What makes a great weekend getaway in the Shenandoah Valley? It depends on what you’re looking for, of course, but we think these four destinations offer some of the best lodging, dining, entertainment, and cultural options to keep you as happy-busy or luxuriously relaxed as you want.
Staunton, VA
Staunton is a haven for magic, whether it’s the Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival each September (a Harry Potter themed downtown event) or the magic of Shakespeare at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse (the world’s only recreation of the Bard’s indoor theater). Of course, you are invited to make your own magic as well! Dine well at Zynodoa or The Shack, rest well at The Blackburn Inn or Hotel 24 South, splurge with a spa experience at The Spa at Blackburn, and shop fun downtown stores like Latitudes Fair Trade, Queen City Games & Gifts, Made; For the People, By the People, and Essentially Zen.
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Explore a bit more by blowing your own glass ornament at Sunspots Studios followed by a flight of adult beverages at Redbeard Brewing, Queen City Brewing, or Ciders from Mars. Don’t sleep on the Frontier Culture Museum. It’s a great dose of Virginia and American history with costumed interpreters and recreated villages representative of Shenandoah Valley homesteads as well as the countries from which settlers and enslaved came: England, Germany, Ireland, and West Africa.
Discover More at VisitStaunton.com
Winchester, VA
Long known as “The Apple Capital” for its huge apple production and export, Winchester’s claim to fame also includes hosting one of Virginia’s oldest and largest festivals: Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Patsy Cline is also represented in Winchester at the Patsy Cline Historic House Museum, a home she lived in during her most formative years. She is laid to rest nearby at Shenandoah Memorial Park.
A visit to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is as must for any weekend getaway in Winchester. The expansive gardens beg exploration in every season and delivers surprises of wildlife, and oftentimes, sculpture art. Special exhibits await, including Glen Burnie House itself. Take your time, as this is the place to slow your pace.
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When it’s time to wine, dine, and unwind, our recommendation is simple. George Washington Hotel boasts both history and luxury. The on-site spa, restaurant, lounge, and indoor pool ensure you can experience all of the chill time you desire and deserve. Walking distance away is Old Town Winchester, a pedestrian mall bustling with shopping, dining, and a bit of history. Visit George Washington’s Office Museum and Fort Loudoun Historic Site for early Shenandoah Valley expansion and military history.
Discover More at VisitWinchesterVA.com
Harrisonburg, VA
With James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University contributing to the heartbeat of Harrisonburg, you know the arts and culture scene are top-notch. The Forbes Center alone ensures plenty of music and theater for those searching for such, and a stroll through Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is an any-season affair offering beautiful scenery and wildlife.
Diversity is front and center in Harrisonburg with an array of international cuisine and an annual International Festival held every September. In fact, Harrisonburg is Virginia’s first culinary district. Taste flavors of Asian, Italian, African, and Mediterranean origin and influence at places like Albarakah Restaurant and Pastry & Bakery, Thien-an Pho, and Habesha Restaurant and Hookah Bar. Explore public art and murals with the 27-stop Downtown Public Arts Tour, then see art in action at Hugo Kohl’s Museum of American Jewelry Design and Manufacturing.
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Homebase for your getaway is up to your taste, but all of these recommendations are downtown for easy exploration. Hotel Madison‘s suites are perfect for stays stretching longer than a weekend. Joshua Wilton House is a well-appointed inn with its own renowned fine dining restaurant. Friendly City Inn Bed and Breakfast is a cozy getaway with gourmet breakfasts, all in an 1885 historic mansion.
Discover More at VisitHarrisonburgVA.com
Lexington, VA
Long recognized for its historic charm and locally owned boutiques and restaurants dotting the National Register historic downtown district, Lexington is also a college town with Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute elevating the culture and vibe. The arts are booming in Lexington with numerous galleries and a First Friday Art Walk to highlight them all. Live music rings out from dining establishments many nights, just bend an ear to find it. Summer nights are made for Lime Kiln, however, Virginia’s most unique music venue.
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The Georges is a boutique hotel encompassing several historic buildings on Main Street plus a stretch of Lawyer’s Row behind the historic Rockbridge County Courthouse. TAPS is their cocktail bar serving small plates and Haywood’s is their upscale piano lounge with fine dining. An additional downtown stay to consider is The Gin Hotel with their second floor Juniper Lounge and its expansive balcony patio overlooking Main Street.
You’d be remiss to skip the creative brick oven pizzas at Heliotrope Brewery, the traditional empanadas at Globowl Cafe, or the homemade Italian gelato at Pronto Gelateria.
Discover More at LexingtonVirginia.com
When you enjoy your weekend getaway, tag us in a pic or two on Instagram at @VisitShenandoahValley.
Header Image: Old Town Winchester by Robert Harris (@robertharris); courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation