Clifton, VA

Tucked along Popes Head Creek in southwestern Fairfax County, Clifton feels like a preserved 19th-century village hidden away in Northern Virginia. With only a couple hundred residents, it is easily one of the smallest and quietest communities in the region. The town originally grew up around a historic railroad depot, and it has managed to keep that easygoing, country atmosphere intact for well over a century.

ATTRFamartin / CC BY-SA 4.0

A walk down Main Street takes you past Victorian homes, local restaurants, and the town's beloved red caboose. The pace is unhurried, with neighborhood green spaces and nearby trails along Bull Run offering plenty of room to get outdoors. For anyone moving to the area, Clifton delivers the rare feel of a tight-knit country retreat that is still within easy reach of the rest of the metro area.