Historic Towns and Cities to Explore in Virginia

Virginia is a scenic coastal state that draws numerous visitors every year to explore the nature and culture that make it unique. Defining characteristics of Virginia are its incredible historical buildings and sites. From the location where English settlers landed in 1607 to Civil War battlefields, Virginia has plenty of the most significant landmarks in U.S. history. Let’s explore some of the most historic communities in Virginia. 

Staunton is a small town in Virginia, home to around 25,000 residents. It has a quaint, quiet feel, with a historic main street lined with old buildings. Staunton is best known as the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th U.S. president, and is the site of his presidential library. It also has local breweries and nearby parks and forests.

Staunton is one of the oldest cities in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a modern history that stretches back around three centuries. Staunton has well-known history museums, including the Frontier Culture Museum, a living history museum that shows what life in this town would’ve been like in its early days. 

Williamsburg’s history stretches back hundreds of years, and it was the capital of the Virginia colony from 1699 to 1780. With many historic buildings and several famed museums, it is a city that has dedicated itself to preserving and showcasing its incredible history.

The most famous is the Colonial Williamsburg historic district, a living history museum showing incredibly accurately how the early colonial settlers in the town would have lived. Williamsburg was also an important site in the Revolutionary War and is one of the best places to explore for fans of U.S. history. 

Lynchburg is a city near the Blue Ridge Mountains that is well known for its gorgeous setting, many museums, and historic buildings. Lynchburg has several compelling historical attractions, including several old churches dating back more than 100 years.

Museums like the Legacy Museum of African American History are a big part of the appeal of Lynchburg. The city’s history spans over 250 years, and many sites and monuments throughout the town spotlight its legacy. A walking tour of Lynchburg is an ideal way to explore major town sites.

Fredericksburg is a small city, home to around 30,000, that has played an outsized role in American history. Fredericksburg was an important colonial hub with a history that stretches back hundreds of years. It was the childhood home of George Washington and served as a battleground for several pivotal Civil War clashes. Its location on the Rappahannock River made it an important port city.

Today, the Fredericksburg tourism industry is centered around the many important historical sites in the town, including the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, along with numerous museums that illustrate the city’s history. 

Manassas is a mid-sized city of around 43,000 that has been a part of some fascinating chapters of U.S. history. Manassas’s history stretches back hundreds of years, but it is best known as the site of two important Civil War battles, which took place at what is now Manassas Battlefield Park, a site that memorializes the events.

One of the best places to explore in the city is the historic Old Town Manassas, which includes restaurants, shops, and attractions inside buildings established hundreds of years ago.