Less than 90 minutes from the hustle of Washington, D.C., Clarke County feels like a different pace of life entirely. This is Virginia’s Hunt Country at its quietest and most charming: A patchwork of farms with the Shenandoah River flowing through. Small towns like Berryville, Boyce, and Millwood that seem built for wandering. In short: Wonderful.
For a splurge, L’Auberge Provençale is the county’s best-known address. A French country inn with acclaimed fine dining and garden seating, it’s a destination that makes you forget you’re still in Virginia.
Take 30% off a third-night when you stay before September 30, 2026. Book Now
History lovers gravitate toward the grand Historic Rosemont Manor, while Waypoint House B&B puts you in downtown Berryville within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
Clarke County Lodging Directory
Downtown Berryville has become a genuinely good small-town food scene. Santorini Grill draws steady praise for its Greek fare, Homespun Shakes & Burgers is a favorite for classic Americana and hand-spun milkshakes, and Camino Real is the local pick for Mexican. For something more polished, Magnolias at the Mill and La Table Provençale handle date-night duty, and Wild Hare pairs wood-fired pizza with handcrafted hard cider on its outdoor deck.
Clarke County Dining Directory
Beyond the table, the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm is worth a half-day on its own. The 172 acres of gardens, 300-tree ginkgo grove, and self-guided trails are a beautiful place to reflect, refresh, and soak in nature’s beauty.
For more than 40 years, this roadside attraction features over 50 dinosaurs that allow the visitors to turn back the pages of time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Virginia Tourism Corporation, www.Virginia.org
Families tend to end up at Dinosaur Land, the roadside classic near White Post, while wine and cider lovers can work the Bottoms Up Beverage Trail through the county’s wineries and breweries.
Top 10 Experiences in Clarke County
The State Arboretum of Virginia is part of Blandy Experimental Farm, a research field station for the University of Virginia. Inside the Experimental Farm is the Blandy Ginkgo Grove, one of the largest collections of ginkgos outside the tree’s native China. The trees are the result of an experiment that began in 1929 with a single ‘mother tree’ on the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
Virginia Tourism Corporation, www.Virginia.org
The 71st Annual Clarke County Fair takes over the fairgrounds August 9–16, 2026, with the 22nd Annual Watermelon Pickers’ Fest — a three-day bluegrass and Americana music festival — following close behind on September 10–12.
Ginkgo Gold Weekends at Blandy Experimental Farm are scheduled for October 31-November 1 and November 7-8. Expect vendors and food trucks ahead of and after your grove explorations.
Clarke County Calendar of Events
Clarke County rewards visitors who are ready to slow down the pace of life. Plan now for your take-it-easy weekend away.
