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)
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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:
- Routes stopping in Culpeper:
- Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
- Crescent between New Orleans and New York City via Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
- Northeast Regional is Amtrak's busiest regional service, connecting Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and the many towns and cities in-between. Toward the east end of the route, some trips terminate at Springfield instead of Boston. Some services also continue south into Virginia towards Newport News, Roanoke and Norfolk on three separate branch routes from Alexandria. Culpeper is on the branch to and from Roanoke.
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
Do
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
Delicious Kansas City-style BBQ in a historical Civil War-era stable.
Eat It's About Thyme (Thyme in Culpeper)
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.
Eat Frost Cafe
Diner on the corner of Main Street and Davis Street with vintage '50s decor and classic American fare.
Eat Pinto Thai Culpeper
Authentic Thai restaurant with a large menu, full bar and plentiful seating.
Eat Raven's Nest Coffee House
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.
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.
Drink
Drink Old Trade Brewery & Cidery
A rural brewery with a mountain view. Hosts live music and games.
Go next
- Travel into the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon by taking the Blue Ridge Parkway and visiting Shenandoah National Park.
- Explore more American Civil War history at one of the battlefields in Manassas.
Nearby
Elkwood
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Locust Dale
City / town · 2 listings · 12 mi away
Shenandoah National Park
Park · 32 listings · 25 mi away
Luray
City / town · 2 listings · 28 mi away
Bentonville
City / town · 1 listings · 30 mi away
Bristow
City / town · 1 listings · 30 mi away
Fredericksburg
City / town · 48 listings · 31 mi away
Stafford
City / town · 7 listings · 32 mi away
My experience
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