I love the farms, the mountains the people the many places to visit. Thanks for the update Kathy and thanks for reading about the wonders of Virginia. Why You Should Visit: Harrisonburg deserves recognition as a mountain town, since it lies within easy striking distance of three major ranges, the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah National park to the east, Massanutten Mountain to the north, and Alleghenies of the Washington National Forest to the west. Why You Should Visit: Come see the town where the lower New River and the Appalachian Trail cross paths under the mantle of Peters Mountain. Ashland, KY Categories Virginia (VA) 15 Best Places to Live in Virginia: Arlington; Falls Church; Virginia Beach; Chantilly; Williamsburg; Vienna; Lorton; Leesburg; Richmond; Bon Air; Poquoson; Tyson’s Corner; Herndon; Charlottesville; Centreville Food/Shopping/Entertainment: The Trail of the Lonesome Pine — Virginia’s Official Outdoor Drama — is a summertime event not worth missing. Dine at the Waterwheel Restaurant for a historic flair, where you eat inside an old mill, a Virginia Historic Landmark. formId: "520dca37-e1cd-4cc8-bff2-42ffb2fdf82e" Take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to visit the most photographed spot on the parkway at Mabry Mill. Hot Springs/Warm Springs update. Greenville, SC 30. Admire waterfalls and commanding views at Douthat State Park. Close proximity to all this plus great restaurants, a vibrant cultural scene, a railfans mecca, our own symphony orchestra, ballet, big name acts at the civic center.... and I'm running out of space. Why You Should Visit: Well located where the south end of Shenandoah National Park meets the Blue Ridge Parkway, this mountain town is made for touring. Those three destinations add up to a plethora of outdoor possibilities. The Blue Ridge Music Center, located on the Blue Ridge Parkway just 12 miles distant, has shows throughout the warm season. I taught in Rockingham County one year and we have gone back to the valley every since. Elizabethton, TN 10 Must Do Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, 8 Exclusive Luxury Retreats For a Pampered Virginia Getaway, WanderLove: A Road Trip From Norfolk to Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Virginia’s Charming Main Streets That Are Decked Out for the Holidays, 22 Virginia Small Towns You’re Going to LOVE, WanderLove: A Road Trip From Fredericksburg To Virginia’s Northern Neck, Winter at the Wineries: Cozy Vineyards With Heated Outdoor Seating, 10 Gorgeous Glamping Destinations in Virginia for a Luxury Outdoor Experience, 20 Virginia Summits with 360 Degree Views, Hiking with Kids: 10 Trails for Beginners in Virginia, WanderLove: A Southwest Virginia Road Trip from Roanoke to Abingdon, https://www.virginia.org/Listings/OutdoorsAndSports/BurkesGarden/. You’d also have access to … I have visited this town for almost twenty years and it makes me happy to be there." 22. While we all can’t live in a Virginia mountain town, we can always visit them, and enjoy some of the perks that go with living in such beautiful places. Several wineries are located with a dozen miles of Waynesboro, among them Veritas Vineyard and Winery, Afton Mountain Vineyards and Cardinal Point Winery. This includes road cycling, mountain biking and casual bicycling. Stop at Dickey Ridge Visitor Center to get oriented, then visit the Fox Farm for a taste of yesteryear Virginia rural lifeways. Below is the complete lists of finalists, presented in order of votes received. Head south into Brown Mountain Creek to find historic homesteads. The attraction has expanded beyond the fascinating underground cave stalactites and stalagmites to aboveground garden maze, ropes adventure park, car museum and more. Canoe, kayak or raft a section of the sometimes brawling, always beautiful waterway, featuring calm stretches mixed with mostly Class II rapids. The paths range high and low along the slopes above passage Creek. Visit Shenandoah National Park from the north entrance. Have a ball taking on the Bearfence Mountain Rock Scramble, which sounds tougher than it is, though you do use all fours. Outdoor pursuits certainly include visiting mountain-rimmed Lake Moomaw. ", "Floyd is a magical place. Cost of living index at no higher than 110 (with 100 being average). Why You Should Visit: Strasburg’s history dates back to the Revolutionary War, perhaps that is part of it being the antique capital of Virginia. An official Appalachian Trail community, from Pearisburg you can walk the world’s most famous footpath from town up to Angels Rest, revealing a worthy panorama of the enveloping New River Valley. Located at the nexus of water trails, rail trails and hiking trails, Galax presents an array of Virginia outdoor recreation at its finest, with some old time fiddle and bluegrass as background music. Floyd, VA. Lots of friendly people and plenty of old time and bluegrass music. Centrally located on the Chesapeake Bay side of the Eastern Shore, Onancock is an inviting small town that was founded in 1680. Median household income not lower than $20,000. It is wonderful to be in the “country” … And if you need it, Fairfax has more than 13 medical centers per 1,000 people. See the huge rock scree slopes on a simple trek to Blackrock Mountain. Our quest to have our readers select the happiest towns in the mountains began with a set of criteria applied to just under 100 cities and towns in our coverage area (the mountain regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and South Carolina). Winchester, VA It’s a great spot to launch as visit Pearisburg; the Palisades Restaurant in Eggleston; Mountain Lake Lodge; the New River; ", "I enjoy going to Staunton to dine and attend plays at the American Shakespeare Festival Center. The historic Rex Theater in town is host to music events. Massanutten Mountain flanks the west side of Luray and avails additional remote hiking and mountain biking trails. Paddle and fish the South Fork Shenandoah River. Located in central Virginia along the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smith Mountain Lake is considered to be the Jewel of the Blue Ridge. Manor houses, plantations, and museums can be toured, too. Shoppers will be excited to see the wealth of opportunities to hunt for antiques in such a historic place as Bath County. 3. ", "Biking, running on all the Greenways. Food/Shopping/Entertainment: It is almost mandatory for visitors to drive up to Mill Mountain, see the Roanoke Star, then take in the view of downtown Roanoke and the mountains beyond. 12. Pulaski, VA Todd Lake and Elkhorn Lake also offer scenic stillwater paddling, with mountains rising in the background. – Susie Albright; Charlotte, NC, Blowing Rock, NC 25. .the Jefferson Pools were recently closed. 14. The toy museum will captivate adults and kids alike. Hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers can explore the trail network at Elizabeth Furnace.   "I voted for Charlottesville, VA. because I have been there many times and the folks are friendly, cheerful, and seemingly happy. Cherokee, NC That would be Galax. Waynesboro is good for that. Two lodges within the national park make convenient overnighting for the Shenandoah National Park enthusiast. Outfitters are available. See the waterfalls and chilly swimming holes of the Devils Bathtub. Appalachian Trail; Jefferson Forest; and so much more. And the people are down-home quaint and full of hospitality! Take a 45-minute tour of the Winchester residence of the first woman singer to join the Grand Ole Opry. Great hospitals, restaurants. While up on Pearis Mountain, walk a bit further to Wilburn Valley Overlook, lording over rural Virginia hinterlands. ", To learn more about the top 3 towns in each population range, The Top 61 Happiest Mountain Towns in the Blue Ridge. 12. And there’s much more at Virginia’s special national park. Why You Should Visit: Lately made famous by the movie and novel series Big Stone Gap, the real life town of Big Stone Gap sits in splendor by the Powell River encircled by mountains of far Southwest Virginia. If you're looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America. You can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, picnicking, walking and photographing Virginia’s montane terrain. Take a scenic drive on US 58 to Grayson Highlands State Park. Chattanooga, TN Walk the historic streets where brick buildings take you to another time. Somewhere else? Pitch your tent at Loft Mountain Campground. The New River beckons, too. West of town, George Washington National Forest presents plenty of mountain recreation, Fish, camp, and hike at Todd Lake, North River or Hone Quarry campgrounds. 2. 21. We go there 2-3 times per year and just recently purchased a vacation/retirement place there. My heart will always be in the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding areas. This city has great shops and has the laid back feeling of a small town, despite its population of 30,000. Auto tourists can easily access 105 miles of Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive scenic motorway, or head south and tool along 216 miles of Virginia Blue Ridge Parkway. To learn more about the top 3 towns in each population range log in to the digital edition today using your active subscription or subscribe now to get started. Enjoy a picnic, too. Food/Shopping/Entertainment: Check out Buena Vista’s Amish Cupboard for a healthy option. Tool along Skyline Drive, stopping at viewpoints and hiking to others, such as Hawksbill, the highest point in Shenandoah with 360-degree panoramas. Why You Should Visit: Their names give away the most notable features of these mountain towns tucked away in Bath County, less than five miles distant from one another. The University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, both considered to be among some of the best schools in the nation are located in Virginia. Both the Appalachian Trail and the lower Shenandoah River provide adventure travel corridors for visitors to Winchester.   "Small town attitude but big town necessities. _, Lewisburg, WV Falls Church is another great spot in Virginia for outdoor enthusiasts. Plus, the east-coast hub of Northern Virginia is close to mountains, beaches, and Washington D.C. – Lynne Melby; Iron Station, NC, Charlottesville, VA View another geological wonder at Natural Tunnel State Park. 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