience natural beauty with as much or as little activity as you choose, and find those one-of-a-kind places that exist in beloved communities and downtowns off the beaten path.
Wytheville
Whytheville’s just over 8,000 residents claim something very special. Their town is the only one in the United States that bears the name “Wytheville.” And the town leans into its uniqueness at every turn. The Haller-Gibboney Rock House, now a museum, was built in 1823 and was home to the town’s first resident physician.
The Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum pays homage to the First Lady and wife of Woodrow Wilson. It is the only birthplace museum of a First Lady in Virginia, and it highlights her role as “steward” of the presidency following her husband’s stroke. The town’s appeal extends throughout downtown, including overnight at The Bolling Wilson Hotel, featuring 30 rooms in a nearly 100-year-old building.
Bristol
Bristol is a city in two parts. It straddles the Virginia/Tennessee line, offering the best of both in one walkable visit. In downtown Bristol, Virginia, this city of nearly 17,000 offers history and music in abundance. Visit the Paramount Bristol for an Art Deco theater experience and a full slate of performances.
Keep the theme going with a visit to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, where exhibits, performances, and educational opportunities highlight regional history. Find your rest at the Bristol Hotel, a 65-room boutique hotel that features a rooftop bar. It was rated one of the top 500 hotels in the world in 2024. For a faster pace, venture across the state line to Tennessee’s Bristol Motor Speedway, home of NASCAR races and special events, like a Major League Baseball game in the center of the track.
Cape Charles
Just over a thousand people call Cape Charles home, but wildlife far outnumbers the residents. Start your getaway with a visit to the Cape Charles Museum and Welcome Center, open from mid-April through November, to get oriented and learn some local history.
Home to the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, Cape Charles welcomes visitors, along with millions of birds and butterflies. Whether you are new to birdwatching or an avian expert, there are sights to behold in this coastal paradise. Get outdoors and enjoy the beaches of the Chesapeake Bay, or stroll with purpose as you use a self-guided walking tour, The Invisible History of African Americans in Cape Charles. When you are ready to pause, the Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles provides a peaceful B&B stop.
Culpeper
Home to just over 20,000 residents, Culpeper has an inviting downtown worthy of a movie set. The town is within an hour’s drive of many historical sites and Washington, D.C., but the downtown has plenty of artisan shops and unique spaces to explore. Take a stroll through the South East Street Historic District, the town’s first residential neighborhood to be named to the National Register of Historic Places, for a step back in time. Public art is everywhere, and a self-guided Culpeper Art & Mural Tour is available.
The Museum of Culpeper History, located in a historic train depot, offers tours and special events that highlight the rich stories of the area. You can find lodging for every need, but if a luxury suite in a restored 1890 building is your cup of tea, check out Suites at 249, located in a historic section of downtown.
Front Royal
Front Royal is home to the Skyline Drive entrance to Shenandoah National Park, which features more than 200,000 acres of protected lands. A must-visit stop is Skyline Caverns, where a tour takes visitors to see anthodite crystal formations that spread in all directions.
The site also has a miniature train that runs spring through fall. In addition to a wealth of outdoor activities, Front Royal’s historic downtown is home to artisan shops, children’s activities, and even the Virginia Beer Museum, where you can learn about the history of local beer from its start in 1607. If you want to visit with hikers from the Appalachian Trail, plan your stay at the Mountain Home B&B.
Bedford
With the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop, Bedford, located between Lynchburg and Roanoke, offers plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities, including hiking and lake sports. For a slower pace, stop in at the Wharton Garden, which includes a Children's Literacy Garden that all ages can enjoy.
Looking for a singular history experience? Bedford had the country's highest known per capita D-Day loss - learn more about the soldiers at The Bedford Boys Tribute Center - and the town is home to the National D-Day Memorial, which welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year. Nearby, visit Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest retreat, which was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Peaks of Otter Lodge, opening for summer 2025, is nestled in a tranquil spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the perfect jumping-off point no matter what your plans include.
Falls Church
Though Falls Church is home to around 15,000 residents, its proximity to Washington, D.C., means visitors can have a bit of the best of both worlds. Enjoy the city and the ease of small-town life. Take a stroll using the self-guided Falls Church Art Walk and see a wide range of public art. Stop in at the Eden Center for an immersion in Vietnamese food and culture, and don’t miss a walk past the Falls Church, the town’s namesake and a thriving house of worship steeped in American history. In the city, choose from a variety of hotels, including the Hilton Garden Inn Falls Church, or venture out to Fairfax or Tysons Corner for every D.C.-area option imaginable.
Williamsburg
Split your time in Williamsburg between immersion in history and the rich natural beauty of coastal Virginia. Colonial Williamsburg is home to more than 300 acres of living history, where time is frozen, and visitors can see historic skills and trades in action. The site includes 89 original 18th-century buildings, plus others that have been reconstructed based on historical records and archaeological research. Play, laugh, and make memories at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, with rollercoasters, entertainment, and shows for all ages.
Get outside for hiking, seaside fun and relaxation, and unique opportunities like the 3.5-mile Greensprings Interpretive Trail that features beaver ponds, wetlands, and more. Take your visit to the next level with a stay on-site at Colonial Williamsburg in historic lodging at Colonial Houses & Tavern Rooms.
Martinsville
The name evokes the fast cars of Martinsville Speedway, home of the NASCAR Cup Series Race, but that’s just the start of exploring this town. Martinsville is also home to the Virginia Museum of Natural History, where ancient and modern interact to the delight of visitors. See a 14-million-year-old whale specimen, learn about biodiversity, and explore the world of fossils. Enjoy the outdoors on the Smith River Trail System, a network of trails that connect walkers to shopping, dining, and interpretive stations. Spend the night under the stars at local campgrounds, take it easy at one of a variety of hotels, or tuck in as a guest at an inn like Stuart Hill Bed & Breakfast, which offers rooms in a Colonial Revival home.
Small-Town Escapes That Leave a Lasting Impression
Whether your visit is for a weekend or an extended stay, the appeal of small-town life and the adventures that await can fuel your fast pace with a new perspective. Walk downtown streets, visit local artisans, picnic by a river, lace up your boots for a gentle (or not) trail, and you might find that the charm calls you back for another look at these Virginia communities where you can become part of the town, at least for a while.
