This Is The Most Charming Small Town In Virginia, New Report Says

VIRGINIA — Some have wineries, some are perched on the water, others are tucked in gorgeous mountains. But these communities have one thing in common: They all rank on a new list of the most charming small towns across the nation.

Travel magazine Afar, in its new analysis, picked Chincoteague for "Chesapeake Bay seafood and wild pony swims." The town on the island of the same name is part of Virginia’s Eastern Shore region.

Here is what the writers at Afar had to say about Chincoteague:

"Chincoteague is the gateway to Assateague Island National Seashore, famed for its red-and-white-striped lighthouse and wild ponies that have roamed this land for centuries. Tourists flock to the town every July for the Chincoteague Island Pony Swim, where equines are herded across the channel, and to traverse the untouched Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for migratory birds and waterfowl, including osprey, great egrets, and piping plovers. Swimming and beachcombing are popular pastimes, or you can explore the marshes and coastal waterways via kayak or canoe. (If you’re extra lucky, you might spot dolphins.) Clam strips and crab-stuffed onion rings are on the menu at the seasonally operated Capt. Zack’s Seafood, or you can delve into locally harvested oysters at Ray’s Shanty, an Eastern Shore staple since 1986. Come nightfall, head back to the beach for a little Milky Way magic: With inky black skies, Chincoteague is a top-ranking destination for East Coast stargazing."

Related:

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• 100 Best Small Towns In America: 2 VA Towns Make List
• Alexandria Makes Travel + Leisure's Best Cities in the U.S. List Again
• 3 VA Cities On 'America's Favorite Small Towns To Visit' List

Other destination small towns listed in the report include Easton in Maryland, Cedar Key in Florida, Hudson in New York, and Los Olivos in California.

For the list, Afar said it defined a small town as a place with around 25,000 people or fewer. The pick for each state was chosen based on a unique attraction or characteristic to draw in visitors – whether it’s “singular streets or spectacular outdoor adventure opportunities,” according to Afar.

For example, the standout Maine small town, Belfast, was chosen for its “palpable hippie-meets-hipster energy,” while Waterbury, Vermont, got a nod for being the home of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory.

Meanwhile, ski towns (and ski-town "vibes") made several appearances on the list — including Whitefish in Montana and Leadville in Colorado, while Wyoming, Georgia, and South Carolina all featured towns with deep histories: Cody, Dahlonega, and Beaufort, respectively.

Looking to pick up a delicious block of cheese? The list has you covered there, too, suggesting a visit to Harman’s Cheese and Country Store in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, for its “beloved” white cheddar.

Read the full report in Afar.