These VA Vacation Spots Offer Luxury On A Budget, New Ranking Says

Virginians who want a luxury vacation without the sticker shock can find affordable escapes without traveling too far from home, according to a new ranking.

The financial media company MarketBeat lists three Virginia vacation spots in its ranking of the top 120 “bougie-on-a-budget” travel destinations.

Here are Virginia destinations, their rankings nationally, and what they offer:

No. 29: Lexington

Nestled in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Lexington offers travelers a history-rich getaway and plenty of options to experience nature and the town’s culture.

Lexington’s walkable downtown is filled with boutique shops, cafes, bookstores, art galleries and antique shops. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lexington is also a popular destination for kayaking, hiking and horseback riding. Lexington is also steeped in Civil War history, and travelers can visit the Virginia Military Institute or the University Chapel and Galleries, where Robert E. Lee is buried.

No. 47: Floyd

The town of Floyd, also located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a charming community with a vibrant arts scene, rich history and small-town warmth, according to the city’s website.

Known for its vibrant arts community, Floyd offers a blend of traditional Appalachian culture and modern creativity, the city says. Visitors can explore local artisan shops, attend live music events and enjoy farm-to-table dining experiences. The town also lies along The Crooked Road, Virginia’s heritage music trail, which supports multiple music venues showcasing folk, classical, jazz and more.

Floyd is also minutes away from the Blue Ridge Parkway, allowing easy access to scenic overlooks and outdoor activities.

No. 58: Irvington

Located on the Virginia peninsula known as the Northern Neck, Irvington is a serene waterfront village that has much to offer travelers.

According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation, visitors can observe osprey, eagles and herons nesting and hunting along Carter’s Creek, or gather locally grown flowers, vegetables and folk art from the town’s award-winning Farmers Market. For dinner, enjoy fresh Chesapeake cuisine, including oyster and blue crabs. Visitors can also book cruises and fishing charters on Carter’s Creek.

Nearby natural preserves like Belle Isle State Park, Hughlett Point and Dameron Marsh Natural Area offer trails, kayaking, bird watching and tidal wetlands to explore.

What the 120 destinations have in common is that “they feel luxurious, but remain under-the-radar — and under budget,” MarketBeat said.

Nationally, the top 10 affordable luxury vacation destinations and MarketBeat’s observations are:

1. Twin Lakes, Colorado: Rich with outdoorsy experience, “the luxury is the view.”
2. Kaunakakai, Hawaii: With “million-dollar views,” Kaunakakai offers a “stripped-down, soulful Hawaii experience.”
3. Cold Spring, New York: An hour outside of New York City, the Hudson Valley village is “full of antique shops, art galleries and stylish cafés — all nestled between leafy mountains and the water’s edge.”
4. Mount Dora, Florida: Mount Dora, which is set on a chain of lakes in central Florida, “serves up small-town charm with upscale flourishes.”
5. Cape May Point, New Jersey: Absent the bustle of Cape May proper, the Point is “quieter, wilder, and full of dunes, shorebirds, and Victorian rentals tucked into quiet streets.”
6. Saranac Lake, New York: West of Lake Placid, the lake “offers Adirondack charm without Olympic crowds or prices. … It’s pure lake-life calm.”
7. Grand Rivers, Kentucky: “Tucked between two massive lakes (Lake Barkley and Lake Kentucky), this boating town has the relaxed elegance of a coastal getaway.”
8. Paris, Kentucky: The town has an Eiffel Tower replica, “but the real draw is nearby Kentucky Lake, where you can rent a stylish cabin, sip something cold by the water, and enjoy a calm, upscale-feeling summer escape that still flies under the radar.”
9. Dauphin Island, Florida: The coastal charm here is “less about crowds and more about barefoot walks, bird sanctuaries, and beachfront cottages that still come at off-the-radar prices.”
10. Los Alamos, California: The one-road town in Santa Barbara wine country “feels like Napa’s bohemian cousin.” Amenities include boutique inns “that haven’t caught on price-wise.”

MarketBeat’s ranking is based on a July panel survey of 3,011 professionals in the travel industry based on age, gender, and geography.

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