If you’ve landed here, we’re guessing it’s because you need a break. Whether you’re planning a vacation, a quick weekend jaunt, or a mid-week escape, any of these nine Shenandoah Valley destinations should be a contender. Take a deep-dive into one, create a combo of two or three … however you choose to use this north-to-south inspiration, we’re rooting for you and we know you’re going to experience something great!
Winchester
Home of the Shenandoah Valley Apple Blossom Festival, Patsy Cline, and one of Virginia’s best pedestrian malls, Winchester consistently makes the “best of” articles by a variety of publications. Make Old Town a primary stop as you explore. It’s there you’ll find plenty of shopping and excellent dining right alongside historical sites dating to 1732 settlement.
Old Town Walking Mall in Winchester. Photo by Robert Harris and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Front Royal
A small town with big outdoor adventure, that’s Front Royal. It’s the northernmost entrance to Shenandoah National Park, is known as the “Canoe Capital of Virginia,” and puts the wild of George Washington National Forest at your fingertips. Sip your way through wineries, breweries, and spirits, too when you check out the Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop.
Front Royal. Photo by Jaren Burewell and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Harrisonburg
“The Friendly City” is a hub for culture and all the great flavors that come with it. Harrisonburg hosts annual festivals celebrating their diversity community with events like the Harrisonburg African-American Culture Festival, the Harrisonburg Hispanic Festival, and the Harrisonburg International Festival. You don’t have to wait for those festivals to savor the flavors, however. Head downtown to find far, far more than you expect. Eat well!
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Woodstock
Huh. Did you know Woodstock is the fourth oldest town in Virginia? It’s the seat of Shenandoah County and it offers one of the coolest opportunities around: Head to the Woodstock Tower on Massanutten Mountain and jump (if you are hang gliding)!
Berryville
Downtown Berryville in Clarke County is a quaint town with architecture any history buff or detail-lover will appreciate. Seek out the Burwell-Morgan Mill for a weekend tour. It dates to the 1780s and is one of the oldest operational gristmills in the nation. Take home a bag of local Virginia cornmeal or perhaps buckeye flour from just across the border in West Virginia. More than that, you can also attend a Millers Training School on select Saturdays throughout the year.
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Luray
If you don’t know Luray as the “Cabin Capital of Virginia,” perhaps you know it as the home of Luray Caverns, Virginia’s most renown show cavern and a National Landmark. Embrace more of the local natural wonders by bike with Burgess’ Electric Bike Tours. It’s a great way to experience Shenandoah National Park like never before.
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Staunton
The Queen City is welcoming new restaurants, bakeries, and shops in 2022. Be sure to stroll downtown Staunton to see what’s new, take in a show at American Shakespeare Center, connect with presidential history at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, or walk through the Frontier Culture Museum to gain an appreciation of the cultures of those who settled the Shenandoah Valley.
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Waynesboro
If you love to hike, check out Waynesboro. It’s an Appalachian Trail Community with quick, easy access to both Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Plus, the Blue Ridge Tunnel is an experience you won’t want to miss. It’s just over 2.25 miles one way through an abandoned 1850s train tunnel beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Bundle up and be sure your headlamp or flashlight is well-powered.
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Lexington
Historic downtown Lexington is filled with locally-owned shops, farm-to-table eateries, and a wealth of history perhaps best experienced via horse-drawn carriage. Being a college town, Lexington has a thriving arts and entertainment atmosphere, as well as a dedicated community of local artisans. Just 20 minutes south of downtown is Natural Bridge State Park, one of Virginia’s must-see natural treasures.
Downtown Lexington. Photo by Chad Williams and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Header Image: Sears Hill Bridge in Staunton. Photo by Taryn White and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.