So if I say Shenandoah Valley, what do you consider? Probably Shenandoah National Park? Maybe the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway? You aren’t improper, however there’s extra to the Shenandoah Valley than simply scenic drives and mountaineering within the National Park. Wondering in regards to the issues to do in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia? I’ve received you coated…from the small cities to go to to the very best points of interest for households, maintain studying for causes to plan a visit to Shenandoah.
Where is Shenandoah Valley?
The Shenandoah Valley stretches from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to Roanoke, Virginia. Located within the western a part of the state of Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley covers an space of roughly 200 miles in size and 20 miles in width, bordered by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and Allegheny Mountains to the west.
During the Civil War, this area was nicknamed the “breadbasket of the Confederacy.” Today, this space is an out of doors wonderland, with bucolic farms and nation roads. There are pure wonders just like the Luray and Shenandoah Caverns, and Natural Bridge, in addition to attractive scenic drives alongside the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Shenandoah Valley additionally contains Shenandoah National Park and the favored Bryce Mountain and Massanutten Resorts. There are loads of out of doors adventures available together with biking, mountaineering, paddle sports activities, and horseback driving.
This area has been memorialized in songs like “Oh, Shenandoah!” I keep in mind my first time driving the Skyline Drive as a child and pondering…so there’s the place “oh purple mountain’s majesty” is referring to in This Land is Your Land.
How to Get to Shenandoah Valley
To get to the Shenandoah Valley, there are a number of choices relying in your place to begin and if you wish to journey north to south or vice versa. If you might be coming from Washington, D.C., you’ll be able to take Interstate 66 west for about 70 miles till you attain Front Royal, which is taken into account the gateway to the Shenandoah National Park. From Front Royal, you’ll be able to entry Skyline Drive, which runs 105 miles alongside the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and thru the Shenandoah National Park.
Another choice is to take Interstate 81 south of Winchester, Virginia, which is situated roughly 75 miles west of Washington, D.C. Winchester is situated within the northern a part of the Shenandoah Valley, and is taken into account an excellent place to begin for exploring the area. From Winchester, you’ll be able to head south and discover the numerous small cities, historic websites, and scenic drives that make the Shenandoah Valley such a well-liked vacation spot.
If you might be coming from Richmond, Virginia, you’ll be able to take Interstate 64 west for about 100 miles till you attain Charlottesville, Virginia. From Charlottesville, you’ll be able to proceed west or northwest to Staunton or Harrisonburg within the Shenandoah Valley.
Things to do in Shenandoah Valley
Note: This publish might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
We spent loads of time exploring Shenandoah Valley as a part of our two-week, mother-daughter Virginia street journey. Since we traveled from south to north, that’s how I’ve laid out these items to do in Shenandoah Valley. Our go to was hosted by Harrisonburg and Shenandoah, Virginia. All opinions are my very own.
If you might be planning a go to to the Shenandoah Valley with children, try the Shenandoah Valley Kids Trail, designed to let children steer the household trip.
Drive the Skyline Drive & Visit Shenandoah National Park
The Skyline Drive is the 105-mile scenic byway by way of the Blue Mountains of Virginia, which serves as the one street by way of Shenandoah National Park. This byway begins in Front Royal in Northern Virginia and ends at Rockfish Gap, the place Route 64 crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains. South of Route 64, the freeway turns into the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are 4 entrances and quite a few surrounding communities that present providers to the park at Front Royal, Thornton Gap, Swift Run Gap, and Rockfish Gap.
Driving the Skyline Drive is a quintessential American street journey, providing attractive views and entry to the scenic Shenandoah National Park. The park covers 200,000 acres by way of the Blue Ridge Mountains, named for the hue created by water evaporating from the vegetation and timber. Along the Drive, there are 75 overlooks throughout the park, in addition to an opportunity to view among the wildlife that makes it residence within the park resembling deer, black bear, wild turkey, and different woodland animals.
With a velocity restrict of 35 mph, it takes about three hours to drive the size of the Skyline Drive. The Skyline Drive is open 12 months of the 12 months however can shut for inclement climate and at night time throughout deer-hunting season, so it’s best to verify with the park earlier than you head out by calling the park’s recorded info line: (540) 999-3500. Just remember the fact that park providers are solely open from mid-March by way of late November.
If you need to spend extra time mountaineering and exploring Shenandoah National Park, I’d suggest dedicating a minimum of two days to this space to slot in just a few of the extra in style hikes and points of interest. Keep in thoughts that there are over 500 miles of trails to discover! The Appalachian Trail goes proper by way of Shenandoah for 101 miles.
If you’re on the lookout for a fantastic hike within the park, two trails that come extremely really helpful are the Old Rag Mountain Trail and the Hawksbill Summit Trail. The Old Rag Mountain Trail is a difficult 8.8-mile hike that takes you to the summit of Old Rag Mountain, the best peak within the park.
The path is rated as strenuous, with steep climbs, rock scrambles, and slender passages. You ought to be ready with good mountaineering boots and loads of water. A day-use allow is required to hike Old Rag Mountain from March by way of November, and parking may be restricted, so it’s really helpful to reach early or take a shuttle from the Old Rag parking space.
The Hawksbill Summit Trail is a reasonable 2.9-mile hike that takes you to the best level within the park at Hawksbill Mountain. The path presents beautiful views of the encircling mountains and valleys, making it a fantastic selection for photographers and nature lovers. Parking is out there on the Hawksbill parking space, however it could actually refill rapidly throughout peak season, so it’s finest to reach early.
There are additionally various hikes which might be good for teenagers, together with Blackrock Summit, Stony Man, and Lands Run Falls. If you might be on the lookout for waterfalls, Dark Hollow Falls is among the hottest waterfalls within the park. The falls cascade 70 toes down a collection of steps, creating a surprising show of water and mist. The hike to Dark Hollow Falls is a reasonable 1.4-mile round-trip hike, and the trailhead is situated close to mile marker 50 on Skyline Drive. The path may be busy, particularly on weekends, so it’s finest to reach early to safe a parking spot.
We entered the Skyline Drive on the southernmost entrance at Rockfish Gap, on our approach from Charlottesville to Harrisonburg, VA. If you might be driving with out stopping for hikes, you’ll be able to positively get scenic overlook fatigue if you happen to cease at every overlook, however you simply by no means know what you would possibly discover.
Click on the photographs beneath to enlarge them:
Our most fun second within the park occurred at a scenic overlook on the northbound facet. We had been standing close to the automotive taking some footage after I heard a loud rustling noise. I appeared round and didn’t see something. But after I heard it once more, I seen a tree perhaps 100 toes down a slope from the overlook swaying wildly.
I instantly thought — that’s no chook! I scanned the realm for hazard and didn’t see something close by so we stayed close to the automotive to look at. Soon, a black head poked out of the tree and the face of a small black bear was clearly seen. We had been very excited to see a bear within the wild — but in addition in a state of affairs the place we felt very protected, standing proper subsequent to our unlocked automotive.
I received out my zoom lens for a greater view and began snapping some footage. Another automotive quickly pulled up they usually had been going to simply drive away after I gestured to them to level out the bear. We all noticed quietly because the bear proceeded to interrupt off the highest branches of the tree to eat the leaves. At one level there was fairly a crash and I assumed the bear was going to fall proper out of the tree nevertheless it caught itself. It was positively the fun of the journey to look at this bear in its ingredient, however I’ve to say it made me assume twice in regards to the preparations I’d want earlier than doing a lot mountaineering within the park.
Explore downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia
Since we drove the Skyline Drive, we needed to skip visiting Staunton, which I’ve heard is kind of a stunning city. If you’ve extra time to spend within the park and Shenandoah, I’d suggest including on a day in Staunton as nicely. For us, Harrisonburg was a pleasant introduction to the small cities of Shenandoah Valley.
Located simply minutes from Shenandoah National Park, Massanutten Resort, and the Skyline Drive, Harrisonburg can also be the house to James Madison University, giving it that distinct school city vibe.
Start your go to with a stroll by way of the Harrisonburg Farmers Market and a cease on the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center. From there, stroll down Main Street. Downtown options various small museums, such because the Explore More Discovery Museum, the Valley Turnpike Museum & Civil War Orientation Center, Harrisonburg Fire Department Museum, and the Virginia Quilt Museum, and loads of college-student pleasant, locally-owned eating places.
Nearby, guests can take pleasure in hikes on the Edith Carrier Arboretum at James Madison University, Hillandale Park, and the Grand Caverns Grottoes. We had hoped to discover a bit extra however after every week on the street, we want a day of rest. Instead, we stopped for ice cream at Klines Dairy Bar, which is an space establishment and must-visit when in Harrisonburg. We had been additionally fortunate sufficient to go to throughout the Rockingham County Fair and received to expertise an genuine county truthful expertise, which was a fantastic introduction to our go to to the Iowa State Fair throughout our midwest street journey.
A terrific spot to remain on this space is the Massanutten Resort. The Massanutten Resort is a well-liked all-season trip vacation spot situated only a brief drive from the Shenandoah National Park. The resort boasts over 6,000 acres of land, together with two golf programs, a water park, snowboarding and snowboarding slopes, zip traces, and plenty of different actions for guests of all ages.
In the summer season, company can take pleasure in out of doors actions resembling mountaineering, mountain biking, horseback driving, fishing, and {golfing}. The resort’s water park, the Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor WaterPark, is open year-round and options an indoor wave pool, tube slides, a lazy river, and different water points of interest.
In the winter, the resort transforms right into a winter wonderland, providing snowboarding and snowboarding on 14 slopes, snow tubing, ice skating, and different snow-related actions.
Explore Woodstock, Virginia
Woodstock is definitely the fourth oldest city in Virginia and is centered alongside Route 11 with a small however quaint downtown district. Since we had been to spend just a few days having fun with Shenandoah Valley from our residence base in Woodstock, we had the chance to unfold out and revel in our environment in a trip rental cabin within the woods.
One of the primary points of interest in Woodstock is the historic courthouse, which dates again to 1795 and now serves as a museum showcasing the historical past of the realm. Other notable historic websites embody the Woodstock Museum, housed within the former Shenandoah County Jail, and the Old Valley Pike Driving Tour, which takes guests on a scenic journey by way of the Shenandoah Valley.
If you go to in mid-August, it’s also possible to benefit from the well-known Route 11 Yard Crawl, which options 43 miles of antiques, yard gross sales, and native enterprise gross sales.
Or a small city, there was some surprisingly good meals in Woodstock, beginning with Sunday brunch at The Woodstock Cafe and Shoppes. This cute cafe in downtown Woodstock is an element nation retailer and half cafe, filled with native characters and flavors.
Our favourite cease in Woodstock although needed to be the Woodstock Brewhouse. This transformed denim manufacturing unit has a hip inside that I’d count on to see in…nicely, frankly a hipper city…like perhaps Charlottesville. They have a restricted meals menu as a result of the main focus is on their craft beers, however if you happen to occur to be on the town when they’re smoking some brisket or making BBQ then YOU MUST GO! We had leftover BBQ brisket on a flatbread pizza and it was scrumptious.
Climb the Woodstock Tower
Our time in Shenandoah County was all about having fun with the outside and native tradition. We climbed to the highest of the Woodstock Tower, excessive up on the mountain, overlooking just a few of the seven bends of the mighty Shenandoah River and Seven Bends State Park. The Woodstock Tower is a 93-foot tall stone commentary tower providing panoramic views of the encircling countryside.
Located on the mountaintop, you’ll be able to drive to the highest and park within the lot on the base of the tower. From there, it’s a brief uphill stroll to the tower. There are additionally picnic tables and a small playground space close to the tower. Keep in thoughts that the entry street is slender and winding, so take warning when driving.
Kayak or Tube on the Shenandoah River
The Iroquois view a blue heron as an omen of fine luck, so once we encountered a heron quickly after forking out into the Shenandoah River on our kayaks, I took it to be a constructive signal for an excellent day forward. Initially we had been disenchanted that after kayaking alongside the James River earlier within the week, we weren’t capable of check out river tubing the way in which we had deliberate.
But the heron can also be an emblem of going with the movement, and that’s what we would have liked to do. And in August, the movement alongside the Shenandoah in Virginia is fairly sluggish and low. So until we need to scrape our bottoms alongside the river rocks, kayaking was the higher selection.
Little did I do know that the heron was going to be our information down the river. Yet each time we received shut sufficient to aim a photograph, he swept away in majestic flight to a spot additional down the river. Again and once more, our heron information lured us down the river as we tried to know his silent message.
Our day began with a brief security briefing at Route 11 Outfitters, earlier than they loaded up our rented kayaks to drop us down the river a bit. If you do need to strive tubing, spring is certainly the time, when winter soften off has the river operating robust.
During the sweltering summer season days of August, the river is low and even getting by way of with our kayaks took a bit of labor. Since I sit somewhat decrease in my kayak then Hannah, we had just a few laughs as mommy received “beached” on rocks or sandbars. Usually a little bit of scooting or pushing off with my foot outdoors of the kayak received me shifting once more, however just a few instances I needed to climb out and provides the kayak a push.
Our journey was extra of a exercise than I anticipated, however not due to the rowing, simply due to the pushing. Still, there’s not often a day trip on the water in a ship of any sort that I don’t take pleasure in and this was no exception.
Our pleasant heron information wasn’t the one wildlife we encounter on our journey. We appeared to draw lovely creatures like a magnet that day. Hannah picked up a hitchhiking butterfly early in our journey and it caught round for practically an hour. After the heron left us for good, we rounded a nook simply to see some giant black shapes within the river up forward.
After our close to encounter with a black bear in Shenandoah National Park, and discussions about how bears are widespread on this space, my coronary heart skipped a few beats earlier than I noticed that the beasts up forward had been too large to be bears — they had been cows. And earlier than we may get too shut, all of them climbed again on land.
There is one thing so peaceable and rewarding about kayaking down a river. I’m not one for meditation or spirituality however the mixture of bodily exertion and appreciation of the outside creates a sure sort of zen and a reference to nature.
Go Underground on the Shenandoah Caverns
Click on any photograph within the gallery to enlarge it:
Our adventures continued underground on the Shenandoah Caverns. There are many caverns on this area, together with the Luray Caverns and Skyline Caverns, however Shenandoah is near Woodstock and presents elevator entry. The caverns have been open since 1922 and welcome guests by way of a one-mile circuit on one-hour excursions.
The Caverns are a gentle 56-degree in the summertime or winter, so guests ought to deliver a sweater or sweatshirt. These weren’t too terribly completely different from different caverns we have now visited, however they did have one particular function I haven’t seen earlier than — cave bacon! They are fascinating rock formations that look temptingly like bacon.
Our information walked us by way of different options just like the Rainbow Lake, Capital Dome, Cardross Castle, and the Breakfast Bacon. The teenage information appeared to assume it was a advantage to repeat his spiel by rote reminiscence, with heavily-practiced intonations, driving us a bit loopy, however we tuned him out as a lot as we may whereas being shepherded by way of every space.
Next door, we popped into the surprisingly fascinating American Celebration on Parade — a set of parade floats from the Rose Parade, Presidential Inaugurals, and the Thanksgiving Day Parades protecting 40,000 sq. toes. This exhibit is open solely seasonally, together with the Gemstone Mining Sluice. The Caverns additionally provide a restaurant, present store (after all) and a youngsters’s playground on the property.
Visit the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory
If you go to the Caverns, take a couple of minutes to cease on the Route 11 Potato Chips Factory close by. You will discover these chips all through the Shenandoah Valley, however with a manufacturing unit go to, you’ll be able to pattern extra flavors and presumably get a glimpse of the manufacturing. You can’t take footage however you’ll be able to look by way of the home windows on the manufacturing line. The manufacturing unit is open to the general public Mondays by way of Saturdays, from 9 am to five pm, aside from main holidays.
Have a Thrill at Bryce Mountain Resort
Since I had somewhat journey seeker as a journey companion, we received our thrills in on the Bryce Resort. A ski resort within the winter, in the summertime Bryce transforms into an adventureland with mountain biking, scenic elevate rides, disc golf, common golf, swimming, and extra. They change their actions up so verify the web site for present choices.
When we visited, we had been capable of go ziplining and grass tubing, which was a ton of enjoyable, however I’m unsure they’re nonetheless providing them. The ziplining was simple as a ski elevate took us to the highest after which we proceeded down the mountain on a collection of ziplines — none of which had been too excessive or too quick.
Hannah beloved the grass tubing, which is de facto on a plastic netting they usually wipe the underside of the tube with silicone to make it go quicker. I did a few runs however then appointed myself as photographer. Since I sit somewhat decrease within the tube than she does, I didn’t like the way in which my backside bumped alongside.
Visit with Llamas
If you propose on heading out to the Shenandoah Wine Trail, you may additionally need to schedule a cease on the Posey Thisisit Llama Farm in Toms Brook, Virginia. They provide excursions and an opportunity to satisfy and feed their llamas, they usually even have handcrafted gadgets and llama wool on the market. We had been shocked to be taught that llamas aren’t really nasty, as we have now been led to consider, however that all of it is determined by how they’re handled. These llamas had been very nicely beloved and it confirmed with their friendliness.
Explore Winchester, Virginia
At the northern finish of Shenandoah Valley, make sure to cease at Winchester, Virginia. This city is simply filled with historical past, largely from the Civil War however some relationship again to George Washington’s early days. In truth, some historians declare that this small city modified arms as much as 72 instances throughout the Civil War, going forwards and backwards between the North and the South! Just strolling by way of the quaint downtown, you’ll be able to study a few of this historical past on the George Washington’s Office Museum or the Old Court House Civil War Museum.
Nearby, it’s also possible to go to Stonewall Jackson’s Headquarters, the Cedar Creek Battlefield, and the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Kids ought to love the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum. We peeked in and it appeared tremendous enjoyable, however geared primarily for teenagers 10 and beneath. Since we solely had a short while to spend in Winchester, we gravitated to the Historic Downtown.
Winchester has a pedestrian mall, similar to what we noticed in Charlottesville, which is lined with outlets and eating places with out of doors tables. We discovered a yummy Thai restaurant for lunch after which cooled off a bit on the group splash pad.
Winchester was the prettiest of the cities we visited within the Shenandoah Valley and I want we had extra time to discover right here, but when we head again down Interstate 81 sometime, I’ll make sure to cease in.
Visiting Virginia? Read extra:
PIN THIS FOR LATER
