Fries, VA

Fries sits right along the New River in southwestern Virginia, home to around 450 people who appreciate a quiet, scenic pace of living. Originally founded in the early 1900s as a textile town around the Washington Mill, you can still see that history in the hillside houses and the old dam on the water. It offers a peaceful mountain setting where neighbors know each other and the river is never more than a short walk away.

ATTRHine, Lewis Wickes; National Child Labor Committee Collection / Public domain

Today, outdoor recreation and traditional music define everyday life. Fries marks the southern start of the New River Trail State Park, giving residents direct access to 57 miles of scenic biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Between weekend fishing trips, the summer Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention, and the fall Festival by the New River, it has plenty of charm for anyone looking for an easygoing mountain lifestyle.