Downtown Culpeper

City / town · Virginia

Culpeper

Downtown Culpeper

Best timeApr–Jun, Sep–Oct
From you
Nearest airportCHO · 34 mi
On this page

Overview

Culpeper is a town of over 20,000 people (2020) in the center of Culpeper County in Central Virginia. Culpeper is the literal heart of the county, and has grown rapidly since 2000 when it was home to fewer than 10,000 people.

1 sights · 1 things to do · 6 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Culpeper

Culpeper Battlefields State Park

MinuteMan MiniMall

Antique mall open since 1991 with 200 or more vendors and a wide variety of antiques, crafts, and collectibles.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jun. (climate data from nearby Central Virginia)

Jan: 3.2 in rain3.2"Jan: high 48°F, low 29°F48°29°JanFeb: 2.6 in rain2.6"Feb: high 52°F, low 30°F52°30°FebMar: 4.0 in rain4"Mar: high 60°F, low 37°F60°37°MarApr: 3.2 in rain3.2"Apr: high 70°F, low 46°F70°46°AprMay: 4.0 in rain4"May: high 78°F, low 56°F78°56°MayJun: 4.6 in rain4.6"Jun: high 86°F, low 64°F86°64°JunJul: 4.4 in rain4.4"Jul: high 90°F, low 69°F90°69°JulAug: 4.9 in rain4.9"Aug: high 88°F, low 68°F88°68°AugSep: 4.6 in rain4.6"Sep: high 81°F, low 61°F81°61°SepOct: 3.4 in rain3.4"Oct: high 71°F, low 49°F71°49°OctNov: 3.1 in rain3.1"Nov: high 60°F, low 39°F60°39°NovDec: 3.5 in rain3.5"Dec: high 52°F, low 32°F52°32°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • CHO Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, Charlottesville — 34 mi away. Directions
  • IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 44 mi away (major hub). Directions

From Washington D.C./I-66: Take I-66 West to Exit 43A (Rt. 29 South towards Warrenton). Continue on Rt. 29 South for approximately 40 miles to the first Culpeper exit - Business 29. Follow Business 29 for 3 miles into the Town of Culpeper - Main Street. At the third traffic light turn left on to Davis Street and proceed to the end of road to the Train Depot/Visitors Center.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

  • Morning Culpeper Battlefields State Park
  • Lunch Uncle Elder's BBQ
  • Afternoon MinuteMan MiniMall
  • Dinner It's About Thyme
  • Evening Old Trade Brewery & Cidery

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Photos

    Downtown CulpeperFrost CafeCulpeper

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Understand

    Place Visitors Center

    It provides local information, brochures and assistance.

    📍 111 S. Commerce Streetat the Train Depot🕒 Daily 10AM - 5PM☎ +1 540-727-0611Checked Jun 2025
    MapsWebsite

    Get in

    By car

    From Washington D.C./I-66: Take I-66 West to Exit 43A (Rt. 29 South towards Warrenton). Continue on Rt. 29 South for approximately 40 miles to the first Culpeper exit - Business 29. Follow Business 29 for 3 miles into the Town of Culpeper - Main Street. At the third traffic light turn left on to Davis Street and proceed to the end of road to the Train Depot/Visitors Center.

    From Charlottesville/Rt.29: Take Rt. 29 North for approximately 45 miles to Culpeper. Take the second exit at Culpeper Business 29. At the fifth traffic light turn right on to Davis Street. Proceed to the end of the road to the Train Depot/Visitors Center.

    From Richmond /I-95: Take I-95 North for approximately 60 miles to Fredericksburg exit 130. Exit at 130 - Culpeper/Rt. 3 West. Proceed on Rt. 3 West for 35 miles. At the second traffic light in Culpeper turn right on to Main Street. Proceed to the second traffic light and turn right on to Davis Street. Follow Davis Street to the end of the road to the Train Depot/Visitors Center.

    From Harrisonburg /I-81: Take I-81 to I-66 East. Continue on I-66 East to exit 6 at Front Royal - Rt. 522 South. Follow Rt. 522 South for approximately 45 miles to Culpeper. When in Culpeper, make a right turn at the traffic light intersection of Rt. 522 and Main Street. Proceed to the next traffic light and turn left on to Davis St. Follow Davis Street to the end of the road to the Train Depot/Visitors Center.

    By train

    • Train operators:

    Go Culpeper station

    The station has no ticket agent or QUIK-TRAK machine.

    📍 111 South Commerce StChecked Nov 2023
    MapsWebsite
    • Routes stopping in Culpeper:

    Go Amtrak

    Operates trains throughout the United States of America.

    ☎ +1 215-856-7924⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    By plane

    International airports that service Culpeper include Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) - 58 miles, Richmond International Airport (RIC) - 86 miles, and Baltimore Washington Int. Airport (BWI) - 105 miles.

    Charlottesville Regional Airport (CHO) is 40 miles to the south. Culpeper also has small but growing local airport which receives some charter flights, Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR) - 7 miles north of Culpeper.

    Get around

    Getting around the historic Downtown is very easy on foot, by car, or on the Culpeper Trolley (+1 540-825-2456, +1 877-777-2708). The Trolley runs every 30-40 minutes M-F from 7AM to 5PM, and on Saturdays from 9:30AM to 2:30PM, from various points north and south of town. Fares are $.50 per destination.

    Parking around Culpeper can be found in various 2 and 3 hour lots throughout Town. An all-day free parking lot for Amtrak travelers is on the corner of Commerce Street and Wausau Place, a short block from the Culpeper Visitors Center in the Train Depot on Commerce Street.

    Rental cars are available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car -+1 540-829-7800, 15419 Brandy Rd.

    The following companies provide service through Culpeper and surrounding counties: Culpeper Cab Company - +1 540-829-7922, serving Culpeper and Fauquier Counties.

    See

    • Downtown Culpeper is the historic central business district of Culpeper, centered on Main and Davis Streets. It features preserved 19th- and early 20th-century architecture, boutique shops, local restaurants, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
    • Culpeper County Courthouse (1874)
    • Historic Davis Street shops and murals

    See Culpeper Battlefields State Park

    Checked Sep 2025
    Maps

    Do

    Do MinuteMan MiniMall

    Antique mall open since 1991 with 200 or more vendors and a wide variety of antiques, crafts, and collectibles.

    📍 746 Germanna Highway🕒 Mon-Sat 9AM-6PM, Sun noon-5PM☎ +1 540-825-3133Checked Jun 2025
    MapsWebsite

    Buy

    Visit the historic Downtown around the area of Main and Davis Streets. Here, the downtown renovations have opened up many unique specialty shops, restaurants, gourmet food and wine shops, and antique stores.

    Eat

    Eat Uncle Elder's BBQ

    BBQ

    Delicious Kansas City-style BBQ in a historical Civil War-era stable.

    📍 129 E Culpeper St🕒 Mon-Fri 11AM-10PM☎ +1 540-317-5718⚠ Last checked Apr 2018 — confirm before you go
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat It's About Thyme (Thyme in Culpeper)

    German / EuropeanSeafood

    A sit down restaurant offering broad European fare that has been operating in downtown Culpeper since 1995. Thyme Market, Copper Fish seafood market and raw bar, and Thyme Inn are under the same ownership.

    📍 128 East Davis Street🕒 Wed-Sat lunch: 11AM-3PM, dinner: 5:30-10PM; Sun noon-4PM☎ +1 540-825-4264Checked Jun 2025
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite
    Frost Cafe

    Eat Frost Cafe

    AmericanBakery / Café

    Diner on the corner of Main Street and Davis Street with vintage '50s decor and classic American fare.

    📍 101 East Davis Street🕒 7AM-8PM☎ +1 540-829-0344Checked Jun 2025
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Raven's Nest Coffee House

    Bakery / Café

    Local cafe described as the "community living room" offering both grab-and-go and sit-down service. Small store inside cafe offers coffee beans from Raven's Brew Coffee roasters.

    📍 215 East Davis Street🕒 7AM-6PM☎ +1 540-827-4185Checked Jun 2025
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Eat Miss Minerva's Tea Room (formerly Tea Lace & Roses)

    Traditional tea room with a small gift shop and a long history in downtown Culpeper. The tea room first opened in 2002 on Davis Street then changed ownership several times until it found its new home in the historic State Theater building.

    📍 307 South Main Street🕒 Wed-Sun 11AM-3PM, occasionally closed for private parties☎ +1 540-444-7896Checked Jun 2025
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Drink

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