9 Virginia Towns That Locals Love
Whether you are looking for a new base to plant your roots or you just want to experience a consistently hyped reputation, it's often wise to step back a bit and find out the opinion of those who matter most: the locals. You run the risk of burning your fingers, especially if you like judging a book by its cover. The truth is that locals can sniff a false claim from a mile away. Plus, they know the hidden gems that no one else talks about. So, if you want to experience the best spots in Virginia, you have your work cut out for you. Fortunately, we have already done the heavy lifting for you. From Staunton to Winchester, discover the nine towns in Virginia that locals love.
Staunton
Staunton is a vacation big shot with a youthful vibe, lots of creative and interesting people, and wineries serving sparkling drinks. The Blackfriars Playhouse, right on Market Street, is open year-round for performances of Shakespeare’s plays and contemporary works in productions, most of which you will probably hail as shamelessly entertaining. Meanwhile, the Frontier Culture Museum is the biggest open-air living history museum in the Shenandoah Valley. Costumed historical interpreters stage thoughtful reenactments of the life and customs of the indigenous Native American tribes in Virginia, the arrival of European settlers along the Great Wagon Road, and the painful journey of the enslaved Africans to the first permanent British colony in North America. Each August, Staunton hosts the Staunton Music Festival, a genuinely epic event that brings nearly 100 world-class musicians from around the globe to the Blue Ridge Mountains to perform for ten consecutive days in the downtown area. For some of the best wines Virginia has to offer, check out the highly rated Ox-Eye Vineyards.
Charlottesville
From first-rate museums and galleries to top-notch wineries and inviting restaurants, Charlottesville has always been seductive. No need to mention the spectacular scenery all around or the championship courses designed by some of the industry's top architects. The Virginia Film Festival, one of several in the town, brings over 100 films and dozens of events to the Charlottesville area. You will hear from talented actors and see new features and older film screenings in an interactive environment that involves panel discussions. Paramount Theater, an iconic community hub for arts and entertainment, has a history that dates back to the 1930s and exhibits the grandeur of old buildings. Expect gilded ceilings, comfortable seating, and a beautiful staircase leading to the balcony. For a quick slip into nature, hop along any section of the Rivanna Trail, where you will sip views of the Rivanna River, and take the chance to grab a bite or drink along the route.
Fredericksburg
You will enjoy visiting or living in this quiet river town midway between the two Civil War capitals of Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. During the Civil War period, Fredericksburg served as the site of the first opposed river crossing in American military history, and many of these details are neatly preserved at the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center. The Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra (FSO), which has been lighting up the town since 2021, has transitioned into a widely anticipated event with sold-out concerts happening one after another. The 75-piece orchestra attracts the area’s top musicians and focuses on popularizing classical music in the region. There's the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, which presents evening dinner theater performances Thursday through Saturday and matinee performances on Wednesday and Sunday. Alum Spring Park, at the end of Greenbrier Drive, is a wooded expanse with a footbridge, a picnic shelter, and beautiful walking paths.
Blacksburg
Blacksburg is widely associated with Virginia Tech, a historic academic institution with a history that dates back to the 1870s. James M. Buchanan, who was a faculty member at the college, was awarded the Nobel Prize in economics in 1986 for his work in Public Choice Theory. The college gives a burst of energy and cultural flavour to the town, making it more vibrant, lively, and welcoming. There are several venues to get entertained, including at The Lyric Theatre, a gorgeously restored venue from the 1930s. Alternatively, the Moss Arts Centre, right on Virginia Tech’s campus, offers a decent variety of performances and exhibitions. There's the Summer Arts Festival, a joint initiative between Virginia Tech and the town, which offers movies, art exhibitions, and outdoor concerts. So, bring chairs and a blanket for keeping warm, and settle in for an evening of live music. Meanwhile, Huckleberry Trail winds its way through forested areas and farmland, and is one of several outdoor spots to experience Virginia’s highland scenery.
Abingdon
Abingdon is a charming town with a lively spirit and a cultural landscape that is delightfully varied and full of fun. It does not matter if you are chasing history, high-quality local dining, or shopping options; Abingdon rocks. Virginia Highlands Festival, which was first held in the 1940s, was meant to preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage of the area. Over the years, the festival has transformed itself into an expansive multi-arts, multi-location event, with 10 full days of arts, music, yummy food, and fun. During the event, you can stroll down Main Street to experience live concerts or just mingle with people and sample the recreational opportunities on display. Alternatively, work your way to Antiques Barn, one of the best spots in the Southeast for interesting trinkets at incredibly great prices. Barter Theatre, nestled beautifully on Main Street, is a historic venue that has been entertaining residents since the Great Depression years.
Damascus
The title of Trail Town USA is one you would expect several towns to go green with envy about. Damascus takes it easily, except for a few grumblings from jilted but worthy peers (Hello Roanoke). Most of your time here can be spent biking part of the Virginia Creeper Trail. If you need a sturdy two-wheeler from a local outfitter, Adventure Damascus Bicycles is among the oldest and most recognized outfitters in the area. The Appalachian Trail Days Festival, known locally as “Trail Days,” is the biggest event of the year in Damascus. It electrifies the town every year and celebrates both the Appalachian Trail and the thru-hiker culture that the town is traditionally known for. Smack in the heart of town is the Damascus Town Park, a landing spot from the Appalachian Trail with murals, convenient parking, and heavenly views.
Chincoteague
With dolphins swimming right next to your tour boat and wild ponies flexing their nicely toned muscles in the distance, Chincoteague is an adorable little gem that you can't afford to overlook. Expect lots of cute little shops to stop in and almost everyone you meet to be incredibly friendly. The Chincoteague Oyster Festival, designed to promote the seafood industry and mark the arrival of the oyster season, is the time to feast on raw oysters, clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, hush puppies, and Boardwalk fries. The Island Theatre, formerly the Island Roxy, is now thoughtfully restored and offers classic films as well as concerts, plays, and all kinds of other entertainment. There's also the Museum of Chincoteague Island, which displays the 1st Order Fresnel Lens from the Assateague Island Lighthouse, the iconic Chincoteague ponies known as Misty and Stormy, and several interesting items that washed ashore from shipwrecks.
Vienna
Vienna is part of the Washington, D.C. metro-area suburbs, and, therefore, offers strong commuter access, exceptional amenities, and plenty of suburban comforts. The cultural landscape may not come close to a place like Las Vegas, but it is incredibly rich and fulfilling. There's Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, which holds the distinction of being the only national park in the country dedicated to presenting the performing arts. From May through September, multiple amphitheaters in the park stage several entertaining performances, including musicals, dance, opera, jazz, and country music. There's the Vienna Arts Society, which brings artists to the area to enrich the community with their experiences and offers art classes for both children and adults. They also stage an annual Treasury of Arts Show in November, and an annual Ticket to Art in March. Freeman Store & Museum is a volunteer-run museum in a historic general store built in 1859. It features wonderful local exhibits on women’s voting and an on-site gift shop selling cute, Virginia-themed gifts.
Winchester
Winchester has a great museum with surrounding park and trails, a beautiful university with a nice theater, and countless outdoor recreational opportunities. People may not wave to strangers across the street, but they are friendly, down-to-earth, and warm-hearted. There's Bright Box Winchester, which showcases some of the best live music, comedy, and entertainment in the area and is frequently mentioned among the Best Small Music Venues in America. Keep in mind that Winchester is recognized as Virginia's apple center and is famous for its Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, a fun-filled event that started in the 1920s. From various festivities to entertaining parades and performances, this annual carnival is often a big hit with almost all age brackets. You can lace up for the Shenandoah National Park, which boasts over 500 miles of trails, or thrust yourself in the heart of the Civil War at Stonewall Jackson's Headquarters, which once served as the headquarters for Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
So, while Virginia has a decent number of beautiful small towns with charm and charisma, setting foot in some may turn out to be a sobering anticlimax. You can put it down to the work of an overzealous chamber of commerce, or just the age-old folly of following the crowd. To avoid coming back with boatloads of regret, it's crucial to figure out the opinion of locals. Otherwise, the Old Dominion brims with genuine gems that you can easily overlook.
