25 Unmissable Issues To Do In Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

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We’ve simply found a brand new mountain area to like within the Southeast USA; Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

Residence of Shenandoah Nationwide Park, the well-known Skyline Drive, the spectacular Luray Caverns, and cute small Virginia cities, it’s probably probably the most lovely area within the state.

This richly fertile space is ideal for individuals who love outside adventures, scenic viewpoints, farm-to-table eating experiences, family-owned wineries and breweries, and U-Choose farms. For sure, there are tons of issues to do in Shenandoah Valley.

We took a five-day household highway journey right here and found so many high sights in Shenandoah Valley, plus a number of hidden gems…

For those who’re seeking to discover out what to do in Shenandoah and wish some inspiration whereas planning your itinerary, don’t sweat, as a result of this information will inform you all the pieces it’s good to know.

Right here’s what we did.

1. Drive the Skyline Drive, Shenandoah Nationwide Park

The Skyline Drive catches the baton on the finish of the Blue Ridge Parkway and runs by all the 105-mile size of the Shenandoah Valley Nationwide Park on the crest of the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s one of many USA’s greatest scenic drives within the USA.

Be ready for limitless viewpoints over the Shenandoah Valley, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Massanutten Mountain Vary. Plan your drive properly to include hikes, picnic spots, one of the best viewpoints, and lodges.

There are viewpoints each couple of miles. Regardless of the fantastic thing about every overlook, you may shortly catch fatigue, so plan your stops properly on both aspect of the highway because the views are completely different.

The East is extra mountainous with lush forest, and the West is extra mountains with expansive views of the Shenandoah Valley.

Some notable viewpoints that we liked have been the Vary View Overlook (the most effective views of the northern part of the park), South River Overlook (nice for dawn), Baldface Mountain Overlook, and Moormans River Overlook. You will discover out about extra overlooks on the Skyline Drive right here.

There are lots of entrances onto Skyline Drive, however the Rockfish Hole Entrance Station within the South or the Entrance Royal Entrance within the North are usually the most well-liked because it lets you drive from one aspect to the opposite. We took the Nationwide Scenic Byway to Massanutten Resort.

The Thornton Hole Entrance can be well-liked because it’s situated close to a city you may keep in.

Driving the Skyline Drive shouldn’t be rushed. If you wish to have a full day exploring the drive, we suggest staying at Skyland Resort or Lewis Mountain Cabins, that are round midway on the drive.

A spotlight of the Skyline Drive is the spectacular Shenandoah Nationwide Park. Opened in 1935, the park encompasses almost 200,000 acres alongside the Blue Ridge Mountains to take pleasure in with dozens of waterfalls, 500 miles of mountaineering trails by lush forests, and 75 scenic overlooks of mountain vistas.

An extended stretch of the well-known Appalachian Path winds by Shenandoah Nationwide Park, you’ll want to cease by and hike a piece – simply to say you’ve got accomplished!

Dickey Ridge Customer Middle

If you wish to get extra details about the drive and the issues to see, we suggest making a visit to the Dickey Ridge Customer Middle. It’s situated to the North of the drive and is the place you will get maps and data from park rangers.

You’ll be able to be taught all concerning the wildlife you may encounter, corresponding to black bears, and what to do when you come throughout them.

It’s additionally one of many solely restrooms on the drive, since there aren’t any alongside the way in which.

The park rangers are stationed right here to be your useful resource on all the pieces Shenandoah Nationwide Park, so it’s a good suggestion to get oriented, be taught concerning the hikes and ranger packages.

2. Hike the Darkish Hole Falls Path

We solely had time for one hike on our highway journey, so we selected the most well-liked hike in Shenandoah Nationwide Park, which can be the most effective for households.

Darkish Hole Falls Path is a 1.4-mile loop hike right down to the Darkish Hole Waterfall. Permit for no less than an hour and pack a picnic lunch if you wish to spend extra time having fun with the falls.

The primary viewpoint is just not the underside of the Falls however is one of the best view of the Falls. You’ll be able to stroll a bit of additional down the path to the very backside of the falls.

It’s not spectacular, however I liked the angle of the waterfall trickling down the moss-covered rocks, so positively contemplate this when planning your Shenandoah Valley mountaineering trails.

It’s a little bit of a steep climb coming again out, the toughest half is from the underside of the falls to the highest of the falls. After that, it’s extra of a gradual climb.

When you have time, you may discover extra of the Large Meadows space, such because the Harry F. Byrd Customer Middle and camp at Large Meadows Campground (or Large Meadows Lodge when you don’t like tenting).

3. Stroll an Alpaca

Simply how good can strolling an alpaca throughout a discipline be? I contemplated this when in search of enjoyable issues to do with our children.

It’s not one thing we’ve accomplished earlier than, and since we don’t have any pets, I knew the ladies would love a possibility to hang around with animals.

Let me inform you, strolling an alpaca is a cool expertise any household will love.

It’s like having your favourite teddy bear come to life: petting it as you stroll and stopping for as many cuddles as you may match into 60-minutes. I didn’t even care that my fifth gear strolling place was dropped again into first. I may have frolicked with these cute, light animals all day.

We have been all glowing after it and can endlessly keep in mind our candy time with the alpacas.

The farm additionally has a small retailer with merchandise constituted of alpaca fiber, which is 8 instances hotter than wool and far softer and extra comfy. You’ll be able to choose up a shawl constituted of the fiber of the alpaca you walked.

The Level of View Alpaca Farm is situated close to Staunton within the Shenandoah Valley.

This Shenandoah Valley exercise was positively Teen Accepted, and all of us extremely suggest it in your listing of Shenandoah Valley issues to do!

4. Discover the Luray Caverns

We have now seen loads of stalagmites and stalactites in caverns and caves everywhere in the world, so I used to be unsure as to only how good the Luray Caverns can be.

And as they’re the most important and hottest caverns within the Jap USA, I used to be anxious how its reputation might have diminished their worth.

I didn’t want to fret. It’s well-liked for a purpose. The Luray Caverns are probably one of the best I’ve ever seen.

I used to be surprised by the pristine situation and the abundance of stalagmites and stalactites formations, full-length draperies, and large columns that this historical cave has shaped over thousands and thousands of years.

It was enchanting.

Savannah stopped at each self-guided quantity to learn the outline and soak up issues just like the Large Redwood (largest formation); the Double Column (the place a stalagmite and stalactite develop linked subsequent to one another); the Fallen Stalactite (an enormous piece that fell in an earthquake 7,000 years in the past); and the beautiful Dream Lake with probably the most gorgeous reflections you’ve ever seen.

So good that you would be able to’t even inform it’s a reflection, pondering as an alternative it’s purely a ground of stalagmites reaching as much as a ceiling of stalactites.

It now has the y Journey approval as a high USA attraction.

5. Horseback driving with Jordan Hole Stables

We love horseback driving, and the Virginia mountains are a fantastic place to absorb the views on the again of a horse.

We took a horseback journey with Jordan Hole Stables, driving on Bliss, Cloude, Jasmine, and Treena, lovely light horses that took us throughout the small Hawksbill Creek and winding by a sequence of trails winding by a 140-acre property.

The Jordan Hole Secure trails additionally undergo lovely nation fields surrounded by a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Nationwide Park.

6. Discover Downtown Luray

Each the horse driving and Luray caverns are close to the city of Luray. Spend time exploring the small downtown space and peruse a number of native shops.

The 2-mile Hawksbill Greenway path runs alongside Hawksbill Creek and thru city. There are locations to dip your toes in to chill off from the summer season warmth.

We walked a small part of downtown previous the beautiful public areas of the Cliffside Pocket Park and Butterfly Backyard.

Cease in at The Valley Cork for a glass of native wine or beer, or an impressive espresso at Broad Porch Espresso.

I’d fee it as a high 5 espresso I’ve had within the nation. Sure, I get enthusiastic about these sorts of discoveries. Pair it with a gluten-free pound cake with whipped crème and lemon sauce. Style sensation!

6. Odor the lavendar at White Oak Lavender Farm and Purple Wolf Winery

Visiting the White Oak Lavender Farm and Purple Wolf Winery, solely 20 minutes from Massanutten was an sudden favourite Shenandoah Valley attraction.

We visited final minute after our river tubing journey was canceled as a consequence of flash-flood warnings.

Savannah considers herself a inexperienced witch, so a part of my love for this place was watching her enthusiasm for selecting lavender for her spells, buying a lavender plant, and diligently finding out find out how to maintain them.

Giving our kids alternatives to comply with their passions is without doubt one of the causes we love household journey a lot. It’s useful to them however permits mother and father to expertise a lot pleasure watching and experiencing it alongside them.

The lavender farm has lovely gardens you may wander round (for a small price) that embrace livestock, reflection chairs, and a labyrinth. (There’s a part you may go to that doesn’t require a price).

Seize some lavender-flavored ice cream for the child’s if you’re accomplished and head to the wine tasting room and gardens for lavender wine tasting. You may additionally attempt some blackberry ice cream, which is a well-known delicacy within the Shenandoah area (or search for wild blackberries when mountaineering).

The Purple Wolf Winery has eight lavender-flavored wines you may attempt (white, rose, and pink). If lavender-flavored wine is just too flamboyant for you, there are extra conventional whites and reds to attempt. However when you’re in search of Shenandoah Valley wineries with a distinction, go right here.

The wine backyard is a tranquil spot to sit down and savor. Remember to undertake the mantra artistically displayed all through the farm, “Simply Breathe and Chill out.”

The lavender aromas surrounding you positively aid you try this.

7. Go Peach Selecting at Chiles Peach Orchard

Prepared for probably the most scrumptious peaches you’ve ever tasted?

Simply close to the southern entrance to the Shenandoah Valley Nationwide Park is the Chiles Peach Orchard.

The fields of pick-your-own-fruit (peaches, blueberries, and strawberries) are surrounded by lovely views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There may be additionally a farm market with fruit, jams, apple cider donuts, and ice cream.

Since we had by no means picked peaches earlier than and have been brief on time, we selected peaches and are so thrilled we did. They have been good snacks for us as we explored the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia mountains.

8. Strive craft beer at Blue Mountain Brewery

After you have completed your peach choosing, head down the highway to the Blue Mountain Brewery, a favourite for these on the Shenandoah Valley Highway journey path.

Opened in 2007 because the area’s first rural brewery. We arrived early at 11:30 and have been shocked by how many individuals have been strolling in.

With its mountain setting, full-service restaurant, and a big number of craft beers you may see why it’s a favourite.

In addition they have their very own cider: pear and apple taste, which I loved.

9. Go wine tasting at Veritas Vineyards and Vineyard

Do you know that the Shenandoah Valley is Virginia’s premier wine-growing vacation spot? I had no thought wines have been even produced right here.

Veritas Vineyards and Vineyard is near Blue Mountain Brewery (and plenty of different wineries) and your good introduction to Virginia wines.

It’s a chic, but homely winery began on a easy horse and cattle farm in 1999 by Andrew and Patricia Hodson. This 20-year-old household enterprise produces excellent wines, starting from glowing to superbly balanced pink wines.

We loved a flight tasting sitting on Adirondack chairs on the garden with these lovely Blue Ridge Mountain views.

I wish to return for a extra in-depth expertise of the Shenandoah Valley Wine Path. Ladies’ journey anybody?

10. Discover Downtown Staunton

Staunton (pronounced Stanton) was our favourite of the small cities within the Shenandoah Valley (that we visited).

We loved a scrumptious espresso from Crucible Espresso Roasters earlier than strolling alongside the streets admiring the historic houses into the pedestrian. avenue.

We stopped in at Blu Level Seafood for a scrumptious lunch outdoors. The fish and chips right here have been similar to what you’d discover in Australia, together with the tartare sauce (I’ve by no means had something within the US that remotely tastes the identical).

Discover the downtown shops with cute native wares corresponding to By the Individuals, for the Individuals, Latitudes Honest Commerce Co., and Stanton Olive Oil.

A spotlight was visiting the Sunspots Glass Blowing Studio for a glassblowing demonstration and to see the gorgeous glass merchandise made on-site by numerous native artists.

The studio gallery is crammed with one-of-a-kind artwork items, in addition to purposeful artwork for the house and backyard corresponding to vases, hummingbird feeders, oil candles, and artisan jewellery.

That is the distinctive Virginia mountains memento you’re in search of. We bought some consuming glasses and Savannah picked up a glow at midnight mushroom.

11. Take pleasure in native cider at Sagebird Ciderworks, Harrisonburg

What began as a means to save cash for couple Amberlee and Zach Carlson has now changed into a preferred and thriving native cidery in downtown Harrisonburg.

Phrase received out concerning the dry tart flavors of ciders they experimented with and produced from regionally sourced fruit and taste.

They received a whole lot of awards, realized as a lot as they may, and finally opened the primary cidery in Harrisonburg, Sage Chook Ciderworks.

I loved a tasting flight of 5 flavors. In addition they have a cider slush and cider mimosas, plus frozen lemonade for the youngsters.

12. Strive Sushi at Mashita: Harrisonburg

What began as a Harrisonburg meals truck favourite has now changed into a 14-seat restaurant in downtown Harrisonburg.

Mashita restaurant provides finely crafted, constituted of scratch delicacies using contemporary substances from native suppliers and has many choices for vegans and gluten-free necessities.

Chef and proprietor, Mikey Reisenberg, needed to deliver variety to the native eating scene with revolutionary Korean dishes (his beginning house).

He started with a easy give attention to steamed buns and Korean lettuce wraps referred to as ssam and shortly received a number of awards and develop his menu.

It was scrumptious.

Our Kimbap (Korean-style sushi) was up there with one of the best sushi I’ve had, and the Mashita Bibimbap with brisket took all of the phrases out of mouth. I simply needed silence so I may savor the flavors.

13. Keep at Massanutten Resort, Virginia

Our mates go to Massanutten Resort yearly to go snowboarding, so we have been very conscious of this premier year-round resort vacation spot on the East Coast.

They weren’t mendacity after they spoke of how BIG Massanutten Resort is.

On over 6,000 acres, you’ll discover rental and resort lodging and distinctive facilities like an Indoor/Out of doors Water Park, Ski and Journey Park space, golf programs, farm-to-table eating experiences, procuring and recreation choices, mountain biking and mountaineering trails and a day spa for full rest and rejuvenation.

And deer. All over the place we turned there have been deer (and fawns!) grazing on the grass.

Its central location offers you quick access to all of the wonderful issues to do within the Shenandoah Valley.

Summit Condominium

We stayed in a spacious and cozy 2-bedroom Summit Condominium with lovely views over the mountains. Take pleasure in it along with your morning espresso on the screened-in porch.

The kitchen is large permitting for self-catering and Savannah LOVED the big jet bathtub.

For these now distant working and studying, I actually preferred the inclusion of a desk in the primary bed room. It’s typically tough to flee the busy household noise when working in the primary residing areas of your lodging. This was a terrific characteristic.

14. Go ziplining on the Household Journey Park

The Massanutten Resort’s Household Journey Park has a Child’s Journey Course (12 and beneath) a Ridge Rappel and Climbing Tour, a Mega Zip, and tubing (summer season and winter).

As we’re all the time up for a cover journey, Kalyra and I scaled up the bushes collectively to tackle hanging vines, bridges, and 6 zip strains – the longest at 470 ft lengthy.

We LOVED the zip, the place we may swing forwards and backwards on the road in between the bushes.

It was simply Kalyra and I as there’s a minimal weight of 78 kilos, which Savannah didn’t meet. So, this Cover Journey is teen authorised!

I may think about this exercise can be a terrific factor to do in Shenandoah in October when the autumn foliage is vibrant with oranges and yellows.

15. Splash across the Indoor and Out of doors WaterPark at Massanutten

I used to be impressed by the dimensions of the Indoor and Out of doors WaterPark at Massanutten. It’s a spot the youngsters will wish to spend hours.

Sadly, as a consequence of thunderstorms, the outside part was closed after we visited. We loved a few hours within the indoor part as an alternative of enjoyable within the Lazy River and dashing by the darkish down the Melting Mogul.

The Out of doors Waterpark has a wave pool and thrill waterslides and a 296 ft mat racer! These water-slides seemed wonderful! There are additionally loads of lounge chairs, swimming areas, sizzling springs, and kiddie splash swimming pools.

For a extra sedate swimming expertise, Massanutten additionally has an indoor and outside pool on the fundamental recreation constructing.

16. Escape from the MayDay Escape Room

Our first enjoyable household attraction at Massanutten Resort was the Escape Room. It’s considered one of our favourite household actions to do for the team-building expertise of attempting to decipher clues collectively.

We escaped with one-minute to spare, sealing the ships doorways, and saving the ship from sinking.

17. Strive informal eating on the Base Camp Umbrella Bar

Base Camp is the place to relax out beneath the umbrellas on the ski lodge deck on the base of the mountain.

Benefit from the views, native craft beer, and an informal dinner of burgers, pizza, or seafood dishes. Don’t skimp on a brownie sundae for dessert.

18. Take pleasure in a Campfire Grill

The Campfire Grill has a fantastic mountain setting with a big wraparound deck overlooking the golf course.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At night time, you’ll discover stay music, camp range chili, campfire hen and pizzas, boned steaks and burgers, and S’mores. I liked my campfire skillet for breakfast.

19. Try the Pure Bridge Caverns

Pure Bridge is a small city that connects to the Pure Bridge State Park, which has been added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. It’s most well-known for its caverns, which have been opened to the general public in 1977.

The caverns enterprise down 34 tales beneath the floor, providing an immense underground space to discover. You’ll be able to discover the expansive rock chambers and uncover cave formations such because the Colossal Dome.

The caverns are huge, and a guided tour will take round 45 minutes. It’s positively price including to your listing of issues to do in Shenandoah Nationwide Park.

20. Hike up Previous Rag Mountain

A number of the hottest hikes in Shenandoah Valley are up Previous Rag Mountain. These are difficult, rock scrambling hikes that aren’t for the faint-hearted.

There are two hikes up the mountain, the Previous Rag Circuit, and Previous Rag Summit through Berry Hole. each are difficult hikes and require an Previous Rag day-use ticket prematurely.

For these critical adventurers, this one is for you.

21. Stroll the Fridley Hole Loop

Situated in George Washington Nationwide Forest, this 14.8km loop path is a reasonable hike within the Elkton space of Shenandoah.

It’s a fairly difficult hike as a result of it’s so lengthy, and takes round 5.5 hours to finish. Nevertheless, it’s positively a rewarding expertise. Not solely due to the sense of accomplishment you get from it, however as a result of it’s a terrific place to take pleasure in some quietness and solitude.

Within the spring, the wildflowers are in bloom and the birds are churping. You’ll be able to even camp in case you have time to spare.

22. Go to the Frontier Tradition Museum

The Frontier Tradition Museum is an open-air residing historical past museum within the Shenandoah Valley. It brings historical past to life with costumed actors portraying details about the area’s previous.

You’ll study Native American tribes, in addition to concerning the arrival of German, English, and Irish immigrants who settled right here, in addition to be taught concerning the jobs that they had from blacksmithing, tailors, and yarn spinners.

You’ll additionally be taught concerning the outstanding slavery historical past of African individuals by British colonies in North America in a delicate and child-friendly means.

This can be a family-friendly attraction in Shenandoah that provides an insightful glimpse into Virginia’s historical past.

23. Hike as much as Hawksbill Mountain

Hawksbill is the very best mountain in Shenandoah so when you’re a critical mountaineering fan, then that is one exercise so as to add to the listing.

Standing at 4,051 toes, that is undoubtedly one of the best place to see views of the Shenandoah Valley, in addition to views so far as the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia Piedmont. It’s notably lovely at sundown,

There are three mountaineering trails to the Hawksbill Viewing Platform on the peak, however most individuals take the Hawksbill Loop Hike, which is lower than 3 miles so not too lengthy, however it’s steep. All the hike is about 690 toes of elevation achieve.

The car parking zone for the mountaineering trails is situated on Skyline Drive between the Thornton Hole Entrance Station and the Swift Run Hole Entrance Station.

24. Get historic at New Market Battlefield State Historic Park

Historical past buffs can even like to know that the Shenandoah Valley was as soon as thought-about the American Frontier and performed a vital function within the American Civil Struggle.

The New Market Battlefield is a type of essential Civil Struggle websites, simply ouside the city of New Market.

This website was the place the Union and Accomplice armies met in battle on Might fifteenth of 1864, and the place the Accomplice victory has been properly documented and preserveed.

This Battlefield and Navy Museum has one of many largest collections of genuine army memorabilia on show within the USA, and you may also take a strolling tour of the battlefield.

25. Wander across the historic Downtown Winchester

Winchester is without doubt one of the oldest cities within the area, and similar to the opposite cities already talked about on this listing, it boasts a bustling downtown space crammed with historic buildings, boutiqure procuring, and quaint small city museums.

Remember to make a cease by Hopscotch Espresso & Data, a comfortable espresso store the place you may store for vinyl data on the similar time, and the Crimson Fox Creamery for do-it-yourself ice cream.

For those who love studying concerning the historical past of small cities, you’ll want to step into the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, which is small however properly curated and particulars the story of the city’s evolution and introduces essential figures. You may also be taught extra concerning the city on the Winchester-Frederick County Customer Middle.

A kind of promenant figures from Winchester is Patsy Cline, and you may study her life and legacy on the Patsy Cline Historic Home.

Is Shenandoah price seeing?

The Shenandoah Valley is sandwiched between the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Alleghenies to the West.

In between these two mountain ranges, and rising up from the Shenandoah Valley ground, is the 50-mile lengthy, 6-mile large Massanutten Mountain Vary, which is house to the large and well-liked Massanutten Resort, which was our house base for our journey.

For those who love mountains, it’s completely price seeing.

It’s additionally an accessible place to go to from many main cities. It stretches roughly 200-miles from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to Roanoke, Virginia, and is about two hours west of Washington D.C.

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