A family poses for a photo amongst the fall foliage at Blandy Experimental Farm/The VA State Arboretum
Before you visit the Shenandoah Valley, here are some MUST-SEE places to add to your itinerary!
As a local, I have the awesome privilege of visiting so many beautiful and unique locations across the Shenandoah Valley on a regular basis, and thought I'd share the inside scoop on some of our most beloved locations. So before you head out, check out this list!
If you can sacrifice a weekend, it's beyond easy to fill it with all of the fascinating history and quaint shops in the area. But if you can only come for a day--trust me when I say you'll want to come back soon.
The Valley is filled with a lot of unique small towns and beautiful untouched landscape, yet still within easy driving distance of the hustle and bustle of several major cities, making it the ideal place to spend some time away and slow down to reconnect with family or see some new sites.
Visit Oldtown Winchester
I know I'm biased, because this is in my hometown. BUT Winchester has so many beautiful things all in one easily navigated city and I really want to highlight it first because it's amazing. It has a historic oldtown walking mall area that brings so many of my favorite things into one place. Delicious food from a wide variety of restaurants ranging from Mexican to Italian to a good ol' American grill, and one of our favorite coffee shops all on the same strip. There's so much to do you can literally spend the day JUST on the walking mall and not get bored. Polka Dot Pot is a fun pottery place where you can get crafty, live performers frequently share their talents, and there's even a splash pad--so if you have kids bring a change of clothes! But definitely take the time to see this beautiful area in the valley and learn about the rich history in Oldtown Winchester! Just this month I visited George Washington's Office located right near oldtown. How cool is that?
I should probably also mention our local Apple Blossom Festival. It's this huge festival with parades, fireworks, a carnival, and all kinds of events in Winchester! It has its own website, which you can check out here.
Go Underground at Luray Caverns or Skyline Caverns
I was about 12 years old when I visited Luray Caverns and it blew my *mind.* That I had existed in a town with these massive underground caverns just *there* and I didn't even know about it... it was like a movie! And I still took for granted that they were in the area because I didn't realize they weren't, well, anywhere and everywhere else. But if you've never been, the underground caverns and incredible formations within really are awe-inspiring other-worldly and you've got to make the trip.
See Front Royal
Known both as the gateway for Skyline Drive (popular among those looking to view fall foliage!), and as a river town great for camping, canoeing, fishing, tubing, swimming--Front Royal is both scenic with mountain views and has a quaint downtown area. My family has a membership with a campground and spends much of our summer vacation town on the river! It's a fun place for scenic getaway.
Visit Local Farms & Orchards
Looking to spend a family day on the farm? There are so many great farms and apple orchards in the valley--which explains the random large "apples" you'll see along the way! It's probably my favorite fall activity, because the weather is cool and crisp, and it's harvest time for the farms meaning pick-your-own apples, pumpkins and more, and baked goods are in full style along with comfy sweaters and plaid. Call me your basic white girl if you want. But as someone who grew up with gardening, fruit trees and farm animals, it's a taste of home for me. My personal recommendation? Visit in the fall. There are festivals with live music and cider and it's a whole vibe around here.
This is sort of a list all its own, but here are some of the top local favorites:
Giddy-up to the Shenandoah Valley for a Trail Ride!
Sorry for the pun, I had to. If you're the adventurous sort, consider booking a trail ride! The Shenandoah Valley has a lot of farms and ranches to choose from, but here are some of my favorites:
Rockin' S Ranch was probably my top favorite mostly because we went through water, but others I've gone to that were also very enjoyable are the Marriot and one year my husband surprised me for my birthday by taking me to Fort Valley Ranch.
Go on An Easy Mountaintop Hike
"App-uh-latch-un," I'm told, is the right way to pronounce Appalachian. I grew up hearing and saying "App-uh-lay-shun." But awhile back my family moved to Boone, NC (the home of App State), and apparently they'll go into a real southern tizzy and bless-your-heart if you mispronounce it down there. Lesson learned. However you pronounce it, the Appalachian Trail runs through the Shenandoah Valley and attracts many an outdoorsman near and far. I'm pretty outdoorsy and grew up barefoot among a large gaggle of children, but I also have small children and like to enjoy less strenuous outdoor activities. If you're somewhere between "Love the Outdoors" and "Might Occasionally Hike" then the hike up to a beautiful mountain view at Bear's Den overlook (starting from the parking area on Rt. 7) is just for you! Check out this resource for more information: Bear's Den Overlook Hike. And if you're looking for something more intense, the AT has more challenging ones also!
Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry is a quaint town full of rich history where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet. My family just recently took a day trip there--and went last year also. We parked at the top near the welcome area and took advantage of their complimentary shuttle service down into town. This shuttle is a huge bonus for us with limited parking in town, and having a (collapsible) double stroller and two small children! We all grab something for quick loading and unloading and it's a few minute ride down the "hill" on a bus, which my toddler absolutely loves. The historical candy store in town is probably my favorite, but I also just love the views so it's a toss-up between my eyes and my sweet tooth!
Tour Our Historic Homes & Gardens
Longbranch is a beautiful historic house and farm that offers a peaceful escape from the noise of the city. Plan a picnic on the grounds, or a tour of the beautiful home for a sophisticated view of some local history.
Another popular favorite amongst locals and out-of-towners alike is Blandy Experimental Farm. I am a portrait photographer and have photographed many people there! It has a historic building as well as many acres of gardens and well-kept grounds and trails.
Plan a Day at the Fair
Do cities have fairs? This shows my roots, as county fairs play a big role in the culture here. Live animals, monster truck events, harvest competitions, carnivals, tractor pulls and local vendors.
I'm not sure if it's only a country thing, but if you're looking to visit in late summer, we've got fairs going on everywhere! Check out the Frederick, Clarke, Shenandoah, and Warren County fair schedules!
Route 11 Yard Crawl
Are you interested in a shop-till-you-drop yard sale event? The Rt. 11 Yard Crawl boasts over 43 miles of sales and it's quite the summer event around here. So if you're a bargain shopper that gets high on bizarre shopping experiences, this may be just the event for you! It's a bit mind-boggling just how many yard sales there are at one time. Follow the link above for more info.
Take a Deep Breath in a National Forest
Nothing says peaceful like a forest where all you can hear is the sounds of nature.
A trickling creek, leaves dancing in the breeze, birds chirping and squirrels watching from branches above. My personal go-to is the George Washington National Forest, and more specifically the campground or day use areas. There's a suspended bridge, bathrooms, a swimming hole, and hiking trails at the Elizbeth Furnace Recreational Area. We have both camped and gone just to spend the day as a family.
Want professional photos taken while visiting the Shenandoah Valley?
This is a shameless plug for my business, because I love portrait photography and I'm proud to show off my home! If you'd like to schedule a photography session while you're here in the Shenandoah Valley, I'm your gal. Check out my portfolio and the packages and experience I offer, and book your photoshoot to capture some of your amazing adventures while you're here!
Have kids? Check out this blog post with a detailed list of fun family-friendly activities in the Winchester area!
