7 Most Breathtaking Towns In Virginia

Despite being one of the country’s relatively smaller states, Virginia is bursting with beauty. It is home to 22 National Park Service sites, 3,315 miles of coastline (per the NOAA Office for Coastal Management), and the largest cave system in the eastern United States. On top of its natural beauty, many of the state’s small towns are packed with cultural landmarks, including harvest festivals, historic theaters, and beloved diners. If you are hoping to be amazed on your next vacation, these seven towns are sure to leave you breathless.

Luray

Much of Luray’s beauty lies beneath the surface, most famously in Luray Caverns, the largest cavern system in the Eastern United States. Travelers can explore its cathedral-sized chambers and breathtaking stone formations on a self-guided tour or sign up for a discovery tour, led by a guide who shares the cavern’s fascinating history. After a few hours underground, head back up to Luray’s surface to take a stroll along the Hawksbill Greenway. This park, which winds along Hawksbill Creek, features a two-mile paved, accessible trail, along with picnic tables and benches by the water. Just a 15-minute drive from town, travelers can also reach Shenandoah National Park, a 200,000-acre preserve packed with waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and wooded hollows that they can explore via 500 miles of hiking trails.

Big Stone Gap

Big Stone Gap is a quintessential Appalachian mountain town with a lively art and music scene. Travelers can kick off their mountain experience by visiting the Powell Valley Scenic Overlook, just off US Route 23, where they will take in views of a lush valley dotted with farms, homes, and a church below. Afterward, they can walk or bike the Greenbelt Walking and Bicycle Trail, which runs alongside the Powell River and features a series of charming wood carvings along the way. Music lovers, meanwhile, should consider visiting Big Stone Gap during the annual Blue Highway Fest. Taking place from October 8th through 12th this year, this festival revitalizes the region’s economy with a multi-day lineup of talented bluegrass musicians.

Chincoteague

With miles of pristine beach and a wild pony herd, Chincoteague feels like a town out of a fairytale. Travelers can experience this magic at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which features 15 miles of hiking trails, sandy beaches, and diverse wildlife, including the Chincoteague ponies, Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel, and piping plover. If you prefer a local guide to take you out to see the pony herd, consider signing up for an excursion with Saltwater Pony Tours, which offers guided cruises to the Assateague and Chincoteague Islands. If a day outdoors has worked up an appetite, grab dinner at Bill’s Prime Seafood and Steaks, which offers delicious dishes like cream of crab, Chincoteague Oysters, and filet mignon.

Culpeper

Culpeper is a close-knit community in northern Virginia known for its thriving agricultural scene and sunny, rolling farms. Culpeper Cut Flower Farm, for example, offers seasonal flower picking, with a U-pick honor system on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. On September 20th and 21st this year, local farms in Culpeper join forces for the annual Harvest Days festival, featuring farm tours, winery visits, antique tractor and model train displays, and family-friendly activities like face painting. Travelers can finish their agricultural experience at one of the area’s local breweries, such as Far Gohn Brewing Company, which has 10 beers on tap and serves hand-crafted pizza.

Abingdon

Located near South Holston Lake, Abingdon has a healthy mix of natural beauty and artistic attractions. Travelers hoping to cool off can head down to Washington County Park, which is located along the lake’s shores, offering a swimming beach, public water access, a campground, a lakeside hiking trail, picnic tables, grills, and more. After a sunny day by the water, head back into town to catch a show at the Barter Theatre, which has been operating since 1933. Upcoming productions include Frozen, A Few Good Men, and Mountain Mamas. For even more art, check out the William King Museum of Art, which has exhibits that range from contemporary Appalachian art to international fine art pieces.

Floyd

Sitting on the beautiful Blue Ridge Plateau, Floyd is surrounded by preserves and campgrounds. Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve is one of Virginia’s most significant natural sites, home to 15 rare plant species, three rare animal species, and nine distinct natural communities. Travelers can explore the preserve on three hiking trails, with a chance to spot some of these rare species for themselves. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the area’s nature for the weekend, consider spending the night at the Floyd Family Campground, a 200-acre property in the Blue Ridge Mountains with cabins, campsites, RV sites, hiking trails, and a disc golf course. For an even more adventurous weekend, head out the next morning to Buffalo Mountain Ziplines, where you can enjoy a zipline tour soaring 150 feet above the forest floor.

Damascus

Damascus sits at the crossroads of several nationally recognized trails, including the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail. While the upper portion of the Virginia Creeper Trail is currently closed, the remaining section between Abingdon and Damascus is open and makes a great starting point for exploration. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area also surrounds the town and offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, and rental cabins, giving visitors access to mountain balds, rock formations, and spruce-fir forests. Travelers can conclude their adventure with a hearty meal at the Damascus Diner, which serves American classics like hamburgers, meatloaf, pork tenderloin, and barbecue sandwiches.

Final Thoughts

Virginia residents are fortunate to have so much beauty in their backyard. Destinations like Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge are often great destinations for a weekend trip, while towns like Damascus provide access to some of the country’s most celebrated hiking trails. To immerse yourself in the state’s small-town spirit, towns like Culpeper, with their small farms and festivals, are sure to make you feel at home. All that is left to do is choose the town that speaks to you and get ready for a breathtaking getaway!