9 Virginia Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
With its rich colonial history and diverse natural landscapes, Virginia has so much more to offer than just its biggest cities. Of course, places like Virginia Beach and Richmond deliver memorable experiences, but many visitors overlook the friendliest small towns tucked between the beaches, hills, and mountains.
The true charm of the Mother of States is found in these nine small towns in Virginia with unmatched friendliness. Here, a slower pace of life is paired with warm welcomes, community festivals, and local attractions that make you feel right at home. From historic streets to cozy town squares, each of these towns promises fun, genuine hospitality, and lasting memories.
Onancock
Virginia is truly a place with shifting landscapes when you consider the small town of Onancock. Offering a blend of bay and sea, Onancock provides a blend of the past and modern times through everything this town offers. It's truly a gem that caught the eye of Captain John Smith four centuries ago. Every second Friday of the month, Onancock celebrates its Second Friday Art Stroll during the evening. There, visitors get to see the town come alive with fine art, live music, and dining experiences. Alternatively, the Historic Onancock School houses a Wine Wednesday every first Wednesday of the month.
If you can only make it during the weekends, that's fine too. There are lots of things to see and do. There's the North Street Playhouse, which features year-round live theatre. Visitors could also tour Ker Place, a mansion built in the late 18th century that transports one to what life was like during that time. You might even be lucky enough to hear the Orchestra of the Eastern Shore practicing for their next concert in the Town Square.
Farmville
While the name can be disorienting, Farmville is less of a farm village and more of a college town with plenty of outdoor adventures and rich in history. For those looking for history, the Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park and the High Bridge Trail State Park commemorate two of the final battles in the Civil War. You've also got the R.R. Moton Museum, which recounts the story of the 1951 student strike, which ignited the Civil Rights movement.
For those with a love of the outdoors, the multiple lakes and trails are an appeal; however, there is the occasional Nighttime Adventure event held at the High Bridge Trail State Park. Beyond that, the community joins together in a Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Floyd
Resting on a high plateau, Floyd offers a blend of history, art, and culture. You can get a piece of that history when you check out Mabry Mill. The surrounding buildings in the area offer a glimpse of what life was like in the early 1910s. Alternatively, a blend of art and history can be found in the Historic Rock Churches, which were built using native stones from the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Music plays a prominent role in Floyd, as most days (not Mondays and Tuesdays) feature different styles of music and events around it. For example, Wednesdays are host to the BuzzKill Karaoke sessions, while Fridays have their nightly jamboree. Some days you can relax, while others will be opportunities to dance. With Floyd being on a plateau, beautiful landscapes alongside thrilling outdoor experiences await. You can hike to the panoramic view at the top of the Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve. Or if you have a kayak handy, you can travel through the Little River.
Bristol
Not to be confused with its twin, Bristol, Tennessee, Bristol was considered to be the birthplace of country music thanks to its 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings. You can get the whole history of that at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Bristol also houses a great deal of caverns too in Bristol Caverns and Appalachian Caverns. These areas are well lit and have walkways so you can explore to your heart's content down there.
For those who want to stay above land, Bristol is a great place for art, as the Benjamin Walls Fine Art Gallery shows off local talent. There is also Art in Public Places, where you can appreciate statues on full display all year round. However, to get the whole experience, visiting during the fall is the best. Specifically, the Bristol in Bloom Art Festival in October in the Cumberland Square Park is an experience that brings the community together.
Smithfield
A small town with a lot of heart and a lot to love, Smithfield has a lot to draw you in. To begin with, the history is wonderfully preserved, allowing you to experience Main Street in its historical charm and the transformation that Colonial and Federal architecture went through to become Victorian gingerbread and Gothic cottages, respectively. You can also capture some more of that history at St. Luke's Historic Church and Museum, a rustic establishment from the 17th century.
Early October, Smithfield draws in its big crowd with its Bacon and Bourbon Music Fest. For more frequent events, Smithfield also has the Friday Night Concert Series, where you can enjoy live music on the Main Street Stage every Friday during the summer. Smithfield also has a deep history of ham and pork. If the Bacon and Bourbon event wasn't evident enough, Smithfield also has a Porcine Parade in the downtown area featuring eight life-size statues of market hogs that are painted by local artists.
Woodstock
Steeped in Revolutionary and Civil War history, Woodstock is a gathering place for more than just history buffs. In spring and summer, this Shenandoah County gem comes alive with family-friendly festivals and local gatherings that showcase its welcoming spirit. One highlight is the Woodstock ROCS Summer Concert Series, which brings free live music to W.O. Riley Park throughout the season, with food trucks and activities that make it a perfect night out for all ages.
Outside of events, Woodstock is rich in outdoor adventure, art, and local lore. Visitors can tour the nearby Shenandoah Caverns or hike through Seven Bends State Park, which hugs the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and offers gorgeous overlooks. For more heritage, the Woodstock Museum reveals what small-town life looked like through antique collections, Civil War relics, and stories from the past.
Charlottesville
Charlottesville during the summertime is incredible, with great outdoor experiences, fantastic wine, and memorable events. For the outdoor adventurers, you have Montfair Resort Farm, where you can unwind at lakeside cottages or enjoy nature trails, canoeing, biking, or fishing. You could also pick peaches at Carter Mountain Orchard.
Charlottesville also has events for every season. For summer in particular, there is the Fae Festival, an urban Renaissance fair with music, food, and a wondrous world to experience. The event happens on June 28th and 29th. For something modern but just as good, Charlottesville Restaurant Week is from July 21st to the 27th. During this week, foodies can fine-dine and savour local fine cuisine without having to pay the high prices those places typically charge.
Bedford
Resting where some piedmont plateaus and the Blue Ridge Mountains meet, the town of Bedford is brimming with outdoor adventure and experiences. You can start your day there by exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway, walking through the Poplar Forest as Thomas Jefferson once did, and topping it off with relaxing at Smith Mountain Lake.
With the town experiencing heavy losses of its citizens on D-Day, as denoted by its National D-Day Memorial, the town is more a mixture of historical significance and outdoor experiences; however, its events are unique. Centerfest, hosted in September, is their large outdoor street festival, which draws in thousands of visitors with live performances, food vendors, children's amusements, and a beer and wine garden.
Lexington
Resting in the Shenandoah Valley forests and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lexington has a lot of scenery to captivate you and a lot of friendliness to share. You can see that in some of their festivals and events, such as the Freedom Food Festival, a community event that transforms Lexington's main street into one big party with live music, fine wines, and delicious food. Then there is the Lime Kiln Theater, where unique entertainment is offered in a natural outdoor setting. Lime Kiln Theater hosts bluegrass ensembles, national legends, and various shows.
Beyond that, Lexington's natural beauty is surreal. If you're in the downtown area of Lexington, you'll have access to the Woods Creek Trail, which goes from town to Jordan's Point. For fun with the kids, the Gems of Rockbridge Geocaching Trail sends you off on a scavenger hunt. You can locate hidden trinkets scattered around Rockbridge County using geocachers as online clues and GPS coordinates. Visit the nearby Buena Vista Visitor Center to pick up a geocaching passport.
Finishing Thoughts
Whether dining in a fantasy land in Charlottesville or soaking up the music in Floyd, Virginia, offers a mixture of friendliness, culture, history, and unique experiences that are on par with the unique landscape. The residents in each of these towns make you feel like you're a member of this town, sharing in their steeped traditions, history, and culture. Whether you are travelling with family, alone, or with a loving partner, these towns offer exciting and unique experiences wherever you go.
