23 Things to Do in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Sponsored by Virginia Tourism

We’ve simply found a brand new mountain area to like within the Southeast: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, house of Shenandoah Nationwide Park, the well-known Skyline Drive, the spectacular Luray Caverns, and cute small Virginia cities.

This richly fertile area is ideal for outside adventures, scenic viewpoints, farm-to-table eating experiences, family-owned wineries and breweries to discover, 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 to kick off our summer time trip and found many prime sights in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, in partnership with Go to Virginia.

In the event you’re trying to discover out what to do in Shenandoah and need assistance planning your itinerary, don’t sweat, as a result of this information will inform you the whole lot it’s good to know.

The place is the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia?

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

It stretches roughly 200-miles from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to Roanoke, Virginia, and is about two hours west of Washington D.C.

In between these two mountain ranges, and rising up from the Shenandoah Valley ground, is the 50-mile lengthy, 6-mile broad Massanutten Mountain Vary, which is house to the huge and standard Massanutten Resort, which was our house base for our journey. (See under)

Historical past buffs may 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 Warfare.

Issues to Do in Shenandoah Nationwide Park

When researching what to do in Shenandoah Valley VA, the spotlight for a lot of guests would be 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 mountain climbing trails by lush forests, and 75 scenic overlooks of mountain vistas.

A protracted stretch of the well-known Appalachian Path winds by Shenandoah Nationwide Park.

We had been disillusioned we didn’t have extra time and have bookmarked it for a return go to so we are able to hike and camp on this stunning US nationwide park. 

Right here’s what we did.

1. Drive the Skyline Drive, Shenandoah Nationwide Park

After all, we took the Nationwide Scenic Byway to Massanutten Resort.

The Skyline Drive catches the baton on the finish of the Blue Ridge Parkway and runs by the complete 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 finest 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, the very best viewpoints, and lodges.

There are viewpoints each couple of miles. Regardless of the fantastic thing about every overlook, you possibly can rapidly 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: Vary View Overlook (among the best views of the northern part of the park), South River Overlook (nice for dawn), Baldface Mountain Overlook, and Moormans River Overlook.

Right here’s some extra data on the completely different overlooks.

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.

The Thornton Hole Entrance can also be standard because it’s situated close to a city you possibly can keep in.

Driving the Skyline Drive is among the prime issues to do in Shenandoah Nationwide Park and shouldn’t be rushed. If you wish to have a full day exploring the drive, we advocate staying at Skyland Resort or Lewis Mountain Cabins, that are round midway on the drive.

Dickey Ridge Customer Heart

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

You’ll be able to be taught all concerning the wildlife you would possibly encounter, comparable to black bears, and what to do should 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 the whole lot Shenandoah Nationwide Park, so it’s a good suggestion to get oriented, be taught concerning the hikes and ranger applications.

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 also be among the best for households.

Darkish Hole Falls Path is a 1.4-mile loop hike all the way down to the Darkish Hole Waterfall. Enable for not less than an hour and pack a picnic lunch if you wish to spend extra time having fun with the falls.

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

It’s not spectacular, however I liked the attitude of the waterfall trickling down the moss-covered rocks, so positively think about this when planning your Shenandoah Valley mountain climbing 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.

If in case you have time, you possibly can discover extra of the Massive Meadows space, such because the Byrd Customer Heart and camp at Massive Meadows Campground (of Massive Meadows Lodge should you don’t like tenting).

3. Stroll an Alpaca

Simply how good can strolling an alpaca throughout a subject be? I contemplated this when in search of enjoyable issues to do within the Shenandoah Valley.

It’s not one thing we’ve finished 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 possibly can 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 lovely, light animals all day.

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

The farm additionally has a small retailer with merchandise comprised 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 comprised 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 Permitted, and all of us extremely advocate it to your record of Shenandoah Valley issues to do!

4. Discover the Luray Caverns

We have now seen loads of stalagmites and stalactites in caverns and caves all around 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 apprehensive how its recognition might have diminished their worth.

I didn’t want to fret. It’s standard for a motive. The Luray Caverns are probably the very best I’ve ever seen.

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

It was enchanting.

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

So excellent that you could’t even inform it’s a reflection, considering as a substitute it’s purely a ground of stalagmites reaching as much as a ceiling of stalactites.

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

5. Horseback Driving with Jordan Hole Stables

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

We took a horseback trip on Bliss, Cloude, Jasmine, and Treena, stunning light horses that took us throughout the small Hawksbill creek and winding by a collection of trails winding by a 140-acre property.

The Jordan Hole Steady trails additionally undergo stunning 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 couple 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 time warmth. We walked a small part of downtown previous the stunning 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 excellent espresso at Broad Porch Espresso.

I’d price it as a prime 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!

Moonshadows Restaurant is a favourite upscale eating expertise in Luray. We splurged with a three-course meal of ceviche and mussels for apps; duck confit linguini and spring sirloin for mains; and chocolate panna cotta and strawberry cream puff for dessert.

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 surprising favourite Shenandoah Valley attraction.

We visited final minute after our river tubing journey was canceled resulting from 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 tips on how to maintain them.

Giving our youngsters alternatives to comply with their passions is among the causes we love household journey a lot. It’s helpful to them however permits dad and mom to expertise a lot pleasure watching and experiencing it alongside them.

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

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

The Purple Wolf Winery has six lavender-flavored wines you possibly can attempt (white, rose, and purple). If lavender-flavored wine is simply too flamboyant for you, there are extra conventional whites and reds to attempt. However should 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. You should definitely undertake the mantra artistically displayed all through the farm, “Simply Breathe and Loosen up.”

The lavender aromas surrounding you positively assist you to do this.

7. Go Peach Selecting at Chiles Peach Orchard

Prepared for essentially 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 stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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

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

8. Attempt 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 Street journey path.

Opened in 2007 because the area’s first rural brewery. We arrived early at 11:30 and had been shocked by how many individuals had been strolling in. With its mountain setting, full-service restaurant, and a big choice of craft beers you possibly can see why it’s a favourite.

Additionally 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 had been even produced right here.

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

It’s a sublime, 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 purple wines.

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

I need to return for a extra in-depth expertise of the Shenandoah Valley Wine Path. Women’ 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 properties into the pedestrian. avenue.

We stopped in at Blu Level Seafood for a scrumptious lunch exterior. The fish and chips right here had 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 comparable 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 full of one-of-a-kind artwork items, in addition to useful artwork for the house and backyard comparable to vases, hummingbird feeders, oil candles, and artisan jewellery.

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

11. Take pleasure in Native Cider at Sagebird Ciderworks, Harrisonburg

What began as a method to economize for couple Amberlee and Zach Carlson has now become 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 domestically sourced fruit and taste. They received a number of awards, realized as a lot as they might, and finally opened the primary cidery in Harrisonburg, Sage Hen Ciderworks.

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

12. Attempt Sushi at Mashita: Harrisonburg

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

Chef and proprietor, Mikey Reisenberg, wished to deliver variety to the native eating scene with revolutionary Korean dishes (his beginning house). He started with a easy deal with steamed buns and Korean lettuce wraps referred to as ssam and shortly received a number of awards and increase his menu.

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

It was scrumptious.

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

13. Keep at Massanutten Resort, Virginia

Our pals go to Massanutten Resort yearly to go snowboarding, so we had 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 apartment and resort lodging and distinctive facilities like an Indoor/Outside Water Park, Ski and Journey Park space, golf programs, farm-to-table eating experiences, purchasing and recreation choices, mountain biking and mountain climbing trails and a day spa for full rest and rejuvenation.

And deer. In all places we turned there have been deer (and fawns!) grazing on the grass.

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

Summit Apartment

We stayed in a spacious and comfy 2-bedroom Summit Apartment with stunning 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 favored the inclusion of a desk in the principle bed room. It’s usually troublesome to flee the busy household noise when working in the principle dwelling areas of your lodging. This was a terrific characteristic.

14. Ziplining on the Household Journey Park

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

As we’re at all times up for a cover journey, Kalyra and I scaled up the bushes collectively to tackle hanging vines, bridges, and 6 zip traces – 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 authorized!

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

15. Splash Across the Indoor and Outside WaterPark

I used to be impressed by the scale of the Indoor and Outside WaterPark at Massanutten. It’s a spot the youngsters will need to spend hours.

Sadly, resulting from thunderstorms, the outside part was closed once we visited. We loved a few hours within the indoor part as a substitute of enjoyable within the Lazy River and rushing by the darkish down the Melting Mogul.

The Outside Waterpark has a wave pool and thrill waterslides and a 296 ft mat racer! These water-slides seemed superb! 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 foremost recreation constructing.

16. Escape from the MayDay Escape Room

Our first enjoyable household attraction at Massanutten Resort was the Escape Room. It’s one among 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. Attempt Informal Eating on the Base Camp

Base Camp is the place to sit back out below 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 phenomenal 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. Take a look at 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 had been opened to the general public in 1977.

The caverns enterprise down 34 tales under 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 value including to your record of issues to do in Shenandoah Nationwide Park.

20. Hike up Previous Rag Mountain

A few 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 by way of Berry Hole. each are difficult hikes and require an Previous Rag day-use ticket upfront.

For these severe 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 feat 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 if in case you have time to spare.

22. Go to the Frontier Tradition Museum

The Frontier Tradition Museum is an open-air dwelling 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 find out about 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 folks by British colonies in North America in a delicate and child-friendly method.

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

23. Hike as much as Hawksbill Mountain

Hawksbill is the best mountain in Shenandoah so should you’re a severe mountain climbing fan, then that is one exercise so as to add to the record.

Standing at 4,051 toes, that is undoubtedly the very 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 stunning at sundown,

There are three mountain climbing 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. Your complete hike is about 690 toes of elevation acquire.

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

Earlier than You Go

So there you’ve got it, these are 23 of the very best issues to do in Shenandoah Nationwide Park and as you possibly can see, there’s a lot to do!

In the event you don’t have lengthy to spend, I like to recommend you make a journey down Skyline Drive and cease off to do some mountain climbing alongside the way in which. Keep in a small city and you’ll want to attempt among the native wines and cider.

And above all, have a incredible journey!

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