11 Best Virginia Towns For A Weekend Trip
Where the American South meets the Mid-Atlantic, the Commonwealth of Virginia shines with an array of unique landmarks and attractions. On one end of the state, the Appalachian Mountains give way to the 'Birthplace of Country Music,’ a historic country store, and one of the nation’s early wine regions. At the heart of the state, folks can dig deep into history and relive defining moments of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, as well as the 20th-century civil rights era. And out toward the Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay, visitors can enjoy bold locally grown flavors and pristine beaches.
Get ready to gain some new perspectives on the “Old Dominion.” When you’re ready to plan a getaway, consider these 11 Virginia towns for a weekend trip.
Bristol
Situated near the southwestern corner of Virginia, about 120 miles northeast of Knoxville is Bristol, long known as the 'Birthplace of Country Music.' In 1927, music producer Ralph Peer came to Bristol and began recording traditional folk musicians. At the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, visitors can see and hear how the 1927 Bristol Sessions helped shape the music that became modern American country music. Then, visitors can take a short drive to the Carter Family Fold for a true old-school country and bluegrass concert on weekends. And heading back to town, Squabble State’s taproom serves locally crafted hard cider and hosts weekend concerts.
For more awesome music (and other acts), visitors can check the Paramount Bristol theater calendar and get ready for great shows. For a stay in the countryside, consider Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, a luxury boutique hotel and spa set on an actual working winery, plus guests get special access to The Virginian 18-hole championship golf course.
Damascus
Perched high in the Blue Ridge Mountains, around 141 miles north of Charlotte (North Carolina), is the proud “Trail Town USA” of Damascus. The Appalachian Trail runs through here along its roughly 2,200-mile journey from Georgia to Maine, and the Damascus Trail Center serves as a convenient stop for hikers and a place for other visitors to get to know more of the region’s great outdoors. Speaking of the great outdoors, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area is worth exploring for Virginia’s tallest peak (Mount Rogers, at 5,729 feet above sea level), leafy spruce-fir forests, lively trout streams, and over 400 miles of trails.
After a long day in the mountains, it’s a worthwhile trek back to town to refuel at Damascus Diner and feast on their homestyle American fare. Then, folks can check into The Speckled Trout Outpost and stay at this independent and character-filled boutique hotel that also offers guided excursions around the region.
Floyd
It’s only about 79 miles from Winston-Salem (North Carolina) to Floyd, yet this trek lands visitors in the festive Virginia town of Floyd. For those craving Appalachian Mountain adventures, Floyd is within easy reach of Rocky Knob Recreation Area and its 15 miles of hiking trails, including the Rock Castle Gorge Trail that leads to thick forests, high meadows, and a rambling stream. A little farther out, the Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve protects a craggy corner of the mountains and a unique subalpine ecosystem of prairie-like wildflower fields and grasslands rarely seen east of the Appalachians.
Meanwhile, for a change of pace, it’s worth checking out the Floyd Center for the Arts, which displays original works by Southwest Virginia artists and features a calendar full of interactive workshops and classes. No trip to Floyd is complete without visiting the famous Floyd Country Store that hosts country and bluegrass music and dance nights on weekends. To round out a weekend in Floyd, guests can stay at the renovated Pine Tavern Lodge, which preserves the character of its original 1927 construction while also offering up-to-date amenities such as fast Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and bedside charging stations.
Buena Vista
Just 39 miles from Lynchburg is Buena Vista, a town in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a beautiful backdrop. Just outside town limits, the Blue Ridge Parkway leads to incredible vistas at the Chimney Rock Mountain Overlook, and to the Bluff Mountain section of the Appalachian Trail. In addition, the nearby mountain wilderness has special treasures, such as the waterfalls and seasonal swimming holes at Panther Falls. And should explorers opt for a more challenging adventure, the Long Mountain Wayside area of the Appalachian Trail is worth it for the serene stretch of wild forest and prime birdwatching opportunities.
Whenever one can use a little break from the mountain trails and plenty more creature comforts inside, Blue Ridge Abbey is a great bed-and-breakfast in town with comfortable guest rooms stocked with complimentary coffee and snacks, along with Wi-Fi.
Farmville
Nestled in the heart of Central Virginia, just 65 miles west of Richmond, is the curious college town of Farmville. This town is steeped in fascinating history, and the Robert Russa Moton Museum is a great spot to begin learning about how local student activism led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that called for an end to school segregation. For some more culture, the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (on the Longwood University campus) houses over 100,000 works of art ranging from classic African and Chinese pieces to contemporary works by Virginia-based artists.
In case anyone wants to see some history while stretching out in some wide open spaces, Farmville is the place to go. More specifically, High Bridge Trail State Park extends for some 32 miles along historic train tracks, and Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park preserves part of the Sailor’s Creek battlefield, including the 18th-century Overton-Hillsman House. Both parks also share stories from the final days of the U.S. Civil War, when General Ulysses S. Grant’s Union Army successfully cut off the Confederates’ final attempt to reach needed supplies at Appomattox, forcing General Robert E. Lee’s surrender in April 1865. Whatever one hopes to do in Farmville, it’s good to know the Hotel Weyanoke makes an ideal “base camp,” as this historic 1925 landmark now offers contemporary guest rooms alongside the tasty Taproot Tavern restaurant.
Afton
Where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet Monticello wine country, around 25 miles west of Charlottesville, Afton brings together wine country and mountain hospitality. All around town, it’s easy to reach several wineries (with a designated driver) like the relaxed country farm setting at Valley Road Vineyards, and the sophisticated yet innovative selection of varietals at Flying Fox Vineyard. Even for those who don’t consider themselves wine enthusiasts, there’s still plenty to try, from the award-winning whiskeys and gins at Silverback Distillery to the creative craft beers at WildManDan Brewery.
For the perfect Afton wine country getaway, a convenient place to stay is The Farmhouse at Veritas. Not only are they within very easy reach of the vivacious varietals of the Veritas winery, but they also have a selection of elegant guest rooms and a delectable dinner restaurant on site.
Front Royal
The Appalachian Mountain town of Front Royal has plenty of majestic beauty at the foot of one of the United States’ most iconic national parks. Only 70 miles from Washington, D.C., folks can escape to Shenandoah National Park and drive part or all of the 105-mile Skyline Drive through the end of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They can stop to hike local trails, like Compton Peak, and notice the phenomenon of the columnar jointing of rocks.
Even beyond the national park boundaries, there’s a whole lot more to explore around Front Royal. In particular, the Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area has more amazing hiking trails and a stocked trout stream for fishing, and Shenandoah River State Park has another 25 miles of mighty mountain trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Whenever one’s ready to call it a day, it’s a pleasant return to town knowing one will stay at Mountain Home B&B, a lovingly rehabilitated historic home that now welcomes guests to their homey guest rooms and complimentary breakfast every morning.
Round Hill
Right by the West Virginia state line, and about 52 miles west of Washington, D.C., is the Loudoun County wine country town of Round Hill. This is a place to enjoy fine wines, including those at the family-owned Williams Gap Vineyard and Good Spirit Farm. In addition, More Better Beer Garden serves up great Bavarian-style craft beers alongside plenty of classic Virginia hospitality. And regardless of whether one’s in town to tour the local wineries or to access the Appalachian Trail and other local hiking paths, Round Hill Farm to Trail Co. has everything visitors need, from fine coffee and specialty sandwiches to hiking gear and locally sourced souvenirs.
After a long day at the wineries or in the mountains, it’s a nice journey back to town to stay at Tranquility Farms. These vacation homes offer plenty of room to roam for groups large and small, and they’re connected to Otium Cellars for easy access to wine tasting.
Fredericksburg
Roughly halfway between Washington, D.C., and Richmond is Fredericksburg, a historic crossroads with a lively present-day downtown. For starters, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park protects four Civil War battle sites (Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House) that let visitors track the progression of the war from stalwart Confederate defiance to Union forces’ final push. Then, in town, the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library lets folks explore the backstory and the ongoing legacy of the fifth U.S. president and the last Founding Father to ascend to the presidency. And just a few blocks away, the Rising Sun Tavern lets visitors step back into a 1760s house built by Charles Washington (George Washington’s youngest brother) and converted into a tavern after the Revolutionary War.
Should anyone need to stop at a present-day tavern, Chef Joy Crump’s Foode + Mercantile pays homage to Fredericksburg’s past while serving fresh and new takes on classic Southern cuisine. Then, for some more special local hospitality, The Publisher Fredericksburg is a AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel that offers posh and stylish guest rooms alongside ample meeting space, full access to the on-site Anytime Fitness, and the Five Chophouse restaurant.
Smithfield
Heading down to the Hampton Roads, around 28 miles northwest of Norfolk, travelers will find a strong culinary heritage and waterfront setting in the town of Smithfield. At the Isle of Wight County Museum, folks can see the world’s oldest ham and the world’s oldest peanut on display, where they can dig deeper into the region’s culinary legacy. Then, at Taste of Smithfield, visitors can feast on hearty Southern cuisine enhanced with authentic Smithfield ham. Or, for something a little different, Wharf Hill Brewing Company serves elevated pub fare in a relaxed environment. And a short drive north, Summerwind Vineyard crafts award-winning local wines and delicious Southern-style tapas and charcuterie.
Returning to town, Smithfield Station is a beloved local landmark featuring elegant waterfront rooms and suites, its excellent award-winning restaurant, and even a full-service marina providing access to the Pagan River and Chesapeake Bay.
Cape Charles
At the south end of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, just 43 miles north of Virginia Beach, is the breezy beach town of Cape Charles. Kiptopeke State Park offers direct access to Chesapeake Bay for boating, swimming, and fishing, along with five miles of hiking and biking trails on land. At the nearby Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, visitors will discover a beautifully preserved coastal habitat with prime birdwatching opportunities, including the chance to spot American kestrels, ospreys, Cooper’s hawks, sharp-shinned hawk, peregrine falcons, and piping plovers. Then, should any adventurous explorers paddle out to Smith Island, they will find the historic Cape Charles Lighthouse and a stretch of beaches at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay.
For anyone craving a deeper taste of Cape Charles, it’s worth driving into town and stopping at AJ’s Bar and Grill to enjoy plenty of tasty local seafood and pub fare. And a few blocks away, Fig Street Inn is a historic yet fully renovated boutique bed-and-breakfast offering full breakfast every morning, comfortable guest rooms, and a convenient location that keeps guests within easy reach of the Eastern Shore’s finest parks and beaches.
Plan a Weekend Across Virginia’s Diverse Regions
Virginia offers all sorts of inviting options for travelers looking to do something different for the weekend (or longer). Along the Blue Ridge Mountains, there’s the country music legacy of Bristol, the daring yet welcoming “Trail Town USA” of Damascus, and the scenery of Buena Vista. Up in Northern Virginia, Front Royal opens up to the gorgeous Appalachian backcountry of the Shenandoah Valley, and Round Hill showcases the fine flavors of Loudoun County Wine Country. And down at the Hampton Roads, Smithfield serves up generous plates full of homestyle hospitality, while Cape Charles abounds in beautiful beaches and coastal wetlands. Whatever your interests, Virginia offers a wide range of weekend options.
