These Towns In Virginia Come Alive In Spring
When the last cold snowflake falls, you can expect the warmth and beauty of spring to soon follow. Colorful flowers start to bloom, and the sun begins to shine at its fairest. In the process, a virtual symphony of amazing scenes unfolds before your eyes. In Virginia, springtime breathes new life into the state’s many charming towns and bustling cities. While every destination offers its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and fun-filled amenities, some are known to help make the season extra special. Come and let us explore these towns in Virginia that come alive in the spring.
Charlottesville
Home to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville buzzes with youthful energy when local flowers start blossoming in springtime. View picture-perfect cherry blossoms as they frame historic landmarks like the Rotunda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece. Other than revisiting history, you will feel renewed amidst a fresh and cool environment. Take a walk across Downtown Mall, a pedestrian-friendly haven, where over a hundred lively cafes and world-class restaurants await you. Savor something unique at Ten, a Japanese restaurant, to make your exploration more exciting. Over at the Paramount Theater, the live performances will turn your lonely nights into a grand spectacle.
With so many local attractions to see in Charlottesville during the spring season, staying for more than a day here is a must. You can make arrangements at The Clifton, a 1799 mansion built for Martha Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson’s daughter. The garden is particularly inviting with its awesome collection of lovely tulips, peonies, and pink dogwood.
Williamsburg
Journey to Williamsburg and climb into a time machine so you can go back to colonial America. In springtime, the meticulously restored Colonial Williamsburg Museum comes alive with vibrant blooms and costumed interpreters of prominent folks like George Washington and Patrick Henry. Complete your history lesson by immersing in the attractions of the Governor's Palace, where two former Virginia governors, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry, previously lived. For thrill-seekers, Busch Gardens is your go-to destination with its eight adrenaline-pumping roller coasters and about 25 rides amidst beautifully landscaped gardens.
At the Williamsburg Botanical Garden, the 18 diverse habitats, including wetlands, native grasses, pine woodlands, and succulents garden, boasting the native flora that comes in riotous colors during the spring months, will astound you. You can also complement your spring visit to Williamsburg by taking a scenic drive along the Colonial Parkway. The 23-mile-long structure connects the town with Jamestown and Yorktown, the three corners of Virginia's Historic Triangle.
Fredericksburg
Steeped in colonial and Civil War history, Fredericksburg is yet another must-see place in Virginia whenever spring comes around. Wander down the 40-block National Historic District, where over 300 historic buildings dating back to the 18th century are standing. These include the Mary Ball Washington House, where George Washington’s mother formerly lived.
For more historic nostalgia, make your way to the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, where you will find stories of valor during the Civil War echoing all around. It is also here where you can get a close look at Chatham Manor, the notorious 1771 plantation that hired slave workers. At Alum Spring Park, the wooded setting is perfect for family picnics and barbecue grills, especially during spring break. There are playgrounds here for the little ones and walking paths for outdoor adventurers.
Staunton
Staunton has some of the prettiest landscapes during spring in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The Historic Garden Week is a prime example. Held in April every year on Ridgeview Road, the event takes you on a tour of 20th-century residential houses filled with landscaped gardens, picket fences, and flowered borders.
Delight in discovering historic Staunton landmarks like the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. The former home of the 28th US president, the Libary and museum traces the life of Woodrow Wilson from his involvement in the Civil War until his presidential tenure. Here, you will see the Pierce-Arrow limousine, the presidential car specially designed for the former US leader.
In Shenandoah National Park, nature lovers can choose from more than 500 hiking trails, engage in backcountry camping, or view wildlife from a safe distance. This popular Staunton landmark opens in March every year when the perfect spring weather inspires wildflowers to come forth and rare animal species to reappear.
Winchester
If it is a fun spring event that you are looking for, Winchester has to be on your list of go-to places. Another Shenandoah Valley destination, the city is host to at least 15 different festivals running from April to June. One of them, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, is a long-standing tradition in Winchester that began in 1924. Lasting for about two weeks, the event features wine tasting, non-stop dancing, outdoor parties, tennis sports tournaments, a carnival, a downtown parade, and a fireworks display.
It is also in March when Winchester holds the Old Town Winchester Celtic Fest. The one-day annual event is a celebration of the town’s rich Celtic heritage. Sample locally brewed beers and dance to beautiful Irish music that starts from 12 noon until 10 pm. How about a visit to the historic Handley Library? Its beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture is a sight to behold, and tours take place daily. If you are not into architecture, no worries. Because the library holds regular spring events like dance parties and art contests that you will want to check out.
Harrisonburg
Fall in love with Harrisonburg this spring by visiting its many art centers, like the Virginia Quilt Museum, designed to preserve and promote the state’s unique quilting art. Daily tours are available, but a springtime sojourn can be exciting since the museum hosts several events ranging from meeting local quilt artists to submitting amateur quilt designs.
Spring is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors, and Harrisonburg is the best place to experience them. Head over to Hillandale Park, the biggest in the city, where you can mount your bike and conquer the Rocktown Trails. There are also picnic shelters here where families can celebrate the joys of the season. Harrisonburg is also known for its vibrant arts scene and has received several awards. A visit to Downtown Harrisonburg will take you to landmarks such as the Explore More Discovery Museum, a popular destination for children where a duck party takes place in March.
Leesburg
The Loudoun County town of Leesburg offers historic charm and scenic beauty to every spring visitor. The perfect first stop would be Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, which has a beautiful 18th-century mansion founded on Greek Revival architecture. Surrounding the mansion are panoramic easements, a restored greenhouse, and an ancient terraced garden. Guided tours are available, and a family picnic can always be arranged on a lovely spring day.
The Leesburg Animal Park is worth adding to your list for a fun spring vacation with the family. Operating since 2020, the place is home to various rare animals, including llamas, wallabies, African serval cats, and kookaburra. They also have wagon and pony rides as well as a live animal show. For the spring season, a highly-anticipated event for children is the Easter Egg Hunt. Lastly, explore classy bars and restaurants like the King Street Oyster Bar, which has its famous lobster roll and Senor Ramon Taqueria to suit your cravings for Mexican tacos along King Street.
Abingdon
Abingdon is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts looking to spend springtime in a fun and exciting way tucked in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Hiking the Virginia Creeper Trail, stretching over 30 miles, is a common activity, so try cycling across the area. With the trail composed largely of crushed stone, mountain bikers will not have a hard time completing the challenge.
Another outdoor activity in Abingdon that you can look into is the Shamrock 4 Miler and Leprechaun Walk, held annually in early spring. For indoor entertainment, you can watch live performances at the Barter Theater. Established in 1933, the iconic structure is the center of Abingdon’s cultural evolution. Several prominent musicals are scheduled this spring, which should be enough reason for you to make that trip to Abingdon.
Lexington
Lexington could also be your ultimate springtime destination. At the six-mile-long Chessie Nature Trail, you can commune with nature either by hiking, running, or biking with a rabbit or a wild turkey passing by. In mid-May, the trail holds a fun run for children, covering a minimum of 1k stretch for as long as two miles.
Have a taste of wines made the unique Lexington way at Purveyors on Main. They also hold a Friday Wine Tasting event that lasts for two hours. See a movie in Lexington on a lovely spring evening by making your way to Hull’s Drive-In. It is a local drive-in theater, one of seven such theaters operating in Virginia. Every March, Hull’s Drive-In is known for showcasing family-friendly films.
Smithfield
Famous for the Smithfield ham, this small town has consequently claimed the title of “Ham Capital of the World”. When you plan your spring visit here, make sure to include Smithfield Foods in your list. It is the biggest global producer of pork and pig apart from being a successful food processing firm and the company behind the popular country ham.
Past the downtown area of Smithfield, you should find Fort Huger, a registered historic Civil War site. A guided springtime tour of this iconic landmark can be arranged so you can better appreciate the war cannons stationed here. For Windsor Castle Park, the origin of the name is unclear, but records show that this 17th-century estate was first owned by Arthur Smith. Since then, it has been turned into a park filled with hiking trails and bike paths, highlighted by a spring tour of the Smith mansion.
Each of these ten towns in Virginia offers its own unique blend of attractions and experiences that make them come alive in the enchanting season of spring. Whether any or even all of them will appeal to your senses is often a matter of personal preferences or desires. At times, however, you will have to consider what your loved ones want, especially if you are planning a grand family spring break adventure. Regardless of what your choice is, there is little doubt that these are places in Virginia that help make springtime a season that should be celebrated every year. So make that important decision and spend your next spring vacation in a lovely Virginia town.
