The 8 Friendliest Little Towns In Virginia

Virginia's rich colonial history, diverse natural landscapes, and vibrant culture are enough incentive to visit this East Coast destination. But add a touch of Southern hospitality, and guests can look forward to a remarkable holiday experience. While many travelers settle on famous cities like Virginia Beach and Richmond as their destination, the Mother of States harbors quaint little towns that tourists generally overlook. Despite this, they provide the perfect alternative to chaos in the major metros.

Due to their slow pace of life and welcoming communities, guests enjoy exploring local attractions and feel like they belong when interacting with the residents. Whether you are strolling through Lexington's charming historic district or swimming with horses in Chincoteague, these friendliest little towns in Virginia promise fun, lasting memories.

Lexington

Lexington is small with exceptional outdoor scenery, flanked by the Blue Ridge Mountains' picturesque peaks and the Shenandoah Valley's lush forests. This beautiful nature beckons exciting adventures for hikers along the Chessie Nature Trail. The scenic path spans approximately seven miles through woodlands, open fields, and farmsteads, exposing travelers to native flora and fauna. Lexington's historic district houses a fair share of landmarks that transport guests to the past. This includes the Jackson House Museum, which preserves the mid-19th-century dwelling of Confederate general Stonewall Jackson.

If you are unsure about what to see or do in the town, the Lexington Visitors Center is the perfect stop and provides valuable information about all the top spots in the region. Lexington also hosts the Freedom Food Festival, a fun community event that transforms Main Street into a vibrant party featuring live music, delicious food, fine wines, and craft brews.

Chincoteague

Chincoteague boasts a family-friendly vibe that lasts throughout the year. This island gem on Virginia's Eastern Shore combines relaxed coastal scenery, sumptuous seafood cuisine, and rare marine adventures to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Tourists descend upon the sandy shores of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge to bask on isolated sand beaches and watch the magical sunset over the Chesapeake Bay. Several local outfitters, including Saltwater Pony Tours, take you on laid-back cruises to explore beautiful island wildlife, including wild ponies, ospreys, dolphins, eagles, and more.

Families also look forward to unparalleled water fun at Maui Jack's Waterpark, where dizzying waterslides, a lazy river, and kiddie pools deliver fun for all ages. Chincoteague celebrates its thriving seafood scene during the annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival, calling newcomers to partake in the trademark Eastern Shore cuisine while enjoying live entertainment.

Kilmarnock

Small-town charm meets riverside beauty in this quaint Virginia community near the Rappahannock River mouth. Its walkable downtown area houses considerable points of interest, starting with the Kilmarnock Museum. Besides being one of the town's oldest structures, it showcases a collection of rare artifacts chronicling Kilmarnock's rich history. The Kilmarnock Antique Gallery treats newcomers to a delightful, casual shopping experience, where they can find oyster plates, vintage furniture, rare art, and other collectibles from dozens of antique dealers.

People like to converge at the serene Kilmarnock Town Centre Park to relax outdoors and enjoy live performances. The nine-acre park is home to the Half Shell Stage, which hosts concerts between May and October. Another fun community event to anticipate is the annual Fall into Kilmarnock Fall Festival.

Luray

Luray's strategic location in the Shenandoah Valley makes it one of the friendliest little towns in Virginia. It is especially famous for the Luray Caverns, a network of mysterious underground caves with elaborate crystalline formations and the Great Stalacpipe Organ, which leaves first-timers in awe. Nearby, the Luray Zoo interests guests with remarkable wildlife interactions in a modest sanctuary, featuring snake, primate, bird, and reptile species from across the globe.

Those who enjoy movies can catch new releases at the Page Theater, known for its classic feel, delicious popcorn, and low ticket prices. Luray hosts a lineup of events throughout the year, such as the Page Valley Sunflower Festival. This features everything from a 1K run to pony rides to live music and kids' entertainment.

Smithfield

Famed for its ham production, this Isle of Wight County community charms visitors with its enduring history, vibrant arts, and down-to-earth locals. It boasts a well-preserved historic district where you will come across treasures like the St. Luke's Historic Church & Museum. This rustic red-brick structure was constructed in the 17th century and remains one of Virginia's oldest churches. Smithfield's welcoming residents demonstrate their warmth during the weekly Smithfield Farmers Market, which provides a lovely atmosphere for tourists looking to buy locally grown produce, fresh-from-the-farm meats, artisanal handcrafts, and other cute wares.

The townspeople take pride in their love for the arts, inviting visitors to sample the creative works of local artists inside the Arts Center @ 319. Meanwhile, the annual Smithfield Arts Festival offers a more immersive artistic experience, during a celebration of the arts through crafts, music, food, and an array of family-friendly activities.

Ashland

Ashland is a community in Hanover County, situated smack in the middle of Virginia and about 16 miles from Richmond. It is known for its pleasant lineup of festivals, and every June, the Ashland Strawberry Faire breathes life into the downtown district as townsfolk come to attend parades, exhibit crafts, and enjoy kids' activities. The arts bring enthusiasts together for enthralling live shows inside the Ashland Theatre. This historic venue hosts plays, live music, and film screenings.

If you enjoy exploring history, the Ashland Museum has valuable memorabilia portraying the town's evolution. Afterwards, you can leave Ashland with a great souvenir by combing through piles of vintage treasures at Hickory Creek Antiques, which will remind you of your stay there.

Abingdon

History, arts, and a strong sense of community draw visitors to this inviting town in Washington County. Guests have an excellent time mingling with the receptive locals at the Abingdon Farmers Market. The atmosphere remains festive as buyers shop for fresh farm produce and unique handcrafted items. Those interested in the past can visit the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia, to learn about Abingdon's colorful history and that of its neighbors. Inside the museum, archives and artifacts highlight the town's genealogy and history.

Meanwhile, art enthusiasts will feel at home viewing fascinating pieces at the William King Museum of Art or watching a concert at the Barter Theatre. Abingdon's art scene comes to the fore during the Virginia Highlands Festival, which incorporates arts, crafts, music, food, and other activities to guarantee a remarkable time for all attendees.

Cape Charles

Between its sumptuous seafood and pristine beaches, Cape Charles is a bag of fun surprises for a quiet vacation destination. This Chesapeake Bay gem delights visitors with its scenic beachside scenery, which you can make the most of at the Cape Charles Beach. With its sugar-white sands and warm waters, the site is a popular gathering spot for swimmers, strollers, and sunbathers. Guests can venture out at sea for remarkable fishing excursions and a unique perspective of the Chesapeake Bay's beauty courtesy of Tidewater Charters.

Beer lovers can pop into the Cape Charles Brewing Company, a family-owned premise with excellent service, for pints of great-tasting craft beers. Meanwhile, foodies craving to indulge in the town's seafood scene can target the Crabby Blues Festival, which blends delicious crab dishes and soothing blues music.

From relaxing on the sandy white shores of Cape Charles to shopping at the vibrant farmers market in Abingdon, these friendly little towns in Virginia bring out the warmth associated with the Old Dominion. Their residents go above and beyond to make newcomers feel at home, resulting in a sense of ease when discovering local histories and partaking in long-held traditions. Whether traveling alone or with family, you can look forward to an exciting time wherever you go.