Blessed with bounties from the Chesapeake Bay and a history-rich past, Virginia is one of the best travel destinations in the United States for gorgeous water views, seafood, and American history. However, while cities like Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Portsmouth usually get the attention of tourists—no surprises there, there are actually small towns in Virginia that can rival the big urban jungles of the state.
See a different side of The Old Dominion as you uncover some of its underrated and relatively unknown small towns. Places like Meadows of Dan’s rural village, Tangier Island’s serene seafood paradise, and Staunton’s museums deserve their time in the spotlight. Read on to discover these hidden gems!
Staunton
As one of the oldest settlements on the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains and with three centuries’ worth of history, Staunton is a great destination for a Virginia history lesson. Learn more about American history through the immersive open-air living history museum of the Frontier Culture Museum, where tour guides and interpreters are in costume! Meanwhile, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Museum focuses on America’s 28th president and the Jumbo Antique Fire Engine Museum houses Virginia’s oldest motorized fire engine.
Other than museums, Staunton also has an impressive downtown that even won the Great American Main Street Award in 2002—a first for any Virginia community. It is best explored on foot to take in the sights of over 100 unique shops, galleries, and eateries. The art exhibits of R.R. Smith Center for History & Art, the flour mill-turned-restaurant of Mill Street Grill, and the themed home goods shop of Medieval Fantasies Company are just some of the delightful spots in downtown Staunton!
Meadows Of Dan
The rural community of Meadows of Dan is the antithesis of the hectic kind of vacation, as it invites visitors to partake in a slower and simpler way of life. Be one with nature, particularly with the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, through Meadows of Dan Campground and Cabins. Or, if you want to take your camping up a notch, try Stargazer Park’s vintage glamping within a picturesque Virginia forest.
While here, do not pass up on visiting Mabry Hill, a historic mill and blacksmith shop, and Meadows of Dan’s most famous landmark. Built in the early 1900s, it continues to draw tourists for its seasonal tours, restaurant, nearby hiking trail, and mountain music concerts. Drop by around August to participate in their annual Folk Fair, or visit during Meadows of Dan Pancake Days in October for that small-town hospitality and glorious pancake buffet.
Middleburg
With the reputation of being America’s horse and hunt country capital in the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Middleburg is every bit picturesque and the ideal Virginia vacation for outdoor activities. Do horseback riding with the Forbes Five-Star Hotel of Salamander Resort and learn the history of foxhunting and other centuries-old sporting traditions with the Museum of Hounds and Hunting and the National Sporting Library and Museum.
With breathtaking views of the countryside as your backdrop, go on an educational three-mile hike with a certified horticulturist through Goodstone Inn. The brave and the bold can zip through trees with Empower Adventures’ zip lines, while those content to simply lounge in one of America’s oldest continuously run inns can do so at Red Fox Inn and Tavern.
Abingdon
Another Blue Ridge Mountain town worth mentioning is Abingdon, one of Virginia’s premier spots for hiking and art. The Virginia Creeper Trail starts in the middle of town and will take you on a 34.3-mile rail-to-recreation trail adventure, where you will come across the Appalachian Trail and the beautiful Whitetop Laurel Creek trout stream.
Back in town, enjoy Abingdon’s vibrant arts culture through Barter Theatre, considered “Virginia’s State Theatre” and one of the longest-running professional theaters in the country. Catch a play, get pampered at the historic Martha Washington Inn & Spa, and try craft beer at Sweetbay Brewing Company to cap off your Abingdon vacation.
Tangier Island
Leave the stress of your modern lifestyle for a day or two with Tangier Island’s laid-back coastal living. Situated in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, take a ferry from Onancock to visit the so-called “soft crab capital” of the country. With the bounties of the bay at its fingertips, dine on the freshest crabs through Lorraine’s Seafood Restaurant or catch them yourself with gear from Four Brothers Crab House. Bikes, boats, and golf cart rentals are also available so you can easily tour around the island.
You will not have long to enjoy Tangier Island, since it is believed to be underwater by 2050. But while it is here, the Tangier History Museum is more than happy to share the island’s history—from its discovery by John Smith to its evolution as a soft-shell crab powerhouse. Stay at the Brigadune Inn to be close to the island’s public beach and get your non-crab souvenirs from Sandy’s Place.
Culpeper
Many of Virginia’s cities are brimming with Civil War-related historical sites, and Culpeper—with Kelly’s Ford found east of town and the Cedar Mountain Battlefield located a few miles south—is no different. Remembered as Culpeper’s bloodiest battle, do a self-guided tour with the provided trail map for Cedar Mountain Battlefield, or do it on horseback with Culpeper Battlefield Tours.
Just about two hours from Richmond, history buffs will also enjoy downtown Culpeper, as it has the Museum of Culpeper History, Culpeper National Cemetery for Civil War soldiers, and the historical Culpeper Train Depot. The museum details the area’s history from prehistoric times to the modern day, while the Train Depot now serves as a visitor center with a welcoming LOVE sign made from film reels.
Smithfield
For those in the know, Smithfield is known for two things: a Main Street lined with stunning architecture and Smithfield ham! Step back in time with the Genuine Smithfield’s Historic Walking Tour to see structures in Colonial, Victorian, and Gothic designs. The Isle of Wight Courthouse, the Smithfield Inn—said to have housed George Washington at one point, and the Thomas House mansion, are just some of these historical delights. A little ways from the town center is St. Luke’s Historic Church, Virginia’s oldest brick church and a symbol of religious freedom.
Not only does the town feel like a time capsule for its old buildings, but it is also home to the delectable Smithfield ham. Get a taste of authentic Smithfield cuisine and ham products with Taste of Smithfield, and learn more about the origins of this curing method at the Isle of Wight Museum. Smithfield’s small town truly encapsulates the “no line, no crowds” vibe, so you can shop and dine to your heart’s content with no worries! Other must-visit shops: Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor, Maggie Casey’s Celtic Treasure, and Hamtown Mercantile.
Lexington
Among history-loving circles, Lexington is best known for being the final resting place of two prominent figures in American history (General Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson), making the town a hot tourist spot for cultural wonders. Discover the historic charm of this college town, starting with the formerly-Lee-now-University Chapel in Washington and Lee University and the Jackson House Museum on Washington Street.
Other historical markers and landmarks dot the town, but for non-historical interests, check out the Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden, Brushy Hills Preserve’s hiking trails, and the 600-acre Virginia Horse Center—the crown jewel of Virginia’s equine industry. Here for happy hour? Beer enthusiasts should join the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail, while serious foodies should not pass up on Bistro on Main in the heart of downtown Lexington.
Final Thoughts
No matter how many times you visit Virginia, there is always something new to see and discover. It will not be easy to go through every inch of its beautiful landscape, as shown by this list of relatively undiscovered small towns in Virginia, but therein lies its allure for curious travelers to find.
For your next Virginia itinerary, mix it up with some of these towns. From the fleeting charms of Tangier Island and Abingdon’s hiking trails to Culpeper’s Civil War sites and Middleburg’s outdoor activities, Virginia continues to be a wellspring of new delights!
