8 Most Walkable Town Centers In Virginia
From Vienna near Washington, D.C. to the Shenandoah Valley and the Tennessee line, Virginia’s best weekend towns shine in their walkable cores. These communities welcome visitors from near and far with their rustic charm, town-center amenities, and cultural history, as evidenced by spaces such as the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. They also attract visitors with everything from an Apple Blossom Festival to an Outdoor Downtown Mall, making them truly special places to visit and explore. Come along on a stroll of Virginia's best walkable town centers!
Vienna
Just west of Arlington and Washington D.C., is Vienna, a town in Fairfax County, renowned for being a family-friendly suburb near the nation's capital and its local charm. In the center of town is the Town Green, a 2.5-acre local park that hosts community events like Oktoberfest and summer concerts, and is a tranquil spot to unwind, have a picnic, and has plenty of walking trails and water fountains. On the northern tip of the Green is the Freeman Store and Museum, which was a train depot, hotel, hospital, officers' quarters, fire department, and residence throughout the centuries. The museum preserves the town's past for future generations and has a gift shop, selling one-of-a-kind souvenirs. About a quick two-minute walk from the Green is the Vienna Inn, a local restaurant established in 1960, serving patrons a warm, hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and has specialty nights like Seafood Friday, for people to enjoy.
Middleburg
About 32 to 41 miles west of Vienna is Middleburg, a more rural town known as the "Nation's Horse and Hunt capital" for its heritage in fox hunting. In the center of town is the Red Fox Inn and Tavern, where guests are treated to luscious rooms, suites, and cottages, along with daily breakfast and amazing meals served in the Tavern. A one-minute walk up the street from the Red Fox Inn is the Middleburg Museum, where residents and visitors can see the town's preserved history through images, short films, and hosts special events.
About a two-minute walk south of the Middleburg Museum is the Museum of Hounds and Hunting North America, where its visitors can view paintings, artifacts, and hunting clothing, all dedicated to hunting and hunting with beloved hound dogs. A two-minute walk up the street from the Museum is the Tremolo Bar, where patrons can enjoy incredibly crafted drinks, a diverse selection of wines, and small bites in a calm and luxurious setting.
Charlottesville
The upbeat, vibrant, and historic city of Charlottesville is not just the home of the University of Virginia, but it's also an incredibly walkable city, thanks to its compact size and pedestrian-friendly layout. In the heart of downtown is the Omni Charlottesville Hotel, a luxurious hotel with incredible, spacious guest rooms and dining at the Conservatory or the Hillock Neighborhood Kitchen. A 0.4-mile walk away from the hotel is the outdoor Downtown Mall, featuring a mix of restored and renovated buildings, unique shops, and restaurants. This includes Omakase Obscura, serving patrons elegant sushi and Japanese cuisine, and enjoying local community events and live music, like Fridays After Five, which takes place at the Ting Pavilion at the end of the walkable mall.
A 0.3-mile walk north of the outdoor mall is the McGuffey Art Center, which has 45-plus resident studios, 100 associate artists, a few exhibits featuring glorious art by community residents, and can host various events and tours.
Fairfax
About five miles south of Vienna is the independent city of Fairfax, which has a very walkable layout, sprawling with shops and restaurants for the community to enjoy. In the center of town is the Fairfax Old Town Square Park, a quaint and historic park with fountains, walkways, and benches to enjoy the green space and scenery. The park also hosts numerous local events like Fiesta Fairfax, which honors the Latino community, highlighting traditions, and features dance, live music, food, drinks, and arts. Just a two-minute walk from the park is the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House, a historic brick home that was the city's first housing unit. People can schedule tours at the historic home and see well-preserved furniture from the time period and what a home was like in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
A two-minute walk west of the Ratcliffe-Allison-Pozer House is the Commonwealth Brewing Company, where patrons can enjoy locally crafted beers such as "the House of Commonwealth and the Grape Gatsby," and host brunch every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Brewery has also hosted events from the likes of CommonCon, which is similar to a comic con, with comic book-themed expos, DJs, cosplayers, and plenty of craft beer. A nine-minute walk north of the Brewery is the Stafford House, an alluring bed and breakfast just outside of downtown with incredibly historic-styled rooms and suites, has a private sauna and jacuzzi, and breakfast is delivered to the rooms.
Williamsburg
Just 51 miles east of Richmond is the independent city of Williamsburg, renowned for its American Colonial history, the home of the Busch Gardens theme park, the home of William and Mary University, and its proximity to Jamestown, the first settlement in the state. On the edge of the town square is the Williamsburg Inn, a luxurious hotel offering its guests immaculate rooms and suites to unwind in, very close to the city's vast amenities, which include a gift shop, a fitness center, and can host memorable events and weddings. About a 0.5-mile-long walk west of the Inn is the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, the country's first and continually operating museum dedicated to the preservation of American Folk Art, with its unique galleries full of sculptures, paintings, drawings, furniture, glass, and artifacts from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
A 0.3-mile walk north of the museum is the DoG Street Pub, a gastropub serving tasty meals like Beer Cheese and the Rail Sandwich, and drinks on tap like VBC, saving daylight. The pub also has its own running club that meets every Monday, where people can run a 5K and then enjoy food and specials afterwards. A one-minute walk due west of the pub is the Kimball Theatre, which hosts various plays, events, concerts, film screenings, speakers, and musicals for the community to enjoy in a historical building that opened in 1933.
Falls Church
Just west of Arlington is the city of Falls Church, which welcomes people with its small-town charm and rich Colonial history. On East Broad Street is the Creative Cauldron, a non-profit theater and educational arts organization providing people in the community with various music festivals, plays, classes, and camps. Just 0.1 miles west of the Creative Cauldron is the Dogwood Tavern, a local restaurant serving patrons warm and comfortable food in a rustic setting that provides outdoor seating and hosts local events.
About 0.3 miles further west of the Dogwood Tavern is the Meeting House Boutique Hotel, a 32-room hotel that takes pride in making its guests feel like they are at home. The hotel offers guests gorgeous rooms to unwind in, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Godfrey's in the lobby, and is within walking distance of other shops and restaurants in the community. The Cherry Hill Farmhouse is a 0.2-mile walk north of the Meeting House, a historic house that's a museum where its visitors can see period furniture, artifacts, and host various local events like Ice Cream Socials.
Winchester
In the northern region of the state is the city of Winchester, nicknamed the "Apple Capital of the World" due to an abundance of orchards and the annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival held in town. In the center of downtown is the George Washington, a Wyndham Grand Hotel that provides its guests with warm, welcoming rooms, an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, and can host meetings, weddings, and events. The Vibrissa Beer brewery is a 0.2-mile walk south of the hotel, serving patrons locally crafted beer like the head lamp and the zebra crossing. Vibrissa also serves delicious food like homemade burgers and hosts local events like Trivia Tuesdays.
About 0.2 miles west of Vibrissa is the Bright Box Theater, a local theater on the Loudoun Street Mall, that hosts various plays, musicals, and local events, from the likes of comedy shows and concerts performed by local artists. A 0.2-mile walk south from the Bright Box Theater is George Washington's Office, a history museum that was Washington's personal office from September 1755 until December 1756 during the French and Indian War. The museum has cannons and a statue of the First President displayed outside, and showcases various artifacts and models on display indoors.
Bristol
On the southwestern end of the state is the unique city of Bristol, which borders Bristol, TN, and is known as the Birthplace of Country Music. The Bristol Hotel is a 65-room boutique hotel in downtown, offering guests classic contemporary rooms with modern charm. It has Vivian's Table right in the lobby, serving patrons amazing homemade meals and drinks, and can host meetings, weddings, and events. A one-minute walk from the hotel is the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, where visitors and residents can explore numerous galleries telling the story of how the genre was birthed in the 1927 Bristol Sessions. The exhibits include instruments, interactive galleries, and can host various events related to the genre.
A three-minute walk from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum is the Corner, a local restaurant and bar on the Virginia side of town, serving patrons delicious bar food like pretzel bites with beer cheese, sliders, and quesadillas, along with ice-cold beer, and live music in an upbeat and unique setting, as Tennessee is right across the bar. A four-minute walk north of the Corner is Cumberland Square Park, a four-acre park that is a relaxing spot to unwind, enjoy the sunshine, view a Veterans War Memorial, and attend local community events like Movies in the Park, which is held every June and allows visitors and residents to enjoy free movies at the park.
The charm of walkable towns in Virginia
Many towns in Virginia feature highly walkable town squares with unique and charming restaurants, shops, museums, parks, and hotels. Communities like Bristol, which straddles the border between the state and Tennessee, offer visitors a distinctive experience. Meanwhile, Winchester and Williamsburg highlight their Colonial history within their boundaries, and Fairfax, Falls Church, and Vienna have town squares that provide a small-town atmosphere without requiring a trip far from larger cities. The town squares throughout the state are beautiful and well worth a visit when you're in the area or just passing through for an unforgettable adventure.
