A long holiday break is incoming and it’s a fantastic time to get away. Get cozy in this sweater weather with these hot late fall travel ideas in the Shenandoah Valley.
Cuddly Cabin Stay
Luray, Virginia is called the Cabin Capital of Virginia, which means there are many to choose from and a wide variety of amenities. Search and sort to find your perfect stay. Will it include a hot tub, fireplace, river access, or a pool table?
Beverage Touring
Warm yourself from the inside when you sip around the Valley’s wineries and craft breweries. The easiest way to experience a cluster of them at once is to hit up a trail. Consider the Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop, Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail or Shenandoah Spirits Trail.
Learn Where You Are
You don’t know what you don’t know, but you can fix it. Explore the history and heritage museums of the Shenandoah Valley to gain an appreciation for the destination as it is and as it was. We have a few stops for your consideration:
- Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton
- Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, Lynchburg
- Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester
- Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry
Frontier Culture Museum. Photo by Sam Dean and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Savor the Flavors
The Shenandoah Valley has a long history of fertile soil and we’re fortunate to have heritage farms still producing bountiful harvests for the greater good. Taste many of these local ingredients in Shenandoah Valley restaurants or in select local markets.
The Red Hen. Photo by Sarah Hauser and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
Restaurants:
- L’Auberge Provencale, White Post
- Bonnie Blue, Winchester
- Vault & Cellar, Middletown
- Rocktown Kitchen, Harrisonburg
- The Shack, Staunton
- The Red Hen, Lexington
Meet the Other Valley Residents
Love animals? Let’s meet the fluffs!
Drive through Virginia’s only such zoo-type attraction: Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge. It’s 180 acres and home to many non-native, native, and rare species. Of special interest are the rare King Cheetah. Virginia Safari Park is the only place in the United States to see King Cheetah.
Photo by Nicole Franklin and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporaiton.
Alpaca farms are the starting point for wonderful items like sweaters, scarves, gloves, and blankets. Meet the animal that yields the fiber to literally warm us up this season. We enjoy stops at Point of View Alpacas in Mt. Sidney, Ridge Valley Alpacas in Fairfield, Hilltop Hideaway Alpacas in Craigsville, and Smith Mountain Lake Farm in Hardy. Lush Alpaca fibers can be found in specialty shops throughout the Valley or purchase yarn from the farms themselves to craft your own warm weather apparel.
Shop the Artisans
If it seems like every Shenandoah Valley city and town has an artisan flair, it’s because it does. Galleries and art markets are abundant, as are heritage makers. One such community is quite fascinating and worth a visit: Dayton. Dayton is home to an Old Order Mennonite community, and from that are wonderful wares of all kinds. The Dayton Market is a great place to start your shopping, but look beyond there to find more hidden delights in the area.
We also love these:
- The Arts & Artisans Fine Arts Gallery, Luray
- Hugo Kohl, Harrisonburg
- Sunspots Studios, Staunton
- Shenandoah Valley Art Center, Waynesboro
- Artists in Cahoots, Lexington
- Shenandoah County Artisan Trail
Header image: Barren Ridge Vineyards. Photo by Sarah Hauser and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.