When springtime rolls around, the best river towns in Virginia become even more vibrant. It’s the time of year that calls people outdoors, and what better way to spend a sunny afternoon than admiring the beautiful rivers in Virginia? You might be lucky enough to live in one of these charming river towns already. If you don’t, rest assured that visiting one is only a short drive away. You just might decide you want to stay a while, or even move your family to one of these lovely towns. If you are a fan of our state’s beautiful water features, any of these pretty places will make you smile throughout your visit.

  1. Scottsville

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr

Wikipedia When it comes to river towns in Virginia, Scottsville is a real winner. The charming and historic Scottsville was founded in 1744 along the Horseshoe Bend of the James River. You won’t want to miss the Farmers Market, June Batteau Festival, or Fourth of July Parade. No matter the occasion, Scottsville is a great place to celebrate. Scottsville, VA 24590, USA

  1. Buchanan

BeerAndLoathing/flickr Nestled along the James River, Buchanan has been designated one of the top ten antiquing towns in the United States, and for good reason. There are plenty of shops that you will love and plenty of souvenirs that you will treasure forever. Its historic swinging bridge was built way back in 1851. And with such quick access points to the river and the Appalachian Trail, this is an ideal stop for adventurers and history lovers alike. Buchanan, VA 24066, USA

  1. Pulaski

Brent Moore/flickr Pulaski is located just outside of Blacksburg and is a quaint town with a population of less than ten thousand. You’ll have access to the northern portion of the New River State Park from here. Photographed above is the oldest church in the town, dating back to 1875. The history you will be able to learn about here is fascinating. Pulaski, VA 24301, USA

  1. Tappahannock

Taber Andrew Bain/flickr

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr Tappahannock was actually discovered by John Smith before Richmond and even Williamsburg. The name means “on the rise and fall of the water,” referring to the nearby river. If you like towns on the Rappahannock River, make a beeline for this one! The town includes a historic landmark district as well as countless river activities. Photographed above: is the historic debtor’s prison. Tappahannock, VA 22560, USA

  1. Occoquan

George Lewis/flickr

Karen/flickr Occoquan is only 22 miles south of Washington D.C., but you will find no trace of busy city life in this river town. The Occoquan waterfront is ideal for strolling and leads the way to some incredible waterfront dining as well. Have a seat and enjoy some striking views while you eat. Occoquan Historic District, VA, USA

  1. Urbanna

Kate Webster/flickr

Vosteen/flickr This tidewater town is an easy-going, down-to-earth, oyster-loving haven. You can arrive to this town by boat, coming from the Chesapeake Bay by means of the Rappahannock. The town is truly fueled by the river. In fact, Urbanna is the home of Virginia’s official oyster festival. It’s a classic Virginia event, so if you’re a big fan of oysters, go check it out. Urbanna, VA, USA

  1. Fries

Eli Christman/flickr

Eli Christman/flickr Each year Fries celebrates its Mountain heritage with a festival by the New River. There are many river activities to choose from as well as traditional mountain music. Visiting Fries is sure to be a unique experience and the surrounding land is breathtaking. This photograph was taken at New River State Park. Fries, VA, USA

  1. Hopewell

Ken Lund/flickr The town of Hopewell is located in Prince George County. City Point is one of the oldest spots in Hopewell, located on a bluff overlooking the Appomattox and James Rivers. This photograph is taken from the Petersburg National Battlefield. Hopewell, VA 23860, USA

  1. South Boston

Doug Kerr/flickr Located on the Dan River, South Boston was once the second-largest leaf tobacco market in the country. Today, you can still spot many historic tobacco buildings. South Boston, VA 24592, USA

  1. Covington

OZinOH/flickr

flickr/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Covington is located in Allegheny County with a population just shy of 6,000. This town is in the heart of the mountains, and you won’t tire of the activities that the natural landscape has to offer, especially with such proximity to the Jackson River. This picture shows Gathright Dam, which is used to prevent flooding in the surrounding areas. This is one of the best river towns in Virginia. Covington, VA 24426, USA

  1. New Market

Rob Shenk/flickr The cozy town of New Market is considered a Virginia historic landmark. Located alongside the Shenandoah River, it boasts historic architecture as well as reenactments. Many of the stores are family-owned and have beautiful, locally made goods for sale. Pictured above: the Bushong farmhouse, where the Battle of New Market took place in 1864. New Market, VA 22844, USA

  1. Halifax

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr Halifax is known for celebrating its ties to the Banister River, especially during their Wild Blue River festival. The event includes kayaking and canoe races as well as a display of local vendors. Nearby is the Staunton River State Park, where some of the best stargazing on the East Coast takes place. Halifax, VA, USA

Did your favorite Virginia river town make the list? Be sure to let us know in the comments section!

Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr

Wikipedia

When it comes to river towns in Virginia, Scottsville is a real winner. The charming and historic Scottsville was founded in 1744 along the Horseshoe Bend of the James River. You won’t want to miss the Farmers Market, June Batteau Festival, or Fourth of July Parade. No matter the occasion, Scottsville is a great place to celebrate.

Scottsville, VA 24590, USA

BeerAndLoathing/flickr

Nestled along the James River, Buchanan has been designated one of the top ten antiquing towns in the United States, and for good reason. There are plenty of shops that you will love and plenty of souvenirs that you will treasure forever. Its historic swinging bridge was built way back in 1851. And with such quick access points to the river and the Appalachian Trail, this is an ideal stop for adventurers and history lovers alike.

Buchanan, VA 24066, USA

Brent Moore/flickr

Pulaski is located just outside of Blacksburg and is a quaint town with a population of less than ten thousand. You’ll have access to the northern portion of the New River State Park from here. Photographed above is the oldest church in the town, dating back to 1875. The history you will be able to learn about here is fascinating.

Pulaski, VA 24301, USA

Taber Andrew Bain/flickr

Tappahannock was actually discovered by John Smith before Richmond and even Williamsburg. The name means “on the rise and fall of the water,” referring to the nearby river. If you like towns on the Rappahannock River, make a beeline for this one! The town includes a historic landmark district as well as countless river activities. Photographed above: is the historic debtor’s prison.

Tappahannock, VA 22560, USA

George Lewis/flickr

Karen/flickr

Occoquan is only 22 miles south of Washington D.C., but you will find no trace of busy city life in this river town. The Occoquan waterfront is ideal for strolling and leads the way to some incredible waterfront dining as well. Have a seat and enjoy some striking views while you eat.

Occoquan Historic District, VA, USA

Kate Webster/flickr

Vosteen/flickr

This tidewater town is an easy-going, down-to-earth, oyster-loving haven. You can arrive to this town by boat, coming from the Chesapeake Bay by means of the Rappahannock. The town is truly fueled by the river. In fact, Urbanna is the home of Virginia’s official oyster festival. It’s a classic Virginia event, so if you’re a big fan of oysters, go check it out.

Urbanna, VA, USA

Eli Christman/flickr

Each year Fries celebrates its Mountain heritage with a festival by the New River. There are many river activities to choose from as well as traditional mountain music. Visiting Fries is sure to be a unique experience and the surrounding land is breathtaking. This photograph was taken at New River State Park.

Fries, VA, USA

Ken Lund/flickr

The town of Hopewell is located in Prince George County. City Point is one of the oldest spots in Hopewell, located on a bluff overlooking the Appomattox and James Rivers. This photograph is taken from the Petersburg National Battlefield.

Hopewell, VA 23860, USA

Doug Kerr/flickr

Located on the Dan River, South Boston was once the second-largest leaf tobacco market in the country. Today, you can still spot many historic tobacco buildings.

South Boston, VA 24592, USA

OZinOH/flickr

flickr/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Covington is located in Allegheny County with a population just shy of 6,000. This town is in the heart of the mountains, and you won’t tire of the activities that the natural landscape has to offer, especially with such proximity to the Jackson River. This picture shows Gathright Dam, which is used to prevent flooding in the surrounding areas. This is one of the best river towns in Virginia.

Covington, VA 24426, USA

Rob Shenk/flickr

The cozy town of New Market is considered a Virginia historic landmark. Located alongside the Shenandoah River, it boasts historic architecture as well as reenactments. Many of the stores are family-owned and have beautiful, locally made goods for sale. Pictured above: the Bushong farmhouse, where the Battle of New Market took place in 1864.

New Market, VA 22844, USA

Halifax is known for celebrating its ties to the Banister River, especially during their Wild Blue River festival. The event includes kayaking and canoe races as well as a display of local vendors. Nearby is the Staunton River State Park, where some of the best stargazing on the East Coast takes place.

Halifax, VA, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

River Towns in Virginia December 11, 2022 Danielle Schwartz Where are the best small towns in Virginia? The best small towns in Virginia are so much fun to visit, you might want to move. Check them out:

Chincoteague Abingdon Smithfield Middleburg Lexington Onancock Staunton Occoquan Farmville Warrenton

  What are the most charming towns in Virginia? If you love charming towns in Virginia, head to any of the best choices in the state:

Floyd Charlottesville Cape Charles Clarksville Crozet Waterford Berryville

  Where are the most beautiful lakes in Virginia? The most beautiful lakes in Virginia are waiting for you all over the state. Enjoy a getaway by the water at any of these spots:

Lake Phoenix in Rawlings Lake Moomaw in Covington Lake Anna in Old Dominion Lake Drummond in Chesapeake Philpott Lake in Bassett Sherando Lake in Lyndhurst Smith Mountain Lake in Roanoke South Holston Lake in the mountains

The OIYS Visitor Center

River Towns in Virginia

December 11, 2022

Danielle Schwartz

Where are the best small towns in Virginia? The best small towns in Virginia are so much fun to visit, you might want to move. Check them out:

Chincoteague Abingdon Smithfield Middleburg Lexington Onancock Staunton Occoquan Farmville Warrenton

  What are the most charming towns in Virginia? If you love charming towns in Virginia, head to any of the best choices in the state:

Floyd Charlottesville Cape Charles Clarksville Crozet Waterford Berryville

  Where are the most beautiful lakes in Virginia? The most beautiful lakes in Virginia are waiting for you all over the state. Enjoy a getaway by the water at any of these spots:

Lake Phoenix in Rawlings Lake Moomaw in Covington Lake Anna in Old Dominion Lake Drummond in Chesapeake Philpott Lake in Bassett Sherando Lake in Lyndhurst Smith Mountain Lake in Roanoke South Holston Lake in the mountains

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The best small towns in Virginia are so much fun to visit, you might want to move. Check them out:

  • Chincoteague
  • Abingdon
  • Smithfield
  • Middleburg
  • Lexington
  • Onancock
  • Staunton
  • Occoquan
  • Farmville
  • Warrenton

 

What are the most charming towns in Virginia?

If you love charming towns in Virginia, head to any of the best choices in the state:

  • Floyd
  • Charlottesville
  • Cape Charles
  • Clarksville
  • Crozet
  • Waterford
  • Berryville

Where are the most beautiful lakes in Virginia?

The most beautiful lakes in Virginia are waiting for you all over the state. Enjoy a getaway by the water at any of these spots:

  • Lake Phoenix in Rawlings
  • Lake Moomaw in Covington
  • Lake Anna in Old Dominion
  • Lake Drummond in Chesapeake
  • Philpott Lake in Bassett
  • Sherando Lake in Lyndhurst
  • Smith Mountain Lake in Roanoke
  • South Holston Lake in the mountains