Explore Small Towns in Virginia

Abingdon is surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, making it the perfect destination for outdoor activities.

With its wonderful music heritage — as the site of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, recognized as the “Big Bang of country music” — and its historic charm, Bristol is the perfect destination for music lovers and history buffs.

Damascus is known as “Trail Town USA” thanks to the seven trails that intersect there, namely the Appalachian Trail and  the Virginia Creeper Trail, which connects to Abingdon.

There’s nothing glamorous about Floyd. It’s not Vegas, baby; it’s dirt-real with spur-of-the-moment porch pickin’, homemade food, handcrafted arts and crafts, and good, friendly people.

Galax boasts the largest and oldest Old Time Bluegrass Fiddler’s Convention in the world, and is also home to the historic Rex Theater. 

The Lincoln Theatre, one of the country’s last remaining Art Deco Mayan Revival theaters, can be found in Marion, Virginia. Fun fact: Marion is also the birthplace of Mountain Dew.

Radford has so many outdoor opportunities with the New River as its centerpiece, and it has a quirkiness to it since it’s also a college town. Specialty shops abound and you can find a good mix of chain and local eateries. 

Located at the intersection of  Interstates 77 and 81, Wytheville provides the best in small town living and natural beauty.

Even Hollywood has visited Big Stone Gap in Southwest Virginia, meaning you’re missing out!

Vintage and antique seekers will enjoy a stroll through Gate City, so named for its role as the gateway into Virginia from Kingsport, Tennessee.

The hub of Virginia’s most recent multi-use trail system, the Spearhead Trails, St. Paul is a pioneer river town with fun history (saloon uproars, anyone?) and more outdoor adventure than you can shake a stick at.

Did you know that Ashland is known as the Center of the Universe? In fact, you’ll find Center of the Universe Brewing Company there, along with railroad, Civil War and American Revolution history.

Blackstone was once called “The Village of Black and Whites” thanks to the two rival tavern owners – the Schwartz Family (schwartz is German for black) and the White Family. Today you’ll find a revitalized community to enjoy.

In Farmville there are plenty of family fun activities. High Bridge Trail State Park offers hiking and biking while the Appomattox River offers a historical story and a relaxing float.

When in Gordonsville, spend time walking in the steps of extraordinary history, and then take a stroll down Main Street to enjoy timeless charm and great food traditions.

The Town of Orange is a true old-fashioned small town experience, with a few special twists.

Scottsville is situated on America’s founding River – the James – and is a town with deep historical roots and an ever encompassing vision for the future.

Colonial Beach is a hidden gem where vibrant culture meets coastal charm.

Most-known for The Tides Inn and Hope & Glory Inn, Irvington has dining options, fine art galleries, boutique retail, and a town park.

Kilmarnock is a quaint, pedestrian friendly, small town close to the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

Mathews is a historic maritime community with the Chesapeake Bay as its main point of scenic beauty.

Montross is home to outdoor murals that tell the story of the region through its presidential birthplaces and tomato canneries. The walkable town is anchored by the Westmoreland County Museum.

A community rich in history, the Town of Tappahannock is a rural, coastal community full of attractions, savory destinations, and an array of lodging to accommodate your stay.

Urbanna's claim to fame is hosting Virginia’s official oyster festival, the Urbanna Oyster Festival, held each November.

A small town nestled in Lancaster County, White Stone’s offerings span from food to shopping.

A Chesapeake Bay community on the Eastern Shore, Cape Charles offers great dining and accommodations, public beach access (the only bayside public beach on the Eastern Shore), and access to bird and wildlife habitats.

Captain John Smith called the area of Onancock “the Gem of the Eastern Shore” in the 1600s. Budget Travel called it “The Coolest Town in the South.” 

Smithfield is perpetually stuck in the weekend. It has a slower pace, there is always something going on, and it constantly smells of bacon.

Culpeper, a National Trust 2012 Great American Main Street, is home to some great wineries and restaurants, antique shopping, and tons of history. 

Sorry, celebs and Washington elite — your secret hideaway is no longer a secret. Clifton is a National Historic District and a walk into the past with amazing present-day taste.

Known for Civil War history, Manassas originated in 1852 at the junction of two railroads which linked Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. with the Shenandoah Valley and Richmond.

Middleburg is a beautiful gem in Virginia horse country. Rolling pastures and beautiful board fences usher you into the quaint town dotted with brick and stone buildings.

Home to America’s first automated grist mill, the quaint town of Occoquan is situated on the banks of the Occoquan River. Rich in history, it is just 23 miles from our nation’s capitol and is home to more than 60 boutiques and restaurants.

Purcellville is your destination for an abundance of wineries in one concentrated area, but it’s more than that. As the saying goes, Purcellville is “everybody’s home town."

Warrenton is in the middle of everything you could possibly want, filled to the brim with local artisans, shopping and restaurants.

There’s no doubt you’ll fall in love with Washington's world-renowned restaurant, superb bed and breakfasts, and a wealth of artisans to delight your eyes and ears.

With the Blue Ridge Mountains as a beautiful backdrop, Front Royal is an access point for Shenandoah National Park, a launching point on the Shenandoah River, and the entrance to Skyline Caverns, one of the only places to see rare Anthrodites. 

Lexington has an exceptional concentration of museums, historic sites, art galleries, music, theaters, and other cultural and outdoor offerings.

Luray, is a charming small town with BIG prospects for all varieties of travelers. “Choose your Level” is the mantra, referring to the mountains, river valley and underground topography.

Staunton boasts arts, history, and fantastic dining in its scenic and charming downtown. 

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Troutville is the only designated Appalachian Trail Community in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

Most people call it Winchester, but you may call it Apple Country. Winchester was Patsy Cline‘s hometown and once you visit, you’ll fall in love with it, too.

Nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Woodstock is the fourth oldest town in Virginia and has a charming downtown with interesting shops and good restaurants.

If you’re into antiquing, Bedford is a great shopping destination for you to find a new old treasure. It’s also a place to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of June 6, 1944 – the day the Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy.

Like many other small towns in Virginia, Clifton Forge originated as a rail town. Visit the C&O Railway Heritage Center for insight on how the Chesapeake and Ohio influenced life in Clifton Forge.

A one-time rail and steamboat hub, Franklin sits along Blackwater River, a tributary of the Albemarle Sound around North Carolina’s Outer Banks. 

NASCAR roars twice each year at nearby Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, but the city of Martinsville itself is an artisan community. 

The small town of South Boston is where you’ll find the NASCAR sanctioned South Boston Speedway, a track that spurred the careers of retired drivers Ward and Jeff Burton.

Discover Clarksville, home to Virginia's largest lake and 50,000 acres of water for recreation.