The 8 Most Underrated Towns In Virginia

Because Virginia was one of the earliest and most densely settled colonies, many of its smaller towns developed long before modern tourism, leaving them historically rich but often overlooked today. The tight-knit town of Poquoson, for example, has hosted a popular festival for more than 40 years and offers year-round activities for residents of all ages. In the town of Tuckahoe, visitors can explore Thomas Jefferson's boyhood home and learn the story behind how his family came to live there. This is your chance to get to know a Virginia you may not have known existed.

Poquoson

Informally known as Bull Island because farmers used to let their cattle roam in its marshes, Poquoson is one of the few Virginia towns that has kept its Native American name, which means "great marshes." The town is bordered by the Poquoson River, the Back River, the Chesapeake Bay, and Wythe Creek. The Poquoson Seafood Festival has been a staple for over 40 years, typically held one weekend in October in Poquoson Municipal Park. In addition to food vendors, the festival includes music, artists and crafters, kids' activities, and boat races. The park also has an outdoor, public swimming pool.

This small town is big on activities and community get-togethers. Seniors at the Poquoson Senior Center have programs designed especially for them, as well as a dining-out club. The Poquoson Museum also hosts numerous programs and has a Marsh Walk for the public to enjoy. Should you be interested in moving to Poquoson, it is also among the safest cities in Virginia.

Danville

Situated on the Dan River, at the border between Virginia and North Carolina, the river that once fueled industry is now enjoyed for its beauty and numerous outdoor activities. Danville's Playful City USA designation signifies a town that puts children first and has many activities for all ages. Riverwalk Trail is over ten miles long and connects Dan Daniel Memorial Park and Anglers Park, as well as businesses and historic sites. Any day of the week, you will see walkers, runners, bicyclers, families, and baby strollers using it and the Angler's Ridge Mountain Bike System's 30+ miles of trails. Danville also has a skate park and an Adventure Course with three high ropes challenges and a 400-foot single or tandem Zip Line.

The Danville Science Center has permanent and traveling exhibits that explore physics, water, movement, and energy. The Museum of Fine Arts and History traces Danville's legacy during the Civil Rights Movement, while its Hall of Fame showcases Danville residents who made a difference in their fields, including opera singer Camilla Ella Williams, congressman W.C. "Dan" Daniel, and many more artists, authors, and sports figures.

Tuckahoe

Tuckahoe is a town about ten miles outside of Richmond on the James River. The town is perhaps best known for Tuckahoe Plantation, the boyhood home of Thomas Jefferson from age two to about age nine. The plantation was owned by the Randolph family. When both owners died, they named the Jeffersons guardians of their three small children and requested that the Jefferson family move to the plantation to take care of them. They resided there until the oldest Randolph child was old enough to take over management of the plantation. Although Tuckahoe is now privately owned, the owners offer tours by advance appointment. The house, gardens, and outbuildings that still stand make Tuckahoe one of the most complete examples of the living conditions of residents and slaves at the time.

Just about one mile from Tuckahoe Plantation on River Road is Portico Restaurant & Bar, serving a casual Italian-style menu for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. It is located in a cozy cottage, but also has a large patio with a fireplace for outdoor dining. While in the area, make time to visit Agecroft Hall and Gardens. The historic manor house was bought at auction in England, dismantled, and selected pieces were shipped to Virginia in 1926, where a one-third-scale replica of the original was reassembled. It stands as a blend of 17th-century English design and 20th-century Virginia accommodations.

Onancock

With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Chesapeake Bay on the other, Onancock is a dream location on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The town is steeped in history, going back to when Captain John Smith discovered it and declared it "the Gem of the Eastern Shore." Onancock is not as well-known as some other spots on the peninsula, but that makes it all the better for visitors looking for a quieter, more serene place to get away.

Don't mistake the town's serenity for dullness, however. Walking along its streets downtown, you will find the arts all around you, like Crockett Gallery and Eastern Shore Art League Gallery, both on Market Street. The latter boasts work from over 20 artists, showcasing unique styles by regional artists. One of the town’s standout landmarks is the historic Hopkins & Brother Store, a well-preserved 19th-century mercantile that reflects Onancock’s early role as a busy port town. Today, it serves as a restaurant and museum, offering a look into local commerce, architecture, and daily life from the 1800s. In the evening, one can enjoy a live performance at the North Street Theater, the Eastern Shore's only year-round theater.

Staunton

So much awaits you in Staunton that you may wonder where to start. Plan to visit Woodrow Wilson's Presidential Library and Museum, where his family lived while his father was a Presbyterian minister, and the house served as the manse (minister's residence) for the church. He also returned in 1912 for a two-day visit as president-elect. The Frontier Cultural Museum showcases how European, African, and native peoples influenced American folk culture.

The whole family will want to get outdoors and enjoy Gypsy Hill Park, Pool, and Express train ride. In addition to the large pool, the park has a playground, a duck pond, skateboarding, sports fields/courts, and a nearby dog park. Downtown Staunton is a destination in itself. From April through October, street closures from Friday evenings to Monday mornings make shopping, dining, and enjoying a drink outdoors in designated areas even more fun.

Purcellville

Purcellville sits in the heart of Loudoun County’s wine country, where rolling hills and fertile soil have made it one of Virginia’s leading grape-growing regions. Nearby wineries such as Walsh Family Wine have helped shape the area’s reputation, while Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in downtown offers tours and tastings of locally produced rye whiskey, brandy, and gin, giving visitors another side of the region’s craft scene.

Throughout the year, the town hosts community events like the Purcellville Artisan Tour, which brings together local artists, farms, and wineries in early November. For outdoor recreation, the Washington and Old Dominion Trail runs directly through town, stretching roughly 45 miles from Arlington to Purcellville, and provides a well-maintained route for walking, cycling, and long-distance rides through Northern Virginia’s countryside.

Galax

The Appalachian Mountains are known for their mountain music, shaped by instruments like fiddles, banjos, and dulcimers. If you are a music lover, make your way to Barr's Fiddle Shop, where Tom Barr crafts the uniquely designed Galax dulcimer. Its elongated shape and modified features help increase volume, allowing it to hold its own alongside louder instruments in a band setting. Downtown Galax reflects this heritage, with small shops, music venues, and local businesses that keep the town’s musical identity visible year-round.

If you visit in early August, you can catch the long-running Old Fiddlers’ Convention. Each day features competitions for both youth and adults across instrument categories, including dulcimers, banjos, guitars, mandolins, and fiddles. The Blue Ridge Music Center also hosts Midday Mountain Music, with free concerts from noon to 3 p.m. in the covered breezeway. For outdoor recreation, hike or bike along the New River Trail, which passes through Galax and extends beyond. The stretch from Galax to Foster Falls covers 27.7 miles and offers multiple access points along the way.

Hillsville

Hillsville is known for its large flea markets held annually over Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Each Flea Market and Gun Show spreads throughout the entire town, covering streets, sidewalks, fields, and even the VFW parking lot. Vendors sell everything from food to firearms, while handcrafted jewelry, home goods, clothing, toys, antiques, furniture, coins, and other collectibles are readily available. At the same time, many residents host yard sales, adding to the scale and variety. The shows run from Friday through Monday, typically from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, turning downtown Hillsville into a busy, walkable marketplace. Be sure to check out Red Hill General Store for its unusual selection of yard and garden items, along with additional vendors set up inside.

The largest town park in Southwest Virginia, Carter Pines Community Park, is located in Hillsville. It includes a planting of some of the last remaining white pine trees in the state, a species that became rare due to heavy logging in earlier years. The Beaver Dam Creek Walking Trail is a scenic, mulched path along the creek and a good place to spot wildlife, wildflowers, and butterflies, much of it shaded by a canopy of hardwood trees.

The Pleasures of Visiting Virginia's Small Towns

Small towns across Virginia reflect the state’s long history through preserved streets, local museums, and active community traditions. Visitors can explore historic sites without crowds, browse locally run shops and galleries, and spend time in nearby parks and trails. While these places have evolved over time, they continue to offer a slower pace and a stronger sense of place, making them worth seeking out beyond the state’s more familiar destinations.