SMALL TOWN.
BIG PERSONALITY.
BIG PERSONALITY.
Ashland is a vibrant small town with big staying power that’s been here since 1858. Affectionately referred to by locals as the “Center of the Universe”, Ashland is situated approximately 15 miles north of Richmond and is less than two hours from Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, and Norfolk.
A small town with a big personality, Ashland is the perfect place to spend the day or weekend strolling our historic main street lined with shops, restaurants, and the campus of Randolph-Macon College. Just beyond downtown, modern conveniences draw in weary travelers from Interstate 95 thanks to a variety of dining, fueling, and lodging options well suited for families and business travelers alike.
Here to woo your date and wow your fam with farm-to-table dining and cozy Southern fare, classic cocktails and experimental beers, buzzy arts and culture events and vintage holiday fanfare. Here for outdoor adventurers and history hounds, for porch sitters and railfans. Here then and here now, and ready whenever you are.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
GETTING HERE
For a truly “Ashland” arrival, Amtrak serves Ashland’s historic train station, located in the heart of downtown, several times a day. If arriving by car, Ashland is conveniently located along the I-95 corridor, within a few miles of I-295 and I-64, and is also accessible by air via Richmond International Airport (RIC), approximately 30 miles away.
GETTING HERE
For a truly “Ashland” arrival, Amtrak serves Ashland’s historic train station, located in the heart of downtown, several times a day. If arriving by car, Ashland is conveniently located along the I-95 corridor, within a few miles of I-295 and I-64, and is also accessible by air via Richmond International Airport (RIC), approximately 30 miles away.
HISTORIC
DOWNTOWN ASHLAND
Ashland’s origin story is on full display in the heart of the historic downtown thanks to the railroad tracks that run right through its middle. Developed by the railroad as a mineral springs resort in the 1840s, downtown Ashland has continued to evolve and grow while maintaining its historic and quirky small town charm.
Today, Ashland’s downtown is thriving with independent businesses and pedestrian energy. A variety of eclectic shops, local restaurants, the Henry Clay Inn, historic Ashland Theatre, and more can all be found within a few blocks, making downtown ideal for walkers and bikers alike.
For more about Ashland’s historic downtown, visit Downtown Ashland Association’s website.
HISTORIC
DOWNTOWN ASHLAND
Ashland’s origin story is on full display in the heart of the historic downtown thanks to the railroad tracks that run right through its middle. Developed by the railroad as a mineral springs resort in the 1840s, downtown Ashland has continued to evolve and grow while maintaining its historic and quirky small town charm.
Today, Ashland’s downtown is thriving with independent businesses and pedestrian energy. A variety of eclectic shops, local restaurants, the Henry Clay Inn, historic Ashland Theatre, and more can all be found within a few blocks, making downtown ideal for walkers and bikers alike.
For more about Ashland’s historic downtown, visit Downtown Ashland Association’s website.
