Looking for a getaway that blends small-town charm with big flavors and unique finds? Virginia’s got you covered. From waterfront strolls and boutique shopping to quirky attractions and music-filled streets, each of these four stops offers its own spin on history, culture, and local eats. These Virginia gems are calling your name!
Hampton, VA
Hampton, Virginia, is where history and waterfront beauty meet. At Fort Monroe, once an active U.S. Army installation and now a National Park unit, you’ll walk in the footsteps of freedom-seeking enslaved people while taking in sweeping views of Hampton Roads harbor and the Chesapeake Bay. The site’s beaches, boardwalk, boating, and historic architecture make it a destination for both reflection and recreation.
For a taste of small-town charm within the city limits, head to historic Phoebus, where quaint streets are lined with unique boutiques and culinary gems. Foodies will want to stop at Mango Mangeaux for its French-Creole-NeoSoul fusion, grab oysters and steamer platters at Fuller’s Raw Bar, and taste bistro favorites at The Baker’s Wife. An eclectic retail scene adds to Phoebus’s charm.
Downtown Hampton keeps the adventure going with its vibrant waterfront and cultural attractions. The Virginia Air & Space Science Center offers hands-on exhibits and an IMAX theater, while the Hampton History Museum dives into the city’s rich past. Don’t miss a ride on the Hampton Queen harbor tour, where you can cruise the historic waterways and hear stories of explorers, maritime heritage, and NASA’s local legacy.
Bristol, VA
Bristol, Virginia, strikes just the right chord for a weekend getaway. Known as the Birthplace of Country Music, it’s home to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, where interactive exhibits bring the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions to life. Just a short drive away, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol adds a modern spin with live entertainment, gaming, and dining.
For a boutique stay, you’ve got two fantastic options: The Sessions Hotel, which pays homage to Bristol’s rich musical roots with thoughtfully curated decor, and The Bristol Hotel, offering stylish rooms and a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains.
Outdoor lovers can hit the Mendota Trail, a scenic 12.5-mile rail trail perfect for hiking, biking, and soaking in the natural beauty of Southwest Virginia.
Downtown Bristol is a must-stroll, with its iconic State Street — where one side is Virginia and the other is Tennessee. The area is dotted with locally-owned shops, art galleries, craft breweries, and eateries serving up Southern comfort with a twist.
Whether you’re tapping your toes to live music or savoring a farm-to-table meal, Bristol delivers an experience that feels timeless.
Wytheville, VA
In the heart of Southwest Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Wytheville proudly lives up to its tagline: “There’s Only One.” It’s the only town in the world with this name, honoring George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s law professor.
Wytheville’s Main Street also claims a unique piece of presidential history as the birthplace of Edith Bolling Wilson, the only Appalachian-born First Lady, often called the “First Female President.” You can explore her story at a dedicated museum and stay at a boutique hotel bearing her name.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find Wytheville a gateway to adventure, with 58,000 acres of public lands for hiking, biking, and camping. The New River Trail State Park, Virginia’s longest linear park, is a haven for outdoor recreation, while motorcyclists flock to tackle the Claw of the Dragon Motorcycle Trail.
But what truly sets Wytheville apart are its quirky “homegrown attractions”— think Virginia’s Largest Pencil, the Smallest Church in Virginia, and Big Walker Lookout, the state’s oldest and highest private attraction. Add in an animal safari park, lavender and alpaca farms, a charming dinner theatre, and beautifully restored historic sites, and you’ve got a small town stay packed with personality and charm.
Suffolk, VA
Suffolk serves up a perfect blend of flavor, charm, and creativity. For foodies, Harper’s Table is a must, where traditions meet cosmopolitan flair under a canopy of reclaimed pine from the old Suffolk Peanut Company. Expect Southern-inspired dishes crafted with local produce, fresh seafood, and genuine hospitality.
Over at Vintage Tavern, regional classics are elevated with house-made touches — think Brunswick stew with buttermilk biscuits, bison ribeye, and their famous banana puddin’.
Shoppers will love exploring A. Dodson’s, a quirky-chic boutique filled with home accessories, apparel, antiques, and gifts you didn’t know you needed. Darla’s Downtown offers a fun, stylish vibe with curated finds and even pop-up permanent jewelry events.
Art enthusiasts can catch a show, browse galleries, or take a pottery class at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, a transformed 1922 high school turned creative hub. For a relaxing bite, Café Dâvina (set in a historic home) serves crêpes and espresso beneath a century-old magnolia tree.
Craving something unexpected? Sushi Aka offers top-tier sushi crafted by a Morimoto-trained chef using fresh global seafood and local produce. And for a family-friendly adventure, Kay’s Acres has horseback riding trails, a petting zoo, and even a replica Western town.
Shenandoah County, VA
Shenandoah County feels like a charming road trip in miniature, with six picturesque towns — New Market, Mt. Jackson, Edinburg, Woodstock, Toms Brook, and Strasburg — strung along Route 11. Each stop offers its own mix of boutique shopping, local eats, and unique attractions.
In Strasburg, indulge in homemade treats at Sammy Lou’s Bake Shop, gluten-free delights from Cakes by Ashton, or gourmet seasonal waffles at Cordial Coffee. Browse Cherry on Top Boutique, a women-empowering shop with curated fashion finds. Woodstock tempts with The ButterCup, Woodstock Café (elevated café fare by day, fine dining by night), and Flour & Water, where French-trained pastry chef Jacoby Dinges and sisters Paje Cross and Meredith Norris create heavenly pastries and specialty gift items. Don’t miss the family-friendly Bonfire Bookstore with its whimsical Narnia reading nook.
Edinburg’s historic Edinburg Mill houses a gift shop, wine store, and restaurant, while Beans BBQ serves ribs, brisket, and smoky perfection. In Mt. Jackson, the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory offers tastings (and maybe a behind-the-scenes peek) on Thursdays. New Market’s Jon Henry General Store overflows with fresh produce and quirky goods, while Jacksons Corner Café serves creative coffees roasted on-site. Here, small-town charm and big flavor meet at every mile.
Bedford, VA
Bedford County blends mountain charm, lakeside leisure, and a vibrant small-town scene. Stop for coffee and pastries at Bridge Street Café or enjoy hand-crafted flavors at Town Kitchen & Provisions. Browse unique finds at Zimmerman’s A Little Bit of Everything, BVA Mercantile, and Goose Creek Studio, or head just outside town to J Bohn Bishop Mercantile, Nanny Prims & Décor, and Ashwood Manor Designs.
Nature lovers can pick fruit and explore country stores at Gross’ Orchard and Johnson’s Orchards, or follow the Bottled in Bedford Craft Beverage Trail for wine, cider, beer, and mead. Harvest Moon Marketplace is a one-stop for food, shopping, live music, and seasonal events. For arts and green space, visit the Bower Center for the Arts or stroll through Wharton Garden.
Stay lakeside at Mariners Landing on Smith Mountain Lake, complete with golf, swimming, and pickleball, or enjoy a seasonal mountain escape at the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Outdoor adventures range from hiking the Peaks of Otter trails to exploring Smith Mountain Lake State Park and Falling Creek Park.
Round out your visit with a meal at Benjamin’s, New London Steakhouse, or Liberty Station, and discover why Bedford is a true Blue Ridge treasure.
Newport News, VA
Newport News may stretch 23 miles along the James River, but tucked within are neighborhood pockets that feel like charming small towns — perfect for a romantic retreat. Two standouts are Lee Hall and Historic Hilton Village, where history, shopping, and dining combine for an unforgettable getaway.
Start your trip with an overnight stay at the Historic Boxwood Inn, a beautifully preserved 1896 home turned boutique inn. Just across the street, step into the past at the Lee Hall Depot, once a bustling 19th-century train station. A short walk takes you to Lee Hall Mansion, a stately 1859 Italianate home steeped in Civil War history.
The next morning, fuel up with artisan sourdough doughnuts at Dough Haus, then balance the indulgence with fresh air at The Mariners’ Museum and Park. Whether hiking the five-mile Noland Trail or kayaking on Mariners’ Lake, Newport News blends history, culture, and outdoor beauty into one delightful escape.
In the evening, head to Historic Hilton Village for dinner at Circa 1918, an intimate bistro known for creative dishes and craft cocktails. Browse the nearby shops before catching a performance at the Peninsula Community Theatre, a community troupe housed in an art deco theater since 1994.
This article is sponsored by Virginia Tourism Corporation, Visit Hampton, Explore Bristol, Visit Wytheville, Visit Suffolk, Visit Shenandoah County, Destination Bedford VA, and Visit Newport News.
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