Whether you live in or plan on traveling through the state of Virginia, enjoying the state’s beautiful mountains is always a good idea. While the lakes, streams, and oceans make for stunning backdrops all year around, the mountains are a particular destination during autumn. Not only do the trees put on a beautiful display of red, gold, and orange tones, but the rise and fall of the topography allows small towns to dot the curves of the landscape.
From quaint and quiet to historic and bustling, here are the 9 best Virginia mountain towns to explore.
Bedford
For the town of Bedford, being near the Blue Ridge Mountains means using the land to the fullest. If you love farms, orchards, and the occasional hayride, you can have your fill of family fun while taking home a bushel of apples to make a flavorful fall pie. Family-run orchards, such as Gross Orchard and Johnson’s Orchard—where you’ll also find Peaks of Otter Winery on-site—are perfect places to spend a crisp fall day.
The town center also has several antique and gift shops where you can start your holiday shopping or stop for a freshly made brew at Beale’s. If you happen to be there on a Saturday, head to the farmers market to see vendors selling jams, produce, and locally made artisan goods.
Bristol
Located on the western side of the state along the Virginia-Tennessee border lies the town of Bristol. Surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains, the area offers its residents the quintessential feeling of small-town charm while luring visitors with its thriving brewery and winery scene.
Bristol is also well-known for its motor speedway, which hosts the NASCAR series, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, which features permanent and rotating exhibits in addition to a monthly Bluegrass Jam. Of course, fall foliage is always a seasonal highlight, and don’t miss the opportunity to savor Appalachian cuisine at a local restaurant.
Charlottesville
One of the benefits of being along the Blue Ridge Mountains is the unique terrain ideal for growing grape varietals. Not only does a day exploring Charlottesville’s more than 40 vineyards—with a designated driver, of course—enable you to taste locally produced wines, but you can do so while enjoying the warm-toned fall mountains.
Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall area is also a delight to stroll as you grab a coffee, shop for vintage clothing, peruse the stacks at a bookstore, and finish with a bite to eat. Avid shoppers will also enjoy the shops at Barrack’s Road, and folks interested in U.S. history can visit the homes of three former presidents: Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Highland, and James Madison’s Montpelier.
Floyd
For native Virginians, the name Floyd is synonymous with creativity. However, it’s also a fact that residents of the Old Dominion happily share with visitors. Although many head to the town for the mid-summer Floydfest music festival, the rest of the year bustles with artistic events as the community calendar brims with artisan markets, music jamborees, dances, yoga, and farmers’ markets.
The only thing that makes this innovative community more colorful is the spectacular autumn showcase the trees offer. While in town, you can stay at a bed and breakfast, visit a distillery, or tour the circa 1910 Mabry Mill.
Harrisonburg
Although you’ll still get a glimpse of the mountains, simply driving by Harrisonburg as you traverse Interstate 81 doesn’t do the city justice. With the benefit of being a college town, you can cheer the football team on to victory or see a performance at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts.
The downtown area includes 40 blocks, where you can grab a pumpkin-flavored drink and walk around while popping into art galleries, shops, and museums. Mountains also surround the city, which makes the area ideal for hiking, soaking in the scenery, or exploring the wineries and national forests nearby.
Hot Springs
The duo of Hot Springs and Warm Springs in Virginia are just five minutes apart and reside in none other than Bath County in the Allegheny Mountains—and, as the names indicate, soothing waters await. If you dare indulge—which is especially delightful in the crisp autumn air—you can plunge into tepid waters at resorts in either town.
Fans of the Jeffersonian era can bathe in the same waters that the former president himself soaked in Warm Springs, or you can treat yourself to a stay at The Omni Homestead resort, which 23 U.S. Presidents have visited. No matter which location you choose, you simply have to look outside to find trees on display.
Lexington
Although no one city is one-size-fits-all, Lexington is about as close as you can get. Steeped in history and nature, both outdoor lovers and history buffs can enjoy exploring Natural Bridge, walking the campus of Virginia Military Institute, or taking a horse and carriage ride to Oak Grove Cemetery, where you can visit the grave of Stonewall Jackson.
Shoppers and foodies alike will enjoy all that the downtown area has to offer, with its multiple shops and restaurants ready to accommodate customers. Craft beverage aficionados will also find various locations to sip wine, cider, or beer surrounded by the autumnal mountains.
Roanoke
Named America’s East Coast Mountain Biking Capital, a list of Virginia mountain towns would be remiss without including the bustling city of Roanoke. The region also contains a vast array of hiking trails, including access points to the Appalachian Trail. Although Roanoke has been a longtime staple city, the revitalization of the downtown area has made way for locally-owned shops, boutique hotels, and unique restaurants to thrive.
Beyond the central hub are several other pocket areas, such as Wasena, West Station District, and Grandin Village, where you can watch a modern movie in a 1930s historic theater. If you stop in town, head up to Mill Mountain to the overlook, where you’ll get the best view of the Roanoke Valley’s fall splendor underneath the mountaintop star.
Winchester
Those interested in Civil War history come from all over to get their fill in Winchester as six battles took place in the city, which changed hands—between the North and South—72 times during the war. However, if that isn’t your cup of tea, you can visit the Patsy Cline Historic House and see where the former country music star spent her formative years. The area also has several local farm markets, orchards, and two animal sanctuaries that you can tour, or head to Old Town Winchester for a slightly more urban experience with boutiques, restaurants, and a 40+ year-old bookstore.