Small towns in Virginia don't lack big personalities, said
World Atlas , an online geography resource for anyone interested in learning more about a destination whether it be to visit, plan a vacation or even find your new home. World Atlas put together a list of the
nine most eccentric towns in Virginia "from a town with an underground lake that creates a perfect mirror illusion to a festival where visitors can duel with wands." Staunton is one of those towns. "Virginia’s eccentricity shines through in its most unique communities," said World Atlas, and "these nine towns each have a character all their own." The commonwealth also has the longest stretch of the
Appalachian trail in the country, according to World Atlas, which brings hikers and travelers from all over the world to visit
Shenandoah National Park and the
Blue Ridge Parkway . Virginia also is the largest seafood producer on the East Coast.
World Atlas list of the 9 most eccentric towns in Virginia
Staunton
Every year during the last weekend of September, the city of
Staunton transforms into the world of Harry Potter at its
Queen City Mischief and Magic festival. QCMM officially begins when Hogwarts faculty and students arrive at platform 9 3/4 at the train station and ends late Sunday afternoon with the Quidditch Championship Cup. The weekend festival is packed with things to do and visitors can use maps and a
Sched app to make sure Potterheads don't miss a thing. You can bookmark your favorite activities, create your own customized schedule, sort by type (activity, attraction, dining, venue), see descriptions, and find out what activities are free or ticket only. But that's not the only reason to come to Staunton. The city's rich architectural history with its walking tours downtown, shows at
American Shakespeare Center ,
Frontier Culture Museum 's open air living-history experience and home of
Woodrow Wilson's Presidential Library & Museum makes it a cultural gem. About 157 miles from Washington, D.C., Staunton (pronounced STAN-ton) is located in the Shenandoah Valley at the intersection of Interstate 64 and I-81, exits 220 through 225.
Luray
Known for having the largest caverns on the East Coast, Luray is a town in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley with easy access to Shenandoah National Park. With its vast underground cave system and rock formations, Luray Caverns is a must on your list of places to experience. "It gained popularity due to its stalactites which were formed by dripping limestone," said
World Atlas . "It is also home to Dream Lake, which famously creates an optical illusion with the cave’s hanging stalactites."
Luray Caverns offer tours along paved walkways through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings ten stories high, towering stone formations, and natural wonders at every turn. Two nearby museums feature recreated 19th-century buildings and
vintage cars . To the southeast,
Lake Arrowhead has a beach and nature trail. The town of Luray is located approximately 90 miles west of Washington D.C. and 45 miles south of Winchester.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg was the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780 and played a significant role in the American Revolution. It forms the “
Historic Triangle ” together with Jamestown and Yorktown. Best known for
Colonial Williamsburg , a 301-acre living-history museum where actors in period costume depict Colonial life, the past comes to life in
Williamsburg and naturally made the
World Atlas list . "Here, visitors can explore 89 historic buildings and witness reenactments that showcase early colonial life, from blacksmith shops to busy markets," said the World Atlas website. After exploring Williamsburg’s iconic historical park, you can check out the town's
amusement parks and go for a ride on a rollercoaster or experience thrills on a high-speed go-kart. Accessible by I-64, Williamsburg is 150 miles south of Washington D.C., midway between Richmond and Virginia Beach.
Wytheville
With its stunning landscape, majestic mountains, sparkling waters, and rolling hills, Wytheville (pronounced WITH-vill), known for its motto “There’s only one!” offers a unique variety of attractions found only in Southwest Virginia, said World Atlas in its
nine most eccentric towns in Virginia. The name came in honor of George Wythe, a well-respected Virginia lawyer, professor and signer of the Declaration of Independence, said
Visit Wytheville . "The
Crystal Springs Recreation Area is a beautiful place for an afternoon outdoors, featuring 1,800 acres of land in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, half a dozen trails for hiking and biking, and an old reservoir," said World Atlas. Animals from six of the seven continents reside at the 45-acre
Fort Chiswell Animal Park , a nearby attraction. Visit with Cheeto the giraffe, camels, zebras, buffalo, monkeys, parrots and more. Come summertime, travelers can also go blueberry picking at Henley Mountain Berry Farm. "One of the crown jewels in Wytheville is the
Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre , a German-themed, state-of-the-art venue, while live music can be found throughout town at the breweries and at a variety of concert series events and festivals," according to
Visit Wytheville . Wytheville is about halfway between Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia and Roanoke, and is accessible from I-81 and I-77. On the I-77 corridor, it is located about halfway between Charleston, West Virginia, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Charlottesville
"Home to the University of Virginia,
Charlottesville is a lively college town with an abundance of quirky attractions," said World Atlas. The city is well known for being the home of
Monticello , Thomas Jefferson’s famed estate. Travelers can also visit the farmer’s market at
IX Art Park , home to
The Looking Glass , a permanent immersive art space that features exhibits like a kaleidoscopic cave and an enchanted forest, the
website said. "With several nearby lakes and rivers, travelers can enjoy a day of paddling," said World Atlas. "The Rivanna River flows through Charlottesville, offering a scenic, 2-mile kayak route from Darden Towe Park to Riverview Park." The city is located in the center of Virginia by the foothills of the
Blue Ridge Mountains , about 72 miles from Richmond, on the main route west of the Tidewater region, and almost 116 miles away from Washington, D.C.
Warrenton
Founded in 1810,
Warrenton is the gateway to Virginia’s Piedmont Region, located in Fauquier County, which is horse and wine country with the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop. "With over 114 wineries in the surrounding area, a wine tour is a must for visitors," said
World Atlas , recommending
Molon Lave Vineyards as "a charming option to add to your itinerary." Warrenton hosts some of the largest equestrian events in the country, like the
Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races. "In August, the town hosts the iconic
Warrenton Horse Show , which is one of the country’s oldest equestrian exhibitions," said World Atlas. See art come alive in
Old Town Warrenton's five galleries including the Old Jail Museum built in 1808, a must-see for civil war history buffs. At the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town of Warrenton is just under 60 miles west of Washington, D.C., and about a 90-minute drive north from Richmond from I-95 and US-17.
Floyd
"Floyd has an active music and arts scene, making it a great destination for gallery hopping or listening to live music," said World Atlas. Since its opening in 1910, the Floyd Country Store has been a beloved landmark with "weekly Friday Night Jamboree with music in the store and streets overflowing with musicians," said Visit Floyd VA in its
visitor's guide . "Floyd is a vibrant hub for music lovers, with spots like Dogtown Roadhouse, OuterSpace, and more offering live performances in an intimate setting," according to Floyd's
visitor's guide . The musical heartbeat extends to the annual
FloydFest music festival, said Visit Floyd VA, which draws crowds with its diverse lineup of artists and immersive experience in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. "Just a 20-minute drive from Floyd, visitors can reach the
Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve , home to three rare animal species, 15 rare plants and nine unique natural communities, making it one of the most important natural preserves in the state," World Atlas said. The
town of Floyd , the county seat, is 41 miles southwest of Roanoke on U.S. 221. Floyd is one hour west of Martinsville, and 90 minutes north of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge province of Southwest Virginia.
Tappahannock
"Tappahannock is a rural coastal community in Virginia that is famous for its seafood and Rappahannock River oysters," said World Atlas in its
nine most eccentric towns in Virginia list. "To Do Café, for example, offers signature plates like hand-breaded oysters, crab cakes, and onion petals, among many other dishes." "TAPP" has more than just seafood. Its museums, marinas, wineries and golf in the town, and Essex County, make it a place with plenty of options for a weekend stay or vacation. "Retreat here to enjoy what you love most about the outdoors, whether that’s fishing, paddling, hiking or simply savoring a simpler, slower pace," said
Visit Tappahannock . Travelers can head to Rappahannock River Park, a waterfront spot offering benches for sitting by the water and picnicking, said World Atlas. Visitors can rent a kayak at Duke Street Beach, which offers a convenient self-service rental experience.
Tappahannock is a river town in Essex County, located on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, 100 miles south of Washington, D.C., 95 miles north of Norfolk and 45 miles northeast of Richmond.
Chincoteague
Chincoteague is the entrance to the Virginia portion of
Assateague Island and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, home of the famous
Chincoteague Wild Ponies . "Visitors may be surprised to learn that two herds of wild ponies roam near
Chincoteague ," said World Atlas. "The best way to spot them is on a tour with a local agency, such as
Chincoteague Island Adventures , where a local captain will guide visitors to areas where the herds are often seen." If you're a seafood lover, plan a trip during
Chincoteague's Seafood Festival , happening May 3, said World Atlas. "Before leaving town, be sure to pick up a locally-made piece of art or souvenir from Sandy Sky’s Crafts, a locally owned shop on Main Street," recommended World Atlas. Chincoteague Island is Virginia’s only resort Island, the
Chincoteague Vacation Guide . Located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Chincoteague is within easy reach from all major cities on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard.
