From where they sprawl in the western reaches of the state, the Appalachian Mountains have borne witness to the many generations that have called Virginia home. For 17,000 years, people have flocked to the mountains and admired their natural beauty.
Within reach of many East Coast metropolises, Virginia’s mountains draw in visitors of all stripes with iconic locations like the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Parkway. But without the charm of mountain towns in Virginia and their people, this region of Appalachia would not be the same.
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably looking for somewhere to visit in Virginia. Come check out the 13 best mountain towns in Virginia for your next getaway.
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Stunning mountain towns in Virginia
1. Charlottesville
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, Charlottesville is one of the most bustling mountain towns in Virginia. The hills of Albemarle County are dotted with vineyards and within reach of scenic trails and routes through the Blue Ridge Mountains. People flock here for autumn leaf-peeping, but there’s so much to discover in and around Charlottesville.
Culture thrives in and around the University of Virginia’s historic (and quite beautiful) campus. Charlottesville boasts a rich indie music scene, performing arts in historic venues, and world-class museums and hosts many cultural and music festivals each year.
If you’re looking to explore the history Virginia is known for, Charlottesville and Albemarle County are for you. Visit the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center to explore Black American history or presidential residences like Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and James Monroe’s Highland.
2. Damascus
Damascus is a true crossroads of the Appalachians — four scenic trails come through this town, including the Appalachian Trail and the Creeper Trail, as well as two heritage trails. Few towns in the United States can boast of such a convergence, making Damascus a place familiar with passers-by drawn by its beauty.
In fact, I’ve crossed through the Appalachian Trail near Damascus. While I have not hiked the trail end-to-end, I spent two days on the trail to pass through nearby Grayson Highlands, a state park through which the Appalachian Trail crosses and home to a herd of wild ponies.
3. Floyd
Music is never out of earshot in this small mountain town in Virginia. Located in the south, Floyd is known as a regional music destination. You can catch bluegrass and folk music in live music venues across the town or at the five-day Floyd Fest, an annual celebration of art and music.
Floyd abuts Buffalo Mountain, whose natural preserve protects many rare plant species. Floyd offers visitors quick access to trails and scenic destinations in the Appalachian Mountains via the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs for 40 miles through Floyd County.
4. Lexington
Lexington is a gateway to the Shenandoah Valley, one of Virginia’s most scenic regions. Year-round, Lexington is a thriving small mountain town in Virginia.
Catch viewings of movies filmed in Lexington like ‘War of the Worlds’ (2003) and ‘Sommersby’ (1993) or enjoy the host of seasonal festivals celebrating local gastronomy, music, and art.
Lexington is the county seat of Rockbridge County, named so for the nearby Natural Bridge, a soaring natural arch that is a Virginia icon, a national landmark, and a muse for painters and wilderness lovers alike.
5. Abingdon
Similar to Floyd, Abingdon is another mountain town in Virginia known for live music, but perhaps the most famous draw is the Creeper Trail.
Bikers from across the country come to Abingdon to follow this scenic trail that descends for 34 miles to Damascus. You can also explore the Creeper Trail on foot or horseback.
Abingdon’s downtown boasts many historic buildings, such as the Martha Washington Inn, the William King Museum of Art, and the Barter Theatre, a nationally acclaimed regional theatre whose productions you can’t miss.
6. Gordonsville
Gordonsville sprung up from a tavern opened at a crossroads in the 1700s whose patrons included revolutionary figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Marquis de Lafayette.
Today, Gordonsville is a quintessential small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town touts itself as the fried chicken capital of the world, claiming the American dish has its origins among street vendors from centuries past.
The town’s annual Fried Chicken Festival honors the culinary tradition, but if pork is more your thing, the staple Barbecue Exchange has rave reviews from passers-by and locals alike.
7. Staunton
Staunton is a scenic town, nestled in the heart of Shenandoah Valley with access to the Virginia Scenic Railway and Skyline Drive.
But beyond its proximity to mountains in Virginia, Staunton is sophisticated. Boundless historic architecture, innovative dining, and performing arts make this town a cultural hub in the valley.
Housed downtown in a brick playhouse modeled after Shakespeare’s indoor theatre, the American Shakespeare Centre at Blackfriar Playhouse is Staunton’s poster child for a thriving small-town culture. Between strolling the town and exploring the mountains, don’t miss out on a Shakespearian production.
8. Sperryville
At first glance, Sperryville may be pleasant yet unassuming. But don’t get this small mountain town in Virginia wrong — Sperryville is a hidden gem, a boozy backwater not far from the iconic Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park.
Among drink enthusiasts, Sperryville is well-known for its whisky and its beer, both of which are crafted with such care that some say they taste like the town where they are brewed. Copper Fox Distillery makes whisky using locally grown wheat, while Pen Druid Formation combines permaculture and beer-brewing.
Enjoy the flavors of Sperryville and the vistas of the nearby mountains, but make sure to drink responsibly and stay sober behind the wheel.
9. Luray
If heading through the Thornton Gap to Shenandoah National Park, you might pass through Luray without a second thought. But this small mountain town in Virginia is worth a stop because underground you can find Luray Caverns, the largest cave system in the eastern United States.
Even among caves, the Luray Caverns are unique — here, hundreds of stalagmites, stalactites, and other fascinating features drip, rise, and swirl from the floors and ceilings of the caverns. Aboveground, Luray has dozens of historic places and archaeological sites for visitors to enjoy.
10. Leesburg
Located just over 30 miles from Washington, D.C., Leesburg is a town in the mountains of Virginia that maintains the hip culture of a metropolis. Leesburg sits at the base of Catoctin Mountain, a lengthy ridge that also houses the presidential retreat, Camp David.
When it comes to mountain getaways, Leesburg is for those looking for something bougie, with art galleries sponsored by capital dime neighbor farm-to-table restaurants and oyster bars. Chic goes hand in hand with history in Leesburg, whose downtown and surroundings are home to historic manors, battlefields, and parks.
11. Meadows of Dan
Following the Blue Ridge Parkway to Meadows of Dan is an experience in and of itself, but once you arrive in this small mountain town in Virginia, you’ll fall for its vibrant yet rustic charm. Known by locals as simply “The Mountain,” Meadows of Dan holds the timeless essence of Appalachia.
As a stop on the Crooked Road heritage trail, Meadows of Dan is a must-visit for lovers of Appalachian and bluegrass music. The musical tradition so beautifully captures the sound and soul of the region and can be heard in its purest forms in Meadows of Dan.
12. Roanoke
The largest mountain city in Virginia, Roanoke is a place of collision. Here, Appalachian culture meets metropole, and then city streets roll out into hilly surroundings crisscrossed with 1,000 miles of trails for outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, and paddling.
Roanoke’s proximity to iconic spots on the Appalachian Trail, such as the Triple Crown, McAfee Knob, and the Peaks of Otter, draw in hikers from across the world. Roanoke is known for its active, outdoorsy communities that make the most of — and respect — the natural beauty within easy reach.
But Roanoke is not all trekking through the mountains. The city has a blossoming cultural and gastronomic scene and rich historical institutions for those looking to absorb urban Appalachian culture.
13. Waynesboro
Last but not least, Waynesboro is a humble mountain town in Virginia with a community-focused art scene. Art galleries like the Shenandoah Valley Art Center promote local artists while annual festivals, such as the Fall Foliage Festival, draw in artists from across the region and the nation to share, exchange, and inspire.
Like many of its contemporaries, Wayenbsoro has access to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, but the town also boasts the nearby Blue Ridge Tunnel. You can explore this historic railroad tunnel with a stroll down a linear park that opened in 2020.
Conclusion
No matter where you are along the 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Mountains, you’ll find beauty unparalleled, but among the mountain towns of Virginia, there’s something special.
The state has historically been a crossroads between east and west, north and south, and that rich interchange of culture, ideas, and peoples is evident in the beauty and charm of its communities.
Tell us if you’ve visited the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and what spots enchanted you.
Well put, sir. Virginia is the most iconic destination and most beautiful place to live. My family has been known to live through the Shenandoah for a many generations.
As a little girl I spent my summers away from D.C. in
Woodstock, Va. A town known in the Shenandoah Valley. On the road, on many occasions, we took the scenic routes through Mt. Jackson, stop through Luray, Front Royal or Strasburg (Back Road). Following this road is the heart of the valley. Now, I have not even there for many years. No matter how you decide to leave the D.C. area to head towards Woodstock, it is the most amazing scenery; I’ve been halfway around the world and nothing like it.
You make it seem like candy all over again. Soon to be in my fifties, I am preparing to move into this area for good. Not sure which town; but it will be my last destination before my heavenly home.
Thank you for your insight.