9 Towns in Virginia Have The Best Main Streets
The southeastern state of Virginia is known for its cities like Richmond and Virginia Beach. However, Virginia’s towns are also worth exploring, especially for those who have a knack for architecture and American history. From Abingdon’s historic downtown area to Winchester’s Old Town, these Virginia towns have unique main streets that highlight its local history and community!
Abingdon
Abingdon sits 15 miles from the Virginia-Tennessee border and historically functioned as a wilderness route common amongst pioneers passing through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Established since 1778, Abingdon’s historic downtown area spans for 20 blocks and houses architecture that are up to two centuries old! Visit Abingdon’s oldest building at The Tavern or admire the four-star Martha Washington Inn & Spa or the Barer Theatre. Even a few blocks away from its main street, travelers are bound to find something they’d like, from local art galleries to specialty boutiques.
Lexington
Part of Rockbridge County, Lexington is situated in West-Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley along the Maury River. Lexington’s Main Street played a vital role along the Great Wagon Road during the 1700s.
Today, visitors exploring this downtown area will be pleased to know that it looks like it did several centuries ago, even with its offerings of modern farm-to-table restaurants, art galleries, and local boutiques. Lexington’s history is not lost here, as plenty of historic buildings are still part of its main street infrastructure, including the Alexander-Withrow House and The Georges or Gin Hotel. Explore the beauty of downtown Lexington, which was classified under the Virginia and National Register of Historic Places. This Virginia downtown area was also made famous as a filming location for Sommserby starring Richard Gere and Jodie Foster!
Marion
Located in Southwest Virginia, Marion sits on a middle fork of the Holston River in Smyth County. This Virginia destination was nicknamed "America's Coolest Hometown”, containing a downtown district rich in history and family-friendly attractions! Marion’s historic district encompasses the local streets of Main, Cherry, Strother, Lee, North College, and College. Explorers can visit Marion’s Lincoln Theatre to catch a show in one of the world’s last-standing Mayan Revival-style theatre! Visitors can also enjoy a stay at the top-rated General Francis Marion Hotel, emanating vibes from the 1920s.
Manassas
Sitting in northern Virginia, Manassas is a historic town that was originally established in 1852 between two railroads connecting Virginia and Washington, DC. Today, Manassa’s downtown district attracts 500,000 visitors every year, which is dotted with boutiques, farmer’s markets, antiquities, and local restaurants. Art is also sprawled across the downtown area in the form of street banners, murals, sculptures, and painted trains! Manassa’s also boasts its interesting and family-friendly attractions, including the Manassas National Battlefield Park, ARTfactory, Manassas Museum, and the SplashDown Waterpark.
Staunton
Considered one of the oldest communities west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Staunton is located near the Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive. Staunton’s Main Street was Virginia’s first main street community to receive the American Main Street Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Today, this Staunton attraction will keep visitors busy thanks to its 270 businesses, 30 restaurants, and 80 specialty stores! Plus, keen architecture buffs can appreciate the Victorian architecture that is still present in this main street community, especially at the Beverley Historic District. Many historic buildings (which have been around since the 1870s!) remain standing today, such as the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and the Beverley Cigar Store.
Blackstone
Located in Southside Virginia, Blackstone is 35 miles southwest of Petersburg and 50 miles south of Richmond. Blackstone town was established in 1888 and its name was proposed after Sir William Blackstone, an English jurist.
Blackstone’s Historic Business District spans for 16 blocks that is bordered by the South Main, Church, and Sixth Streets, as well as College Avenue. This district contains a collection of antiquities, shops, and local restaurants that are near the town’s storied buildings.
Visitors can discover Blackstone’s four historic churches in the district, which were built around the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Each church are beautiful examples of unique architecture, including Roman and Gothic Revival styles. Residential areas also make up a portion of the area and surround the historic district. East of Main Street is Blackstone’s oldest residential neighborhoods that contain a collection of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival-style residences from the 19th century, belonging to former merchants and businessmen.
Danville
Danville is situated in Southcentral Virginia along the North Carolina border. Dubbed as a world-class community and a “playful” town, Danville is also regarded as a historic Virginia town since its establishment in 1793.
Travelers can learn more about town’s history at the Downtown Danville History District. This area is mostly populated with architecture that reflect Tudor Revival, Late Gothic Revival, and Romanesque styles. The Danville Historic District also house several mansions that were developed by prominent figures from Danville’s tobacco and textile industries, which were responsible for the town’s early economic prosperity.
Visitors who admire architecture and American history can enjoy exploring the Downtown Danville Historic District, which is listed in the National Register and is a part of the Virginia Main Street community!
Warrenton
Virginia’s town of Warrenton is nestled in Fauquier County and acts as a gateway to the state’s Piedmont Region. Warrenton is praised as a great place to live, but also an excellent place to explore local American history, especially its Old Town area.
Warrenton’s Historic district preserves buildings that go back to the Civil War, as well as churches, houses, and buildings that reflect different architectural styles. These buildings are tucked within the town’s local eateries, shops, and boutiques. Travelers can explore and discover Warrenton’s history since its establishment in 1810.
Winchester
Winchester is one of Virginia’s oldest communities west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Founded in 1744, Winchester can be found at the north entrance of the Shenandoah Valley. Winchester is proud of its storied past, acting as the location for General Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters and the office of George Washington during the mid-18th century. Keen visitors can explore this past as well as other gems in Old Town Winchester, which has over 30 restaurants and 60 shops beside its museums and historical attractions. Visit the Stonewall Jackson’s Headqaurters Museum or take a tour around the Old Courthouse Civil War Museum. Alternatively, travelers can also be one of the 250,000 visitors in the Spring to be a part of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, which is hosted by Winchester every year!
From Abingdon to Winchesters, the “main streets” of these Virginia towns attract tourists due to its collection of local shops, as well as attractions that highlight the storied past of these historic significance of these destinations.
