What You Get for $17: An all-day pass to Trimble Spa and Natural Hot Springs, a laid-back soaking haven seven miles north of town. Fredericksburg. 2. You will also have wireless internet and access to cable TV. Best Beaches in Virginia. Harvey Barrison / flickr. Whats your favorite? It was a common refrain. Moreover, it is also home to the semi-pro baseball team, the Deltas! And make sure you stick around for an unforgettable sunset. We've embraced the river, says reader Stephen McClure, and keep adding greenways and bridges, boat access, and view corridors. As resident Rebecca Selove points out, Thanks to organizations like the Cumberland River Compact, there are opportunities to participate in protecting our watersheds and celebrations like the annual Dragon Boat Races. (Rebecca, don't forget the Catfish Rodeo!) One of the oldest cities in the entire US, it straddles the James River with attractive antebellum architecture and centuries-old Civil War sites being scattered all around town. Charming River Towns In Ohio Our first sell on Virginia Beach is that it sports over 38 miles of coastline. Also, Huggins notes, the 300 days of sunshine a year don't hurt. There are plans for 22,000 more acres of protected open space (including 3,000 acres of metro parks), three times the number of working farms, double the downtown tree canopy, and 25 miles of greenwaysall in the next 10 years. Some local rats I spotted while running, Pat, Chris, and Andy, are kind enough to take me out. Why its a great small town: Often overshadowed by nearby Portland, Hood River is a quiet gateway into some of the states best nature. Top-Rated Beaches in Virginia Places That being said, while the Rappahannock River is one thing, Urbanna truly shines during its famous Urbanna Oyster Festival. WebVirginia counties and cities by year of establishment. WebChesapeake Bay KILMARNOCK. Located along the Mississippi River, the Minneapolis and St. Paul region is surrounded by waterways. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. New River Gorge Bridge. 2. Inner-tubers, snorkelers, fishermen, and sunbathers use this trail to access a beautiful stretch of the fall-line river, which for more than a century held the dubious distinction of being one of the most polluted waterways in the country. Richmond Named Best River Town Located 700 feet above the New River, Dun Glen may have last been inhabited in 1935.When it was still an operational mine, Dun Glen was only reachable through a tramway and primitive wagon roads. The 10 Best Places To Kayak In Virginia | SeaKayakExplorer The Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon. Tripadvisor (6734) 2 critic awards . But residents see it as the center of everything. When not underground in the caves, folks can explore a landscape that offers mountain activities and watersports, which is no wonder, as Shenandoah National Park and the river are close. Alexandria is the closest waterfront town near DC. Abe Streep, Great Falls, Montana:Long known as a rough-and-tumble railroad stop, Great Falls (pop. Alongside this 89km long river, you will find loads of people swimming, boating, fishing, and enjoying the peaceful environment. ! Elevation 3334'. Best Virginia Lake Anna; Louisa, Spotsylvania and Orange Counties. 38. We're trying to tame that down, says George Harper, a former parade organizer. The glass-and-steel skyline of the capital of Virginia rises beyond. Grab a lobster roll at Small Town BUrger for dinner! It is close to the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. The Cranberry is a must for anyone looking for trout in West Virginia. 5. Fredericksburg was established in 1671 and is located in the Northern Virginia region of the state. THE CROOKED ROAD. Named a top city by both Travel+Leisure and Cond Nast Traveler, it was founded in 1749 and was the home of Editorial credit: Irra / Shutterstock.com. Cape Charles Beachfront, 4 Bay Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310, USA. Downtown Richmond during the Dominion Riverrock festival. Last updated May 12, 2022. So, the small 4.7 sq. Best Waiting for my flight home, I read about myself in the Times-Dispatch. Plus, every June the city hosts FIBArk, the oldest whitewater festival in the country. The Virginia capital city won the title thanks to the massive efforts over the past four decades to clean up the James River and transform the once polluted river system into a mecca of outdoor water activities. Whats your favorite? Winters can be tough, and so can the job prospects, unless you work in academia. New River Trail State ParkFoster Falls Douthat State Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the original six Virginia State Parks. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Put simply, life revolves around the river, says Jeff Reynolds, co-owner of ad agency Rizen Creative. Highlights for outdoor enthusiasts include the Upper James River Water Trail and crossing the Buchanan Swinging Bridge, dating back to 1851. Nearby New River Bike Trail in Galax. All located within 2.5 sq. A big Saturday night is homemade ice cream at Lulu and dinner and beers at the Bobcat Inn and Brewery, says Middlebury adjunct professor Bill Hegman. 4. Once youre done with this scenic dinner retreat, be sure to check out Chesapeake Doughnut Company for a local dessert that will help you end the day well. The area has a deep history and houses several attractions on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. 4.5-star Hotel Class. Best Beaches in Virginia For example, if you are a history lover, there are various museums and exhibits spread throughout, such as the Virginia Museum of Civil War. Whether this is taking a stroll along the lengthy riverside or spending your day having a picnic with family, Irvington can help you take in the beauty of mother nature. Hampton, VA. Chincoteague. But there's also Cougar Hot Springs, the Oregon coast, Class III kayaking on the McKenzie River, and skiing at Willamette Pass. When I arrived to vet the town, the vote still undecided, the good citizens made it their business to persuade me that Richmond was worthy. Dine atEckhards Resturantfor a culinary mix of German, Italian and American fare. Located just north of the prominent People underestimate Milwaukee, says reader Nancy Welch. In 2012, American Rivers partnered with Outside Magazine to spotlight the nations best river towns. Theres too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all. Crabtree Falls, Virginia 22976, USA. Fries New River Trail RV Park offers 20 sites with full access to electricity, access to water, and each site has service for 20 Amp, 30 Amp, & 50 Amp. Situated in the eastern end of the United States, Virginia is the 35th largest state, home to more than 8,500,000 people. With a near-limitless list of things to do, South Boston can be enjoyed by almost everyone. Best Photograph by Richard Nowitz Photography/Getty Images. The surrounding area is spectacular, says Brian Lenihan. Virginia has great public services, including schools, public transportation, and highways. Best Places Pineville, West Virginia. As nearly every voting resident noted, the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers are now home to greenways bustling with boaters, fishermen, runners, walkers, and bikers. Theres too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all. Known for: Urbanna is steeped in history, you will see where tons of tobacco were loaded into ships to sail back to Europe. Also nearby are battlefields, museums, and plenty of wineries. If you don't have anything important to do the next day, the Ranch is the place to go, recommends Eric Parker, an ER nurse. Few things in the world are better than a beach and Virginia Beach is one of the best. Whats your favorite? The James is arguably the most improved river in the country.. You can visit the Mothman statue and As you explore some of the best cities to live in Virginia, dont neglect the capital. Go catch a game! It's not Boulder coiffedyou can find some impressively tangled pawpaw groves and unwelcoming copperheads in the 600 acres of urban wilderness. We have a whitewater park minutes from our house, notes Sarah Mello. Entering the trail from route 58 in Damascus, swimmers will delight in this brisk but refreshing swimming hole By James @ Sea Kayak Explorer. Theres too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all. Read more about why Alexandria is one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live! If you dont, rest assured that visiting one is only a short drive away. Sandbridge Beach Virginia Beach. The food's great (lots of southern comfort staples mixed with the now ubiquitous food trucks), and the gallery scene in the riverfront Congaree Vista District is terrific. What You Get for $305: Membership at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center. Pop off the Blue Ridge Parkway to kick it at this 168-acre, boomerang-shaped lake that looks more New England than Southwestern Virginia. Sandbridge Beach is a coastal neighborhood at the north end of the Outer Banks in Virginia Beach. 96. If you love charming towns in Virginia, head to any of the best choices in the state: Where are the most beautiful lakes in Virginia? Home to about 1,1000 people, most of the local economy is also linked to the river since the 1900s when the town developed as a large boat-building area. 471,900) gets props for its ongoing effort to revitalize downtownits 20-year Railyards Project calls for some 12,000 new housing units, a marketplace, and pedestrian malls on a 240-acre riverfront site. Residents highlight everything from tubing on the Clark Fork with a crew of friends and a cooler of Kettlehouse Cold Smoke to mountain-biking old pack trails in the Rattlesnake to hucking cliffs at Snowbowl to eating yellow-cake ice cream at Big Dipper. Most Difficult Cities to Navigate. RV Parks in Virginia Where to stay: Hood River Hotel. Population: 205,671 (metro area: 616,000)Media Age: 35Median Annual Salary: $50,402Median Home Price: $163,000Unemployment Rate: 8.8 percentVotes Received: 4 percent. Abingdon. 4. Whats your favorite? Towns in the Shenandoah Valley That Are But Nashvillians have always spent weekends getting wetboating and bass fishing on Center Hill, Percy Priest, and Old Hickory reservoirs and paddling the Harpeth and Caney Fork rivers. In a state full of swimming holes, Bristol is home to an unfair number of great ones. WebThe river is part of the Captain John Smith Water Trail, designated as the first national water trail in 2006. Sweat the small stuff and the big stuff will take care of itself. As White considers climbing back up to his truck to fetch his paint, a shirtless tattooed kid scrambles toward us. 52,000) now sits in the heart of that region, known as the Driftless Area. The 3,000-foot-long New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most beautiful places to photograph in West Virginia. Iconic Places in Virginia for History Lovers One of the unique aspects of Chincoteague is the annual Pony Swim, where visitors can witness over 100 foals and adult ponies traverse the Assateague Channel. A road climbed the mountain behind the long-gone Dunglen Hotel to one of the most inaccessible ghost towns in W.Va. Dun Glen. General Stores In Virginia Will The Moton Museum is a former high school where students protested inequality and furthered the Civil Rights Revolution. Mary Hayes/AllTrails. There are two natural lakes in Virginia, Hundreds of miles of top-shelf terrain, says financial adviser Brian Harris. Located just north of the great Rappahannock River in Lancaster County, Virginia. Image Source: Spacious Skies Shenandoah Valley. Even the airport-shuttle driver bent my ear about the vote count. Best Places to Live in Virginia Towns In Virginia Quite possibly one of the best river trips in the country, the Lower Gauley offers some of the single biggest waves, gigantic. 156,200) is a runner's paradise. There are 42 miles of trails inside city limits, track legend Steve Prefontaine called the place home, and Nike was founded here, on the University of Oregon campus. I lived there 10 years, and not once was I ever bored, says librarian Jill Munson. Source: davideme80 / shutterstock. And the recreational opportunities are only getting better: in March, the city will debut its new marathon, which runs through the meadows and gardens of the 8,000-acre historic Biltmore Estate. Your pick for Americas Best River Towns - American Rivers In his teeth is a cigar the size of a flashlight. When he clears the rapid, we can clearly see, duct-taped to his boat, an orange FOR SALE sign. Specifically, with the large Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast to the east, the state is filled with rivers, creeks, and unique coastal sights that not many places have. But if you're living here, chances are you're not too interested in climbing the corporate ladder. In Virginia (There are 20 of them on draft.) Best Cities to Live in Virginia Perhaps one of the most unique areas within the state of Virginia is the town of Luray, which houses Luray Caverns, the largest caverns on the East Coast. It's a real town, not a faux fancy place that relies on the mythic West for its identity, says Stephanie Moran, program coordinator for the Durango Adult Education Center. 1. Cheat River. Every corner of Fredericksburg is loaded with history. But it's also wild: the James forms a surprisingly rugged seven-mile central ribbon for a dedicated community of boaters, fishermen, bikers, and runners. Two things stood out among Asheville commenters: water and beer. Best Cities in Virginia And in 2009, the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, opened the country's first School of Freshwater Sciences. Cities and townships include; Irvington, White Stone and Kilmarnock. Gayest Places In Virginia Best Best Lake Towns To Retire Lower Gauley Fall Rafting Special in WV. He has a graffiti obsession. Distance: 9.5 miles. this town is truly the place to go for a rural retreat and detox from the urban hustle and bustle. These days, residents say, it holds its own against any Montana river town. Theres too many incredible businesses/ places to list them all. With a population of just under 350 people, White Stone is probably as peaceful as you can get when it comes to riverside towns in Virginia. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, says Bill Street, executive director of the James River Association. $42 Nightly Resort Fee. Point Pleasant WikiMedia Commons/Charles Johnson This friendly little town is best known for its ties to the Mothman legend. Virginia's only lakeside town is located on Kerr Lake and has become a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, who enjoy the boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and hiking opportunities at Occoneechee State Park. With a swimming beach and a bathhouse, the waterfront at Kiptopeke State Park is a beautiful place to explore. , ranked one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society! Best Endorsement from a German: I feel very comfortable with the German heritage in the Milwaukee area! says Dagmar Strack-Bidinger, who works for the German investment firm Ascent. And while Richmond reportedly boasts the third-highest number of tattoos in the country, it also claims one of the healthiest per capita ratios of marathoners.