Harrisonburg has something for anyone, including outdoor expeditions, hiking, biking, camping, and fishing in the mountains that surround the valley. You’ll also find museums that preserve the history of the area, different trails of unique businesses that make a fun experience, live music and nightlife, some of the best restaurants and fine dining in the country, children’s activities, markets, orchards, and greenhouses.
Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail
This is no hiking trail, this is a trail of craft breweries starting in Harrisonburg, VA, moving down into Staunton and Waynesboro, and finishing in Lexington. The trail covers three counties, but each brewery is conveniently located within one hour of each other. Each brewery is its own legend. Travel to any one of the breweries on the trail and discover great live music, excellent farm to table food, and chances to win prizes during their promotional programs.
Harrisonburg Tourism 212 S Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, Phone: 540-432-8935
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
The James Madison University at Harrisonburg, VA hosts the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum where everyone is invited to explore the Oak-Hickory Forest, the trails winding through the daffodils, sloped forests, the pond in the lowlands, and the tree-covered savannah that many of nature’s beautiful creatures call home. This arboretum is a place that educators and students may use as a natural classroom during business hours. But, it is also for anyone wanting to bask in the serenity of the arboretum. This research space provides safe preservation of native flora and fauna and inspires people with natural beauty.
780 University Blvd, MSC 3705, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, Phone: 540-568-3194
The Joshua Wilton House
Harrisonburg, VA is known for its old districts, and The Joshua Wilton House aspires to remain the center of travel among the old buildings in the downtown area. The inn features fine dining and comfortable stays for anyone to enjoy. Only fresh, local food is served at this restaurant and inn, where top-rated chefs prepare every meal. The Joshua Wilton House offers catering, reservation dining, reservation stays at the inn, reservations for parties, graduations, weddings, and other private events. As the seasons change, so does the menu, so going more than once is highly recommended.
412 South Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801, Phone: 540-434-4464
Explore More Discovery Museum
The Explore More Discovery Museum is a place for children to learn, explore, and discover all the things about our world in the past, present, and future. Children actively learn by getting hands-on, doing the activities, and having a ton of fun. The museum offers birthday parties, field trips, workshops, summer camps, and many more fun and exciting ways for children to learn and grow in an active environment. The workshops and programs the museum offers also help the parents teach their children at home. The museum is accommodating to any child who wishes to seek knowledge about their world.
150 South Main St. Harrisonburg, VA., Phone: 540-442-8900
Mineral Museum
The Mineral Museum is another one of James Madison University’s many wonders for people to come and gain knowledge about the world. It houses more than 600 gemstone and crystal specimens acquired from every corner of the globe. Every specimen is neatly classified and displayed with many types of data, including where the specimen was found, the crystal system classification, the elemental formula, and where that type of mineral can be found in the world, among other great facts about each specimen. The specimens are arranged by chemistry in the systematic collection, by locality in the Virginia minerals collection, and by fluorescence in the Fluorescent Mineral Display.
Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences MSC 6903 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA. 22807, Phone: 540-568-6421
Shenandoah Heritage Market
Held in the Shenandoah Valley, the Shenandoah Heritage Market is the largest county market in the area. The entire market consists of over 20 shops that sell all kinds of produce, canned goods, handmade furniture, crafts, quilts and blankets, antiques, history memorabilia, homemade candies, baked goods, bulk foods, western apparel, and of course, toys for the little ones. A large antique mall surrounds the market grounds, and there is ample parking for RVs and busses. There is a little something for everyone at this market, and it gives everyone a great chance to support local business in the Shenandoah Valley area.
121 Carpenter Lane, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, Phone: 540-433-3929 or 800-296-2905
Harrisonburg Farmers Market
From local and seasonal produce to artisanal bread, from free-range meat products to rare cheese finds, the Harrisonburg Farmers Market has it all. The market has offering bringing farmers, artisans, and other vendors the unique opportunity to connect with the local community and sell high-quality products since the 1950s. Harrisonburg’s farmers market started with a local organic farmer, Clarence Dellinger, who started selling his produce in the police station's parking lot. In the later years, the Harrisonburg Farmers Market would eventually find its permanent home in 2008 at the Turner Pavilion. Popular with visitors and locals alike, there are tons of great deals and unique finds to snag at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market.
228 South Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801; Phone: 540-476-3377
Shenandoah Valley
This valley, located at the northern tip of Virginia, is a part of the Great Appalachian Valley and bears southwest down the state for a little over 200 miles. You can find mountains, parks, lands to use to hike, fish, bike, camp, or just take a nice scenic drive. Along the trail are prominent historic towns like Harrisonburg, Shenandoah, Winchester, Lexington, and many more. Every town in the Shenandoah Valley is filled with bustling culture, many different shops and restaurants, nightlife, kid’s activities, nature journeys, outdoor recreation, historic tours and landmarks, museums, architecture, and art. The Shenandoah Valley has something for everyone.
Showalter’s Orchard and Greenhouse
Everything you want in an orchard or greenhouse is everything that Showalter’s Orchard and Greenhouse is. At the orchard, you can pick from several types of peaches, over 25 types of apples, and various veggies. You are welcome to make an experience out of visiting the orchard and picking your fruit and vegetables yourself, or you can choose the produce already picked. The greenhouse is full of perennials both local and from elsewhere, annual flowers and plants, and brand-new varieties, which are hauled in often. You can also find great veggies like tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, herbs, and many other plants. Everything grown at Showalter’s is all natural.
17768 Honeyville Road, Timberville, VA 22853, Phone: 540-896-7582
The Heritage Museum
The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society guards the heritage and history of their part of the Shenandoah Valley, while preserving, educating, and collecting more each day to put out for display for all to come and see. The Heritage Museum has many historical exhibits like the civil war exhibit and the Shenandoah history exhibit. You can also research your genealogy through your surname using the thousands of records that are displayed for anyone to use. The museum also runs many programs for the community with experts in history, relatives of famous people of the area, master storytellers, and America’s war historians.
382 High Street, P.O. Box 716 Dayton, VA 22821, Phone: 540-879-2681
The Valley Turnpike Museum
Located in beautiful Harrisonburg, VA., The Valley Turnpike Museum is dedicated to researching, preserving, and educating the public about the history of the colonization of the Shenandoah Valley in the early 1800s and the years going forward. The locals call this era the Turnpike Era, because a company named The Valley Turnpike Company built the road that goes from Staunton to Winchester, winding through the mountainous Shenandoah Valley. This road was the first major infrastructure that was built that helped the colonization of the area. There are many exhibits that display artifacts representing their era, from the days of the civil war to more modern eras.
212 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801, Phone: 540-432-8935
Heritage Bakery and Cafe
Heritage Bakery and Cafe is nestled inside the Visitor’s Center in Harrisonburg’s downtown and is operated by a mother and daughter who make elegant, fresh, unique, and very tasty items that any person would love. The menu for the daily baked goods changes frequently, so customers have a chance to try something new and have some of the old favorites too. On holidays, the Heritage Bakery and Café serves a lovely tea party for everyone. You can expect to find pastries, breakfast, sandwiches, soup, quiche, kid’s meals, and a large variety of tea, milk, coffee, and juices. The menu offers items that are healthy, very affordable, and extremely delicious.
212 South Main St, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Phone: 540-564-1200
White Oak Lavender Farm and The Purple WOLF Vineyard
Known for their premier hospitality as well as high-end lavender products, the White Oak Lavender Farm and The Purple WOLF Vineyard can be found in the stunning Shenandoah Valley. The farm boasts 8,000 lavender plants in addition to 3,000 high-quality grape vines of several varieties. Owned by the Haushalter family of Harrisonburg, the farm and vineyard have been open to the public since 2008. Guests can participate in wine tastings at The Purple WOLF Vineyard, or attend various tours, lectures, and classes about both wine and lavender at the estate. Meanwhile, a fantastic lavender gift shop offers guests access to various goods of incredible quality from bath products, spa products, and even culinary products.
2644 Cross Keys Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801, Phone: 540-421-6345
Back Home on the Farm
Featuring 240 lush acres of farmland, Back Home on the Farm is a fantastic attraction for families that is situated in Rockingham County. Back Home on the Farm welcomes guests of all ages to come and enjoy recreational fun farm style with tons of country-themed attractions to enjoy. Hope on a cow train with your kids, enjoy a hay ride, watch an action-packed pig race, or even get lost in a tricky and challenging corn maze. In the fall, the pumpkin patch comes alive and beckons guests to pick and bring home the perfect pumpkin for October festivities. Be sure to stop by the farm’s café to enjoy afternoon tea the way 19th Century Brits would, with delicious teas and sumptuous treats to pair with them.
2915 Willow Run Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802, Phone: 540-442-6493
Pale Fire Brewing Co
The creative juices are always going at Pale Fire Brewing Co Passionate about crafting the perfect pour of beer, the Pale Fire Brewing Company was founded in April 2015 and has grown into an award-wining brewery with distribution reaches all over the state. Avid beer drinkers who want to sample the unique and award-winning offers of Pale Fire Brewing Company can do so at the tasting room located in downtown Harrisonburg. As with any brewery, the best place to start is always with the flagship line. Try a tasting flight of Pale Fire’s mainstays like the Red Molly Irish Red Ale, the Deadly Rhythm Pale Ale, the Salad Days American Saison, or the Arrang India Pale Ale.
217 S. Liberty Street #105, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801, Phone: 540-217-5452
Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center
Travel back in time and experience what life would have been like for Shenandoah Valley’s early settlers at Brethren and Mennonite Heritage Center. This cultural, historical, and educational attraction features a 24-acre campus comprised of historic buildings from the 18th through the 20th Century. While guests are certainly welcome to explore the heritage center on their own, there are tours that will help visitors get the most out of their trip. Starting at the Welcome Center, guests will visit a 1790s shoemaker shop, pay a visit to a pre-Civil War log house, learn about education back within a 1900s one-room schoolhouse, and so much more. Learn from interpretative panels, watch info-packed videos about the Brethren and Mennonites, or simply enjoy the incredible views that the center offers of the Shenandoah valley.
1921 Heritage Center Way, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801, Phone: 540-438-1275
Elevation Sports
True to their name, Elevation Sports definitely takes the best of sports and takes it to a whole other level for each of their visitors. Known specifically for their Bubble Soccer, visitors to Elevation Sports can look forward to an intense game of soccer from within bounce balloons. One hit will have players rolling off into bouncy barriers and back again, and scoring will certainly be a challenge. Other unique experiences at Elevation Sports include Combat Archery, Nerf Wars, and family-friendly recreational activities that encourage and promote health and wellness to each person who visits. No matter which sport, guests ought to be ready to battle their friends and family in this popular sports center.
1925 E. Market Street State 302, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801, Phone: 540-705-0951
Mulligan’s Golf Center
Whether you’re looking to play a competitive round of miniature golf with your buddies, improve your swing, or simply whack a bunch of balls as far as you can, Mulligan’s Golf Center has got you covered. Milligan’s Golf Center is a practice facility that sees many guests eager to have a great time or to pick up items from the pro shop. Welcoming golfers of all ages, it’s the ideal spot to practice your swing, work on putting, or go all out on a bucket of balls. When you’re done at the practice center, Mulligan’s has a challenging 18-hole mini golf course with tricky landscapes and surprising obstacles to navigate.
141 Carpenter Lane, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801, Phone: 540-432-9040
Beards and Broads Axe Throwing
Ready to have an incredible day or night out with your friend and family? Beards and Broads Axe Throwing promises just that with their welcoming sports bar style restaurant, axe-throwing lanes, and endless entertainment. Beards and Broads specializes in urban axe throwing and beckons first-timers and returning axe wielders alike to test their aim and strength in competitive axe-throwing games. Meanwhile, the on-site restaurant offers spectacular American fare and all the drinks one could want care of their fully stocked bar. For younger guests, or participants who may not feel ready to sling an axe just yet, Beards and Broads also offers board games, kid games, and other engaging activities.
1971 Evelyn Byrd Suite G, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801, Phone: 540-208-7902
