11 Nicest Small Towns In Virginia

Virginia is a popular travel destination on America's East Coast, framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. While it is famous for big cities like Richmond and Virginia Beach, it also hosts unknown yet delightful towns that don't enjoy the hype they deserve. Their slow pace provides a needed break from the constant chaos in the urbanized centers.

Together, they showcase the true character and charm of the Old Dominion. Their historical markers, unique cultures, and natural landscapes deliver an authentic experience guaranteed to impress any first-timer. Whether you want to delve into the state's rich beginnings in Williamsburg or bask in the soothing coastal scenery of Chincoteague, here are some of the best small towns in Virginia.

Abingdon

This Blue Ridge Mountain community in Washington County impresses visitors with its historical markers and lively art venues, while providing enough opportunities for outdoor fun. Abingdon houses the historic Barter Theatre. This world-class performance center was opened in the 1930s and has maintained the tradition of connecting the residents with the arts through live concerts, plays, and musicals. Meanwhile, the William King Museum of Art is reserved for visual art enthusiasts, exhibiting an array of classic and contemporary artworks from around the globe in a former school building.

Abingdon was founded in the 1770s, and its enduring history is preserved and presented to guests by the Historical Society of Washington County. Also, outdoor lovers find time to stretch their legs and interact with nature at Munchkin Park.

Chincoteague

Chincoteague is a paradisiacal island getaway on Virginia's Eastern Shore, dripping with pristine natural allure and offering unmatched serenity. It is ideal for an easygoing vacation, with uncrowded beaches readily available at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. The area is a habitat for cute native wildlife, including more than 270 bird species and untamed ponies that you can admire while exploring its 15-mile hiking trail system. If you are interested in wildlife, you can take the SaltWater Pony Tours for close-up encounters with species like eagles, ponies, ospreys, dolphins, and more.

Chincoteague encourages newcomers to learn its colorful heritage at the Museum of Chincoteague Island. This quaint facility celebrates the island's people, history, and culture by showcasing diverse memorabilia stretching back to the first inhabitants.

Lexington

Lexington is a laid-back college town in Rockbridge County and home to the Virginia Military Institute. It is renowned for its curious history and lovely natural areas. Lexington's downtown district hosts several vital landmarks, such as the Jackson House Museum. This rustic brick building preserves the memory of Civil War general Thomas Jackson, who once called it home between 1858 and 1861. Additionally, the VMI Museum offers fascinating insights about the military by exposing guests to over 20,000 related exhibits.

Outside the busy town square, tourists can relax and breathe fresh air at Boxerwood Nature Center and Woodland Gardens. This 15-acre arboretum displays a lovely collection of native flora in a tranquil space with a pristine creek running through it.

Front Royal

Front Royal is a must-visit for vacationers in Virginia and places you within touching distance of some of the state's best attractions, including the Shenandoah National Park. However, this Warren County municipality is renowned for housing the mysterious Skyline Caverns. This geological treasure features a series of underground caves with otherworldly crystalline rock formations that tourists can explore along winding passageways. Above ground, Front Royal welcomes guests to discover its early days at the well-preserved Balthis House. This is the oldest structure in the town and was initially constructed in 1787.

Also, oenophiles can taste some of the community's wine offerings at Chester Gap Cellars. This lovely establishment crafts high-quality white and red wines that visitors can enjoy while admiring the surrounding mountain and valley views in a serene natural environment.

Staunton

Staunton is usually associated with being the home of Woodrow Wilson, America's 28th president, but it also boasts a vibrant art scene. You will find excited enthusiasts gathering inside the American Shakespeare Center to watch classical performances at the elaborately recreated Blackfriars Playhouse. The community pays homage to its former resident at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum. Inside, first-timers get a unique perspective of Wilson's diligent legacy by browsing directly related memorabilia, artifacts, and relics.

History collides with the arts at the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art. This magnificent facility houses galleries, educational classrooms, a lecture hall, studios, and a library, providing a wholesome lesson of Staunton's heritage.

Smithfield

This close-knit community in Isle of Wight County is steeped in history and boasts a picturesque downtown district decorated with historical markers and sites. Walking downtown streets feels like stepping back in time, with the Schoolhouse Museum transporting newcomers to the early 1900s. The building maintains period furniture and oral narrations chronicling the history of African American learning in the region.

However, you can travel further back in time by visiting the conspicuous St. Luke's Historic Church & Museum. Constructed in the 1600s, this rustic building represents one of the oldest churches in the state still standing. On a different note, Smithfield charms vacationers with its warm personality, often on display during the weekly Smithfield Farmers Market. This Main Street gathering of local vendors invites wholehearted interactions between residents and tourists as they shop for different wares.

Warrenton

This historic town in Fauquier County houses a lively downtown district where the old seamlessly blends with the new to offer visitors the best of both worlds. Tracing its origins to 1810, Warren has no shortage of vintage landmarks. The Fauquier History Museum depicts life in Warrenton through the years using a vast collection of displays. It is housed in an old jailhouse from 1808 that maintains its structural integrity. Those wanting a contemporary pursuit can head to the Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility for fun in the water in a state-of-the-art indoor pool.

Meanwhile, the Warrenton Branch Greenway provides an outlet for those who feel comfortable around nature. This lovely urban park has quiet nature trails surrounded by pockets of greenery, ideal for undisturbed walks and picnics.

Crozet

This small village of Albemarle County encourages tourists to prepare their palates for delicious wine and beer tastings while exploring its vast natural areas. Crozet is a popular stop for outdoor enthusiasts, providing them with boundless opportunities throughout the 520-acre Mint Springs Valley Park. This green oasis, set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offers everything from hiking trails, biking paths, a swimming beach, and a fishing pond.

The community takes pride in its wine-crafting and drinking culture, which visitors can get a feel for at Kings Family Vineyards. This pleasant establishment has an inviting tasting room with weekly food trucks to ensure you don't lose yourself in the wine on an empty stomach. But if you gravitate toward craft beer, you can find great-tasting drafts at Starr Hill Brewery.

Norton

One of the most beautiful small towns in Virginia, Norton is set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is awash with pockets of green spaces with pastoral charm. This makes it a go-to for outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy ready access to a 1,000-acre playground at Flag Rock Recreation Area. Everybody from mountain bikers and fishermen to hikers and canoers converges here to make the most of its recreational opportunities. Meanwhile, Stone Mountain Adventures is one of the many local outfitters in the area and takes guests on remarkable rafting and kayaking excursions on the water.

Also, movie lovers will want to visit Central Drive-in Theatre for a unique viewing experience. Since the mid-20th century, this unique location has screened entertaining films in an open-air theater, allowing residents to enjoy them from the comfort of their cars.

Williamsburg

Historically renowned for being the capital of Colonial Virginia, Williamsburg promises guests a rare trip through time, showcasing the very beginning of the Old Dominion. A tour of Colonial Williamsburg delivers a vivid glimpse of the early days. The complex features a collection of old stores, buildings, and homesteads, with costumed reenactors to make the experience original. Notable landmarks in the neighborhood include the Governor's Palace. This stately mansion is where the English royals would stay at the time, and it retains many of its opulent features. Another must-see site is the rustic Peyton Randolph House, one of the oldest original homes in Williamsburg, known for its creaking floors, colonial furnishings, and tales of old.

History aside, families can take advantage of the endless entertainment at Busch Gardens. This world-class amusement park spreads over a 420-acre property and offers dozens of thrill rides, coasters, live shows, cafes, concessions, and other family-centric attractions.

Cape Charles

Virginia's Eastern Shore is awash with fine destinations, and this Chesapeake Bay community represents one of the best in the area. Cape Charles presents pristine beaches, unmissable festivals, and mouth-watering seafood to entertain guests. Beach lovers find the perfect escape at Kiptopeke State Park, where sandy hiking trails and thriving migratory birds allow them to let their hair down during easygoing viewing sessions. Elsewhere, historians can discover interesting local heritage at the Cape Charles Museum, home to an array of displays telling the story of the community's development.

Lastly, festival goers are in for a treat thanks to the numerous events Cape Charles hosts throughout the year. The Cape Charles Crabby Blues Festival is a can't-miss event and blends delicious seafood eats, soothing blues music, and boat rides to deliver an unforgettable spectacle by the beach.

Final Thoughts

The Old Dominion's rich history, absorbing culture, and exquisite nature ensure guests have something fun to look forward to no matter the season they visit. This roller coaster of unforgettable experience comes to the fore when you tour any of these adorable small towns in Virginia, with a chance to make lasting memories alone or with family in the United States. There is something for everyone, whether you want to explore the eerie caverns in Front Royal or sample the wines of Crozet.