Bedford is a small town in Virginia that has plenty to offer visitors. Located less than an hour from Washington, D.C., and only 35 minutes from Dulles Airport, it provides a perfect blend of new and old, urban and historical. Many well-known musicians got their start in Floyd, and the town hosts several music festivals throughout the year. You can also enjoy biking or camping in the areas many state parks. In fact, locals call it running on Floyd time.. Hippie culture in the US was largely tied to California, but San Francisco was the epicenter. A hippie, also spelled hippy, especially in British English, is someone associated with the counterculture of the 1960s, originally a youth movement that began in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to different countries around the world. Folks gather at Caf del Sol with such regularity that its become the hub of the community, offering espresso and fresh fare that always includes something for the towns many vegetarians. If you want to be away from it all but near canyons with fossil hunting and rock climbing, this is the town for you. With a live theater, award-winning restaurants, local artists, craftsmen, sculptors, actors, dancers, musicians, and glassblowers, there's no shortage of things to see and do. No marketing strategy could do so much to capture Floyds real magic. And the dancing never stops. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. The 11 charming and nostalgic mountain towns weve provided all offer something unique: whether it be a historic town with plenty to see or an outdoor enthusiasts dream destination. Absolutely. The town also has a number of fresh-food purveyors, including Grateful Bread (109 Old Hensley Rd., 540-558-9395), known around town for everything from foccacia to cinnamon rolls. Each room is uniquely inspired by a different local business in Floyd, including Chateau Morrisette, Floyd Country Store, and the Outer Space Room. Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land. This Is The Most Hippie Town In Virginia And You Need To Visit The most wonderful thing about Virginia's "most hippie town" is that it certainly isn't trying to be hippie. What a cute place! You can watch the glass artists melting and blowing glass in the studio, while shopping for locally made gifts and treasures. Idaho In particular, Luray has many stores and restaurants that are sure to satisfy any appetite or thirst. In addition, the Blue Ridge Music Center is located just 12 miles away from Galax. Here are 25 places that were hot spots for hippie gatherings in the 1960s! Get more stories delivered right to your email. And dont forget the wild ponies! You simply cant go wrong with Onancock. Photo Credit: Julie McCool. And its no wonder. Many wear taps under the heels and toes of their cowboy boots and shoes, as they shuffle up a storm Appalachian-style, keeping time with the banjo and fiddlers on the bandstand. Galax is a town in Virginia best known for the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention, which has been held there every year since 1935. Drop City became a notable hippie establishment for those interested in experimental art forms, and it earned national media attention, even though that attention is what eventually led to its demise. In order to do that, they had to find the best places to do all of this. Be sure to share your experiences with us! Originally a farming community, the town experienced a rebirth in the 1970s, when a group of counterculturists moved in. We hope you enjoy exploring these communities. This looks like such a fun place. Or even hip. Thurmond This town is not wholly a "ghost town," at least not in the sense of all the other places on this list. Salyersville, KY. Add in a great cost of living and tons of southern charm and. That legendary festivalbecame the iconic moment of the entire hippie movement! In fact, Onancock was called "the Gem of the Eastern Shore" by none other than Captain John Smith himself. Alot Travel The Beatles made a life-changing trip here in 1968 and composed much of what became the White Album. 2016-2020 Cape Fear Publishing Co. Inc. Plus, the dining scene is equally impressive. Visited by Captain John Smith in the early 1600s, he wrote that the land was the "Gem of the Eastern Shore". Attached to the cafe is a clothing business, Winter Sun, a local success story featuring distinctive fashions and crafts made in South America and sold worldwide. Although not as . That is so cool that you got your dog in Floyd. Check out this road trip that will take you to 6 of the most scenic small towns in Virginia. After a decade of ambling around the country, people ran out of free stuff to give away. So, it's not surprising that the Village became the East Coast's answer to Haight-Ashbury. During the warm summer months, the music and dancing flood into the streets with fiddlers and bands performing on sidewalks and in parking lots. . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you are so inspired, you can learn to make your own, and Schoolhouse Fabrics (220 N. Locust St., 540-745-4561) provides materials. In fact, theres no ABC store in the county, and the thought of bringing one in remains highly controversial. The town, in the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley, is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and countryside. Themes. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. > The best small towns in Virginia are some of the most delightful locales in the country. Youths would start in Europe (typically the UK) and wind their way through the roads into Asia, usually with the goal of reaching India or Kathmandu, Nepal. Feeling inspired to check out more of Virginia's small towns? The home of Yale University and all its big thinkers and intellectuals, New Haven, was the center of political rallies in the '60s. There are also plenty of outdoor activities available in the area, such as hiking, biking, and fishing. 3. Here are some of the most unique towns in Virginia: These towns all offer a unique array of history, culture, dining, and community. Bethel may not have been your usual hippie hangout, but against its wishes, it became forever associated with the hippies when it hosted the Woodstock Festival in 1969. From the United States to Europe, to Africa, to the Middle East,hippies moved across the globe to spread their messages of peace and love. That magic schoolbus was by far our favorite part of Floyd. - It's Not About the Miles. Santa Cruz, California. So happy we could introduce you to a new place. As somebody who lives in VA Im shocked Ive never heard of Floyd. In fact, in a CNN report, BudgetTravel named Chincoteague as the #2 Coolest Small Town in America. He also did a lot of communal experimentation with LSD. All the better to burn off some of the delicacies at the towns finest dining spot, Oddfellas Cantina, on the prime corner of Locust. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The nearby Holy Cross Abbey is where monks sell fruitcakes, honey and chocolate truffles. Thank you! This Restaurant In Virginia Is Dedicated Solely To Dessert And Its Fantastic, The Virginia Bakery In The Middle Of Nowhere Thats One Of The Best On Earth, Most People Dont Realize Virginia Has Its Very Own Chocolate Lounge, Theres An Authentic European Cafe Hiding In Virginia And Youll Want To Visit, Virginia Has Its Very Own Candy Cane Lane And Its Positively Spectacular, Theres A Reason This Unsuspecting Virginia Donut Shop Has Lines Out The Door, Virginia Has A Maple Wonderland Thats Simply Impossible Not To Love, Its Not Fall Until Youve Tried The Pumpkin Ice Cream From This Virginia Creamery, The Most Peaceful Town In All Of Virginia. Love the magic school bus! Bedford is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and is home to the National D-Day Memorial. The shared experience built a sense of community and set the tone for things to come. Stephen Gaskin and some of his friends led a caravan out of San Francisco and eventually settled south of Nashville. Thanks for putting this on our radar! Galax is a mountain town located in Virginia at the nexus of water trails, rail trails, and hiking trails. Plus, hikers and bikers can explore destinations like the Virginia Creeper Trail, Mendota Trail and Salt Trail, to name a few. Plus, there are more than 70 artisans, homegrown food, a healing-arts village, and outdoor activities. Miracle Farm Bed and Breakfast Spa and Resort. Due to its outdoor recreation opportunities and creative culture, Floyd made the list of underrated cities in all 50 states. Sixteen Hands, a 25-year-old collective of potters, is revered among townspeople for pioneering a creative way of life as well as a technically skillful aesthetic that holds its own anywhere. Then, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. April through December, providing the community with fresh produce and other goods are grown or made in Virginia. The communitys embrace of the arts is everywhere, from the exemplary Jacksonville Center for the Arts, with its spacious silo-turned-gallery and artist workrooms, to the smaller shops and studios clustered around Locust Street. If you're curious enough, here are the least redneck places in West Virginia (if that's even possible): Pea Ridge (Pop. This sudden influx led to significant clashes between the hippies and the cowboys that had already been in the city, but that didnt deter the hippies from making themselves right at home. It is a key destination along The Crooked Road, Virginias heritage music trail. Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge101 Shenandoah Avenue NE Roanoke, VA 24016 (540) 342-6025 (800) 635-5535, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. Luray is a town in Virginia known for its Shenandoah National Park, which offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Intrigued by the spike in sales, he branded more of his red wine varietals with canine names and plastered them with Hans likeness. What are your thoughts on our list of the 10 best small towns in Virginia? A generation of experiences are impossible to fit into any one space, so we offer "A Little Bit" of it all – from clothing to incense, tie-dye to jewelry & accessories, and artist features to small classes – we are "A Little Bit Hippy." The Hippie Culture that we've experienced or heard about was a pretty amazing and influential time in our history. We are from Virginia as well and had never heard of Floyd. The scenery is beautiful, and theres plenty of outdoor recreation to enjoy. Since then, practically every Chateau Morrisette bottle bears an image of a black lab and a handful have canine-inspired names. Thanks so much for sharing this additional information about Floyd. Virginia staff writer for Only in Your State, freelance writer and journalist. (And if you're looking for a little laugh, check out these 17 reasons you should never, ever move to Virginia.). In addition to its natural beauty, Damascus also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and other amenities. Greenwich Village has a long history as a locus for artistic-types, from the bohemian to the Beat. There is also plenty of fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities. The wrap-around porch provides 360 views of the forest surrounding the yurt. After analyzing all cities with a decent amount of people in them, we came up with this list of the 10 best cities for hippies in West Virginia: Dunbar Nitro South Charleston ( Photos) Morgantown ( Photos) Hurricane ( Photos) Vienna ( Photos) Buckhannon ( Photos) St. Albans ( Photos) Martinsburg ( Photos) Oak Hill ( Photos) Whether youre ready to hit the road or simply exploring the possibilities this world has to offer, weve got you covered. Dancers are the source of all the racketold-timers sporting overalls, middle-aged couples dressed for a square dance, and twentysomethings in jeans. The bohemian lifestyle wasn't easy, but the hippies of the '60s and beyond loved it. This store has two floors full of fun items and collectibles both old and new. Considered one of the. The . Buchanan is a town located in Virginia known for being a river town and the launch point for many outdoor excursions. We are from VA, so if youre interested in discovering new adventures in the area take a glance at the other articles on our site. There are some excellent options for recreational activities. It is possibly the only inn in Virginia where guests are encouraged to compost their own table scraps and recycle their trash, the kind of rustic hideaway that reflects the back-to-the-earth movement that brought many pioneers to Floyd in the first place. Bill and Corinne Graefe of Phoenix Hardwoods (2540 Floyd Hwy. Music, like art, is omnipresent here, and the Friday night jamboree at the Floyd Country Store is far and away the cultural highlight of every weekend. Pearisburg is a town in Virginia located at the convergence of the lower New River and the Appalachian Trail. Here are 25 places that were hot spots for hippie gatherings in the 1960s! Its an easy drive from the DC area, with lots of great restaurants and coffee shops and plenty to do. Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 171.5, Chateau Morrisette is a convenient stop along your next South West Virginia Road trip or a trip to Floyd. In late July, some 10,000 souls converge on Floydfest, a music festival set on acreage near the Blue Ridge Parkway that transforms the area into a weekend scene of post-Woodstock peacefulness, modern-day jam bands and other musical and visual delights. But it keeps a low profile, and speaks to the towns laid-back sensibility. This years lineup includes Emmylou Harris and Grace Potter. Thank you! Thanks for the post. People have had to create their own way of life here, she observes, and they are very resourceful. The second building contains Chateau Morrisettes acclaimed restaurant, serving seasonally inspired Southern fare prepared with ingredients from the organic garden. And if youre looking for more cute towns in Virginia, check out these charming towns in Virginia where everybody knows your name. We must have seen over a dozen photographers there during the hour or so we were there! oldest continuously operating inns in the U.S. Lexington, Virginia and the Rockbridge Area Tourism / Facebook, reasons you should never, ever move to Virginia. In addition to its natural beauty, Floyd is also home to The Crooked Road: Virginias Heritage Music Trail. The town is chock-full of craft shops and galleries, like New Mountain Mercantile (114 S. Locust St. #A, 540-745-4278) and Troika Contemporary Crafts Gallery (203 S. Locust St. #K, 540-745-8764), that display regional artists handicraftshandmade flutes and chimes, pottery, and eco-chic clothing. From pizza places to sandwich shops, Luray has something for everyone. Starry-eyed idealists hippies from across the globe came together to create a culture that was founded in rebellion and fueled a revolutionary and turbulent time in the world's history. Bedford is a small town in Virginia framed by some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Floyd is a small town in Virginia that has a population of just over 800 people. These include the Southwest Virginia Museum, The Meador Coal Museum, and the Appalachian Trail. Montanita became known throughout the hippie underground for its gnarly surfing opportunities, that many hippies and surfing enthusiasts still visit today. Need a quick recommendation? Peruse the treasures inside the bus or stay for an herb-infused smoothie, fair trade coffee, or other delicious treats. The tasty menu of wood-fired pizzas contains both traditional and more original recipes like the Appalachian combining sausage, caramelized onion, aged white cheddar, and goat cheese over a local Apple Butter Base, or the Dogtown White topped with Gorgonzola cream sauce, mozzarella, fresh grapes and almonds. Salem is a town in Virginia that is located in the Roanoke Valley. For the time being, here are a few of the most charming towns in Virginia that have garnered national and statewide praise for their community, beauty, and all-around livability. History buffs will love the historic sites and museums at every turn. This brewery is housed in one of Salems oldest buildings and serves some of the best handcrafted beer around. Boating, fishing, and swimming are all popular on the Maury River. Our first sell on Virginia Beach is that it sports over 38 miles of coastline. Virginia is filled with these charming little towns like historic Clifton, Occoquan, and Middleburg. The town is also home to various businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and shops. Take a look at why you should plan your visit: Have you spent much time in Floyd? Added bonus: The winery is pet-friendly. According to our people on the ground in the First State, trying to find a hippie town in Delaware is "a bit of trying to fit a round peg into a square hole." But each year, Delaware has what. I love that you had a picnic there so pretty! The exquisite tasting room, housed in one of the largest salvaged-timber-framed buildings in the United States, offers 10 tasting wines, which rotate weekly. Named from an Algonquian Indian word meaning "at the end of the water," the town was founded in 1765 with the construction of grist mills and tobacco warehouses. Just outside Winchester, Berryville is a small community with a historic downtown area and quaint main street. The yurt is furnished with stained glass and vintage pieces creating a warm and cozy vibe. Its semi-monthly contra dances are such a draw that streets and parking lots previously empty are as jammed as in a metropolis. Hiking is a popular activity here, and there are plenty of trails to choose from in Mount Rogers High Country. Arlington, Virginia iStockphoto Population: 214,861. While the word "literally" is often used incorrectly, in this case, Farmville sits just south of the geographic center of the state, meaning that it is "literally" in the heart of Virginia. Now, its one of the largest. Its so cute!! This is a live-and-let-live place, where nobodys trying to pass too many rules, says gallery owner Joanne Bell, and nobodys really breaking any, either. Luray is a town located in Virginia that is great for outdoor recreation. The open-air space is dotted with vintage diner booths and old-school pinball machines mixed with elements of yoga and wanderlust. Dancers continue their promenade on Saturday nights next door, in the Sun Theater. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Needs to be updated! A historical town whose site was established by the explorer Daniel Boone in the 1770s, Abingdon is the perfect historical setting for a quaint weekend getaway. A throwback to the old days, it sells feed, seed, and maintenance supplies, but also a hodgepodge of unlikely items, like manually operated kitchen gadgets (e.g. Big Brother and the Holding Company, Jefferson Airplane, and a lot of other rock groups performed for a crowd on so many psychedelics that the line between audience and performer blurred greatly. Yorkville is considered the heart of Torontos hippie revolution in the 60s. The Buchanan Fountain & Grille transports you back to the 50s with its classic counter, shakes, and burgers. From I-81, about 30 minutes south of Blacksburg, the twisty, 20-mile journey down tiny Route 8 is arduous enough to deter a casual traveler. But people here can spot you as an out-of-towner the minute you set foot in the coffee shop, and theyll hope youre not a developer with an eye on real estate prices. You can sleep under concert memorabilia in the Floydfest room or admire pottery in the one named for the 16 Hands Tour. The historic downtown offers an array of specialty shops, boutiques, art galleries, antiques, and more, along with a surprisingly large selection of local restaurants and cafes. I can also see why that mill is the most photographed place, what a beautiful backdrop. Cambridge makes the list largely for Timothy Leary, the man who brought LSD to the forefront of American culture. In an otherwise deeply conservative area, it remains a strange, countercultural, hippie-friendly town (cool enough that Dave Chappelle calls it home). The site was built in 1903 consisting of a watermill, gristmill, sawmill, blacksmith shop, and woodworking shop. The contrast between a conservative farming community and entrepreneurial artisans, musicians, and New Agers might be contentious in most places, but that union defines the vibe here. With peaceful music, gorgeous scenery, and copious marijuana, this was the ideal place for hippies to visit. Big Stone Gap is a town in Southwest Virginia located by the Powell River. Lined with historic homes and buildings, the streets of Lexington retain the beauty of days gone by, making it easy to see why this town has been recognized by both Frommers and CitiesJournal as one of Virginias Best Small Towns. The Blue Ridge mountains are filled with small towns that everyone will love. Traveling, worldly hippies stumbled across this sleepy little fishing village in the 60s and set up camp. As somebody who lives in VA Im shocked Ive never heard of Floyd. The menu of craft beer is ever-changing with limited releases and a small selection of permanent crowd favorites. Hippie culture spread like wildfire throughout the city, and it became the stereotypical hippie hangout. This site is a listing of festivals and events in and around 'the Mountain State', which are of interest to alternative community / hippie-type** folk. In 2003, Floyd emerged from a mere dot on the map in southwest Virginias Bible Belt to become a major destination on The Crooked Road, a trail of traditional American music venues featuring bluegrass, country string bands, blues, and gospel. However, many people tend to agree that one of the most scenic towns in the state is Crozet. Theres not a person in town who doesnt recommend this place for a perfect dinner out, with a classical guitarist accompanying exquisite food and the warm, good-natured energy of neighbors gathered in a wood-paneled dining room.