If you love vibrant small towns and rural scenic beauty, visit Winchester-Frederick County in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley! Feel the heartbeat of this thriving community in Old Town Winchester, where you can stroll a two-block pedestrian mall bursting with unique shops and outdoor cafes. The historic district features incredible architecture, cultural activities, and exciting events.
Known as the town that changed hands over 70 times during the Civil War, the Winchester area is home to battlefields, museums, and the annual Battle of Cedar Creek Reenactment. Free programs are offered regularly by National Park Service Rangers at Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park.
Be sure to visit the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, a regional museum dedicated to interpreting the art, history, and culture of the Shenandoah Valley. The museum’s changing exhibitions in the galleries and breathtaking gardens make it a must-see attraction year-round.
The world-renowned Conservatory at nearby Shenandoah University provides the fuel for countless music experiences of every genre, from small coffee-shop performances downtown to jazz cafés to full orchestral performances on campus. Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre produces popular Broadway musicals each summer.
Learn about Winchester’s apple heritage by picking fresh fruit at Marker-Miller Orchards and Farm Market in the fall. Celebrate the bloom in the spring at the famous Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, a ten-day event featuring parades, dances, a wine festival, carnival, celebrities, and so much more.
For the country music fan, a visit to Winchester isn’t complete without a stop at the restored historic home of country music legend, Patsy Cline, a Winchester native. Visitors from around the world come to walk in her footsteps and pay respects to the singer at her grave in Shenandoah Memorial Park.
Make your first stop the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center and Civil War Orientation Center located at 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Winchester.