10 Small Towns In Virginia With Big Charm
Virginia mesmerizes visitors with its historic appeal and its natural splendors, especially around some of the best small towns in the state that boast plenty of big charm and amenities to enjoy. In a region that has experienced almost half of all Civil War battles, travelers can appreciate more of the state’s magnificent and strong-willed past at historic dwelling places like Staunton, Culpeper, and Cape Charles. Meanwhile, destinations such as Chincoteague, Onancock, and Farmville cater to those who are eager to go adventuring in Virginia’s outdoors, from the mountain peaks of the Appalachians to the breadths and depths of Chesapeake Bay. All in all, these small towns in Virginia with big charm embody all that is mesmerizing and wonderful in the state.
Middleburg
Middleburg is a magnificent small town famous for being the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital,” due to its popularity for foxhunting, steeplechases, and large estates to explore. Among the big, charming landmarks to seek out in this Virginia town is the National Sporting Library & Museum, a world-class research institution and archive that showcases the legacies of angling, horsemanship, shooting, steeplechasing, foxhunting, flat racing, polo, coaching, and wildlife prevalent throughout Middleburg. Meanwhile, the Museum of Hounds & Hunting North America focuses mainly on the arts, artifacts, and memorabilia of hunting culture that has endured for centuries. Finally, for the large estates to tour, popular wineries such as Greenhill Vineyards and Boxwood Estate Winery provide delicious drinks and exquisite tours in their cellars and vineyards to better appreciate the vibrant agricultural community in Middleburg.
Staunton
When it comes to being one of the best small towns in Virginia with big charm, Staunton checks off all the boxes with flair and aplomb. Newcomers will undoubtedly be curious and eager to visit the Sunspots Studio Glassblowing, one of the best spots in the whole of Virginia to learn and see the intricate art and industry of glassblowing. Those of you more interested in the past rather than the present will want to tour the Jumbo Antique Fire Engine Museum for the well-maintained and greatly admired Jumbo, the oldest motorized fire engine in Virginia. Likewise, you can also enter the Frontier Culture Museum to learn more about the colonial farms and croplands that once prevailed in Staunton’s past, complete with costumed staff and performances to better comprehend the town’s frontier history. Best of all, you can hop aboard the Virginia Scenic Railway for convenient and scenic trips throughout Staunton and its wonderful neighbors.
Onancock
Just as Captain John Smith once called this seaside destination "The Gem of the Eastern Shore," the charming small town of Onancock enchants visitors in big ways, especially with its humble and idyllic location in the Delmarva Peninsula. From this small town by Chesapeake Bay, travelers can book a ferry to Tangier Island, a breathtaking ecosystem with its own history and local landmarks to portray. However, those of you who prefer staying within the bounds of the Delmarva Peninsula can enjoy the sights and sounds of cranes, herons, bald eagles, falcons, hawks, and osprey at the Parkers Marsh Natural Area Preserve. Meanwhile, curious newcomers can visit both the Ker Place or the Eastern Shore Watermen's Museum and Research Center to learn more about one of the oldest towns in Virginia.
Lexington
Lexington is one of the most historic small towns you can explore in Virginia. Here, travelers can venture south towards the Natural Bridge State Park, a site that not only captivates with its bridge-shaped gorge and karst landscape, but also has historic relevance to the fact that its unique features inspired the name of Rockbridge County. Within the town’s bounds, many will want to see the fourth-largest ceramics collection in America at the Reeves Museum of Ceramics. Additionally, you can tour the VMI Museum to learn more about the Virginia Military Institute and see notable alumni who have made their marks in the academy. Amazingly enough, Lexington happens to be the hometown of Stonewall Jackson, a renowned American Civil War general whose house you can tour at the Jackson House Museum.
Abingdon
Close to the state border of Tennessee, travelers will come across the small and charming town of Abingdon, which enthralls all with an eclectic and exciting array of attractions. Within Wyndale Gardens, travelers can go traipsing through 34 acres of Appalachian farmlands to see the bountiful and beautiful landscapes that encircle Abingdon. Because Abingdon is the state’s largest burley tobacco market, it holds livestock auctions at different times of the year for you to purchase or peruse. Meanwhile, you can marvel at some of the best artworks in the area at either the Arts Depot or the William King Museum of Art, both of which curate the natural and cultural aptitude of this charming small town in the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains.
Cape Charles
Within the southernmost region of the Delmarva Peninsula lies the compelling and captivating town of Cape Charles. Visitors will find plenty of big charm and magnificent attractions to seek out on this side of Chesapeake Bay, particularly from the Cape Charles Historic District, which preserves several colonial edifices ranging from the town’s early agricultural community to the development of the railroad. To the north, many might be curious to tour Eyre Hall, a former plantation estate with colonial homes and gardens that are among the oldest in the US. Hundreds flock to Cape Charles to go soaking in the waters of Chesapeake Bay from idyllic regions like the Cape Charles Beachfront. Additionally, one can engage in leisurely kayaking, stand-up paddling, and boating trips at the Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve.
Chincoteague
Chincoteague, located on Chincoteague Island, is a whimsical and wondrous small town that will enchant all with its equestrian delights and its eclectic amenities to seek out. Its main appeal is its proximity to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island, where wild Chincoteague ponies traipse and trot by the beaches and shoreline. At the Museum of Chincoteague Island, one can gawk at artifacts and memorabilia pertaining to Chincoteague’s prosperous oyster industry. Likewise, you can tour the Captain Timothy Hill House to see an impressive pine log house from the 1800s, complete with a replica wooden chimney and ship carvings. Amazingly enough, you can also opt to visit NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center to the west, where one can learn all about the site which once launched over 16,000 rockets carrying science experiments, technology, and satellites.
Culpeper
Only about an hour and 30 minutes away from Washington DC, the charming town of Culpeper thrives as a perennial and perfect destination to visit in Virginia. One can learn about the deciding conflicts that occurred during the American Civil War at the Culpeper Battlefields State Park. On the other hand, you can learn more about the softer and simpler sides of Culpeper’s history at the Museum of Culpeper History, which contains a variety of memorabilia ranging from 215,000,000-year-old dinosaurs to modern artworks. Many ought to try out the Culpeper Mural Tour, which provides ample opportunities to see underrated and often overlooked murals worth photographing. Better yet, you can engage in your own creative prowess or admire others with artistic aptitudes at the Windmore Foundation For The Arts.
Farmville
Once a major tobacco growing area in Virginia for over 100 years, Farmville has since evolved into a humble and amicable small town with big charm. At the Robert Russa Moton Museum, one can learn all about America's first non-violent Civil Rights demonstration in 1951, which led to the Brown v. Board of Education case that mandated equal education for all Americans. Those who want more journeys into the past while also savoring the beauty of the present will adore the Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historic State Park, where over 370 acres of lush farmlands preserve the site of Lee’s Retreat and other Civil War memorabilia. Finally, you can go gallivanting through the vibrant and verdant forestry surrounding Farmville from the High Bridge Trail State Park, Camp Paradise Entrance.
Marion
Prospering within the Appalachian Mountains, the majestic small town of Marion entertains all with fantastic and fabulous journeys through the sylvan peaks and landscapes of Virginia. To the north of the town lies the Hungry Mother State Park, where over a hundred acres of woodland lead to lakeside attractions and camping grounds to pitch a tent in the day or the night. Meanwhile, the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area contains even more miles and acres of trails and treks to traverse for more adventures in the Appalachian Mountains. Among the many mountain peaks to brave is Mount Rogers, located south of Marion, which also neighbors the Grayson Highlands State Park, famous for its horse trails and herds of wild ponies.
The Charms of Virginia's Small Towns Will Spirit You To New Wonders
These amazing and spectacular towns in Virginia might be small, but they offer big, charming experiences and attractions to admire in your journey throughout the state. From the waters of the Chesapeake Bay all the way to the highest peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, travelers will come across historic dwelling places like Culpeper that have preserved the conflicts and mementos of old wars, or encounter lovely hometowns such as Marion that entreat all to the natural sceneries and splendors of Virginia’s outdoors. As the new year begins and new itineraries for future plans are drawn, you should definitely consider some of these splendid small towns in Virginia as suitable places to visit due to their big charm and heartwarming welcomes.
