WELCOME TO BUCHANAN, VA
Where Main Street Meets the Mountains
Home to the most popular access point of the Upper James River Water Trail,
designated as one of the best, easy outdoor adventure in the world by Travel + Leisure Magazine
Nestled within the steep slopes of the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains rests the Town of Buchanan, Virginia. Rich in history and natural beauty, Buchanan is the quintessential example of “small town America.”
Whether you are planning an afternoon shopping spree or a weekend getaway include Buchanan as part of your itinerary.
Along Buchanan’s Main Street you will discover a vibrant community with a surprising selection of shops featuring antiques, art, collectibles, primitives, textiles, carpets, restaurants, banks, a pharmacy, general stores, a canoe livery, outdoor supplies, hunting supplies, a hardware, an RV center and an historic theatre.
Are you an outdoor adventure enthusiast? Travel and Leisure Magazine designated the Upper James River Trail as one of the best, easy outdoor adventures in the world and the most used access point for this trail just happens to be in downtown Buchanan! We invite you to take advantage of our easy access to the James River for fishing and canoeing or maybe you would prefer to access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail or the Glenwood Horse Trail.
Buchanan’s Calendar of Events features favorites such as the Buchanan Community Carnival with parade and fireworks, Mountain Magic In Fall Bluegrass, Antiques & Crafts Festival as well as more recent introductions like the Buchanan Garden Festival, Pork by the James BBQ Fest and the Buchanan Tri-Run, Ride & River Race as well as a full Christmas Calendar.
Settled at the intersection of the Colonial Era’s “Great Valley Road” and the James River, Buchanan has been an important stopping point for travelers since the 1700’s. In Colonial days, wagons stopped in Buchanan to rest and gather provisions. Today, travelers stop for gas, food, shopping and the chance to stretch their legs.
In the early 1800’s Buchanan was the terminus of the James River and Kanawha Canal, as a result, the Town quickly became the center of commerce for the surrounding area. During the Civil War Buchanan served as a Confederate supply depot for the shipment of agricultural produce and pig iron to Richmond via the James River and Kanawha Canal. Today, visitors flock to this waterfront location to picnic, stroll, fish along the banks of the James River, or to canoe, kayak or tube the Upper James River Water Trail.
History lovers can learn about Buchanan’s role during the Civil War as they explore four VA Civil War Trail Markers known as the Hunter’s Raid Trail.
In the late 1800’s, Buchanan became a stopping point for travelers on the newly completed Shenandoah Valley Railroad (Norfolk Southern) and the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (CSX). Tourist boarded carriages at the depots traveling to the Town’s many hotels and businesses. With the 1900’s advent of the auto, downtown’s businesses adapted once more to serve a wider distribution of customers. Travelers stopped to shop, dine and take in a “picture show” at the Theatre. Since the arrival of the I-81, Buchanan has become a popular stopping point for tourists traveling along I-81.
We invite you to discover firsthand how Buchanan continues to be an attractive destination for travelers.
