15 Fun Northern Virginia Small Towns to Visit Now – Fun in Fairfax VA

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Share Tweet Pin Email. Before you go, take a self-guided history tour downtown, check out the St. Lawrence says: Also The Wine Kitchen in Leesburg is arguably one of the small quaint towns near me restaurants in the state. All articles belong to Atlanta Family LLC, and all photos belong to us as well, unless otherwise noted. Mike says: A second vote for Floyd! Nearby, is the not-to-be-missed Flint Riverquarium. Enjoy a selection of casual and full-service dining on the main street through town.
 
 

 

– 10 picturesque small towns just a short drive from Toronto – Streets Of Toronto

 

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. You can learn more about that process here. After all, autumn is the best time to visit upstate New York for some leaf peeping , apple picking and the all-important selfie snapping at an adorable pumpkin patch. Plus, every shop, restaurant and viewpoint you stumble upon will be better than the next.

Speaking of the view, our favorite place to sit and gaze out over the glittering lake of the same name is the waterfront Clift Park, with its adorable gazebo, and neighboring Skaneateles Pier. This small city about 6, people is only a two-hour drive from Manhattan and a popular getaway, thanks in part to its mid-century antique shops and lively contemporary art scene.

Also on Warren is Swoon Kitchenbar , an upscale brasserie with an impressive wine list and delicious cocktails. What Tivoli lacks in size, it makes up for in quality. The town has seen a renaissance in recent years, with hip new businesses making this approximately 1. Case in point: The tiny mobile coffee house concept All That Java , a hipster-meets-traditional Irish pub with serious whisky selection; Traghaven , a very Instagrammable general store ; and the oh-so-adorable inside and out of seasonal ice cream shop, Fortunes with its service window and yellow spiral staircase.

The all-inclusive Victorian-era hotel sits on 40, acres on the Shawangunk Ridge and looks like a castle. The sumptuous accommodation offers dozens of fun outdoor activities. New Paltz itself, now a college town, is one of the oldest towns in the U. And, its age is a big part of its allure. There are few things more pleasurable than taking a safe, socially distanced bike tour through this charming village and its main drag filled with historic buildings that line the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake.

Mornings in Aurora are well spent taking in a coffee and the peaceful reflection of the lake, while days are best filled with local pottery or painting classes or at wine tastings at one of the many stops on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Saugerties is a quintessential Hudson Valley town. The village, on the west bank of the river at the mouth of the Esopus Creek, is a historic landmark with a main street full of buildings—antique stores, restaurants, mom-and-pop shops—preserved as their 19th-century selves.

Spend the day at Opus 40 , a sprawling outdoor sculpture park currently open with some COVID restrictions in place; guests musts bring a mask or bring a bike to explore one of the many gorgeous bike trails. If you blink twice, you might miss this Sullivan County hamlet on the banks of the Delaware River.

But that would be a shame, because its charming Main Street is packed with cool shops, like Maison Bergogne. For lunch, order takeout from The Heron and be sure to try the fried chicken. For dinner, The Laundrette serves up delicious wood-fired pizzas. Visitors also make the trek to hike the surrounding Hudson Highlands. From the top of Breakneck Ridge , a challenging 3. Rhinebeck gets a lot of love from travelers, and even boasts Presidential ties former first-daughter Chelsea Clinton tied the knot here.

New York art lovers have been flocking to Beacon—just 60 miles from NYC—since , when Dia:Beacon , a massive museum the ,square-foot space was once a Nabisco plant home to contemporary and modern art, opened its doors and put this small Hudson Valley town on the map. The antithesis of its sibling on the south shore, the North Fork is more about wineries, farm stands, sailing and country roads than about the glitz and glam of the Hamptons.

Greenport is its seaside center. This Hudson River village in Westchester is just a one-hour drive from the city, but will transport you to a completely different world think: a beautiful arch bridge passing over a dam with gentle flowing water. Seeing the dreamy Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion in the flesh would be reason enough to make the drive to this town, which sits on one of the sleepier and decidedly posh-er of the Finger Lakes.

The popular attraction is the former summer house of a wealthy New York City family with a Queen Anne-style mansion and nine, distinct formal gardens our faves being the Japanese and Italian gardens. It is currently open until October Both towns are about a two-hour drive from Manhattan and can easily be done in the same weekend.

Characteristic of the neighborhood, visitors will also stumble upon charming streetlights and weathered blue stone sidewalks.

PureWow travel. By Dan Koday. Jonathan W. Skaneateles, Ny. Hudson, Ny. Tivoli, Ny. New Paltz, Ny. Courtesy of Inns of Aurora. Aurora, Ny. Saugerties, Ny. Narrowsburg, Ny. Cold Spring, Ny. Rhinebeck, Ny. Beacon, Ny. Greenport, Ny. Croton-on-hudson, Ny. Chris Mottalini. Canandaigua, Ny.

Woodstock, Ny. Sag Harbor, Ny. Kingston, Ny.

 
 

20 Delightfully Charming Small Towns in Tennessee

 
 

This small town in North Georgia is best known for apples. But Ellijay also has a vibrant Main Street with quaint shops and restaurants!

Our favorite is Mountain Treasures because in addition to adorable clothing, they also have a sample selection of wines from Cartecay Vineyards an Ellijay winery and moonshine! Rent a pontoon boat from the marina to explore 62 miles of natural shoreline, or take a hike around the lake on several leisurely trails. Before heading out on a road trip to any small Georgia Towns, take note of these awesome road trip games! Along the coast of Georgia is the unassuming town of St.

It is here you can get a ferry to the remote Cumberland Island National Seashore , one of several barrier islands in Georgia. Before you go, take a self-guided history tour downtown, check out the St. Located halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville , Darien is a coastal community worth a stop.

Savor fresh fried shrimp at Skippers Fish Camp. Or take a boat from Darien to remote Sapelo Island , where you can enjoy deserted beaches, as well as tour the historic Reynolds Mansion.

Grab a wooden gun and play soldier through the recreated Fort King George. There are the traditional activities such as quail hunting on nearby plantations, and tours of the historic homes. However, Thomasville is also gathering a reputation as a foodie town. Food is part of the southern tradition of warmth and hospitality, and Thomasville is rich in both. RiverFront Park is beautiful development along the Flint River where kids can play at the Turtle Grove Play Park , or sit on piano keys and listen to Ray Charles tunes — Charles is from Albany — while looking at a life-sized sculpture of the signer at his piano.

There is also a splash fountain and three miles of bike trails. Nearby, is the not-to-be-missed Flint Riverquarium. Do your stomach a favor and get a hot dog at Jimmies. This iconic dog joint has been in operation at the same location across from the bus station since The prices will make your wallet smile too! This tiny small town in South Georgia of less than 2, is best known for the theater company that performs the folk-life play Swamp Gravy.

Each season is unique and tells the story of Southern heritage. All articles belong to Atlanta Family LLC, and all photos belong to us as well, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. This site uses cookies to enhance your experience. We make no guarantees of any price listed on our site.

We are not responsible for content on external web sites linked from ours, including linked resources, an external blog post, any partner site, hotel property sites, or affiliate sites.

Posts may contain affiliate links at no cost to you. Or explore farms and tiny towns on a beautiful scenic drive on the unpaved roads of Loudoun County.

Marshall is a small town but it boasts several delicious restaurants and cute local shops. Eat casual with takeout from the unique Johnny Monarch’s busteraunt. The converted double-decker bus serves tasty vegan, vegetarian, and meaty comfort food and there are picnic tables outside to enjoy your meal. A few doors away, Red Truck Bakery creates farm-inspired sandwiches and dishes. Across the street, Field and Main offers more upscale farm-to-table fine dining.

Nearby Northern Fauquier Community Park is a lovely place to walk off your meal on a network of paved paths. Virginia hunt country sets the vibe in tony Middleburg Virginia.

Upscale shops line the streets of the compact downtown, mixed with local dining spots and historic architecture. In the village center, the Red Fox Inn offers dining and overnight accommodations in a historic tavern established in Nearby, the award-winning Salamander Resort and Spa offers luxurious rooms and a host of treatments.

Special resort activities include a range of equestrian programs. Enjoy a selection of casual and full-service dining on the main street through town.

December is one of the most beautiful times to visit Middleburg, especially for the annual Christmas in Middleburg celebration when the Hunt and Hounds Review parades down the main street. The little town of historic Occoquan occupies a few compact blocks on the banks of the Occoquan River. It is hard to imagine today, but this was once a bustling port with the largest mill in the region.

Today, the streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and a few historic gems. At the eastern end of town is a dock where you can watch the birds on the river or launch a kayak. Nearby, Madigan’s Wharf is a popular waterfront dining spot with a patio overlooking the water. Further on is a small park where you can relax or snap a pic with a LOVE sign. In between, local shops welcome browsers with unique finds.

There are several restaurants to choose from, including one of our favorites for patio dining , The Secret Garden Cafe. Plan your visit with our guide: 8 Great Things to do in Purcellville Virginia. Another pretty small town in Loudoun County, Purcellville’s downtown has several restaurants, breweries, and a popular distillery. There are also local shops to browse, including a classic hardware store. Be sure to check out the pretty mural outside Purcellville Family Restaurants, which features images of the area.

Purcellville is the western end of the Washington and Old Dominion bike trail, which winds 45 miles east to Arlington. The paved trail begins at the old Purcellville train station, constructed in If you’d prefer a more challenging hike, head to Bluemont see above to tackle a section of the Appalachian Trail.

One of the most unique historic towns in Virginia was created in the s. Reston Virginia is one of the first planned communities in the United States. At Lake Anne , Reston’s first village center, enjoy a meal by the lake , a craft brewery, and a wine bar.

Take a short walk to the beautiful Van Gogh Bridge or a longer trip around the lake. A short drive away, Reston Town Center is an outdoor mall lined with shops, restaurants, and public spaces. Lake Fairfax also has a big waterpark and an excellent campground.

The town of Sperryville is tiny, and that’s part of the fun. There are a few nice restaurants, a comfortable pub, and a shop or two in the downtown area.

Sperryville’s biggest claim to fame is its location at the edge of Shenandoah National Park. Stop in town for a meal or some takeout before you drive up winding Route to Shenandoah’s Thornton Gap Entrance. One of the smallest towns in Virginia, with just over residents, The Plains is a great destination for foodies who enjoy a country drive.

There are a few shops to browse, but dining is the main draw. Keep an eye out for Robert Duvall , who lives in The Plains and is often seen around town. You can reach the town on a scenic drive past farms and fields. The town of Vienna includes three of our favorite parks and a charming downtown packed with great restaurants. During the holiday season, the Winter Walk of Lights fills the gardens with sparkly fun.

You can also picnic and hike at Wolf Trap up to 2 hours before showtime. The Washington and Old Dominion Bike Trail, the skinniest park in the region, passes through the downtown on a beautiful, level paved trail. When you’re ready for a meal or a drink, there are plenty of local Vienna restaurants to choose from.

The historic town of Waterford is packed with 18th and 19th-century buildings that beautifully preserve the past. The entire village is a National Historic Landmark. Stroll down Main Street from the Corner Store to the restored Waterford Mill to see some of the most interesting buildings. Take a short drive from downtown Waterford to Wheatland Springs Farm and Brewery for a tasty line-up of farm-brewed craft beer.

One of the most popular festivals in Northern Virginia , the three-day Waterford Fair features artisans, period reenactors home tours, and more on the first weekend of October. Winchester is actually a city, but the beautiful, pedestrian-friendly downtown has a small-town feel that we love.

Downtown Winchester is full of local restaurants, craft breweries, unique shops, and historic buildings all within walking distance. If you have kids in your group, visit the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum to learn by doing with their fun, interactive displays.

Architecture lovers should check out the Beaux-Arts beauty of the Hanley Library with its spiral staircase and stained glass rotunda. Click this map to plan your Virginia small town visits. Planning a getaway close to DC? When you are ready to explore beyond Northern Virginia, plan a scenic road trip to Virginia small towns in other regions of the state.

Below are three of our favorite Virginia regions, with links to a complete road trip guide to each region. The guides are packed with tips on places to visit and things to do on your road trip to these pretty small towns in Virginia. Many travelers pass through the Shenandoah Valley on Route 81 and never leave the highway, but that’s a shame. The Shenandoah Valley is full of lovely small towns, country roads, farms, wineries, breweries, and fun activities that call you to slow down and explore.

Hip restaurants, local shops, and interesting museums welcome visitors to Winchester, Woodstock, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, and other towns along historic Route

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