Every adventure needs a home base, and these six small towns that we just happen to love are perfect home bases for three days of fun and anything you want to do in the Shenandoah Valley.
Waynesboro, VA
Waynesboro hugs the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it an excellent place to rest your head at night while you trek around. Love the outdoors? This is your spot! Daytrip to Sherando Lake, kayak the Waynesboro Water Trail, try your hand at urban flyfishing along the South River Greenway, hike the Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail, or hunt for waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park. Stay alert for amazing public art in downtown Waynesboro. Their murals are masterpieces.
Lexington, VA
When you choose Lexington as your hub you can go any direction for fun. South leads to Natural Bridge State Park, home of geologic marvels like the 215’ natural limestone bridge and the deepest caverns on the East Coast at Caverns at Natural Bridge. North of Lexington is best experienced along the North Rockbridge Trail, a self-guided drive along backroads to visit wineries, artisans, farms, and historic sites. West leads to a great hike on House Mountain or a day of quiet fun at Goshen Pass. East serves up the Appalachian Trail community of Buena Vista. Get on the Maury River and connect to the Upper James River Water Trail for day-long paddling fun.
View this post on Instagram
Martinsburg, WV
If you like hide and seek, get in on the geocaching fun in Berkeley County with multiple trails. For hide and seek of a different variety, break out your binoculars for birding at Stauffer’s Marsh or Yankauer Nature Preserves. Between them, that’s 150 acres of thriving wildlife. A visit to the Martinsburg Roundhouse is an excellent primer ahead of a daytrip to Harper’s Ferry, the site of John Brown’s Raid. For even more history, the George Washington Trail is a must.
View this post on Instagram
Luray, VA
Virginia’s Cabin Capital is situated in one beautiful valley – Page Valley. In every direction the mountains are on full display. Soak in their majesty while your adventure around to see iconic places like Luray Caverns and its collection of attractions, sip your way along the Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop, shop downtown at locally owned hot spots like Virginia Gift Shop, or hit every. single. one. of the top spots for ice cream. Don’t forget the agritourism opportunities for fresh produce, meats, and dairy.
View this post on Instagram
Staunton, VA
Great food and the arts have created an energetic culture in Staunton, making it a great place for couples to escape. Spend time shopping and dining downtown, take in a show (or two!) at American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, and then grab a little history with a stop at Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. You will definitely want to expand the history with a trip to Frontier Culture Museum, a showcase of early settlement dwellings and dwellings of representative of immigrant nations. The experience includes costumed interpreters and heritage breeds of animals. Cap your experience with a dinner train along Virginia Scenic Railway.
View this post on Instagram
Front Royal, VA
Downtown Front Royal is a walkable experience with shopping and dining. It’s also a gateway to Shenandoah National Park and short drive from Washington, D.C. As Virginia’s Canoe Capital, fun on the water is the name of the game. But if that’s not your jam, there’s plenty more to do. Like fly with the birds! From Front Royal you can take a scenic airplane ride, skydive, or soar on a hot air balloon. Love wine? Grab a designated driver and sip your way along the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail.
It should go without saying that there are more excellent small towns dotting the Shenandoah Valley … LOTS of them! We love drives through the towns of Shenandoah, Bath, Rockingham, and all the others. Each offers a distinct vibe, pace, and flavor. Take your time to explore as much of the Shenandoah Valley as you can.
Header Image: Front Royal. Photo by Jared Burwell IG account: @jburwallphotos; Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.