9 Towns in Virginia With Vibrant Downtown Areas
Virginia, a scenic southeastern state stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains, is home to a variety of small towns that fuse history and charm with a warm sense of community. These gems make a perfect retreat for those seeking rewarding cultural experiences without the hustle and bustle characteristic of larger cities like Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Richmond. With well-preserved historic districts, interesting landmarks, vibrant downtown areas, and a host of activities, these nine towns showcase the very best that the Old Dominion has to offer.
Lexington
History buffs are in for a treat with this lovely college town north of Roanoke that was first settled and named in 1778. With a population of nearly 7,500 as of 2022, Lexington is home to Washington and Lee University, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the US. Washington’s gift of $20,000 in stock from the James River Canal Company was instrumental in rescuing the school from financial ruin. Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson are buried in Lexington, with the latter’s house now open to the public as a museum.
The historic downtown offers a wide selection of artisan shops and art galleries housed in 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Just a quick drive from Lexington is Natural Bridge State Park, with six miles of walking trails and an imposing limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. For some nostalgia, head over to Hull’s Drive-In Theatre, one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in the US.
Staunton
Staunton was established as a town in 1761 and formally incorporated in 1801. In 2002, Staunton earned the Great American Main Street Award, which recognized the town as one of the ten most unique small cities in America. Did you know that Staunton is also the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th US President?
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum showcases a World War I trench exhibit and Wilson’s Pierce-Arrow limousine, among other not-to-be-missed displays and exhibits. You will be transported back to colonial times at the Frontier Culture Museum and to the Victorian and Edwardian age in the grand Spotts-Coffman House.
The town also takes immense pride in its music scene, with the nearby Red Wing Roots Music Festival and Staunton Music Festival as crowd favorites. The American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s first recreation of Shakespeare’s 13th century-indoor theatre, is open year-round for performances of The Bard’s plays and contemporary works. What is more, Staunton’s spectacular location between the scenic Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley makes it an ideal base for exploring Virginia’s great outdoors, whether on foot or via bike. Schedule a leisurely picnic at Betsy Bell Wilderness Park; the views are spellbinding!
Abingdon
If a vibrant arts and culture scene is what you are after, look no further than the town of Abingdon. Set in the picturesque Blue Ridge Highlands region of Virginia, Abingdon was named for the ancestral home of Martha Washington, the wife of the first US president. Housed in a 1913 former school, the William King Museum of Art is Virginia's only nationally accredited museum west of Roanoke. The Barter Theatre, for its part, has been dubbed the State Theatre of Virginia and is one of the longest-running professional regional theatres in the nation, welcoming over 160,000 visitors each year.
A Virginia Historic Landmark, Abingdon’s 20-square block Historic District includes The Arts Depot, an 1870 restored railroad station; The Tavern Restaurant, which is housed in a building dating back to 1779 and offers fresh entrees in a relaxed atmosphere; and the Martha Washington Inn & Spa, a four-star Historic Hotel of America constructed in 1832. Abingdon is also home to the annual Virginia Highlands Festival, which features over 200 fun-filled events to keep the entire family entertained.
Culpeper
Whether you are drawn to history, outdoor adventures, dining, or shopping, you are sure to find a plethora of activities in Culpeper to fill your itinerary. In 1749, George Washington, then 17, was commissioned by the College of William and Mary as surveyor for what was then the new county of Culpeper. The first railroad - the Orange and Alexandria - came through the town in 1852. The Graffiti House, which was used extensively by Union and Confederate forces before being converted into a Confederate hospital, features a small museum and serves as a visitor center for the Brandy Station Battlefield. You can even take a battlefield tour by foot, bus, car, or horseback. The Culpeper National Cemetery pays homage to those who fell in battle or died of disease during the Civil War in the immediate Culpeper area. Tracing Culpeper’s vast heritage is the Museum of Culpeper History, which covers everything from dinosaurs and the Revolutionary era to modern art.
Take a leisurely stroll along the tree-lined East Street Historic District and admire a collection of Greek and Colonial Revival-style homes. When sightseeing works up your appetite, choose from a myriad of delightful eateries and coffee shops before checking out antiques, home furnishings, and collectibles on Main Street. Not to be missed is Old House Vineyards, a brewery, distillery, and vineyard affording fantastic views.
Winchester
Rich in history and catering to different interests, Winchester boasts a revitalized downtown that hosts the popular Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. It is there you will also find the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, which features four gallery spaces; seven-acre gardens; miles of trails for walking, running, and biking; and the Glen Burnie House, which graces land that Winchester founder James Wood surveyed, claimed, and finally settled in 1735.
Winchester played a significant role early on in George Washington’s life. He used a small log building, now the middle room of the George Washington Office Museum, as a military office from 1755 to 1756. Fort Loudoun, the site of his regimental headquarters, was erected in Winchester under Washington’s guidance during the French and Indian War. If you are one for the outdoors, this is the place for you: Winchester is home to more than 270 acres of parkland, with Jim Barnett Park alone offering over 170 verdant acres. As if that weren’t enough, Old Town Winchester offers an eclectic array of shops and restaurants.
Farmville
Centrally situated 65 miles west of Richmond and 150 miles from Washington, D.C., the charming town of Farmville was established in 1798. It is home to both Hampden-Sydney College, the 10th oldest college in America, and Longwood University. Also awaiting you downtown are lively restaurants, quaint shops, and historic landmarks. While there, don’t miss Green Front Furniture, where you will find a staggering collection of rugs, imports, and fine furnishings in 12 buildings spread over six blocks. High Bridge Trail, at over 30 miles long, is ideal for bicycling, hiking, and horseback riding.
The park’s magnificent High Bridge, which is over 2,400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River, is the longest recreational bridge in the state and among the longest in the country. The birthplace of America's student-led Civil Rights Revolution, Robert Russa Moton High School is now a National Historical Landmark and a fascinating museum you can visit Monday through Saturday. Planning a fun day for the whole family? Featuring 60 obstacles and 20 zip lines, The Adventure Park at Sandy River Retreat is Virginia’s largest aerial adventure park.
Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg is set in the central Shenandoah Valley area and bound by Shenandoah Valley National Park, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Skyline Drive. Though Harrisonburg’s history dates back to 1716, when Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood led the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Expedition through the area, it was not officially incorporated as an independent city until 1916. Downtown Harrisonburg, a 40-block downtown district revitalized with art galleries, street murals, restaurants, and museums, is a winner of the Great American Main Street Award.
Children will relish interactive exhibits at the Explore More Discovery Museum, while those interested in crafts will enjoy the Virginia Quilt Museum and Hugo Kohl Museum of American Jewelry Design and Manufacturing. From casual to fine dining, 200 restaurants ranging from Mexican to Middle Eastern will surely delight your palate. Whether you prefer independent retailers, boutiques, and galleries or large shopping centers with national brand stores, this town is a shopper’s paradise. In addition, the John C. Wells Planetarium at James Madison University is a state-of-the-art hybrid facility, the only one of its kind in the world, that delivers a realistic, superior night sky.
Middleburg
Recognized for its equestrian culture and gorgeous countryside, this small town packs a ton of historic charm. Known as The Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital and set against the stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Middleburg showcases unique antiques, historic landmarks, art museums, and top-notch fare. The town was established in 1787 by Virginia statesman and American Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel John Levin Powell, who bought the property from Joseph Chinn, a cousin of future President George Washington. Because the town marked the halfway point between Winchester and Alexandria along the Ashby Gap trading route, Powell changed the name from Chinn’s Crossroads to Middleburg. With locally-owned restaurants serving up everything from farm-to-table to tavern classics, foodies will feel right at home.
Take a stroll down Middleburg’s historic district to browse a broad variety of unique stores, thrift and consignment shops, equestrian shops, and high-end boutiques. And with over 160 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, history lovers are in for a treat. At the National Sporting Library & Museum, you will learn about angling, horsemanship, shooting, foxhunting, polo, coaching, and other pursuits through rare book holdings, archives, and an extensive art collection. Built between 1807 and 1809, the nearby Aldie Gristmill was once the largest factory of its kind in Loudoun County. Given its tandem metal waterwheels are fully operational, you might just be able to watch a live grinding demonstration! For lodging, the Red Fox Inn & Tavern, established in 1728, features comfortable accommodations in a tavern setting. Don’t leave town without visiting Cana Vineyards & Winery, where you can sip delicious wine while soaking up splendid mountain scenery.
Smithfield
Having been first colonized in 1634, Smithfield and surrounding Isle of Wight County are as old as Virginia itself. Situated across from Jamestown on the banks of the Pagan River, the area was soon discovered by Captain John Smith and other early settlers. Smithfield and surrounding Isle of Wight County played a role in the Revolutionary War and Civil War, primarily because of its proximity to the James River. Kick off your adventure with a visit to the Smithfield and Isle of Wight County Visitor Center, where docents are happy to provide a wealth of valuable tips and help you arrange a custom tour of the Historic District. Notice the eight life-size statues of market hogs outside the building, which celebrates the town’s history as the Ham Capital of the World.
Wine connoisseurs will enjoy SummerWind Vineyard and Tasting Room, where expertly crafted wines are sure to delight even the most discerning palates. Explore the Victorian Nelms House and the beautifully restored 1750 Isle of Wight Courthouse, which is modeled after the Capitol Building in Colonial Williamsburg. Named for Francis Boykin, who served as a lieutenant with Patrick Henry and later camped with George Washington at Valley Forge, Boykin’s Tavern is another must-see site. Whether you are in the mood for a picnic, kayaking, or a relaxing walk, it doesn’t get much better than the lovely river views at Windsor Castle Park in downtown Smithfield.
Delight in Virginia’s Downtowns
The next time you visit Virginia, consider bypassing the well-trodden large cities in favor of these alluring towns, each boasting ample character and popular attractions. They undoubtedly give locals and visitors alike a window into Virginia’s vibrant local life and rich heritage. Whether it is appreciating the arts, exploring centuries-old architecture, or savoring farm-to-table dining, these communities promise an enriching experience you will forever cherish. Without a doubt, what they lack in size, they more than makeup for in culture and charm.
