#13 in Best Places to Visit in Virginia A city with a Blue Ridge Mountains backdrop, Roanoke is a cultural hot spot with art galleries, live music venues, museums and more.

These are the best places to live in Virginia for small-town charm, big-city amenities, affordable housing, good schools, and more.

In a May 2024 piece on Southern Living, Virginia local Erin Gifford makes 20 recommendations for anyone seeking the most gorgeous places in the state. Two of them can be found in Central Virginia.