6 Most Charming River Cities in Virginia

Located within the jap finish of the United States, Virginia is the thirty fifth largest state, house to greater than 8,500,000 individuals. That being mentioned, whereas it will not be as massive in whole space, Virginia has much more water than many different states. Particularly, with the big Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast to the east, the state is crammed with rivers, creeks, and distinctive coastal sights that not many locations have. To determine which riverside views are one of the best and have probably the most to do, we’ve got regarded by way of the cities alongside these coasts. So, to search out out a few of the most charming river cities in Virginia and what they’ve to supply, let’s get into our listing!
Irvington

One other city located on the Rappahannock River is Irvington in Lancaster County, Virginia. Since its basis, the river has performed a key function within the city’s enterprise and even its origin. For roughly 2 a long time within the late 1800s, this city was named “Carter’s Creek Wharf” to suggest the varied steamboats which might dock on the close by tributary with the title “Carter’s Creek.” Whereas the title could have modified since then, Irvington has stayed true to its historical past, having been listed on the Nationwide Registrar of Historic Locations in 2000. So, the small 4.7 sq. km. city is stuffed with buildings reminiscent of “The Tides Inn” from 1947 or the Steamboat Period Museum, which may give you a glimpse into the area’s previous.
Nevertheless, historic websites should not the one factor Irvington has to supply! Being a quaint city of fewer than 500 individuals, it is without doubt one of the most charming locations to absorb nature’s magnificence. Whether or not that is taking a stroll alongside the prolonged riverside or spending your day having a picnic with household, Irvington can assist you absorb the great thing about mom nature.
South Boston

Essentially the most populous city in Halifax County, South Boston sits simply north of the 344km lengthy Dan River. As of the latest census estimate in 2019, the inhabitants is estimated to be 7,588, which is sort of manageable because of the city itself being fairly massive with 34 sq. km. of whole space. Nevertheless, South Boston wasn’t all the time like this, and up till the 1800s the city was a lot smaller and glided by the title “Boyd’s Ferry.” Within the following years, it grew right into a outstanding location for the brightleaf tobacco business which regularly catapulted the city’s economic system to the purpose the place it was briefly the second largest tobacco producer within the nation. It’s this historic improvement that has allowed South Boston to change into a combination between historic grace and fashionable leisure for an enthralling river city vibe.
With a near-limitless listing of issues to do, South Boston will be loved by nearly everybody. For the adrenaline seekers, there’s an abundance of actions such because the South Boston Speedway, World of Sports activities, and lots of water actions alongside the attractive river coast. Parallelly, the city additionally supplies heritage museums reminiscent of The Prizery for a extra soothing time out. That being mentioned, it doesn’t matter what you do on this urban-rural hybrid metropolis, you’ll want to spend the night soaking in the great thing about Dan River on the southern finish of the South Boston.
Urbanna

Residence to the well-known Urbanna Oyster Pageant, whereby individuals from everywhere in the nation come collectively to get pleasure from oysters, Urbanna is an satisfying city with lots of tradition. Situated alongside the big Rappahannock River, which takes up your complete northeastern fringe of the city, there’s lots of lovely coast that folks can get pleasure from. Whereas the city itself is just one sq. km. in space and has a inhabitants of lower than 500, it is stuffed with life and satisfying issues to do. For instance, the Urbanna City Marinna is house to quite a lot of boats that locals and vacationers can use for fishing, travelling, and extra. Equally, the city has quite a lot of parks, reminiscent of Watermans Park, which give gorgeous greenery and sights for an excellent night picnic or late-night stroll.
That being mentioned, whereas the Rappahannock River is one factor, Urbanna really shines throughout its well-known Urbanna Oyster Pageant. Having been held within the city for greater than 50 years, it takes place in November and supplies every thing from nice oysters and meals to music and parades. In simply the previous few years, the occasion has managed to usher in greater than 50,000 individuals in two days, altering your complete ambiance of this city. So, if you’re an oyster fanatic, Urbanna is a riverside city for you!
Deltaville

If you’re in search of an enthralling river city, nothing will meet your standards higher than the city of Deltaville. Located in jap Middlesex County, this city is sort of fully surrounded by the Piankatank River. Having solely a small land connection on the western boundary, you may see water on all sides of this metropolis, giving it a real river city attraction. The world is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot for individuals who get pleasure from water-related actions reminiscent of crusing, fishing, swimming, and even boating. Testomony to this, the city receives 1000’s of vacationers throughout the summer time months and is named “Deltaville, The Boating Capital of the Chesapeake Bay.”
Deltaville itself is sort of easy, with peaceable houses and enjoyable inexperienced areas unfold evenly all through. Residence to about 1,1000 individuals, a lot of the native economic system can be linked to the river because the 1900s when the city developed as a big boat-building space. Since then, marinas and associated companies have taken the place of boat constructing and Deltaville is now dotted with each sort of boatyard you may consider.
Astray from its neighborhood to water, Deltaville additionally has rather more to supply for each vacationers and locals. Primarily, the city has been devoted to sports activities for a very long time, having a public pool, sports activities courts, and even a group middle that folks can use to remain lively! Furthermore, it’s also house to the semi-pro baseball crew, the Deltas!
New Market

Whereas the title could counsel in any other case, New Market is without doubt one of the older cities on this listing and was the location of the final main Accomplice victory throughout the Civil Conflict in 1864. Since then, the city, which sits alongside the North Fork Shenandoah River, has grown fairly a bit, with greater than 2,200 residents as of 2019. With a rising inhabitants, the city of New Market additionally has lots of distinctive points of interest and issues to do. For instance, if you’re a historical past lover, there are numerous museums and displays unfold all through, such because the Virginia Museum of Civil Conflict. Then again, nature or sports activities lovers can try the close by Countless Caverns and RV Park for a guided tour of the mysterious pure construction.
That being mentioned, whereas the city is jam-packed with satisfying issues for nearly everybody, its true allure comes from the Shenandoah River. Alongside this 89km lengthy river, one can find a great deal of individuals swimming, boating, fishing, and having fun with the peaceable surroundings. With quite a lot of shops close by, you may spend an entire day right here with none signal of boredom! Fortunately, when you plan on taking a visit to New Market, it’s only a small drive by way of the scenic Massanutten Mountain from both the east-west U.S. 211 or north-south U.S. 11.
White Stone

With a inhabitants of slightly below 350 individuals, White Stone might be as peaceable as you may get relating to riverside cities in Virginia. All situated inside 2.5 sq. km. this city is actually the place to go for a rural retreat and detox from the city hustle and bustle. Situated simply north of the outstanding Rappahannock River In Lancaster County, this city truly acquired its title resulting from its neighborhood to water. Particularly, the title “White Stone” comes from the white stones which might be discovered within the close by waterways as they had been dumped by colonial-era British ships once they left for England.
Together with the enjoyable surroundings, one factor White Stone has to supply is nice meals. Though the city is small, it’s house to some superb recent markets, reminiscent of Miss Mary’s Seafood, the place yow will discover oysters, fish, crabs, and extra. Aside from this, if you wish to get pleasure from a calming dinner, Willaby’s is the best seafood restaurant situated alongside the coast of river Rappahannock. When you’re carried out with this scenic dinner retreat, you’ll want to try Chesapeake Doughnut Firm for a neighborhood dessert that may aid you finish the day properly.
Whether or not it is a small and quaint city reminiscent of White Stone or a barely bigger one like South Boston, the riverside views in Virginia are distinctive and countless. Additionally, with straightforward connectivity all through the state, you may certainly get pleasure from every thing from the riverside trails to the hidden caverns. So, try what every city has to supply earlier than making your journey to any of those charming Virginia river cities.