Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week: Discover Your Moment in Culpeper, VA!

April 29, 2025 Food & Drink Places to Stay Things to Do Share

Written by: Theresa Meeker Pickett

Spring is in the air and there’s no better time to reconnect with adventure, history, and community.

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), May 4–10, reminds us that travel strengthens our towns, fuels small businesses, and creates memories that last a lifetime. Travel supports 15 million jobs nationwide and generates $2.9 trillion in economic output every year (U.S. Travel Association, 2025).

This year, celebrate the spirit of travel by planning your next escape to Culpeper, Virginia, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Piedmont region, an easy drive from Washington, D.C., Richmond, and Charlottesville.

Why Culpeper? A Small Town with Big Experiences

In Culpeper, you’ll find more than just a charming downtown, you’ll find flavors, sounds, and scenes that linger long after you leave.

Taste you way through town:

• Savor the rich aromas of Asian spices at Dtom Dtum Noodle.
• Dive into the bold flavors at Garam Masala, where every dish feels like a passport stamp.
• Grab a seat at Zandra’s Taqueria, where fresh tacos meet vibrant local energy.

Shop for treasurers:

• Step into Botanical Dwellings, where the scent of fresh greenery and artisan candles fills the air.
• Wander the cozy aisles of Knit Wit Yarn Shop, where bright colors and soft textures spark creativity.

Family Fun: Adventures for All Ages

Culpeper’s full of high-energy fun the whole family can enjoy.

• Throwback Arcade: Classic games and retro pinball thrills.
• Puzzle Room Live: Escape room challenges that spark teamwork and creativity.
• Bounce with Us: Indoor bounce houses and inflatable obstacle courses for little adventurers.
• State Climb: Indoor rock climbing walls for beginners and thrill-seekers alike.

Sip and savor local spirits:

• Raise a glass at Death Ridge Brewery, known for its rustic, historic setting and wide variety of ales.
• Relax among vineyard views at Mountain Run Winery or Old House Vineyards.
• Toast to bold flavors at the NEW Belmont Farms Brewery or unwind in the countryside at Old Trade Brewery.

Experience the great outdoors:

• Feel the thunder of hooves at horse shows in the sun at Commonwealth Park.
• Take a self-guided tour of a 400-head, working bison farm at Cibola Farms.
• Visit Lakota Ranch’s Farm Store and Petting Zoo, which includes goats, sheep, a very famous pot-bellied pig, chickens, ducks, donkeys, peacocks, and more. Kids and adults alike can meet friendly animals and soak up rural beauty.

Hands-On History:

• Dive deeper into the stories that make this town special. Culpeper Uncovered offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, places, and experiences that define this creative community. Perfect for curious minds of all ages.
• Walk the fields where history was made and imagine the pivotal battles that shaped the nation at Culpeper Battlefields State Park.

Special Events: Mark Your Calendar

• Culpeper Downtown 3rd Thursday Summer Concerts (monthly starting in May): Kick back with a lawn chair and food truck fare during the 3rd Thursday Summer Concerts, where live music fills the warm night air.
• Age of the Viking – Mead and Viking Festival at Mountain Run Winery (June 7): Celebrate Viking culture with medieval games, live music, shield wall demonstrations, and of course, mead tasting for the adults!
• 4th Annual Culpeper Rodeo at the Culpeper Agricultural Enterprise (August 30) Saddle up for an evening of bull riding, rodeo competitions, and family-friendly activities, including Mutton bust’n for kids, line dancing, mechanical bulls, and live music.

Stay Awhile: Where to Rest Your Head

A visit to Culpeper isn’t complete without an overnight stay to soak in the full experience.

• Historic Charm: Book a stay at the beautiful Culpeper Center Suites, right near the heart of downtown, or relax at Fountain Hall Bed & Breakfast, a historic inn with timeless Southern hospitality.
• Modern Comforts: National brands like Holiday Inn Express & Suites Culpeper and Hampton Inn & Suites Culpeper offer spacious rooms and amenities, perfect for families and weekend adventurers.
• Country Retreats: Looking for something peaceful? Explore countryside lodging options, like Aunt Judy’s Place, which sits on 154 acres, for a serene escape just minutes from downtown.
• Hidden Gem: West Park Gardens is a charming, detail-rich retreat that offers a cozy stay with a picturesque garden, inviting nooks, and a delicious homemade breakfast that makes every visit feel special.

Wherever you stay, you’ll be close to all the charm, dining, shopping, and events Culpeper has to offer.

Your Visit Matters

When you visit Culpeper, you’re not just creating lifelong memories, you’re supporting small businesses, farms, historic preservation efforts, and hardworking locals who help keep this vibrant community thriving.

Plan Your Trip Today

This National Travel and Tourism Week, plan your next getaway in Culpeper, VA. Whether you come for the food, the farms, the festivals, or the fresh air, you’ll find plenty of reasons to love and return to this hidden gem. Come for the weekend and leave with memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Explore more Places to Stay, Things to Do, Places to Eat & Drink, and upcoming Events, while visiting or planning your visit. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @visitculpeperva to stay up to date on upcoming happenings. Tag us in your photos, using the hashtags #LOVEcpep or #visitculpeperva, for a chance to be featured on our website or social channels.