9 Towns In Virginia That Were Ranked Among US Favorites
The Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the initial Thirteen Colonies, formally admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788, is an incredibly diverse US state extending between the Atlantic Seaboard and the Appalachian Mountains in the Mid-Atlantic and American Southeast regions. Dotting the Old Dominion’s awe-inspiring 42,774.2 sq. mi terrain are uncountable small towns that are lesser-known compared to the more famous urban metropolises of Richmond, Alexandria, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake. Set out on an enjoyable sojourn to these pretty teeny communities for a bona fide essence of all that ‘The Mother of Presidents’ has to offer.
Culpeper
Culpeper County’s seat of government, this picturesque town is set in the Piedmont River Valley limited by the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers. Culpeper’s several carefully maintained Civil War battlefields, colonial-era churches, landmark structures, and the Museum of Culpeper History are ideal sites to learn more about the bygone years. A typical example of a Great American Main Street, the streets of the town’s revamped downtown are packed with eccentric shops, antique stores, boutiques, and first-class restaurants such as Piedmont Steakhouse and Flavor on Main that satisfy every palate. Annually, merrymakers flock to attend the Mardi Gras celebrations, Culpeper Fest, Fourth of July festivities, Gnarly Hops & Barley Fest, National Horse Shows at Commonwealth Park, Holiday Open House, and Summer Third Thursday Concert Series.
Bedford
Bedford, “The World’s Best Little Town” and Bedford County seat, is situated at the bottom of the Peaks of Otter in southwest Virginia at the core of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Travelers visiting this 6,657-inhabitant town must peruse the myriad antique stores, galleries, artist studios, and cozy restaurants like The Blue Lady & Everafter and Olde Liberty Station in the downtown, aside from the other remarkable sites of interest, including the National D-Day Memorial, Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library, Bedford Area Welcome Center, and Bedford Boys Tribute Center. Also, stop by the various orchards like A.J. Gross & Sons Orchard and Johnson’s Orchards, while the Blue Ridge Parkway, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, and Falling Creek Park are must-visits for nature enthusiasts.
Chincoteague
A tiny Accomack County town, Chincoteague, which includes the entire Chincoteague Island, is placed on the northeastern extremity of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, bordered by Chincoteague Bay to the west and the Assateague Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. This tranquil bayside community is an entranceway to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge of Assateague Island, home to world-renowned ‘Chincoteague ponies’ and an ideal spot for bird watchers. While on a visit to the town, the Museum of Chincoteague Island, Chincoteague Veteran’s Memorial Park, Beebe Ranch, Captain Timothy Hill House, Assateague Lighthouse, and Chincoteague Cultural Alliance are not to be missed. Chincoteague’s Main Street appeals to vacationers with its assortment of small-town businesses, miniature golf courses, homey bed & breakfasts, ice cream parlors, Island Theater, Sundial Book Store, Chincoteague Island Library, and seafood restaurants like Bill’s Prime Seafood & Steaks, and Ropewalk Restaurant. Thousands of spectators are drawn to Chincoteague every July to partake in the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company’s Pony Swim & Auction Festival.
Farmville
Farmville, a booming Central Virginia college town and administrative center of Prince Edward County, is located by the side of the Appomattox River’s headwaters across Prince Edward and Cumberland counties. In addition to Longwood University’s main campus, Farmville houses a cornucopia of fascinating attractions, all of which enthrall both residents and sightseers. The town’s buzzing Main Street is chock-a-full of eclectic shops, museums, breweries, stylish boutiques, coffee shops, the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts Gallery, and restaurants like The Fishin’ Pig. History buffs must stop by the Robert Musa Moton Museum, which tells tales about the foremost non-violent student resistance and the beginning of the Civil Rights era. The Dick Cross Wildlife Management Area, High Bridge Trail State Park, and the neighboring Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park are must-sees for outdoorsy types, whereas, on the first weekend of May, revelers get to celebrate the annual Heart of Virginia Festival with arts, musical performances, lip-smacking cuisines, local crafts, and much more.
Luray
This seat of Northern Virginia’s Page County occupies the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Massanutten, approx. 90 miles west of Washington D.C. Established in 1812 by William Staige Marye, an heir of a family native to the French commune of Luray, the town’s nearness to Shenandoah National Park has made it a popular haunt for adrenaline junkies. Explorers should traverse the panoramic Skyline Drive that passes along mountain ridges throughout the entire length of the national park, take part in subterranean tours into the eerie Luray Caverns, and tour the 117-feet-high Luray Singing Tower aka the Belle Brown Northcott Memorial. Additionally, unwind at the Grand Old Mimslyn Inn after a hectic tour of noteworthy landmarks like the Page County Record Building, Skyline Building, and Luray United Methodist Church within the Luray Downtown Historic District.
Middleburg
An enchanting Loudoun County town set up in 1787 by Lieutenant Colonel Leven Powell, Middleburg is christened as such due to its placement precisely equidistant from Alexandria and Winchester. Steeped in equestrian heritage, the town proudly upholds its moniker, the ‘Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital’ and is greatly appreciated for steeplechasing, foxhunting, and sweeping estates. Bordered by Constitution Street and Independence Street in the west and east, respectively, and extending alongside the complete downtown section of Washington Street, the Middleburg Historic District comprises countless hundred-year-old properties dating back to the late 18th and mid-19th century. Spare time from your busy schedules to tour the town’s prominent attractions, including the National Sporting Library & Museum, Chrysalis Vineyards, Boxwood Estate Winery, Middleburg Museum, Crème de la Crème home goods store, Middleburg Antique Gallery, hotels like the Red Fox Inn & Tavern, and restaurants like the Upper Crust. Every fall, more than 5,000 spectators from all over the world congregate at the Salamander Middleburg Resort & Spa for the Middleburg Film Festival.
Irvington
Irvington, labeled in honor of Captain Levin Irvington, a Baltimore native, is an idyllic Lancaster County village on the Northern Neck Peninsula’s southeastern portion by the eastern banks of Carter’s Creek, where it empties into the Rappahannock River. Irvington welcomes holidayers to gawk in amazement at the 149 contributing properties in Irvington's historic district spread over 1,107.2 acres. Furthermore, cruise the Rappahannock River and spot eagles, ospreys, and herons along Carter’s Creek; partake in golfing activities at the Golden Eagle Golf Club; acquire knowledge about the past at Historic Christ Church & Museum and Steamboat Era Museum; shop in the stylish boutiques, retail outlets, and farmer’s market; and savor delectable farm-to-table cuisines at The Office Bistro.
Onancock
Having 1,211 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, this ‘Gem of the Eastern Shore’ in Accomack County is a quintessential base for surveying the Eastern Shore’s remaining portion. Over the past few years, Onancock has beautifully maintained its residential appeal coupled with a downtown district chock-a-block of elegant Victorian mansions, bed & breakfasts, museums, boutique hotels, theaters, top-quality restaurants, and a matchless artistic realm. The Onancock Historic District, encompassing 225 acres, has umpteen landmark properties, such as the old-fashioned Roseland Theatre, where outstanding international films are available for community showing at a discounted price. Holidaymakers visiting Onancock can hop aboard the Tangier Onancock Ferry yearly from May to October to gain access to some of the Chesapeake Bay’s coveted treasures.
Abingdon
Washington County’s administrative center, this quaint town, is situated in the Blue Ridge Highlands, roughly 133 miles southwest of Roanoke in southwestern Virginia. Baptized ‘Wolf Hill Tract’ at the beginning, the settlement was later renamed for Martha Washington’s ancestral residence ‘Abingdon-on-Thames’ in Oxfordshire, England. Covering a significant part of the town, the Abingdon Historic District comprises several contributing properties dating between the late 18th and mid-20th centuries. The Martha Washington Inn & Spa, Washington County Courthouse, Historical Society of Washington County, Alexander Finlay House, Barter Theater, and Sinking Spring Cemetery are some notable sites of interest. Moreover, the Virginia Creeper Trail, a lengthy multipurpose rail trail that snakes through hills, forests, and farmlands, starts from Abingdon and is apt for biking and recreational hiking activities.
From Bedford - “The World’s Best Little Town,” to Middleburg - “The Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital,” the delightful small towns in the 35th largest and 12th most populous state of the nation captivate vacationers with their friendly atmosphere and undeniable allure. The stunning natural sceneries, impressive historical landmarks, abundant hypnotizing attractions, lively celebrations, and welcoming southerliness these under-the-radar hamlets boast of, are sure to make natives and tourists develop an admiration for them. So, if you are in search of an adorable locale for your upcoming relaxing East Coast getaway, these Virginia towns should be at the top of your itineraries.
